"It is fast approaching the point where I don't want to elect anyone stupid enough to want the job."
|
| |
Chemotherapy Drugs: Little known side effect YOU need to know about!
In January, 2005 it was reported that cancer has surpassed heart disease – for the first time – as the top killer of Americans younger than 85. In 2002, the most recent year for which information is available, 476,009 Americans younger than 85 ...
Cleansing Your Elimination Organs to Achieve Good Health
Introduction The colon, kidneys and liver are the primary elimination organs - they eliminate waste and toxins from your body. If they are not functioning properly, there is a likely buildup of toxins in your body. Colon cleansing, kidney cleansing, and ...
Medical Tourism
With more than 300 days of sunshine each year there is no better place to go on vacation than Thailand. With its breath taking beaches and old traditional cultures and warm and welcoming people there is not better place to experience true Asian ...
|
|
|
|
| |
to 35 pounds during pregnancy. Women who are obese are advised to gain less weight. On the other hand, women who are
underweight may gain up to 40 pounds. Women who gain excessive weight during pregnancy should see a dietitian. (click
here to determine your bmi).
2. When do I first need to see a doctor?
A first prenatal visit should take place within the first trimester. If a woman is uncertain about the date of her last menstrual
period, it is especially important to schedule an ultrasound appointment to accurately determine gestational dates. At the first
doctor visit, a comprehensive medical history will be taken to assess any obstetrical risks and special medical needs of a
patient. Simple blood work that is usually done at the first office visit includes ABO and Rh blood typing, screening for anemia,
immunity to rubella, and testing for viral hepatitis and HIV. A pelvic exam, pap smear, chlamydia and gonorrhea test is also
usually performed at the first visit. Urinalysis, blood pressure and weight checks, fundal height measurement and fetal heart
auscultation are performed routinely at each office
visit.
3. Should I seek care from a midwife or doctor? This is a personal decision. Typically, complicated pregnancies (i.e.,
women who have certain medical conditions, smoke, have a history of miscarriages, past c-section, or have other risk factors
for a complicated pregnancy) require the care of a physician. Midwives are an option for normal, uncomplicated pregnancies
that do not require advanced care. Either way, a woman should seek routine prenatal care by a qualified health care provider.
4. Can I consume caffeine during pregnancy? Caffeine in moderate amounts is probably safe in pregnancy.
5. Can I use artificial sweeteners? Saccharin containing products should be avoided during pregnancy. Saccharin can
cross the placenta and enter the fetal tissue.
6. Why have I been told to avoid cats during pregnancy? Cats can carry bacteria called Toxoplasma, which can be
harmful to the developing fetus. Women should avoid changing a cat's litter box since Toxoplasma can be found in the cat's
feces. You should discuss with your health care provider specific precautions that you need to take to avoid infection caused
by Toxoplasma. Poorly cooked meats, seafood and unpasteurized milk can also be contaminated with Toxoplasma.
7. What is gestational diabetes? Some women develop diabetes during pregnancy. Most of the time, it will resolve after
pregnancy. However, these women are at a higher risk of developing diabetes in later life.
8. How do I know if I have gestational diabetes? Late in the second trimester, a one hour glucola test is performed. If this
is number is elevated, a women will undergo another test called a three hour glucose tolerance test. A woman should discuss
her risks of developing gestational diabetes and this test with her health care provider.
9. Are there any foods that I should avoid during pregnancy?
Canned tuna fish and farmed salmon should be eaten in moderation. Tuna steaks, swordfish, shark and king mackerel should
be avoided because they can contain high levels of mercury, which can harm the fetus. Raw fish and shellfish should be
avoided because they can be infected with parasites and Norwalk-like viruses.
10. Is aspirin safe to use in pregnancy?
Aspirin is not safe to use during pregnancy. Aspirin is a class D medication meaning that it may cause harm to the fetus.
11. Is air travel safe during pregnancy? Air travel is thought to be safe until about 8 months of gestation. Pregnancy is a
hypercoaguable state, which means that women who are pregnant are at a greater risk of developing blood clots. For this
reason, pregnant women should take stretch breaks each hour when driving on long trips or flights.
12. Are over the counter cold medications safe to take in pregnancy? Many over the counter medications are not safe to
use in pregnancy. Pregnant women should consult their health care provider before trying any over the counter medication.
13. Can I use hair dye? It is generally recommended to avoid hair dye during the first trimester.
14. Can I work during pregnancy?
Work limitations are unique to the individual and her job. Many healthy women choose to work throughout their entire
pregnancy, until the moment they go into labor. A woman should discuss her specific work limitations and special medical
needs with her health care provider. General work restrictions include avoidance of heavy lifting, exposure to chemicals,
prolonged standing and extremes of temperatures.
15. What birth defects are screened for in prenatal care? An ultrasound can assess abnormalities of the spinal cord and
organs like the heart and kidneys. There are blood tests available to screen for neural tube defects and chromosomal disorders
(like Down Syndrome). Women who are at an increased risk for chromosomal disorders may be offered amniocentesis or
chorionic villus sampling. Remember, that no test can guarantee that a baby will be born in perfect health. It is important that
women who have a family history of congenital diseases disclose this information to their physician so that special care can be
given to this matter.
16. Can I continue to have sex while I'm pregnant? Yes. However, if a woman has had vaginal bleeding, history of
miscarriages, or other special situations, she may be advised to abstain from sex by her health care provider. A woman must
take special care to protect her self from sexually transmitted diseases. Some sexually transmitted disease can cause birth
defects in the developing fetus.
17. Can I have an occasional glass of wine during pregnancy? It is recommended to avoid all alcoholic containing
beverages, tobacco use and drug use throughout pregnancy.
18. What if I get chicken pox during pregnancy?
A woman who has not developed immunity to chicken pox infection (caused by the varicella virus) should consider becoming
vaccinated before pregnancy. It is generally advised that she then wait one month before becoming pregnant after receiving the
vaccine. If a woman develops chicken pox during the first trimester or early second trimester of her pregnancy, her fetus is at
risk of developing the congenital varicella syndrome. The risk of developing this syndrome is estimated to be 0.4% for infection
during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and 2.0% for infection occurring 13-20 weeks of pregnancy.
19. How can I figure out my due date by using my last menstrual period?
Go to www.askmd.org and click on the box on the left hand side named 'health calculators.' Browse the pregnancy
calculators.
20. Can I exercise during pregnancy?
Yes, pregnant women should strive for 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day.
Many women may need to modify their exercise routines to avoid uncomfortable positions and overheating. It is necessary to
drink sufficient amounts of water to avoid dehydration
About the Author
Dr. Bunke is a Resident Physician in Family Medicine. She is also the Health Content Editor at www.askmd.org, a
comprehensive medical web site that offers free medical resources including health calculators, daily health news, medical term
and abbreviation search, health information and more. AskMD.org is popular for its free 'ask a doctor' feature.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 College of Medicine Celebrates 140th Anniversary - Hilltop
The Howard University College of Medicine, one of the leading producers of female surgeons and African-American medical school graduates, will celebrate their 140th anniversary this Saturday. As one of the region’s oldest medical schools, the ...
BodyLogicMD Sponsors American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine - Earthtimes
BOCA RATON, Fla. - (Business Wire) BodyLogicMD, the nation’s fastest growing network of bioidentical hormone therapy physicians announces today it has selected to be a corporate sponsor for the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). As ...
The Year in Medicine 2008 - Time
In good times and bad, science doesn't sleep, and every year brings breakthroughs, setbacks, reasons for worry and reasons for joy. TIME's annual alphabetical roundup of a sampling of those stories gives you an overview of the year behind and a hint ...
11-21 Health briefs - Edmond Sun
Maternal fetal medicine specialist joins OU Physicians Edmond resident Dr. Marvin Williams Jr. has established his medical practice with OU Physicians Prenatal Diagnostic Center. Williams is a board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialist ...
ETSU willing to collaborate with King if Quillen not hurt - Johnson City Press
East Tennessee State University expressed a willingness to establish a collaborative relationship with King College in Bristol should that school further develop its medical program, provided clinical instruction at the James H. Quillen College of ...
King College Seeks To Establish Medical School - TriCities.com
BRISTOL, Tenn. – King College is looking for dancing partners in its attempt to establish a medical school and add a medical degree program. Officials of the private, Presbyterian college announced the potential expansion plans Thursday, during a ...
Blood test can detect colon cancer - United Press International
TEL AVIV, Israel, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- An Israeli researcher says he has developed a simple early-warning, painless and inexpensive blood test to detect colon cancer. Nadir Arber, a professor of medicine and gastroenterology at Tel Aviv University's ...
|
