Have you ever felt pain in your throat when swallowing? Or have you experienced it being too itchy but don’t know how to relieve the irritation? You may be having tonsillitis.

 

Common Symptoms

 

Tonsillitis will cause pain in your throat when you try to swallow, eat, or drink. It is one illness that can be coupled by a fever and is one that is primarily caused by a bacteria or a virus. You will also know that you have tonsillitis when your tonsils are with a yellow or white coating or when you observe them to be redder than usual. Other signs of tonsillitis include swollen glands in the neck, noticeable bad breath and a funny-sounding kind of voice.

 

Treatment for Tonsillitis

 

When you see a doctor for your tonsillitis, he will first take a look at your tonsils. To be able to do this, he will use a tongue depressor, which is a small wooden stick, to hold your tongue and get a clear view of the state of your tonsils.

 

He will also check for other signs of infection by looking at your nose and ears. He will be checking in particular for the presence of the streptococci bacteria because the presence of this will need special treatment. To know if you have this, your doctor will swab the back of your throat and make you gag to get a throat culture which he will send to the lab.

 

If your tonsillitis is caused by the strep bacteria, your doctor will prescribe for you antibiotic that would kill the bacteria. It is important that you finish the entire prescription he has asked you to take even if the pain is gone within the few first days, this is to insure that the bacteria is really killed and that it will not resurface again as a stronger kind of bacteria.

 

If, on the other hand, your tonsillitis is caused by a virus usually your own body will work against it on its own and no amount of antibiotics can kill it.

 

Dealing with Tonsillitis

 

When you have tonsillitis, there are some things you can do to make yourself feel a bit better.

 

You should drink plenty of fluids and try to eat smooth foods, like gelatin, ice pops and soups. Avoid eating hard, spicy and crunchy types of foods for they will only increase the pain.

 

You can also take the time to get sufficient and the much needed rest.

 

Finally try to use a humidifier in the room where you are staying. This can help moisten the air in your room and avoid the air friction in your throat that can cause further pain.

Nothing is more exciting than the arrival of your newborn child. However, along with joy and excitement, new moms should be aware of the challenges this new stage in their life could bring. While many new moms are willing to breastfeed their babies, there face some struggles in doing so.

Breastfeeding is beneficial to both the baby and the mother. Not only does it provide complete nutrition to your baby, it also forms a bond between you and your newborn child. Breastfeeding, however, is a process that you need to learn and develop; no one is born knowing how the process is done. To ensure that you will be able to provide your nourishing milk to your baby, here are 5 breastfeeding tips for new mothers.

Breastfeed your baby within the first hour of delivery. Once your baby is born, the doctors will let you hold your baby and encourage you to nurse him or her. Take advantage of this opportunity as this will help your uterus contract, signaling your mammary gland to provide colostrum for your baby.

Feed on demand. When your baby shows signs of hunger, make sure to offer your breast and let him or her get all the milk the he or she wants. Let your baby nurse completely on one breast before offering the other in order for him or her to get both the foremilk and the hind milk.

Avoid introducing bottles and pacifiers to your baby early. Make sure that breastfeeding is well established first so that he or she would prefer nursing from you.

Increase your milk supply. If it seems like you do not have enough milk to satisfy your little one, there are a lot of ways to improve your milk flow. Stay hydrated and consume soups, juices, and lots of water. There are also food supplements that can help you improve your milk supply such as fenugreek. Moreover, practice skin-to-skin contact with your baby.

Stay calm and relaxed when feeding your baby. When your stressed or worried that you may not be feeding your baby well, it affects the entire process of breastfeeding. Just stay calm and believe that you are providing enough nutrition and satisfaction to your little one.

If, after following these breastfeeding tips for new mothers, you still find breastfeeding a big challenge, you may need to turn to a lactation consultant who can give you sound advice on what you may not be doing correctly.

Do you have poor supply of breast milk? Do you find it difficult to feed your baby with your milk? Know how to properly breastfeed your baby with these effective tips.

The Importance of Breastfeeding

It is a universally accepted fact that nothing can compare to breast milk when it comes to giving your baby his or her needed nourishment – physically and emotionally.

Breast milk provides babies with the nutrients needed to protect them from possible infection and allergy. This is especially true during the first few days after birth when the mother produces colostrum, which contains anti-bodies that will help develop an infant’s resistance to infection. At the same time, breast-feeding gives you and your baby the opportunity to develop that special nurturing bond between mother and child.

How to Deal with Poor Milk Supply

Breast milk almost often comes naturally for many mothers. However, there are those who find it difficult to produce adequate milk for their infant. This lack of breast milk often experienced by first-time mothers can be caused by anxiety, an improper diet, and the lack of appropriate stimulus. Below are three easy steps that could help new mothers produce enough breast milk for their new born infants.

First time mothers who are anxious and tense in breast feeding their infants may find it difficult to produce milk. This is because anxiety prevents you from producing enough oxytocin, a hormone that triggers the initial milk flow. Mothers should try to relax when feeding their infants by practicing deep breathing exercises. Listening to soothing music or watching television during feeds may also help.

Stimulate the flow of breast milk by allowing the baby to suck on your nipples for as long as your baby wants (read more on this topic here). This tugging motion helps boost circulation and clears blocked milk ducts. Slowly massaging your nipples occasionally may also help.

Maintaining a mother and child friendly diet is most important. Lactating mothers should consume at least eight glasses of water or fruit juices in one day. Vegetable soup, green leafy vegetables, and calcium-rich food are necessary in a mother’s diet. Lactating mothers should also avoid caffeine as well as alcohol. A mother’s milk contains whatever it is that she takes for herself, so mothers should treat themselves to small frequent meals in between feeding.

When poor milk supply continues to persist for more than a week after giving birth, it is advised that mothers get appropriate medical help.

Are you a first time mother and scared how properly breastfeed your baby? Know the right way of proper breastfeeding for your baby’s full growth and development.

First-time mothers are usually both excited and afraid about nurturing their newly born babies. Most mothers even seek the help of their mothers or their friends who have had the same experience to assist them on how to raise their babies properly.

Breastfeeding Guide

As a guide, here are some important things breastfeeding mothers should know:

Breast size has no bearing at all on the ability of a mother to breastfeed her baby. Sometimes, women with small breasts produce more milk than those with full heavy breasts that consist mostly of fatty tissues only. The milk is formed in the glandular tissues that develop during pregnancy and passes to the small sacs in the breasts and out through the nipples.

After you have delivered your baby in the hospital, ask your doctor to have your baby brought to you for personal nursing, instead of giving him or her a bottle, as practiced in most hospitals.

The watery fluid called colostrum which precedes milk is important to the infant as it will provide the baby with a natural immunity from many infections. The colostrum also serves as a milk laxative that cleans out the first stool or bowel movement the baby passes out after birth. So, it is important that this fluid be given to your baby after delivery.

The best nursing position is lying down with two pillows to prop you up. Sitting down on a comfortable chair or a rocking chair while holding the baby in your arms is also an effective position for breastfeeding.

Relax and rest while nursing the baby. Offer one breast first, letting the baby suck it for eight to 10 minutes before offering the other breast. Make sure that your baby empties both your breasts to avoid painful gorging and less production of milk.

If you cannot breastfeed your baby because you have to leave for work or other errands, you can transfer your breast milk in a bottle and let the baby drink it. Some working mothers, however, choose to feed their babies with breast milk as soon as they got home from work at night to make up for their absence during the day.

Ask your doctor what to eat during your nursing stage. As a rule, your diet should be the same as during your pregnancy, with more intake of milk and protein foods. Your doctor may prescribe iron tablets or vitamin preparations. Before taking any drug and medication though, seek the advice of your doctor first.

Being a mother is not easy at all. However, if you see that your child is growing healthy and happy, you will realize that the difficulties you have gone through and the sacrifices you made are all worth it.

Now that you know your baby is on the way, what you should you be most concerned about? Of course, you are planning to give him the best care, and this must begin from the day you realize you are pregnant. In fact, you should start long before. The better your own health, even before you are married, the healthier your children are likely to be. It is most important that you keep well-nourished and well rested.

Chiropractic Care for Pregnant Women

Do you know that chiropractic adjustments can help pregnant women cope better with physiological and endocrinological changes that occur during pregnancy? Because pregnancy brings about misalignment of the spine due to protruding belly, a gentle chiropractic adjustment can establish pelvic balance and restore alignment. When the pelvic is aligned properly, delivery of the baby will be easier and is likely to be normal and non-invasive.

Pregnant women who have undergone chiropractic treatment during pregnancy have also been observed to have reduced labor pains and shortened labor time. Chiropractic adjustment, therefore, is a pregnancy care and preparation tip that pregnant women should try to consider.

Other Pregnancy Care Tips to Keep in Mind

Choose a good doctor. Even though this may be your first child, you can never tell whether complications might arise. Your doctor would rather have you consult him as soon as possible, allowing him to guide you through this important period of your life. Don’t forget to check out my tips for breastfeeding too!

The amount of exercise you indulge in will depend somewhat on your natural habits of life. If you have been an active person, you may continue your activities in a rather modified form. There is no reason why you cannot play outdoor games or drive a car unless your doctor advises otherwise.

Taking a good walk is an excellent tonic for the whole body. Begin with shorter walks and gradually increase them.

Grab some fresh air, for you are breathing not only for yourself but also for your baby.

Your bedroom should be well ventilated at night.

Heavy smoking during pregnancy is not wise. The smoke from one cigarette may speed up the heart of an unborn baby as much as 25 percent above its previous rate.

It is wiser to avoid alcoholic drinks, even beer, not only for your own sake but also for your baby’s health.

It is important to have regular bowels during pregnancy. At least one movement should take place every day. Large quantities of fruits and vegetables will help to keep you regular.

Marital relations are permitted until the last four weeks of pregnancy. After that time there might be some danger of infection and perhaps premature labor. If at any time sexual intercourse is uncomfortable to the expectant mother, it is wise to refrain from further indulgence.

Drink at least six to eight glasses of water or other liquids each day.

Now is the time for the proper care of your nipples. If they are stiff and hard, it will be difficult for the baby to draw milk from them. The nipples should be washed each morning with mild soap and water.

There should not be any tight bands around the waist or legs. Do not wear garters at any form.

Wear comfortable low-heeled shoes. Wearing high heels can put you at risk for falls and other accidents.

Take your usual daily bath. It should not be too hot or too cold.

Take a plenty of rest. You should have at least eight to nine hours of sleep each night. Trust me, when the baby comes out, you will miss having complete rest.

Now that you are pregnant, you should be mindful not only about your body but your baby, too. As long as you observe proper safety measures, you can be sure that you will successfully deliver your baby.

Cancers are the most dreaded of all diseases because of the serious and often fatal implications they are associated with. Americans afflicted with cancers of all sorts number over 11 million. Did you know that there are over two hundred types of cancer that the medical world has identified? Many of these are very rare, though. You should know and be wary of the most commonly diagnosed types of cancer affecting many people in the United States each year.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer. There are over 1 million people diagnosed with nonmelanoma skin cancer annually. It is ranked sixth and seventh the most common cancer type in men and women, respectively. This prevalent type of cancer can be best prevented by regularly applying sunscreen with a SPF or sun protection factor of 15 or above. Doing this until you are eighteen years old will reduce the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer in your lifetime by 78%. The good news about this type of cancer is that there is better than 95% rate of being cured when it is detected early and treated accordingly.

Lung cancer. There are an estimated 0.22 million cases of lung cancer every year. Lung cancer causes damages to the cells that line your lungs. It is the leading cancer type in terms of cancer deaths for both men and women in America yearly. Cigarette smoking and inhalation of second-hand smoke are the leading causes of lung cancer.

Breast cancer. Close to 200,000 women are affected by breast cancer each year. It is the most prevalent type of cancer among women. Men do get breast cancer also, although the number of incidents per year – about 2,000 cases – is much, much lower compared to that for women.

Prostate cancer. Over 192,000 prostate cancer cases are diagnosed every year. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting men. Most of those with this condition are men who are past 50 years. Hormonal changes with men’s aging cause this condition to develop.

Colon and rectal (colorectal) cancer. More than 146,000 cases of cancers of the colon and rectum combined occur every year. The cecum, colons, and rectum are part of the large intestine, which is responsible for the break down and digestion of food.

Bladder cancer. More than 70,000 people are diagnosed with cancer of the bladder each year. In this type of cancer, the cancer cells develop within the bladder tissues. Transitional cell carcinoma is most common type of bladder cancer.

Melanoma. Each year, more than 68,000 people get afflicted with melanoma, a type of skin cancer. It develops in the melanocyte cells of the skin, which are responsible for producing melanin, the brown pigment. Melanoma usually begins to form in moles of people who have a lot of skin pigment. Melanoma is not only found in skin but in other parts of the body that are pigmented, such as intestines or the eyes.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. About 66,000 people suffer from this type of blood cancer. Lymphoma is a term for a group of cancers involving the lymphocytes or white blood cells. Its symptoms are swollen lymph nodes, weight loss and fevers. There a number of different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and people of all ages can have this cancer.
Kidney cancer. Close to 50,000 people can have cancer of the kidney each year. The kidneys’ extract waste from the blood and excretion it out as urine. The cancer develops inside the kidney, in the tissues or ducts. Kidney cancer mainly affects people aged over 40 years although a particular kidney tumor type commonly develops in young children.

Leukemia. About 45,000 cases of leukemia are diagnosed annually. There are four main types of this cancer known as blood cancers. They often develop in the bone marrow, cells and tissues associated with the formation of blood cells. They can be chronic, or slowly progressing, or acute, meaning there is rapid progression of the symptoms. Of all cancers, leukemia causes the death of more children younger than 20 years old, although they can affect children and adults alike.

Awareness proceeds prevention. Knowing the most common types of cancer afflicting the population should make you wary. The next step is for you to strive to prevent them occurring to you and to people you care for.

When there are misalignments of the spine or subluxations whether in adults or babies, the nerves that travel to all of the systems in the body are compromised due to the pressure in these nerves. What the chiropractor does is simply take the pressure or nerve stress off the spine so the proper functioning of all body organs may be restored.

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It is not a surprise for some uninformed people to fear taking their babies to the chiropractor for examination and treatment. Chiropractic care to some people invokes “snap, crackle and pop,” which is the stereotype description for the chiropractic adjustments. Adults who undergo chiropractic adjustments can indeed feel some pressure and cracks in their backs. However, chiropractors have completely different techniques when making adjustments for babies. The chiropractic professionals apply gentle pressure suited to the back and neck of the babies. You can see for yourself the relief this technique will bring to your baby as misalignments are corrected. Chiropractic adjustments for babies are so gentle, babies will hardly feel it. They will be relieved and relaxed upon the correction of misalignments in their bodies.

A veteran chiropractic doctor aptly describes the pressure applied to the back and neck of a baby for adjustments as equivalent to the pressure a consumer uses to check a tomato for ripeness. The reason why babies will cry during a chiropractic session is usually out of being startled at a stranger touching them and undergoing a new experience they are not familiar with.

Chiropractic care has been proven to be a more effective and safer option than using prescription drugs and antibiotics. Chiropractic care in babies can also bring about healthier babies as the treatment will support their nervous and digestive systems.

The most notable benefits to the babies who have received chiropractic care are:

Better sleep and sleeping patterns – Chiropractic care has been tested to be able to help give babies better sleep and better sleeping patterns.
Healthy brain development – Chiropractic care promotes nerve development and healthy brain. Spine adjustment is like resetting the baby’s nervous center.
Stronger immune system – Chiropractic care is the natural way to boost your babies’ immune system and drive away flu and colds, among other viral and bacterial infections.
Ease colic problems – Many cases of colic problems have been addressed with chiropractic care after every other means have been exhausted to little or no avail. The chiropractic adjustments in babies have also been proven in comparative studies to be significantly more effective than anti-gas medications.
Improved digestive functions – Poor digestion is one of the results if the infant has spinal subluxations and the function of the digestive system is compromised. Chiropractic adjustments will restore all of the baby’s body functions, including proper digestion.
Easier breathing – Symptoms of asthma, sinuses, allergies and stuffiness may all be lessened, if not cleared up, with chiropractic care.
Healing of ear infections and ear aches
Addressing feeding and breastfeeding issues

Countless cases of all these and many more issues with infants have been successfully and safely resolved with chiropractic care.

People of all age groups can benefit from the amazing results of chiropractic healthcare. Chiropractors are well trained and experienced in the treatment of babies, as they are with treating children, adults, and senior citizens.

Parenting and rearing children is difficult enough and stressful. The care for infants is a special challenge as babies are unable to communicate well, especially when they are in pain or have illnesses. Let the chiropractic doctors be your partners in alleviating the health conditions of your babies and make things easier for you in your important parenting roles.

Babies are most vulnerable to injuries because they are helpless by themselves and need all the attention and care from their parents and caregivers. Injuries to babies can be prevented when the adults who provide them care understand the most common sources of injuries in babies.

Statistics collected from the period 2001 to 2004 show that in the U.S. alone, about 1.3 million babies are sent to emergency department of hospitals for treatment of nonfatal accidental injuries yearly. These numbers from a national surveillance system from the initiatives of Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), are expected to be much higher at present.

Types of Babies’ Injuries

Here are the most common types of injuries of babies:

• Head injuries – They usually come from falls from beds, cribs, stairs, infant seats, highchairs, furniture, slippery floors and play equipment.
• Burns – These include accidental burn injuries from hot liquids, hot water heater, and bathwater with temperatures above 49 degrees Celsius,
• Injuries from choking – Common things that can cause choking are food, toys, coins, or other small objects.
• Nose injuries – These may often result from falling on a hard surface.
• Cuts and scratches – Your baby’s own fingernails as well as sharp and pointed objects may cause these injuries.
• Fractures and sprains – Hard falls are again a common culprit here. Babies’ bones tend to break more easily compared to adults; they have growth plates, which are soft areas near the end of each bone.
• Contusions – These are bruises under the skin, usually caused by bumps and falls.
• Eye injuries – Dust, chemicals in the form of liquid, spray or powder or other types of foreign matter that get into the baby’s eyes may cause eye injuries.

Causes of Babies’ Injuries

Based on the results of the same study by CDC and CPSC, the most common causes of infant injuries are:

• Falls – This is the leading cause of baby injuries. About 13% of all infant accidental injuries annually are from falls.
• Being hit, struck or crushed by a hard object – More than 3% of the injuries every year are from this group of causes. Vehicular or machine related accidents are not included in these types of causes.
• Fire or burns – This is third highest cause of baby injuries in terms of cases, although only 5% of the victims from this cause were hospitalized.

Though the incidence of injuries in babies from the following causes is less, they are just as dangerous:

• Drowning – About half of all victims from drowning were hospitalized.
• Suffocation or inhalation of toxic gas – 11% of babies who sustained injuries from these causes underwent hospitalization.
• Motor vehicle – 9.5% of babies who sustained injuries from motor vehicle accidents were hospitalized.
• Foreign body – Injuries from this cause hospitalized 9% of the babies who were affected.

Based on the figures on babies’ injuries and what cause them, the following things in the babies’ environment are considered most dangerous for them, so the babies should be watched more carefully when around them:

• Beds – Babies fall from, roll or slide off them. They are the top things linked to baby injuries up to 12 months old.
• Car seats – In injuries linked to car seats, babies either lurch out of them or the car seat falls with the baby.
• Stairs – It is among the top things linked to injuries to babies at every age.
• Stroller – A thing to watch out for, especially for two to four month old babies.

Parents and caregivers should ensure that the baby’s environment is as safe as possible to keep the baby injury-free. More than this, they should be aware of and anticipate the baby’s first year motor milestones and the risk of injury associated with them. This way, injuries to the baby will be better prevented.

Can Chiropractic Care Treat Baby Injuries?

Many parents fear chiropractic treatment for babies’ ill conditions and injuries, and this is not surprising. Since babies have soft bones and fragile structure, utmost care should really be observed. However, chiropractic care aims to simply take the pressure or nerve stress off the spine of an individual to restore proper function of all body organs – and this may be applicable to babies, toddlers, and children and perfectly safe for them too.

While not all baby injuries may be healed by chiropractic adjustment, there are some conditions that can be helpful in restoring the normal and healthy condition of babies, including muscle strains, head and neck injuries, and back pain, as well as other non-injury health conditions including colic problems, digestive problems, sleep irregularity, and breathing difficulties.

Aging is normal and every one of us will go through this stage, but many of the changes in the body, especially the negative ones, are preventable. You need to take proper steps to in order to make this happen, but it is possible. Medical researches show that through proper nutrition, aging can be slowed down and many debilitating conditions can even be prevented. Some examples include osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, and spinal problems. Almost half of the medical problems of elders are related to diet. It is a proven fact that people whose diet is rich in vegetables live longer and are healthier.

 

Food Choices as You Age

 

As you age, your sense of smell and taste decreases. When this happens, food does not look as good to you as it was when you were younger. Also, there are more health problems that make food less appealing. This is the reason why many older people are becoming choosy when it comes to the food they eat.

 

The body composition and structure change with age, as well. The muscle mass decreases because muscles are not being used the same way as before. Additionally, the body’s metabolism slows down, and because of this, you need to take in less calories so your body can digest everything that you eat. If you fail to do this, chances are, you will gain excess weight that you would be difficult to lose, making you at risk for many diseases common in an old person.

 

Food and Nutrition for Elders

 

As you age, your body will not be capable of completely absorbing and using up all of the nutrients that you take in, unlike when you were younger. Some of these nutrients then should be increased or replenished as you get older. These nutrients include the following:

 

• Calcium – Calcium is important in our diet because it helps provide healthy bones and teeth. An elderly person should then find a way to supplement calcium intake to prevent bone problems such as back pain, sciatica, and osteoporosis among others, which are more likely to occur in women.
• Vitamin D – Vitamin D is essential because it helps absorb the calcium.
• Vitamin B-12 – Vitamin B-12 helps build red blood cells. Thus, elders should get weekly shots of this vitamin so that they can keep healthy and strong nerves.
• Vitamin E – Intake of vitamin E is important because it assists in preventing heart disease.
• Zinc – Zinc helps in improving the body’s immune system which is normally affected by aging.
• Potassium – Potassium is important because it helps cure high blood pressure.

 

Diet Tips for Elders

 

Here are some tips to help a person as they get older to plan for a better diet and a healthier life.

 

1. Plan regular meals for the day and try to avoid eating junk foods or foods that don’t have any value to the body. Instead, eat fruits and vegetables which are nutritious and filling.
2. Make meal time something to look forward to. Even if you are eating alone, you can make it fun by setting up your table with candles, fancy plates, or flowers. Treat yourself to some music. The possibilities are endless to make your meal time motivating.
3. Try a variety of food with similar nutritional value so meal times won’t be boring.

 

These are just a few ideas on how you can take steps to maintain your health as you begin to age. Getting older happens, so you might as well be ready for it by knowing what the best foods to eat are.