Gout In Women May Put Them At Higher Risk Of Heart Attack!

Gout is the most common condition and is due to the inflammation of the joints as an outcome of higher amounts of uric acid deposits. Uric acid is a by-product of purines, which are rich in a Western diet. Weight gain, Obesity, high blood pressure, high alcohol intake, poorly functioning kidneys and certain drugs can all rapid its growth.

Recent study stated that gout in women may keep them at higher risk of heart attack than men. In the study, researcher conducted on 9500 gout patients and 48,000 people with the disease and aged 65 or older. The cardiovascular health of all the participants was tracked for an average of seven years, during which time 3268 fatal and non-fatal heart attacks occurred.

The study found that women with gout were 39% more prone to get heart attack of any kind when compared with women without the condition whereas men with gout were only 11 percent more prone to get a fatal or non-fatal heart attack when compared to those without the disease. The risks were significantly higher among the women than among the men.

Fibroids Raises The Risk Of Stillbirths!

Stillbirths can also be termed as intrauterine fetal death (IUFD). Recent study conducted in US stated that women who have fibroids may have higher risk of stillbirths.

Fibroids are the most common problems that occur in 5-20% of the women. Most of the women with fibroids don’t notice any symptoms and don’t even know they have them. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the risk of IUFD in women with fibroids.

The occurrence of IUFD was considerably high in women with fibroid than in the women with no-fibroid even after adjusting for factors including black race, tobacco exposure, chronic hypertension, and pre-gestational diabetes.

Also, the study stated that women who have both fibroids and fetal growth restriction are at two-and-a-half times at higher the risk of having a stillbirth, however the absolute threat remained rare. This can lead to future references for serial growth scans to observe fetal growth in women with fibroids.

10 Endometriosis Natural Treatment Options!

Endometriosis is a chronic, often painful condition, in which the tissue that lines the uterus, also called as endometrium starts growing outside of the uterus.

Most often, these tissues grow on ovaries, fallopian tubes, pelvic lining or in some rare cases outside of the pelvic area.

If you are experiencing pelvic pain or painful periods, it is essential to consult your doctor and get proper diagnosis.

Here are few endometriosis natural treatment options:

1. Endometriosis natural treatment – Foods to avoid

Women who want to avoid surgery or using hormones can try various endometriosis natural treatment options.

Still it is not certain that which hormones can cause endometriosis.

But, researchers found that woman’s reproductive hormones such as estrogen and progesterone play a major role in developing endometriosis.

So, it is essential to avoid some foods to maintain proper balance between these two hormones. In place of them, it is best to add organic foods. You need to consume foods such as: all dairy products, red meat, processed or prepared foods, excessive salt, wheat, coffee, soy, tea, farmed fish or shellfish and sodas.

2. Endometriosis natural treatment – Reduce chemical intake

Studies showed that chronic exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and environmental toxins are associated with increased risk of endometriosis. Reducing high fat diet is one of the ways to reduce the chemical intake. Increase the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Follow a whole food diet, being mindful of carbohydrates, to support healthy insulin metabolism and thereby support overall hormonal balance. This includes limiting alcohol intake.

3. Endometriosis natural treatment – Fruits, vegetables and flaxseeds

Studies proved that a set of plant chemicals such as flavones can reduce aromatase, which is the enzyme that converts androgens into estrogens. Some good sources of flavones include: celery and parsley.

Cauliflower, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and bok choy are high sources of indoles that help to improve estrogen metabolism. Onions and pineapple help reduce inflammation; garlic lessens inflammation and fights fatigue, as well.

Flaxseeds are good sources of fiber and lignans that are very helpful for estrogen related conditions.

4. Endometriosis natural treatment – Omega-3 fatty acids

Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include: sardines, salmon, anchovies, and mackerel. You can also get them in the form of fish oil capsules. Studies proved that omega-3 fatty acids are very helpful for women with endometriosis.

Compounds such as EPA and DHA in fish oil can greatly help to reduce the pain by decreasing levels of inflammatory chemical called as prostaglandin E2. Also, fish oils slow down the growth of endometrial tissue.

5. Endometriosis natural treatment – Vitamins

Most of the patients with endometriosis are suggested to take multivitamins with mineral supplements every day. Consume fiber rich foods along with:

• 1,000 to 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C each day, divided into three doses


• 400 to 800 I.U. of vitamin E daily


• At least 50 mg per day of the B vitamins


• Supplement with phytotherapy to gently normalize hormone levels
  

6. Endometriosis natural treatment – Juice therapy

Try juice therapy. Dark grape, mango, papaya and pineapple juices are recommended. These are helpful to reduce the discomfort associated with endometriosis.

7. Endometriosis natural treatment – Ice pack

Apply an ice pack or a heating pad on your lower abdomen area to reduce the pelvic pain and various other discomforts of endometriosis.

8. Endometriosis natural treatment – Green tea

Drink green tea to reduce nausea that occurs with endometriosis

9. Endometriosis natural treatment – Reduce stress

Increased stress levels can increase a hormone called as cortisone, which decreases the levels of progesterone thus leading to hormone imbalance. Take vitamin B, C, zinc and magnesium to balance cortisone. You can also practice stress reduction techniques such as yoga, relaxation techniques and deep breathing.

10. Endometriosis natural treatment – Progesterone cream

It helps to slow down the growth of endometrial tissue. It helps to reduce pelvic pain and period pain. Consult your doctor to know about the recommended dosage of progesterone cream.

8 Most Common Causes Of Yeast Infection!

Yeast is a fungus i.e. scientifically called as candida.

The type of fungus i.e. most commonly responsible for yeast infection is candida albicans.

Normally, yeast is found on our skin and in areas of moisture such as vagina and mouth.

Researches showed that 20-50% of women carry yeast in their vagina.

There is treatment readily available for yeast infection, both over-the-counter and also alternative and drug-free treatments.

There are various causes result in yeast infection, they include:

1. Douching

All the healthy women have bacteria and various other organisms in the vagina. These organisms and the normal acidity of the vagina prevent overgrowth of some specific organisms thus leading to begin symptoms of vaginal infection.

Douching upsets the normal environment of the vagina thus leading to inflammation and imbalances in the organisms of the vagina. Often, this condition leads to symptoms like discomfort and chronic vaginal discharge.

So, you should avoid douching unless it is prescribed by your doctor. Every woman’s body has the natural ability to clean the vaginal canal. Douching won’t give you any health benefits and it actually worsens your vaginal symptoms.

2. Medications that contain steroids

Steroid medications are strongly correlated with increase candida yeast infection rates. These medications increase glucose levels in the blood.

Increase in sugar levels can change natural environment of the vagina thus increasing yeast proliferation levels. So, only use steroids when they are prescribed by your doctor.

3. Usage of antibiotics

Usage of antibiotics can alter the delicate balance of your vagina and suppress some of the good bacteria that put yeast infection under control. Whenever the good bacteria are suppressed, yeast levels rapidly increase and lead to infection.

If you are using any antibiotics, it is better to talk to your doctor to know the best course of treatment.

4. Risk of diabetes or having high blood sugar levels

Diabetics are at higher risk of contracting yeast infection. Increase in blood sugar levels multiplies the yeast bacteria thus leading to yeast infection. Sugars such as glucose and glycogen provide basis for yeast to grow. Sometimes, having yeast infection means that your diabetes is not under control.

5. Birth control pills or any other forms of hormonal contraceptives

Usage of birth control pills can cause cervical changes and increased vaginal discharge. You seem to have either or both of them. So, it is better to choose birth control pills that have lower levels of hormones.

6. Regularly wearing tight pants or pantyhose

Wearing tight pants make it hard for your body to breathe. It is very difficult for the areas like mouth and vagina. If you already have yeast infection, it will become further irritated by wearing tight, synthetic undies, stockings, pants, etc.

7. Menstrual cycle

Menstrual cycle keeps you at higher risk of yeast infection because at this time hormonal changes are greater, which disturbs good bacteria at the vaginal area making the infection more severe.

8. Pregnancy

Pregnancy can greatly trigger the yeast infection other than normal conditions. Particularly during the second trimester, you will notice an increased amount of thick, white and odd smelling discharge.

Pregnancy is the period for hormonal changes, so it is difficult for your body to maintain the normal chemical changes at the vaginal area thus causing an imbalance, which results in too much fungus.

Leukemia Chemotherapy - Benefits And Side Effects

Do you or anyone you know have leukemia?

Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses powerful drugs to destroy cancel cells. These drugs can be given:

• Intravenously, through a vein


• Orally, by mouth


• Through a catheter


• Subcutaneously, injected under the skin


• Intramuscularly, injected into muscle


• Intrathecally, injected into cerebrospinal fluid
  

Chemotherapy for treating leukemia varies greatly because leukemia is of several types. Generally, leukemia treatment combines chemotherapy with various anticancer drugs that destroy cancer cells by preventing them from growing and dividing rapidly.

Catheter: When leukemia chemotherapy treatment is administered in this fashion, a thin, flexible tube is placed in a large vein, most often in the upper chest. Catheter that remains in place is useful for patients who require many IV treatments.

Your practitioner injects drugs into the catheter instead of directly into the vein. This type of drug administration avoids the need for various injections, which can make you feel discomfort and also injure the vein and skin.

Injecting into cerebrospinal fluid: If your doctor discovers cancer cells in the fluid that block the spaces in and around the spinal cord and brain, then your doctor considers intrathecal chemotherapy.

Then your doctor injects this drug directly into the spinal fluid. This method is considered because the drugs by mouth or IV injection don’t reach the cells in spinal cord and brain.

You will receive chemotherapy treatment in the form of cycle i.e. treatment period, recovery period and then another treatment period.

Leukemia chemotherapy can lead to various side effects based on the drug you are taking and the dose. Usually, chemotherapy drugs affect the cancer cells and divide them rapidly, but it can also affect other cells, which include:

Cells in hair root: Chemotherapy drugs can cause hair loss. Though your hair will grow back, the new hair may look different in color and texture.

Blood cells: Blood cells fight against infections, supply oxygen to all parts of the body and help the blood to clot. When the blood cells are affected, you are more susceptible to infections, bruise or bleed easily and feel weak and tired.

Cells at the lining of digestive tract: Chemotherapy causes lip and mouth sores, vomiting, nausea, poor appetite and diarrhea.

Some other side effects of chemotherapy:

• You may have irregular menstrual periods or periods that may stop altogether.


• You may experience menopause symptoms such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes.

What Your Ovarian Cyst Type Is?

Ovarian cyst is one of the most common conditions that occur in women.

First you should know what an ovarian cyst means. Ovarian cysts are small fluid-filled sacs or cysts, which are found to occur either on the walls of the ovaries or inside them.

Usually, ovarian cysts won’t pose any health problem, but rarely they can cause serious concerns.

These cysts usually disappear on their own. As they are asymptomatic, most of you can not notice their presence.

Ovarian cysts can not remain completely harmless and sometimes these cysts can lead to more serious and dangerous complications. Some cysts can be stubborn, instead of disappearing on their own, they continue to grow.

They increase in the size, become more complex in nature and cause very serious problems such as cancer.

Till now it is not clearly known what leads to ovarian cyst. Various factors can lead to the growth of ovarian cysts.

Disturbance in your normal menstrual cycle is the most common problem for the formation of ovarian cysts. Menstrual cycle is a regular psychological process in which an egg is formed, developed and released. During this process, ovaries produce follicles or certain cyst like structures to aid the complete process.

These follicles are responsible for the production of estrogen and progesterone hormones, which are important to control the process and to bring on a release of unfertilized egg.

Sometimes, this whole process can be triggered by certain conditions such as hormonal imbalance, side effects of certain medications or prolonged sickness. This can cause the follicles to function abnormally and finally becomes into a functional ovarian cyst.

Basically there are two types of ovarian cysts. One is functional ovarian cysts and the other is complex ovarian cysts.

Functional ovarian cysts:

Again these cysts are of two types.

1. Follicular cyst: During the menstrual period, the production of luteinizing hormone is high and also there is increased functioning of this hormone. This hormone is essential for the release of egg. If the production of luteinizing hormone is less than normal, it affects the usual functioning of ovarian follicles. They won’t rupture and turn into follicular cysts.

Follicular cysts are most common and they are not serious. Usually, they cause little discomfort or pain and disappear on their own.

2. Ovarian cysts: These types of ovarian cysts develop after the production of luteinizing hormone and after the release of egg. These ovarian cysts are more serious. After the release of egg, ruptured follicles start producing abnormal quantities of hormones estrogen and progesterone. This can lead to corpus luteum or white body.

Sometimes, the mouth of the opening that is left behind by the egg becomes sealed off thus leading to fluid buildup inside the white body and finally becoming cysts.

These cysts can also disappear on their own, but sometimes they continue and grow larger. In some conditions, the ovary can twist and causing strong pain around the pelvis and abdomen.

Complex ovarian cysts:

These are the most serious form of ovarian cysts and are more dangerous. These cysts occur in very rare conditions. These types of cysts contain both liquid and solid components. They are of three types.

Dermoid cysts: These cysts are made from the same cells from which the egg grows

Cystadenomas: They are made of ovarian tissue and are filled with mucus

Endometrioma: These cysts develop due to endometriosis and made of uterine tissue

You can detect these ovarian cysts on your own or with the help of regular test procedures. Consult your doctor if you notice any of its symptoms.

What Type Of Genital warts You Have?

Do you have pain or itchiness around the genital area? Then suspect this with genital wart symptoms.

Genital warts can also be called as venereal warts or condylomata acuminate and they affect the moist tissue around the genital area.

Warts appear like small, flesh-colored bumps or have a cauliflower like appearance. They can grow as small bumps or into large clusters.

Usually, they transmit by direct skin-to-skin contact during oral, genital or anal sex with an infected person.

More than 30 HPV strains are responsible for the formation of genital warts. Half of sexually active women are infected with HPV at some point in their life.

Usually, genital warts won’t cause any symptoms to appear. In some cases, you will develop small, hard bumps within 3-12 weeks after exposure. Symptoms are different from one person to another and sometimes they can be mistaken for other medical conditions.

Most common genital wart symptoms that you notice will be soft, moist pink, flesh colored warts or gray swelling around the genital area. The bumps can be flat or raise, single or group, small or large warts. In some rare cases, you can experience pain in the genital area and some bleeding during or after having sex.

Generally, warts are painless. You will only experience pain when they are bumped or irritated. Sometimes, there is bleeding from warts. In contrast, plantar warts are very painful when you put pressure on them while walking.

Warts can also develop on your vagina, vulva, cervix, urethra, and around the anus where you will notice increased vaginal discharge, abnormal vaginal bleeding, itching around your vagina, urethra, cervix, vulva, and anus.

Most of the genital warts won’t pose any significant health risks. If the warts left untreated, you will notice some serious health conditions. For example, untreated genital warts can lead to anal and cervical cancer.

Genital warts spread easily and are very contagious. If you have an active outbreak of genital warts, it is best to refrain from all types of sexual contact until the warts completely disappear.

To prevent genital warts from occurring:

• Avoid unprotected sex with multiple partners.


• Avoid having sex with a partner whose sexual history is unknown to you.

For treating genital warts, your doctor can suggest any of the following procedures:

Cryotherapy – Destroying warts by using liquid nitrogen.

LEEP – Loop electrosurgical excision procedure, in which a sharp instrument shaped device like a loop is passed underneath the wart to cut it out from the skin.

Laser treatment – Physically destroy the lesions.

Electric current – Current is passed to physically destroy the lesions.

Know Endometriosis Symptoms To Confirm It!

Endometriosis, a common reproductive problem, is affecting most of the women worldwide.

In this condition, uterus lining tissues grow on the ovaries or in the pelvic or abdominal cavity of a woman’s body.

Endometriosis has no definitive cause, but is considered as an inherited condition.

Recent research confirmed that irregular menstruation, estrogen, genes, immune system and environmental chemicals are the most possible causes of endometriosis. About one out of ten American women are at a risk of endometriosis.

During the menstrual period, hormonal fluctuations can lead to the growth of uterine lining in order to create a favorable environment for the possible pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, then this lining sheds and expels from your body along with the period.

But, in endometriosis, uterine tissue develops in more areas like abdomen, ovaries and pelvic cavity. When it is the time for tissue to destroy, tissue that has transferred has no means to leave the body. Finally, blood that is trapped in these areas leaves adhesions and scarring.

Here is the list of endometriosis symptoms:

Endometriosis doesn’t follow any distinct patterns so that it is difficult for the practitioner to determine that a woman has endometriosis. Some of the endometriosis symptoms are similar to other conditions, these conditions include:

• Appendicitis


• Colon cancer


• Ectopic pregnancy


• Fibroid tumors


• Irritable bowel syndrome


• Ovarian cancer


• Ovarian cysts


• Pelvic inflammatory disease
  

The most common endometriosis symptoms include:

• Constipation or diarrhea


• Chronic pain throughout the month


• Fatigue


• Infertility


• Low back pain


• Pain during intercourse


• Pain before and during the intercourse


• Irregular or heavy menstrual periods


• Painful urination during menstruation


• Painful bowel movements during menstruation
  

Some other symptoms which are common with endometriosis include:

• Allergies or vulnerability to infections


• Anxiety


• Depression


• Headaches


• Low grade fever


• Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia
  

During the later stages of endometriosis, adhesions develop in the pelvic cavity. These are due to the untreated cysts that can bond pelvic organs collectively.

These adhesions can seriously interfere with the normal functioning of organs in the pelvic region, which cause digestive problems, bowel obstructions, urinary problems, infertility, and also mobility problems.

Endometriosis can impair your immune system to a great extent, which can cause various health problems. Women with endometriosis are more susceptible to various health problems like:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome, it is 100 times more common in women with endometriosis


• Fibromyalgia


• ME hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid gland, it is 7 times most common in people with endometriosis


• Rheumatoid arthritis
  

The most common endometriosis symptom experienced by the women is chronic pain. Some times, this can prohibit women to partake in everyday activities and also the ability to keep going a career.

How To Determine Your Fibroid Type?

Are you worried about fibroids? Fibroids, also called as leiomyomomas are the most common problem of woman’s reproductive health.

50-80% of women have uterine fibroids experiencing complications like bleeding, pelvic pressure and pain.

Usually, most of the fibroids are harmless, but some large fibroids can cause severe complications and also interferes with conception or pregnancy.

Fibroid tumors can range in sizes from few centimeters to more than 8 inches in length. Fibroids can tend to develop in clusters and they can form inside your uterus, in the uterine tissue or outside your uterus.

Majority of fibroids are benign tumors and don’t keep you at risk of cancer. Research found that one out of every four women has fibroids during their childbearing stage. They gradually tend to disappear after menopause.

The main cause of fibroids is still unknown, but they can be influenced by estrogen. High estrogen levels can keep you at greater risk of developing fibroids and when the estrogen levels stops, they also stop growing.

Recent studies conducted in US said that the growth of fibroids is nine times greater in dark complexion women when compared to fair complexion women. But, the exact reason behind this is unclear.

Obese women more than 70 kg are at high risk of developing fibroids because of high estrogen levels. Women who didn’t give birth to a child due to some genetic factors and women who smoke are at higher risk of uterine fibroids.

Usage of contraceptive pills, which contain higher estrogen levels, can keep you at high risk of fibroids.

Fibroids are of different sizes and categorized by where they develop inside the uterus.

Different fibroid types:

Intramural fibroids: This fibroid type grows in the walls of the uterus. These tumors are the most common types of fibroids.

Subserous fibroids: These fibroid types grow beyond the outer layer of the uterine wall. Sometimes, they can also grow on stalks, these fibroids are also called as pedunculated fibroids. These fibroid types can grow in larger sizes.

Submucous fibroids: These fibroids grow in the muscle below the inner lining of the uterus. They can grow in the uterus and can also on the stalks. If they are long enough, then they can hang through your cervix.

Cervical fibroids: These fibroids grow on the walls of the cervix and they are difficult to remove without damaging the surrounding area.

Fibroids in the uterus can grow as single or in groups. It can be a single type or a group of different types. Accurately the cause of fibroids is unknown, so there are no particular treatments for preventing it.