Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Water Filters - 4 Healthy Reasons to Use Them

Getting a pure water filter is important to every household as it gives a lot of benefits in the long-run. Here are some reasons why do you need a pure water filter.

Reason #1: Pure water filter for a healthier life

The word "filter" give a basic impression of the function is which to filter the water from things such as bacteria, pesticides and contamination which is hazardous to our health. This is because although water are treated in water treatment plant before it flows into the water system in each household but there are some bacteria or pesticides that resists the treatment facilities effort. The standard treatment such as chemical disinfection does not eliminate cryptosporidium cysts - a common water contamination that are resistant to the chemical disinfection. Cysts, a form of parasite or microscopic creature can cost illness, commonly known as "stomach flu" which can cause fatality.

Reason #2: Inexpensive

Pure water filters are not expensive as many people thought it to be as there are many varieties and different categories to choose to catered to all households' needs. Ditch the idea of buying bottled water as a substitute in getting clean water instead of installing pure water filter. This is because in a practical manner, buying bottled water as your water supply will cost you more in the long run and bottled water may not be necessary safe as water standard are not stated in the label.

Reason #3: Fun with pure water filters

As mentioned above, there are many varieties of water filters such as faucet fillers, pitchers, refrigerator (Yes! You can install in it too, depending on your refrigerator model) and dispensers type. And who says drinking water is dull and tasteless? To add the fun, there is also flavor filters that comes in strawberry grape, peach or lemon flavor.

Reason #4: Go green & be happy

Substituting bottled water with pure water filter is a right choice for everyone as you can save the earth from "consuming" the plastic bottles which take years to be dispose at land-fills. In addition, filtered water is often chlorine-free and this provides safe, clean and odorless water for drinking, washing and bathing, compared to consuming unfiltered water or bottle water.

In conclusion, getting a pure water filter is a step of a healthier life, inexpensive, fun and at the same time, allows you to go green by being environmental friendly and a happier you. Now, isn't that every good reasons for you to install pure water filter today!

How to Take Care of Foot Blisters

Blisters on your feet can be a very familiar, but very painful, problem for folks in all walks of life. They are caused by many different factors. Wet feet, socks that do not fit, new shoes that have not been broken in, or making a repetitive movement that you do not usually make can all lead to the formation of foot blisters.

The blister is actually the body's attempt to protect itself. A point on your foot that is being rubbed by an unusual amount of rubbing is called a hotspot. These hot spots are an indication that the sub layers of your skin are chafing together and that you are causing damage to them. If you do not respond to the hot spot by stopping the activity or by at least doing something to relieve the friction, your body will react by directing a rush of fluid to build a pad over the point of friction. That is how the blister is formed. The actual pain that you feel does not come from the blister itself, it actually comes from the raw damaged tissue that is underneath. If you know how to treat a foot blister the right way, it will likely heal itself a lot quicker.

Some people say to break the blister, while others say not to, so which is the proper course of action

Your body created the little sac of fluid for a reason and acts as a buffer against the irritation. If you leave the blister alone the body will eventually reabsorb the fluid and the skin underneath will grow out painlessly. If you do drain the blister, or it breaks of its own accord, put some antibiotic ointment and a patch over it to keep it from becoming infected. Either way, a patch will help the blister heal by protecting the area or shutting out infection.

If you are into exercising or going for a run every day, you are no doubt careful with all the gear you select for your chosen exercise routine. That being the case, why should you stop short when it comes to selecting the proper foot gear such as socks and shoes? Your feet take you everywhere and merit the best treatment you can give them.

Prevention is always the best medicine

Before venturing out on that five mile run or long walk over the hills, take the time to break in the shoes you will be wearing. Wear them often to work out the rubbing areas and hot spots. When you pick out socks, make sure that they will not retain the moisture around your foot. Buy ones that are designed for wicking away moisture, and make sure that they are neither to big, nor too small. Products such as Body Glide can help to reduce rubbing over hot spots as well. You apply these products on places that you suspect may become hot spots before you begin any walking or exercise activity.

Read This Before You Choose Your Hemorrhoid Treatment Solution

There are so many different choices out there when it comes to hemorrhoid treatments. You need to understand all the choices that you have and you need to figure out how to pick out the best hemorrhoids treatment for your needs as well. It can be difficult to know where to begin when choosing a good hemorrhoid treatment. However, here are a few great tips that can help make this choice a whole lot easier for you.

Tip #1 - Consider Where they are Located - The first thing that you need to keep in mind when you are trying to pick out the right hemorrhoid treatment for your needs is to consider where the hemorrhoids are located. Are they located on the inside or on the outside of the rectum? If they are on the outside, there are usually easier treatment options available, such as treatment creams, rubber band ligation, and simple home solutions. However, if they are on the inside and they are large or there are quite a few of them, it may require surgery for the best results. So, consider the location of your hemorrhoids when you're trying to pick out the best hemorrhoid treatment for your needs.

Tip #2 - Consider Size and Severity - It's also important that you consider the size and severity of your hemorrhoids as well when choosing a hemorrhoid treatment. Some hemorrhoids are so small that they are rarely felt. However, some of them can be large and very painful. You'll need a more extreme treatment option if you are dealing with hemorrhoids that are painful and quite large.

Tip #3 - Ask Yourself if You Can Live with the Pain - You also need to ask yourself if you can live with the pain you are feeling as well. If the pain isn't too bad, a simple numbing cream or taking a warm bath may be a great hemorrhoid treatment to try out. On the other hand, if the pain is so bad that you can barely sit down, you may need a more advanced treatment option to help get rid of them so you are not in so much pain.

Tip #4 - Are You Bleeding? Are you dealing with any bleeding? Well, this can actually have an impact on the hemorrhoid treatment that you pick. If there is only a little bleeding, it may not be too serious and simple home or over the counter hemorrhoid treatments will be a great choice. However, if you are bleeding a lot or all the time, you'll have to have something more serious done to treat the problem, since it's not good to bleed so much on a regular basis.

Tip #5 - Avoid Products that Include Ingredients You're Allergic To - When you are choosing hemorrhoid treatments, make sure that you avoid any products that include ingredients that you are allergic too. Read the ingredient list before you buy the product. If you ever see any symptoms of irritation, make sure that you stop the treatment as soon as you can. Hence, it is not surprising to see more and more people seeking 100% natural herbal hemorrhoids treatment as they are safer and chemical-free.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Looking For Pure Distilled Water? Check Out These Top 3 Pure Water Solutions

The two most important issues to discuss about healthy drinking water is how pure is distilled water and what is the best pure water solution? Let's start with the interesting facts about pure distilled water:

1. Distillation, combined with filtration, will kill and remove almost 100% of microorganisms, heavy metals, organic and inorganic substances. Therefore, it is seen as the nearest form of pure water.

2. Distilled water is also mineral free, since it eliminates all substances that are not formed by the formula of H2O. Therefore, it is as if you are drinking water, and water only without any mineral in it.

3. Pure distilled water is able to cleanse your body system for short periods of time, since it has the ability to absorb the toxic in body and dispose it due to its almost pure form as water. So, pure water is good in purifying your body as well!

However, since distilled water removes practically everything from the water; it eliminates the benefits that you could get from your drinking water such as minerals in it. Here are some of pure water solutions that you might interested to look at:

1. Reverse osmosis water is a technology where the water molecules need to get through a 0.0001 micron semi-permeable membrane. The spiral wound membrane provides the pressure needed for the water to get through the filtration. The substances left behind are directly diverted to the waste drain, making it another choice of pure water. This can be a good pure water solution for you.

2. Slow sand filtration water is another form of pure water solution, which is more economical than other form of pure water. 100% natural, the sand acts as a filter in which its natural components are multitasking in removing the unnecessary contaminants in the water. The result is clean, colourless and odourless water, safe for human consumption.

3. Ultra violet water treatment is effective in removing bacteria from water. It kills bacteria that contaminate the water, turning the water into a purified form and safe to be consumed by human. It is also an economic pure water solution technology compared to all other water purification technologies available now in the market.

Now that you have known the facts about pure distilled water and the pure water solutions in hand, you can always choose the best water to consume for you and your family. It's up to you to decide!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Whole House Water Filters - Is it Safe & Effective?

With the increasing awareness of water health, more and more households are now installing a whole house water filter. The main purpose of these types of filters is to provide pure, clean and health drinking water for the whole family. The common practice is just to have water that looks and smells clean. This is not the correct practice as there are a lot of germs and viruses that persist in unfiltered water. So, let us learn more about water filters for the house.

The water derived from whole house water filters is usually unpurified water. The simple reason lies in the methods of these derivations. Most of these filters depend on simple boiling processes or a household activated carbon filter. The filters can remove chlorine and other impurities but this still does not guarantee 100% pure healthy water, especially for drinking purposes. The truth is, there are still other contaminants in the water itself which is hazardous to our health.

The filtration methods used by normal whole house water filters are not sufficient in treating all the possible contaminants in the water that has been derived from rivers, lakes or other common sources. There are many inventions made in the field of determining the purification of water for drinking purposes. Chemical analysis has proven that the water from a whole house water filter is not safe enough for drinking and cooking purposes.

Quality standards sometimes demands for some amounts of disinfectant (such as chlorine) in the water. These are added in the water treatment plant (WTP) to make water worth drinking. However it is very important to reduce the risk of re-contamination while the water is in the distribution system. Whole house water filters, may play a vital role in removing bacteria and fungi contaminants as well as protecting against carcinogenic consequence from drinking water. But they are not at all full proof in their job.

Now that you have realized the fact about whole house water filter, do yourself a favor and get a good water purifier, rather than a whole house water filter. This will enhance healthy factors and will make your life secure. Do quality research and compare different types of water purifiers before deciding one that suits you the most.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Home medical supplies: The home nebulizer can be a life saving device

A nebulizer is an important device for people suffering from respiratory problems; it can turn disconsolate days into optimistic ones as it can allow an afflicted person to feel better. Indeed, this equipment can be easily found in the medical supply market since it is a life saving tool for ailing people. It is therefore not a surprise that even the internet can provide this effective equipment for breathing.

In case you often experience labored breathing, then you should seriously consider buying a home nebulizer along with other home medical supplies such as a peak flow meter.  This way, you can simply plug the device when you think you are in need of assistance in easing up your breathing. The gadget works by changing the respiratory medication from liquid into mist so the result can simply be inhaled into the lungs of patients like you. Home nebulizer therapy is known to be efficient in delivering asthma medications to small children and infants and to any person who finds it difficult to use asthma inhalers that contain a spacer.

You however, cannot just purchase or rent a nebulizer out of the blue since you will be required to present a prescription obtained from your physician. Nebulizers may vary in cost which typically ranges from $200 to $250. Check with your insurance company before you try to purchase or rent one since you may be glad to know that there are some insurance companies that have it covered.

During the treatment, the medication can stick to the sides of the nebulizer and you need to get rid of the droplets in order to continue. You will also need to cover the compressor using a clean cloth when storing to keep the nebulizer clean and free from dust and pollen.

The need for a nebulizer and other home medical supplies is becoming greater each year as more and more children are developing asthma and other respiratory ailments.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Anal Fissures Treatment & Cure Guide

Anal fissures are different to piles (hemorrhoids) in that piles are caused by swelling anal cushions within the anal canal (internal piles) or bulges at the anus (external piles.) An anal fissure is, rather, a small cut or tear that has occurred in the skin lining by the anus. They usually cause pain and bleeding, which is very similar to piles. Further symptoms are extreme pain during bowel movement, or blood lining the stool. Some people may avoid going to the toilet because of the pain, which will cause constipation issues, leading to further anal fissure or piles. Some do consider anal fissures as a type of piles, which is not incorrect either.

There are numerous causes of anal fissures, all being either bad bowel habits or excessive strain caused by constipation or rushing a bowel movement, which can cause the tear in the anal lining. However, diarrhea can also be a cause. It's important, therefore, to keep your bowel movements soft by drinking sufficient water and ensuring there is enough fiber in your diet. You may also consider certain vitamins which are helpful in healthy bowel movement.

Anal fissures are divided up into two categories - acute or chronic. Acute anal fissures are caused by altered bowel habits (such as constipation or diarrhea) and are generally quick in healing, especially by using creams, ointments, and ensuring your bowel movements are healthy. Warm baths will also ease the irritation, clean the area, and help for them to heal. Natural creams are usually recommended, as they can be much more effective and well-priced than pharmaceutical ointments. Pharmaceutical medicines and ointments often only soothe the fissures, not heal the problem. Chronic fissures (which usually last for longer than a month) are due to consistent bad bowel habits, scarring, spastic anal sphincter muscles or a medical condition. It is recommended that you see your doctor if you are suffering from chronic anal fissures, although natural remedies and ointments such as the Neo Healar cream work very well even for chronic fissures. The Neo Healar cream goes beyond just soothing the irritation, but heals and repairs the problem. This can be a very effective anal fissure treatment & cure.

If continuous anal fissures occur, your doctor may conclude that internal scarring or muscle spasms are the problem. These anal fissures can be corrected through surgery, however, which usually is a small operation where a portion of the internal anal sphincter muscle is cut. The fissure then is able to heal. The cutting of the muscle very rarely causes any problems with the ability to control bowel movements. Pain of the anal fissure usually disappears within a few days, and complete healing in a few weeks. Most patients (90%) who undergo the surgery have no more problems with anal fissures.

Get Rid of Hemorrhoids With Neo Healer

Many of us have suffered with hemorrhoids to some degree, and have wondered how to get rid of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are tissues, or anal cushions, found within the anal canal. We all have them, but when they become inflamed or swollen, we suffer from the condition typically called 'hemorrhoids' or 'piles.' They can be quite embarrassing, for a number of reasons, and can also be quite painful, causing bleeding; or they can itchy or irritating. It is important to know, however, that not all itchiness in the anal area is caused by hemorrhoids - it may be a skin infection, or many other things.

Hemorrhoids are generally internal or external. There are two kind of nerves in the anal canal : the visceral (internal) nerves and the somatic (external) nerves. The somatic nerves are like skin nerves, which means they can sense pain. This is why external hemorrhoids are so immediately painful. The visceral (internal) nerves work like the intestinal nerves, so they sense only pressure. This is why internal hemorrhoids are not painful but can become painful once they swell to the degree that they protrude out the anus. They can also become gangrenous, once this happens, and cause many other complications. Internal hemorrhoids may need surgery, if they are bad enough, but they can also be healed very effectively through many natural creams and ointments such as the Neo Healer hemorrhoid treatment cream. Most over-the counter pharmaceutical treatments and ointments only relieve the symptoms caused by hemorrhoids, but do not actually heal the problem. Natural creams such as Neo Healer mentioned above are even able to heal fourth degree internal hemorrhoids, which are of the worst kind and usually require surgery.

Hemorrhoids can occur due to excessive straining during bowel movement, which usually occurs because of constipation or perhaps because of rushing bowel movements. It's good to ensure you have a healthy diet with plenty of fiber, which helps to cause softer bowel movement. Drinking lots of water can help in this regard as well. While rushing during bowel movement may cause hemorrhoids, so can spending considerably too much time (which is why reading on the toilet is not encouraged.) Hemorrhoids may also be the result of certain genetic factors, such as weaker rectal vein walls, but an overall and conclusive reason for the causes of hemorrhoids has not been established as yet.

There are some natural vitamins that are also particularly helpful when focusing on how to get rid of hemorrhoids. Here is a summarized list:

1) Vitamin E : Being a powerful anti-oxidant, it helps to prevent further internal inflammation

2) Horse Chestnut : This herb strengthens the veins and alleviates swelling

3) L-Arginine : Helps to relax the muscles, preventing muscle spasms

4) Oat Straw : Raises your energy, and - being a mild anti-depressant - helps to promote regularity, supporting the digestive system

5) Plantain : helps to relieve itching and burning

6) Red Sage : helps to stimulate circulation

If hemorrhoid problems continue, it is highly advisable to speak to your doctor and ensure surgery is not required.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Fast Best Urinary Tract Infection Cure

Urinary Tract Infection Remedies

Do you feel a unpleasant, tingling sensation every time you urinate? Is this pain get so bad you sometimes have to escape work, school, or another significant commitments? Are you constantly experiencing the urge to wee so painful and often you get stuck in the bathroom for hours? Have you been spending a vast chunk of your payroll check on medical examination consultation for urinary tract remedies and on antibiotics as well?

You are not alone. Numerous individuals suffer from urinary tract infection, and just as many of them spend alot of time and dollars looking for urinary tract infection solutions. Although antibiotics can get rid of Urine Tract Infection promptly and easily, the potency of antibiotics falls over a period of time. Bacterias evolve, after all. The longer you apply antibiotic drugs on them, the more they build up resistance to these medicinal drugs.

Gratefully, there are numerous supplemental urinary tract infection remedies. From established herbal medication to the tips found in the report UTI Be Gone, these individual ways for curing UTI are ones that numerous individuals swear by.

But why settle for simply treating Urine Tract Infection? Aim for prevention rather than a cure. If you’ve never had a Urinary Tract Infection or have had it and don’t want to get it ever again, here are a few points that would help.

1. Commit Your Self To serious private hygiene.

After urinating or having a shit, wipe front to back; or better yet, rinse part between and around the vagina and rectum. Cleaning your intimats before and after sexual intercourse can also reduce the risk of an Urine Tract Infection.


2. Drink lots of water.

Constant Water Supply helps removethe bacterias in your urinary system. It also makes you urinate more often. Also remeber to urinate often and drink a lot of water and green tea as it is good because by emptying the bladder often, you reduce your risks of ever getting bladder infection.


3. Get Rid Of Those Silk Panties- Use cotton fiber panties.

Yes, wear cotton panties or at least those with cotton wool crotches. Unlike different other textiles that trap moisture thus giving bacterias a good breeding ground, cotton is one material that lets moisture escape.

I Strongly Recommend You Have a Look At This Website For More Info on UTI and Ways To Cure UTI.

Urine Tract Infection is troubling and hard. You can Cure Urinary Tract Infections easily however if you just know how. Don’t permit it ruinate your life or negatively impact the way you life.

You might also want to move over to this site on Urinary Tract Infection Cure to learn more about various remedies and treatments.

What Are the Signs of Infertility?

It may seem like an odd question, wondering if there are actual signs of infertility.  After all, it’s a pretty safe bet that if a couple are having regular, unprotected sex for many months without a resultant pregnancy, then this should be a pretty obvious sign in of itself.  However, many couples realize that they simply cannot be having as much sexual activity as they would like, and that it does take several details to be all aligned at the same time in order for conception to take place.  They may wonder if they perhaps are just victims of circumstance or if medical intervention is really necessary.  If this sounds like you, then let’s take a moment to discuss the true signs of infertility, and if you find that any of these are present in your case, you can be sure to mention them to your doctor during that appointment.

Amenorrhea.

Amenorrhea is the term used to describe when a woman does not have menstrual periods when she should.  Women normally do not menstruate before puberty, during pregnancy, and after menopause.  At other times, she should have regular menstrual cycles every month; if she doesn’t, this may be a sign of infertility or another treatable medical condition, however, there are some conditions that cause this cessation of periods that may also cause infertility.

Amenorrhea can be caused by any number of changes in the organs, glands, and hormones involved in menstruation.  Possible causes include:

Failure of the ovaries (female sex organs that hold eggs).
Problems in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) or the pituitary gland (a gland in the brain that makes hormones involved in menstruation).
Poorly formed reproductive organs.
Hormonal imbalance due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

In these cases, amenorrhea may be a sign of infertility in the woman.

Miscarriages.

A miscarriage is the loss (death) of a baby before the 20th week of pregnancy.  According to the March of Dimes, as many as 50% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage - most often before a woman misses a menstrual period or even knows she is pregnant.  About 15% of recognized pregnancies will end in a miscarriage.  Miscarriage itself is not necessarily a sign of infertility, however, if miscarriages happen because of difficulties with a woman’s reproductive system, then the two may be related.

Other signs of infertility.

An OB/GYN may look for other causes for a woman’s difficulty in conceiving, including endometriosis, a condition in which the tissue lining the uterus (the endometrium) is found outside of the uterus, pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection caused by bacteria that starts in the uterus and can spread to other reproductive organs, stenosis (narrowing) of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus (the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a baby grows), often caused by scarring, and tumors (also called "fibroids"), or growths on the inner wall of the uterus.  All of these can also be considered signs of infertility that would necessitate medical intervention.

Fertility Treatment

Drinking Water Filter System - A Comparison of the 4 Different Methods

Today, households are all looking for the best drinking water filter system so that the family can enjoy safer, healthier drinking water. According to the physics of water filtration, it must be followed through the several processes such as;

- separation,

- adsorption,

- exchange of Ions and others

Since filtration undergoes several processes, it is a reasonably slow method to obtain pure water. There are many common practices done for the derivation of pure water. The main four drinking water filter systems are being mentioned here.

Home Drinking Water Filter System

The most common practice is the metallic alloy filters; ultra-filtration membranes, carbon block resin (CBR), granular activated carbon filters (GAC) and microporous ceramic filters. There are also these jug filters to serve the purpose of little amount of water for home drinking. These types of water filters are able to filter all the unnecessary and dangerous contaminants and produce healthier drinking water to your family members.

Portable Drinking Water Filter System

The practice of using portable drinking water filter system is very effective. These are portable, light in structures and small to be easily carried around. They hardly weight between 1 to 2 pounds.  It is also very capable of killing viruses such as hepatitis A and rotavirus giving pure water for drinking. Therefore, you need not have to worry about the quality of your daily drinking water even when you are on the move.

Water Purification Tablets

There are some well chemically equipped tablets that melt in the water and sediments all impurities. These are also effective in making the water free of germs. However, sometimes these tablets are not very safe for the purification of drinking water. They are very much chemically strong and may pose adverse reactions to the body.

Homemade Water Filters

With the combination of grass, charcoal and sand, it is very easy to make a DIY drinking water filter system from home. These are very low cost filters and are much popular in the rural areas. Though this is a very common practice, there is no assurance that it can give you a 100% safe and health drinking water free from bacteria and viruses. Also, you must have excellent knowledge about water filters before you can build one.

So which is the best drinking water filter system? You may want to do your research and comparison. One brand that we would recommend you to evaluate is Aquasana, the #1 rated home water filter in America, which voted "Best Buy" by Consumers Digest magazine in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007!

Home Made Water Purifier - Will it Work?

The main thing you should do before starting your own home made water purifier is to determine the type of contaminants that you want to remove from the water. After that, you can only choose what method to use to purify the water. The common contaminants in water are chlorine, bacteria, arsenic, E. coli and others. All these contaminants may cause cancer, skin disease, kidney disorders, gastrointestinal irritation and various other illnesses.

However, do bear in mind that, a home made water purifier may not be as clean as the ones commercially available as the filtration system and appliances are much more sophisticated with the latest technology in purifying water inserted in. Thus, every detail of the microorganisms in the water can be filtered and purified easily as compared to all homemade water purifiers. While many people have attempted to build a water purifier system from home, most failed as they lack the necessary experience or simply do not have the critical resources required, including the advanced technology and quality materials.

The methods of home made water purifier consist of boiling, chemical purification, chlorine treatment and filtration. The boiling, filtering and chemical treating water can remove the microorganisms however; it can't remove chemical toxins which will still make the water not completely safe to drink. With the commercial water purifiers, they even has the system to clear everything in the water to the last bits which will ensure your water to be 100% safe to drink especially by kids.

One of the main thing building a home made water purifier is you that need to be extra careful during the process because if you don't know which organisms or viruses to treat, you may just endanger yourself even more as you may place the virus to grow in your body system when drinking. Furthermore, in longer term, self made water purification for home use will not be able to assure clean drinking water as the methods used may just turn out to be ineffective and unhealthy in long run. In addition, higher maintenance is frequently needed for all home made water purifiers to ensure the cleanliness and safety of your daily drinking water.

In conclusion, it is advisable to purchase a good quality commercial water purifier because you are unlikely to have all the knowledge in purifying water and/ or the resources to build a reliable home made water purifier to ensure a 100% safe drinking water purification system for your whole family. Even assuming that you have all that is required, the cost to make a good home water filter or purifier is exorbitant because there is no economies of scale. And now that commercial water purifiers are so affordable, there is no reason to build one yourself!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Cure For Urinary Tract Infection Fast

Treat Urine Tract Infection in 48hrs

Do you feel a unpleasant, electric sensation each time you wee? Is this pain get so bad you sometimes have to miss work, school, or other great commitments? Are you constantly feeling the urge to wee so hard and frequently you get stuck in the toilet for hrs? Have you used enormous amounts of your paycheck on medical consultation for urinary tract remedies and on antibiotics as well?

You are not alone. Legions individuals suffer from urinary tract infection, and just as many of them spend valuable time and bucks looking for urinary tract infection solutions. Although antibiotics can get rid of Urinary Tract Infection quickly and easily, the potency of antibiotic drugs falls over a certain period of time. Bacterias evolve, after all. The longer you use antibiotic drugs on them, the more they ramp up resistance to these medicines.

Gratefully, there are numerous alternative urinary tract infection remedies and cures. From established herbal medication to the tips laid out in the report UTI Be Gone, these various ways for curing UTI are ones that many folks swear by.

But why decide to simply treating UTI? Gun for prevention rather than a cure. If you’ve never had a Urine Tract Infection or have had it and do not want to get it ever again, here are some tips that would help.

1. Practice healthy individual hygiene.

After peeing or removing your bowels, wipe front to back; or better yet, rinse part between and around the vagina and rectum. Washing before and right after sexual intercourse can also reduce the risk of UTI.


2. Drink a lot of water every day.

Water helpswash outthe bacterias in your urinary system. It also makes you pee more often. Frequent urination is good because by emptying the bladder frequently, you decrease your risks of getting bladder infection.


3. Get Rid Of Those Silk Panties- Use cotton panties.

Yes, wear cotton panties or at least those with cotton wool crotches. Unlike other materials that bunker up wet hence giving bacteria a good breeding ground, cotton wool is one material that lets wet escape.

I Strongly Recommend You Have a Look At This Web Site For Further Info on UTI and How To Cure Urinary Tract Infection.

UTI is disturbing and hard. Do Not let it crush your appetite for life or affect the way you live.

Prevent and Get Rid of Stretch Marks Today

Get Rid Of Stretch Marks


Microdermabrasion can be used for treating stretch marks but is rarely used on its own for removing stretch marks even though when combined with other solutions or treatments they can help the skin recover and even help decreasing stretch marks. Applying micro-sized crystals that when mixed together work to erode the surface of the epidermis (the skin), getting rid of the scarred tissue and promoting the increment of sounder tissue. Dermatologic skin peels may as well be applied for the most critical of stretch marks, although this method may be quite bad for some.

Prevent Stretch Marks And Get Rid Of Stretch Marks NowWith Topical Treatments

A good assortment of topical treatments are available for getting rid of stretch marks, both commercially made merchandises and those that you can easily create yourself at your house. Some of the most ordinarily utilized components include vitamins E and A, cocoa butter, aloe vera, and grapefruit seed extract. Squalene oil, which is derived from isolates found in palm and olive oils, along with other types of vegetable fattens, is another ingredient effective for both revitalizing and protecting the skin’s cells.

While stretch marks are mostly thought of in relations to pregancy they also often appear during fast weight loss or quick weight gain if the skin is not properly prepeared for this and flexible enough. Stretch marks also happens to teens and is then often related to weight loss or extreme weight gain or when doing weightlifting and workouts or as the body develops.

Another also extremely popular method to get rid of stretch is the Revitol Cream. You can read more about How To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks at this internet site. Prevent Stretch Marks With These Easy Tips that can be found on the igetridofstretchmarks.com website.  I also I am a strong believer using herbal and natural products and methods to solve all kinds of problems, not just stretch marks.

The Hidden Reasons for Infertility

When a couple are experiencing problems with conception, there is usually a good chance that their doctor can pinpoint their exact reasons for infertility – and we say reasons, plural, because sometimes there are actually more than one simple reason.  For example, many people assume that conception problems are simply a woman’s issue, perhaps because she is the one who is completely responsible for pregnancy.  However, common reasons for infertility are typically about 50/50 between the man and woman, meaning that it may very well be the man’s problem just as commonly as it is the woman’s.

However, there are some other rather common reasons for infertility that no one seems to want to talk about.  This is probably due in part to the fact that these reasons are somewhat embarrassing to many people, or they deal with issues that people don’t want to change; it can be easier for them to simply say that it’s a medical issue rather than a lifestyle issue.

For example, one of the more common reasons for infertility that people don’t care to discuss has to do with smoking.  Many people don’t want to talk about their smoking and their problems with conception, usually because they simply don’t want to give up those cigarettes!  It’s easier for them to convince themselves that it must be something else, and that way they don’t need to address this habit.  Also, if they were to be told that their smoking is interfering with their plans for conception, then they may feel guilty or feel as if they are letting their partner down.

One of the other embarrassing reasons for infertility has to do with body weight.  Doctors are now finding out that there is a very strong link between obesity and issues with conception.  While there is much yet to be discovered, it’s thought that when men and women are obese, the practices that keep them such – poor diet, lack of regular physical exercise – also harms their bodies in ways that medical science had not previously known was possible.  Some of the reasons for infertility being interfered with by body weight include the fact that harmful cholesterol adheres not only to the heart’s arteries, but to the many small vessels that are involved in the reproductive system.  Excessive body weight puts undue pressure on the uterus and fallopian tubes, interfering with ovulation (the dropping of an egg from the fallopian tubes to be fertilized) and with a fertilized egg then implanting itself to the lining of the uterus as well.  If this does not happen, a fertilized egg can be miscarried before a woman even knows she is technically pregnant.

What is truly sad about these common reasons for infertility is that they are preventable with some simple lifestyle changes.  Yes, it’s difficult to stop smoking and to lose weight, but if it means finally being able to conceive and achieve your dream of bringing a child into the world, you would think that potential parents would do whatever they could to correct and address these potential reasons for infertility as soon as they possibly could.

Fertility Treatment

Monday, September 22, 2008

End The Cause Of Lice With Lice Nit Removal

Infestation of head lice has long been considered to have been caused by a lack of hair washing, this is not true. The true fact is that head lice love a clean scalp to live and breed on and the cleaner the better. The use of shampoos will not remove them if you get them. In fact, you can even apply medicine to your scalp for killing lice and unless you also remove the nits (lice eggs) from your scalp, you'll still have them in a few days. To become truly lice free, you need to carry out correct head lice nit removal.

 

Meticulous At Best

 

If you thought applying medicine to your scalp was tedious, just wait till you see what's in store for you with lice nit removal. It's impossible to do on your own, so you'll need to get somebody else to do it on your scalp. Secondly, it takes quite a sizable amount of time to complete, so set aside fifteen minutes or more (while that doesn't seem like a terribly long amount of time to do it right, it will feel like it takes forever). You'll need to remove the nits, tiny white sacs hanging onto your hair about half an inch away from your scalp, by hand. However, you can do several things to make this entire process easier on yourself.

 

One of the best ways to complete lice nit removal is to warm up a towel in your dryer for 20-30 minutes. Upon wrapping the towel around your head, the heat should kill any remaining lice and nits within a few minutes. This works particularly well after applying medicine to your scalp as it cleans up any lice and nits that you might have missed. This method of lice nit removal only kills the nits though, but it's a useful step if you want to add an extra level of security by making sure that even if you don't get the nits off, they will die and won't be able to hatch into lice.

 

Head lice removal services  can do all of this expediently and give you the added peace of mind that these are trained professionals who know exactly what they're doing. They'll come out to your home for around $50 (not available in all areas) and take care of any head lice that you might have by first applying medicine then removing all nits. No matter how you do it, lice nit removal is a necessary step in getting rid of lice, but you can make it much easier on yourself.

 

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Want to lose weight for your wedding - you need the Wedding Dress Diet

There’s no doubt that a girl’s wedding day can be her most triumphant and joyous but also her most stressful. There are so many things to be taken care of, especially in the run up to your wedding. And it's certain that you won't want the distraction and worry about your shape and weight and whether you are going to be able to get your wedding dress on. 

If you have taken your eye off the ball while you’ve been focusing on everything else and have put on a few pounds here and there, then you need to get them off again before you walk down the aisle. And because you’ll need to move fast, you need the wedding dress diet. Well, what is it exactly, this wedding dress diet? Perhaps I should explain.

If you've every had problems with your weight in the past, then you will be aware that there are hundreds of clubs, plans, groups and websites available to you. Some of them will work and some, I'm sorry to say, won't. However, the thing they all have in common is that they are all aimed at weight reduction over a considerable period of time. Now, speed is of the essence. You wedding day is coming up fast - it may only be a month or so away - and you want to quickly shed those extra pounds with as little stress or hassle as possible.

In my view, and believe me, I’m an expert at this, I’ve had three relatives, including a daughter, go through exactly what you’re going through... in my view the best wedding dress diet is a plan called Strip That Fat. The name says urgency doesn't it?  

The key to successful weight loss is undoubtedly motivation. Now what better motivation could you have than knowing that on your big day, all eyes are going to be on you? So you don't need to worry abou that particular part of your weight loss plan, how much more motivated could you be! 

What you need now is the latest nutritional advice and, crucially, a program that enables you to assemble your own diet plan that accords with your own special tastes and preferences. If you genuinely prefer the food that you have on your plate each day, then it's much more likely that you will be able to stick to your diet plan. You will also need to look closely at how the dress will fit your body - or to put it another way - exactly where you need to lose inches from. And crucial to this is tightly focused exercise - if it is correctly targeted, exercise can remove extra inches, wherever they might be, although to be realistic, some areas are easier to slim than others.

So the ideal wedding dress diet should make it possible for you to get into your dress easily and also enable to to work on your weddng day plans without the burden of worry that being a bit overweight can bring. 

You can read more about Strip That Fat here. I have every confidence in it and I hope that good fortune follows you, both on your wedding day and into the future.

 

Best Foods to Cure Yeast Infection - Yeast Infection Foods

You will be amazed that there are foods that help yeast infection and cause it to proliferate. Yeast infection refers to the abnormal growth of yeast cells triggered by the fungus Candida albicans. This kind of infection is usually present in areas where skin rubs against skin like the groin and the armpits.

Yeast infection is one of the most common infections of the vagina. The kind of food that we eat has a crucial role in yeast infection. One should avoid sugary and processed food because they are actually foods that contain yeast. If you eat food that contains too much sugar or too much oil, the

Candida albicans begins to thrive and cause yeast infection. People who have excess sugar levels in them, like diabetics are also prone to yeast infection Diabetics are usually seen to have a high incidence of yeast infection because yeast thrives on sugars like glucose and glycogen.

It is better if you try natural home remedies that cure yeast infection permanently rather than resort to allopathic medication. It is amazing that nature has under its wings some of the best medication that can fight yeast infection.

What do you eat in order to cure yeast infection?

One of the best yeast infection foods or yeast infection diet to cure the disease is a balance diet comprising whole grains, fruit, vegetables, sprouts and yogurt. Plain yogurt especially is the best food that can help fight yeast infection. Yogurt or curd has lactobacillus acidophilus which is known to be found in healthy vaginas.

Regular intake of yogurt can turn out hydrogen peroxide which can remove the yeast infection. You can also insert a spatula or spoon coated with yoghurt in the vagina or apply yogurt on the vulva. You can eat as well as apply yogurt though the latter is more beneficial for existing yeast infection. When we think of yeast infection food list, one thing that comes to the mind is garlic. It is known to have anti fungal properties which means it can ward off yeast infection.

You should consider eating up to 4 cloves of garlic daily to fight yeast infection. If you are unable to stand the taste of garlic, you can supplement it with garlic pills. However, fresh garlic does a better job.

Carrots are also another good food item in the list of foods that naturally prevent and cure yeast infection.

Aloe Vera Juice is excellent in getting rid of your yeast infection. It cleans the entire intestine and digestive glands. Aloe Vera Juice detoxifies the body and cleanses it of any anti-bacteria. I would recommend using pure aloe vera and making it fresh at home. You can cut it into small pieces and blend it, mix with apple juice and drink. If you can stand the taste of it, then drink it without the apple juice.

Stay away from acidic food like sodas, fried foods and fatty meats. The body is naturally acidic, but the foods that you eat add to its acidity and bacteria thrive well in an acidic environment.

You will find more details about Aloe Vera Juice and What Foods to Eat to Cure Yeast Infection

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Signs You May Have A Yeast Infection

A yeast infection, known as candidiasis in scientific circles, and sometimes referred to as thrush, is best known for causing a white or whitish discharge in sufferers. If left undiagnosed, a yeast infection could lead to more serious diseases, which, in a person with a weakened immune system, could even be life-threatening.

Here are 10 signs you might have a yeast infection.

These 5 general symptoms will almost always be present no matter which kind of candidiasis you have.

1. The affected body part itches a lot. Yeast infections prefer to take root in locations where scratching is diificult, such as the mouth or the vagina. Skin affected by a yeast infection will have red rashes, which may be more noticeable in areas with hair growing on them.

2. The affected body part feels hot, or is sore to the touch. This may or may not include blisters or itchiness. On the other hand, the same body part can have a tingly or numb feeling.

3. Increased sensitivity to certain chemicals occurs. Items that cause reactions include antibiotics, sugar, refined carbohydrates (also known as most processed food), and of course, yeast.

4. Your coordination may be affected. Sufferers cannot balance themselves or move the way they want. They lose focus on activities easily, and become lazy through no fault of their own. Mood swings and heightened negative emotions are other indicators.

5. In genital and digestive systems there is a white or whitish mucous discharge. In the mouth, there are white or whitish patches. Both the discharge and the patches have the consistency and smell of bread or a light cheese, though the smell can also be associated with beer.

There are also symptoms specific to the body parts affected by candidiasis, five of which are listed below.

1. In gastrointestinal candidiasis, there is digestive system upset. The stomach in particular either bloats with constipation, or it acts up due to diarrhea or abdominal cramps (or, at times, both). Bowel movement is not spared either, because yeast infection can cause irritable bowel syndrome.

2. Women are the primary victims of genitourinary candidiasis (associated with reproductive organs and the urinary system), but men are also susceptible, and not just through sexual intercourse. Ladies may have unusual menstrual cramps while gentlemen may have prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland). Having sex is painful and urination becomes more urgent for sufferers of yeast infection.

3. Oral candidiasis causes dryness inside the mouth. The tongue cracks and the gums bleed. Fissures appear at the corners of the mouth. Swallowing becomes difficult.

4. In respiratory candidiasis, persistent coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath can manifest. Another indicator is when the chest constantly tightens or is in pain.

5. Candidiasis causes chronic inflammation and irritation of the eye and the conjunctivae (the mucous that covers the white area of the eye). The retina (the nerve-ended part which captures images for the brain) may defend itself against yeast infection by collecting pus inside an inflamed tissue pocket. This may permanently damage the sufferer’s eyesight.

There are many other sources of information on yeast infections, including the website . Do your research and be sure to visit your health practitioner.

One last note of caution: despite the fact that you can name ten signs you might have yeast infection, you may actually suffer no symptoms at all. Or you may bear symptoms similar to those of other sicknesses. If you feel that something is wrong (whether on the above list or not) but cannot put a finger on it, be sure to consult a doctor.

The Scoop on Laser Hair Removal Equipment

With the glitz and glamour of laser hair treatment increasing, the number of laser manufacturers has, too. A laser is a machine with a light of a single color or wavelength, and it works because the light from the laser goes beneath the skin's surface to where the unwanted hair follicle is located, which is also where the growth of hair takes place. The overwhelming heat from the laser harms the hair follicle, and causes the hair root to stop growing. As the numbers of lasers available continue to grow, the more options people have in choosing the best laser hair removal equipment as well as laser hair removal machines.

What Are Some Laser Options Out There?

The Ruby Laser was one of the first types of laser hair removal equipment; it is mainly for people with fine light hair. Consequently, it cannot be used on people with dark skin, and this includes people with tanned skin. Furthermore, the fact that is has a fairly small coverage area makes the Ruby Laser continue to decline in popularity as time goes on and laser hair removal equipment continues to advance.

Another great option in laser hair removal equipment is the Alexandrite laser, and if you're looking for fast, it could be the best option for you. It is currently one of the most widely used systems of laser hair removal equipment and it is also great in treating people needing hair removed from large body areas with light-to-olive complexions.

The Diode Laser is the laser hair removal equipment to look into if you have a darker skin type. Also, it covers large areas and has rapid rates of repetition, which allows strong treatments of large body areas. The Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Device is another possibility; it is not officially a laser, but it is a laser equivalent in the idea that it uses the same idea as lasers do to accomplish hair removal of unwanted hair. When considering the laser hair removal equipment for your needs, you'll need to keep in mind that IPL devices are more complex to use than lasers and need to be operated by extremely skilled, knowledgeable, and trained operators.

An option for a person with tanned skin is possibly the long pulse Nd:Yag laser because it can carefully be used on skin types of all kinds. Another advantage is that it has a large coverage area for patients looking to remove unwanted hair; it also has quick rates of repetition which let large areas to be treated fast.

As the number of lasers available continue to grow, the more options people have in picking the best laser hair removal equipment as well as laser hair removal machines...View more articles at www.hairremoval.jsgenterprises.com.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Natural Herbs For Menopause And Its Symptoms

 

Menopause is the period in a woman's life in which her reproductive system ceases to function in creating egg cells necessary for reproduction. The numerous symptoms of menopause can in fact be the cause of distress for a large amount of women. It is probably for these symptoms that natural herbs for menopause are sought after. There are several natural herbs for menopause that are notable in their efficacy in easing the discomfort felt at times. These may be in the form of herbal home remedies or remedies that require a woman to maintain a certain tonic.  

Black Cohosh 

Black cohosh is among the few natural herbs for menopause that have shown a positive effect for the women undergoing this difficult stage in life. This herb has properties that help women deal with stomach cramps and is suspected to help with estrogenic deficiency caused by menopause. Black cohosh herb is also showing great potential for treating hot flashes in women who have menopause. Although there are many other natural herbs for menopause, this one has undergone extensive studies and research and have shown great promise in controlling and dealing with menopause and its symptoms.   

The downside to this herb is that there is a time limit with which gynecologists recommend its usage. The reason for limiting the use of this herbal remedy for menopause is that the long term use can result to an increase risk of some forms of cancer. 

Ginseng 

Ginseng is another of the few natural herbs for menopause that have shown potential in dealing with the symptoms and effects of menopause. This well known herb is derived from the root of the ginseng plant and has the capacity to treat emotional instability or depression which often accompany menopause. As one of the more effective natural herbs for menopause focused on emotional stability and anxiety, ginseng is most effective. It also has the capacity to stabilize the bodily functions of other vital organs and give the woman much needed sleep to deal with menopausal symptoms.  

Dong Quai 

This Chinese herb is among the natural herbs for menopause because it has the capacity to regulate the female reproductive system as well as is believed to have blood purifying effects. Lowering elevated blood pressure is another of the many benefits that one gets from this herb. 

These natural herbs for menopause are noted to have great positive effects on menopause and its symptoms. Further studies need to be taken in order to fully understand the capacity and the extent of these herbs' benefits.

Take To Using Chinese Herbs For Fertility And Become More Fertile

The Chinese communities have an exceptional way of looking at the body and it is their conviction that the body is balanced in certain ways that affect the general well being of a person. A well-balanced body will as a result lead to good body functions as well as a tranquil and calm state. As long as you are dedicated and act in the correct manner you can re-establish your hormonal balance and improve the performance of the ovaries and consequently take pleasure in sound health. 

Better Conception 

One way to improve your fertility is through use of Chinese herbs for fertility they will enhance the possibilities of better conception and also help you maintain proper health as well. All that is required is for a person to make simple alterations to their lifestyles and it will then become possible for almost anyone to conceive. Chinese herbs for fertility are aimed at creating a sound body in which a healthy baby can be given life. 

Chinese herbs for fertility do not work overnight and it may take as many as four months before the desired results will become evident. In fact, a basic function that Chinese herbs for fertility perform is to facilitate fertility by providing the right kind of nourishment to the body so that it (the body) is able to strengthen its reproductive system. 

By consuming Chinese herbs you can then expect to get more sleep, which of course plays an important role in helping the digestive system work well and you will also achieve a sharper focus mentally. As a plus you will have more energy. Chinese herbs for fertility also help in providing the right hormonal balance to the body, which in turn will help to make the fertility-related organs become stronger. In fact, it also helps improve your sexual vitality and you will also start to have heightened sexual experiences with your better half – all of which are major factors that help in improving your fertility. 

With many different options to choose from, it is a good idea to first of all consult a herbalist who will be able to guide you as to which are the best Chinese herbs for fertility for your particular needs. Once your body becomes stronger and your health begins to improve, you will then find that there is less need to rely on Chinese herbs for fertility to remain fertile. Today, many more clinics are treating patients through use of Chinese herbal medicines and even medical schools all over the U.S. are learning about the benefits that can be derived from such medicines. 

Once you have discovered the benefits of taking Chinese herbs for fertility you will be well on your way to becoming a parent. It certainly will pay to look at the many benefits that you can get by using Chinese herbs for fertility, and if fertility problems have been preventing you from conceiving, the sooner you get started with taking Chinese herbs for fertility the better it will be for you and your spouse.

Infertility is More Common Than You Think

Couples who are dealing with the problem of infertility can often think that they are very alone in their concerns.  Most believe that pregnancy is easy, and may look around at the other couples with their bouncing bundles of joy as proof positive of this fact.  They may also have many friends and family members who announce one day that they are planning on starting a family, and who are seemingly pregnant immediately after.

But believe it or not, infertility is much more common than you might think.  It’s estimated that about 1 in every 10 couples that are attempting to have a baby, have some type of problem with infertility.  Imagine ten other couples that you know who have children, and you can make a safe bet that at least one of them faced some difficulty when it came to conceiving.  And when you think about this on a national scale, 1 in 10 couples means 5 to 6 million couples in the U.S. every year have some difficulty getting pregnant.

But what exactly defines the concept of infertility?  Simply put, this is when a couple is having regular (twice per week on average) unprotected sex and are still not pregnant after a year of trying.

This may be surprising news to some couples, who often assume that a month or so of trying is all that’s needed to signal a problem with infertility.  Not so, say doctors.  Because of the many details that need to align perfectly for a woman to conceive, it can actually take that many times trying before there is any need for concern.

Obviously it’s true that there are some who have a much more difficult time with conception than others; and of course there are many factors that will contribute to this problem.  Some couples seem to be much more fertile than others, and this may very well be the case.  Some men simply have a higher sperm count than average, and of course the more sperm he had, the greater his chance of having one reach a woman’s egg to fertilize it.  Additionally, some women have problems with ovulation and do not release a healthy, viable egg every month, so there may need to be a few months worth of attempts in order for her to conceive.

But while infertility is something that is more common than you might think, it is also a very personal issue.  You should never make the mistake of comparing your abilities to conceive to anyone else’s, even those in your own family.  Again, you may know of a couple who seem to be able to get pregnant just by talking about it, while you and your partner have been trying for weeks and months, but this isn’t necessarily a cause for concern.  Everyone’s body is different, everyone’s reproductive abilities are different as well.  If you are really concerned about whether or not you will need medical intervention or another way of helping you with your supposed infertility, then be sure to speak to your doctor, as only he or she will be able to know for sure.

Fertility Treatment

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Menopause Remedies

Menopause and Menopause Treatments

What is menopause?

Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her period stops. It is a normal change in a woman's body. A woman has reached menopause when she has not had a period for 12 months in a row (and there are no other causes, such as pregnancy or illness, for this change). Menopause is sometimes called, "the change of life." Leading up to menopause, a woman’s body slowly makes less and less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This change often happens between the ages of 45 and 55 years old. As you near menopause, you may have symptoms from the changes your body is making. Many women wonder if these changes are normal, and many are confused about how to treat their symptoms. You will feel better by learning all you can about menopause and talking with your doctor about your health and your symptoms. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or concern, your doctor can teach you about treatment options and help you to make wise treatment choices.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Menopause affects every woman differently. Your only symptom may be your period stopping. You may have other symptoms, too. Many symptoms at this time of life are because of you getting older. But some are due to menopause. Common symptoms of menopause include:

  • Change in pattern of periods (can be shorter or longer, lighter or heavier, more or less time between periods)
  • Hot flashes (sometimes called hot flushes), night sweats (sometimes followed by a chill)
  • Trouble sleeping through the night (with or without night sweats)
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Mood swings, feeling crabby, crying spells (probably because of lack of sleep)
  • Trouble focusing, feeling mixed-up or confused
  • Hair loss or thinning on your head, more hair growth on your face

Does menopause cause bone loss?

When a woman is young, estrogen helps to keep bone strong. When estrogen levels fall at menopause, bones weaken. When bones weaken a lot, the condition is called osteoporosis. Weak bones can break more easily.

How do I manage menopause? What are my options?

Eating a healthy diet and exercising at menopause and beyond are important to feeling your best. Most women do not need any special treatment for menopause. But some women may have menopause symptoms that need treatment. Several treatments are available. It's a good idea to talk about the treatments with your doctor so you can choose what’s best for you. There is no one treatment that is good for all women. Sometimes menopause symptoms go away over time without treatment, but there’s no way to know when. A great natural relief for Menopause symptoms is Menozac. Hormone therapy (HT) -- If used properly, hormone therapy (once called hormone replacement therapy or HRT) is one way to deal with the more difficult symptoms of menopause. It's the only therapy that is approved by the government for treating more difficult hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Hormone therapy should NOT be used solely to prevent heart or bone disease, stroke, memory loss, or Alzheimer's disease. There are many kinds of hormone therapies so your doctor can suggest what's best for you. As with all treatments, HT has both possible benefits and possible risks; it is important to talk about these issues with your doctor. If you decide to use HT, use the lowest dose that helps and for the shortest time needed. Check with your doctor every 6 months to see if you still need HT. For more information on the benefits and risks of HT speak to your doctor. HT can help with menopause by:

  • Reducing hot flashes
  • Treating vaginal dryness
  • Slowing bone loss
  • Improving sleep (and thus decrease mood swings)

For some women, HT may increase their chance of:

  • Blood clots
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Breast cancer
  • Gall bladder disease

Who should NOT take HT for menopause?

Women who . . .

  • Think they are pregnant
  • Have problems with vaginal bleeding
  • Have had certain kinds of cancers (such as breast and uterine cancer)
  • Have had a stroke or heart attack
  • Have had blood clots
  • Have liver disease
  • Have heart disease

HT can also cause these side effects:

  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Bloating
  • Breast tenderness or swelling
  • Headaches
  • Mood changes
  • Nausea

Be sure to see your doctor if you have any of these side effects while using HT.

What about so-called "natural" treatments for menopause?

Some women decide to take herbal or other plant-based products to help relieve hot flashes. Some of the most common ones are:

  • Soy. Soy contains phytoestrogens (chemicals that are like estrogen). But, there is no proof that soy--or other sources of phytoestrogens--really do make hot flashes better. And the risks of taking soy--mainly soy pills and powders--are not known. The best sources of soy are foods such as tofu, tempeh, soymilk, and soy nuts. These soy products are more likely to work on mild hot flashes.
  • Other sources of phytoestrogens. These include herbs such as black cohosh, wild yam, dong quai, and valerian root. Again, there is no proof that these herbs (or pills or creams containing these herbs) help with hot flashes.

Products that come from plants may sound like they are safe, but there is no proof they really are. There also is no proof that they are better at helping symptoms of menopause. Make sure to discuss these types of products with your doctor before taking them. You also should tell your doctor about other medicines you are taking, since some plant products can be harmful when combined with other drugs. A great natural relief for Menopause symptoms is Menozac.

What about "bioidentical" hormone therapy?

This term means different things to different people. It’s really hormones that are just the same as the hormones the body makes. There are several products with hormone like this that are on the market and are well-tested. But some people use this term to mean drugs that are custom-made from a doctor’s order. There is no proof that these custom-made products are better or safer than hormone therapy that’s on the market.

How much physical activity should I do?

A woman should first talk to her doctor to see what's best for her. The goal is to exercise regularly so you can lower the risk of serious disease (such as heart disease or diabetes), and maintain a healthy weight. This usually takes at least 30 minutes of exercise (such as brisk walking) on most days of the week.

How else can I help my symptoms?

  • Hot Flashes. Some women report that eating or drinking hot or spicy foods, alcohol, or caffeine, feeling stressed, or being in a hot place can bring on hot flashes. Try to avoid any triggers that bring on your hot flashes. Dress in layers, and keep a fan in your home or workplace. Regular exercise might also ease hot flashes, but sometimes exercise can cause a hot flash. If hot flashes continue and HT is not an option, ask your doctor about taking an antidepressant or epilepsy medicine. There is proof that these can relieve hot flashes for some women.
  • Vaginal Dryness. A water-based, over-the-counter vaginal lubricant (like KY® Jelly) can be helpful if sex is painful. A vaginal moisturizer (also over-the-counter) can provide lubrication and help keep needed moisture in vaginal tissues. Really bad vaginal dryness may need HT. If vaginal dryness is the only reason for considering HT, an estrogen product for the vagina is the best choice. Vaginal estrogen products (creams, tablet, ring) treat only the vagina.
  • Problems Sleeping. One of the best ways to get a good night's sleep is to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. But, don’t exercise close to bedtime. Also avoid large meals, smoking, and working right before bedtime. Caffeine and alcohol should be avoided after noon. Drinking something warm before bedtime, such as herbal tea (no caffeine) or warm milk, might help you to feel sleepy. Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool, and use your bedroom only for sleeping and sex. Avoid napping during the day, and try to go to bed and get up at the same times every day. If you wake during the night and can't get back to sleep, get up and read until you’re sleepy. Don't just lie there. If hot flashes are the cause of sleep problems, treating the hot flashes will usually improve sleep.
  • Mood swings. Some women report mood swings or "feeling blue" as they reach menopause. Women who had mood swings (PMS) before their periods or post-partum depression after giving birth may have more mood swings around menopause. These are women who are sensitive to hormone changes. Often the mood swings will go away with time. If a woman is using HT for hot flashes or another menopause symptom, sometimes her mood swings will get better, too. Also, getting enough sleep and staying physically active will help you to feel your best. Mood swings are not the same as depression.
  • Memory problems. As people age, their memory is not as good as it once was. Some women say they have "fuzzy thinking" as they reach menopause. This may be caused by changing hormones and can improve over time. Getting enough sleep and keeping physically active can help. If memory problems are really bad, talk to your doctor right away. This is not caused by menopause.

Sometimes, younger women need a hysterectomy to treat health problems such as endometriosis or cancer. A hysterectomy is an operation to remove a woman's uterus (womb). Often one or both ovaries (the female organs that produce eggs and hormones) are removed at the same time the hysterectomy is done. If you haven’t reached menopause, a hysterectomy will stop your period. But, you will reach menopause only if both ovaries are removed, called surgical menopause. Because surgical menopause is instant menopause, it can cause more severe symptoms than natural menopause (menopause that occurs as part of the natural aging process). You should talk with your doctor about how to best manage these symptoms. Women who have a hysterectomy but have their ovaries left in place will not reach menopause at the time of surgery because their ovaries will continue to make hormones. But, because the uterus is removed, they will no longer have their periods and they cannot become pregnant. Later on, they might reach natural menopause a year or two earlier than expected.

I'm having a hysterectomy soon. Will this cause me to reach menopause?

Sometimes, younger women need a hysterectomy to treat health problems such as endometriosis or cancer. A hysterectomy is an operation to remove a woman’s uterus (womb). Often one or both ovaries (the female organs that produce eggs and hormones) are removed at the same time the hysterectomy is done. If you haven’t reached menopause, a hysterectomy will stop your period. But, you will reach menopause only if both ovaries are removed, called surgical menopause. Because surgical menopause is instant menopause, it can cause more severe symptoms than natural menopause (menopause that occurs as part of the natural aging process). You should talk with your doctor about how to best manage these symptoms. Women who have a hysterectomy but have their ovaries left in place will not reach menopause at the time of surgery because their ovaries will continue to make hormones. But, because the uterus is removed, they will no longer have their periods and they cannot become pregnant. Later on, they might reach natural menopause a year or two earlier than expected.

What is premature menopause?

Menopause is called "premature" if it happens at or before the age of 40--whether it is natural or brought on by medical means (induced). Some women have premature menopause because of:

  • Family history (genes)
  • Medical treatments, such as surgery to remove the ovaries
  • Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation to the pelvic area that damage the ovaries-- although menopause does not always occur

Having premature menopause puts a woman at more risk for osteoporosis later in her life. For women who want to have children, premature menopause can be a source of great distress. Women who still want to become pregnant can talk with their doctors about other ways of having children, such as donor egg programs or adoption.

What is postmenopause?

Postmenopause is the term for all the years beyond menopause. It begins after you have not had a period for 12 months in a row--whether your menopause was natural or medically induced.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

The 4 Top Menopause Remedies for You to Consider

Menopause is an unfortunate reality for all women as they get older and with it comes many painful and irritating symptoms. The purpose of this article is to give you some information on a variety of herbal and non-herbal treatments available that may be of help to you dealing with any symptoms you may feel. These include:

•    Phytoestrogens- Phytoestrogens are compounds that come from plants. These compounds are often used as a treatment for menopause because they have a similar genetic make up to the naturally occurring female hormone estrogen.
•    Wild Yam Creams- Whilst there is little medicinal evidence supporting the use of wild yam creams as a treatment for menopause is inconclusive, wild yam creams are still a highly popular over the counter remedy. Diosgenin is a compound in wild yams that can be synthesized in to progesterone, however the human body does not have the enzyme capable of this synthesis.
•    Herbal Medicines- Herbal remedies are also wildly popular in treating menopausal women. They may not be useful in treating menopause per se, but a naturopath or herbalist can prescribe herbal treatments to help alleviate symptoms associated with menopause.
•    Progesterone Treatments- Progesterone is a naturally occurring female sex hormone. It declines during menopause and some studies suggest that many menopausal symptoms are a direct result of an incorrect ratio between progesterone and estrogen levels. Progesterone remedies are normally taken in the form of a cream. Progesterone treatments can often be taken with other hormone treatments.


Menopause can be a painful and irritating time for women but there are a variety of treatments you can consider that may help alleviate your suffering. I have listed four popular treatments above and you may want to consider trying one or all of them to see which of these treatments work best for you.

Fertility Treatments

Some Common Medical Fertility Treatments

For some couples, they have tried to make all the lifestyle changes they possibly can, and realize that medical intervention is the only viable option for them.  In this case, what are some common fertility treatments for these couples?  What are the side effects, and are they typically successful?

Assisted Reproduction Fertility Treatments

Assisted Reproduction is the phrase used in the medical community to describe medical intervention for couples facing infertility.  Here are some common fertility treatments and how they work:

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI).  This procedure which is also known as artificial insemination is often combined with hormone treatments to boost egg production, and can help couples with low sperm count, unexplained infertility, or cervical mucus problems.  Semen is collected, and then delivered via a catheter inserted through the women's vagina and cervix to her uterus.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). IVF may help those with pelvic or tubal damage, or male infertility.  It is the most commonly used of all the fertility treatments available.  The woman takes drugs to stimulate egg production, which are surgically removed.  Then eggs and sperm (from her partner or a donor) are collected and combined outside the body, and inserted into her body to develop after fertilization takes place.  "In vitro" means "in glass" (that is, in a test tube or laboratory dish).

Sperm Donation. Fertility treatments do also include those necessary when a male partner is not present or does not have viable sperm.  This procedure is performed using sperm from a typically anonymous donor; of course, a sperm donor can be a male friend or associate.

Donated Egg. This can help those whose infertility problems are due to premature menopause or some other disruption of ovulation.

Surrogacy, Traditional and Gestational.  In traditional surrogacy, another woman carries and gives birth to a baby conceived with her egg and your partner's sperm (through artificial insemination).  In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate carries and gives birth to a baby conceived with your egg and your partner's sperm, then transferred as an embryo to her womb.

Fertility Treatments Available for You

The proper procedure that is best for you and your partner is one that only you or the two of you together can decide on, of course with your doctor’s help.  Many of these fertility treatments listed are very expensive, so of course your own personal budget will need to be considered.  Additionally, there are some who have religious beliefs or moral opinions about many of these fertility treatments, and of course this is a personal decision as well.  The bottom line is that while so many of these options are becoming more and more common, and safer as well, the final decision will need to be yours.  After all, you are the one who will need to live with the consequences and responsibility of this decision for the rest of your life.  So, speak openly and honestly with your doctor and be sure that you completely understand all of these many choices so as to make the most informed decision possible.

Fertility Treatment

Monday, September 15, 2008

Conquer Menopause With Diet and Exercise

Menopause, for women this is just another one of those events in our lives we just can not avoid. It is also frustrating for many women because there are not always hard answers to certain questions. Some women sail through the experience while others suffer miserably. Some begin to see signs and experience symptoms in their thirties while others do not hit any speed bumps until they are in their late sixties.

What ever the case may be for you, there are steps that you can take that will assist in making the ride through menopause a little easier. To begin with the absolute basics, not surprising, nutrition and diet have tremendous affects on the symptoms of menopause.
As always it is important to consume a wide variety or fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes as these food groups are a rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and numerous other compounds that are essential to overall health. More importantly they help your liver process hormones and at the same time reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Another fabulous food for conquering menopausal symptoms is flaxseed. This little seed packs a real punch; flaxseed is rich in fiber but more importantly contains lignans which help to balance estrogens and in turn reduce your symptoms. Soy foods contain isoflavins which also reduce symptoms. Foods loaded with Vitamin D and Calcium are highly recommended. Beets or beet juice is considered a must when battling menopause as they are extremely rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals as well as carotenoids such as beta-carotene and lutein. It is recommended that you avoid saturated fats, caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods as these are all known to acerbate hot flashes.

Regular exercise isn’t it always listed as a benefit. Putting all of the other benefits aside, a couple different exercises will greatly improve your experience with menopause. First of all we know that aerobic exercise is a huge benefit to your cardiovascular system. The health of your cardio system has a direct effect on the occurrence of hot flashes. This does not mean you need to go out and start running five miles a day, intentional walking will do the trick as long as you are getting a workout and incorporating it regularly. Another line of activities that are good choices are Yoga, Qigong, or Tia Chi. Exercises such as these not only improve your body physically but also mentally and emotionally, again great for avoiding hot flashes.

Exercise regardless of the type you choose to incorporate into your daily routine also has the benefit of reducing stress which in turn helps with the menopausal symptoms of hot flashes, the sweating, irritability, anxiety, depression, mood swings. Exercise in general will also help to reduce other symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, head aches, memory loss, insomnia and low libido. In addition it would be beneficial to practice some sort of relaxation technique such as meditation or deep breathing.

Very small changes in our daily life style can have tremendous effects on how we experience menopause. Diet and exercise are essential to our over all health however there is a direct correlation between these and menopausal symptoms.

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Sunday, September 14, 2008

Fertility Treatment

Natural Methods Are Sometimes the Best Fertility Treatment!

When dealing with the issues of reproductive challenges, most couples are appreciative of the fact that medical science offers them a wealth of options when it comes to fertility treatments, including drugs that help a woman ovulate, Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) such as in vitro fertilization, artificial insemination, sperm donation and the like.  However, some couples are still looking for natural methods that work as fertility treatments for themselves and their partners.  How can you go about assisting your own reproduction with such methods?  Are there any that actually work?  Let’s examine some of these issues here.

Be Careful of Your Medications

Sometimes an actual fertility treatment is not necessary, as you realize that conception is being hindered by the medications you’re taking, either for the man or the woman.  Some drugs, such as those to treat high cholesterol or diabetes, interfere with a woman’s ovulation abilities and a man’s sperm production.  Before investigating medical alternatives as a fertility treatment, speak with your doctor about your prescription medications.  There are some that of course you cannot stop taking as it will cause you serious health problems, but there may be adjustments that can be made, or other medications to take that will help to offset these issues with reproduction.

It’s also noteworthy that over the counter and homeopathic medicines can have the same effect, so don’t forget to mention these to your doctor as well.

Good Sex as a Fertility Treatment

Because a man’s sperm needs to travel a long distance (or at least to the microscopic sperm, it seems like a long distance!) in order to reach an egg to fertilize, it’s best to be mindful of your sex practices and whether they’re helping or hindering this journey.  The “missionary” position, or man on top, is always recommended when a couple is trying to get pregnant.  Other positions such as the woman on top, sitting, standing, and anything else that interrupts the natural flow of sperm and causes it to work against gravity is only going to make the sperm need to work that much harder.

When considering a fertility treatment for yourself, you should definitely give some attention to your sexual practices first, as a simple change in your habits can go a long way (no pun intended) toward helping that sperm reach its goal.

Other Natural Fertility Treatments


Reducing stress, smoking cessation, and a good diet along with regular physical exercise are always recommended before trying a medical fertility treatment, as these things can help the body address and even repair any issues it may have with the reproductive system.  Soaking in hot water can kill sperm, so the man should avoid hot tubs and the like.  An ovulation predictor can also help a woman to know when she is ovulating.

So, there are no guarantees that any of these tips and reminders will work for you, but again, it’s always best to try the most natural fertility treatments first before opting for invasive surgeries or expensive drugs.

Help for Causes of Infertility

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Causes of Infertility in Women

The Myths Surrounding the Causes of Infertility in Women

If you are a woman who is experiencing what you think are reproductive challenges, or you’ve already been given the diagnosis of infertility from your OB/GYN, then it’s important for you to separate the facts from the fiction when it comes to the causes of infertility in women.  After all, if you find yourself believing something that is not true or not applicable in your case, you may wind up wasting precious time ignoring the real problems.

So what are those common myths when it comes to the causes of infertility in women?  And better yet, what is the truth about those beliefs?  Let’s examine a few here.

Myth:  It’s all in your head.

This myth may have developed over the years as some couples have dealt with infertility for some time, and then eventually were able to conceive on their own.  Others may view this as a reason to believe that reproductive problems are simply stress related or that a couple is being overly sensitive to their situation.  Yes, stress and such things can be pinpointed as one of the causes of infertility in women, but it certainly is not the only cause, and not even the most common!

Advances in modern science that can plainly pinpoint different problems with a man’s or a woman’s reproductive system should have squelched this myth years ago, but unfortunately it seems to continue to thrive.  Despite the abilities we have to look deep into the body’s reproductive system and find even the smallest of defects which can be one of the causes of infertility in women, some still think it’s simply a mental challenge.

Myth:  Miscarriage is a common cause of infertility in women.

First of all, it’s important to remember that in most cases of miscarriage, there was nothing the woman could have done to prevent it.  Rarely is it ever caused by stress, overworking, and the like.

It’s also important to remember that miscarriage itself is really not a cause of infertility of women; most doctors regard it as simply a possible symptom of a larger problem.  Many miscarriages that are caused by such things as exposure to environmental and workplace hazards, such as high levels of radiation, hormonal problems, uterine abnormalities, incompetent cervix, and severe medical conditions can be considered a symptom, as these are some of the common causes of infertility in women as well.

Myth:  If you’ve already had a baby, you’re not infertile.

Help for Causes of Infertility

Friday, September 12, 2008

Alternative Menopause Treatment Options

If you are looking at your options for menopause treatment, then you are probably lucky that you are going through menopause today. No longer will you be told that the symptoms are all “in your head” and that you should just “deal with it”. Menopause is talked about and acknowledged and specialists are studying a variety of treatment options to treat menopause and its associated symptoms.

There is a lot of conflicting evidence out there and it can be tough to work out what is factual and what is not when looking at treatment options. Many women are also looking for natural remedy options as they are concerned about the effects associated with hormone replacement therapy. Below you will find some information on menopause treatments.

One popular natural treatment is through the use of phytoestrogens. These are naturally occurring compounds in plants and the reason that they are often used for the treatment of menopause is that they have a very similar make up to the female sex hormone estrogen.

Herbal treatments for menopause are also extremely popular. Herbal treatments are commonly prescribed by naturopaths and herbal specialists as a treatment for the symptoms associated with menopause, whilst not necessarily attacking the causes of menopause itself.

Another popular treatment of menopause is the use of progesterone creams. Progesterone is another naturally occurring hormone in the female body and many studies have suggested that correcting progesterone imbalances can help alleviate menopause. Progesterone cream is often used in conjunction with a variety of other treatments such as estrogen treatments

If you are looking at your options in regards to menopause treatments, then researching the variety of treatments available is important. You may try one of these treatment options or a combination. If you have concerns, I would recommend you go and see a specialist.

Taking Folic Acid While Pregnant is Good for Fetal Health

Folic acid is an important vitamin to the developing fetus in that it aids cell development, particularly those cells involved in the development of the baby's spine.  A deficiency can result in neural tube defects, in which the neural tube, down through which the central nervous system passes, fails to close properly.

However, let's first discuss the substance itself so that its function in that process can be more easily understood.  Neither should we ignore the other benefits that folic acid gives us, or the problems we can have in the event of a deficiency.

Folic acid is a form of Vitamin B9, sometimes referred to as Vitamin M.  Its anionic form is known as folate, which is the form in which it is frequently offered in supplements. Incidentally, it gets its name from the Latin for leaf, so is from the same root as foliage. It is water soluble, and like Vitamin C can be leached through the body if not immediately used.

It is available naturally from leafy and green vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, spinach and peas, but is also available in fortified breakfast cereals, sunflower seeds and some fruits. You would not normally suffer a deficiency, but if you are taking anticonvulsants, have liver problems or undergoing kidney dialysis, then you might need a supplement. Pregnancy, of course, is the important case in which a supplement should be taken, although, surprisingly, many mothers-to-be are unaware of this.

New body cells need folate for their production, particularly when they are dividing and growing rapidly such as during pregnancy and in infancy.  The formation of DNA depends on many chemical entities, among them four nitrogenous bases, of which three, thymine and the two purine bases, adenine and guanine, depend on folate for their synthesis. If the growing fetus is lacking folate then DNA synthesis will be hindered. This retards cell division and growth.

Among the conditions this can cause are a form of anemia known as megaloblastic anemia, and neural tube deficiencies, where the sheath that surrounds the main nerve canal up the spine fails to close properly. The best known of such neural tube defects is spina bifida, though any condition caused by a lack of cell division can also occur. Anemia can be contracted by both adults and children, since production of red blood cells takes place constantly throughout your lifetime.  These are the reasons why folic acid or folate is used in breakfast cereals.

The biochemistry is fairly simple to understand, and is important because it explains the importance of two other B vitamins, B3 and B12, in DNA synthesis. The initial stages are a six step reaction that forms methyl tetrahydrofolate from folate, starting with the reduction of folate to dihydrofolate, and then a further reduction to the tetrahydrofolate (THF).  Vitamin B3 (in the form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) is an essential cofactor for these reductions. Vitamin B12 is necessary as an acceptor for the methyl-THF so that it can continue along the biochemical pathway - now that is too complex to discuss here!

However, the inference you can rightly draw from this is that a deficiency of Vitamin B12 can cause what is known as a 'methyl trap', whereby the methy-THF cannot be used, and so a deficiency in Vitamin B12 can lead to the same symptoms as a l-methylfolate deficiency.

The implications of that are that vitamin B12 is also an essential component of a pregnant woman's diet.  The problem here is that this vitamin is available only from animal sources, including dairy products.  Its presence in vegetable organisms such as certain algae and fungi has been proposed, but it is believed that the cobalamin (chemical term for the vitamin) from these sources is not bioavailable to humans.

Vegans, therefore, who do not eat dairy products, will need a Vitamin B12 supplement in addition to folic acid or folate, particularly when they are pregnant and with young growing children. In this respect, a vegan diet is unsuitable for young children until their rapid growth period has stabilized.

For those of you wondering why the biochemistry above was discussed:  that is your answer.  Such discussions can frequently explain why certain supplements are necessary, or certain diets should be reconsidered under particular circumstances. Such things are easier to understand and accept when the logic behind them are explained.  A folic acid supplement taken from the onset of pregnancy up to 12 weeks at least, and also a Vitamin B12 supplement in the case of those with a low meat intake, should prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

A daily supplement of 0.4 mg should be sufficient, along with a diet rich in green vegetables, fortified cereals and breads and oranges.  Your greens are best steamed since prolonged boiling destroys folic acid - as it destroys Vitamin C.  One source of folic acid that you might read about is liver, and its additional iron content might lead you to believe this to be a good component of your diet when pregnant.   However, although normally a very nutritious food, liver should be avoided during pregnancy due to its high Vitamin A content. This can be harmful to your baby.

Finally, there are some circumstances under which the dose during pregnancy should be greater.  If you have previously had a child with a neural tube defect, or have an NTD yourself (or your partner), if you are diabetic, if you have celiac disease (a gluten allergy) or are taking anti-epileptic medication, you should increase your dose to 5 mg (milligrams) for which you will likely need a prescription from your physician.

NTD is rare, so don't over-worry much about it, but take the above precautions to put your mind at rest since pregnancy is not a time during which you should be nervous but to enjoy. That will pass on to your growing baby, which will then itself be happy.