Risk Of Antidepressants During Menopause!

Recent study stated that older women who take antidepressants are at greater risk of stroke and death when compared to women who are not on the antidepressant medications.

The study also stated that depression itself is a risk factor for early death, heart disease and various other illnesses. But, the study doesn’t mean that women should stop taking antidepressants. It is just only informative purpose about the risks and benefits of medications for older women.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Zoloft and Prozac are now replaced with tricyclic antidepressants, which can harm the heart. Postmenopausal women with SSRIs are at increased risk for both heart disease and depression.

Researchers found that women taking SSRIs had a 45 percent increase in risk of stroke and a 32 percent increase in risk of dying from any cause during follow up, compared with nonusers. Use of older tricyclic antidepressants wasn't linked to stroke, but it did increase by 67 percent the risk of death during follow up.


7 Self-care Tips For Bad Vaginal Odor!

An imbalance in the types of bacteria that are naturally found in a woman’s vagina leads to the foul smelling vaginal discharge.

During normal conditions, there are different types of bacteria present in your vagina.

The main symptom of this condition is abnormal vaginal discharge that tends to have an unpleasant odor.

Foul smelling vaginal odor can also be due to a sexually transmitted disease such as bacterial vaginosis or yeast infection.

Here are few self-care tips that help to reduce abnormal vaginal odor:

1. The fabric you use:

You should wear cotton panties. Cotton panties help to keep your vaginal area dry and allow air to pass through. When the vaginal area is dry, then there is a less chance for occurring the foul odor.

If you wear synthetic fabrics, they can trap the moisture in and promote odor by allowing the bacteria to develop that can lead to foul odor and infections.

2. Douche or not to douche:

Usually, douching affects the natural pH balance within your vagina. Frequent douching kills the healthy bacteria that can help in fighting against unhealthy bacteria, which cause infections. So, it is better to wash your vagina by using unscented, gentle soap and water.

3. Use panty liners:

Panty liners can help to absorb the moisture at your vaginal area. You will find them in scented and unscented forms and they greatly help you to stay dry and also odor free. As they are smaller in size, they do not cause any discomfort.

These small, discrete pads fit snugly right inside your panties. You can wear them anytime of the month and they simply help absorb any excess moisture. If you have fishy vaginal odor, you can use scented pads.

4. Holy hygiene:

Bad hygiene is the great cause of vaginal odors. So, daily bathing and washing your vagina twice a day can prevent the vaginal odor. Even you skip these for one day; it can lead to bad odor. Most of the women can get sweat in their groin area. It is also a major cause of vaginal odor. So, you should wipe this sweat daily to prevent vaginal odor.

5. Period perils:

Period is the most discomfortable time for every woman. The odor that comes along with the period can make the existing vaginal odor even worse. So, to prevent this from occurring, you should wash the vaginal area twice a day and change the pads or tampons regularly.

6. Chemical hygiene products:

Actually, using chemical sprays and scented hygiene products can lead to bad vaginal odors. Some chemical products cause itching or irritation around the vaginal area and also to the mucus membranes. Using these products can kill the healthy bacteria in your vagina and make it more prone to infections.

7. Check for bad vaginal smells:

You should know that bad vaginal smells can also be due to a condition like bacterial vaginosis. Symptoms of this condition include: a gray or white thin vaginal discharge with a strong fishy odor, itching or burning sensation. If you notice any of these symptoms, immediately consult your doctor.

Vaginal odor is a problem that plagues countless women and can reoccur every few months. There are effective treatments for the condition that don't just mask the odor, they actually treat the problem and eliminate it.


Does Obesity Cut Your Lifespan?

Researchers said that your lifespan could be shrinking in proportions to your growing waistline. Obese people die ten years before they should. Also, moderate obesity cuts your lifespan by three years.

Studies showed that people with BMI of 30-35 will die three before than they should and people with BMI of 40-45 will die ten years before.

If you are becoming obese or overweight, it is advised to avoid further weight gain for adding years to your life. Studies said that people should put a conscious effort against piling on the pounds, which most often happens between 25-50 years of life.

Obesity is linked with high risk of heart disease and stroke. According to the international BMI scale, BMI above 25 is considered as overweight and above 30 is considered as obese.

Even you have low BMI, having high body fat can also cut your lifespan. It is found that death ratio is lowest in those who were on the high part of obesity on the normal range and had a BMI from 23-24.

Also, studies showed that people with BMIs less than 22.5 have a higher risk of during than those who weighed slightly more, largely because of respiratory illnesses, such as lung cancer. The researchers say this is probably the result of skinny people who were smokers.

Link Between Infertility And Breast Cancer!

Recent studies stated that mutations in the BRCA1 gene that is gene linked to early beginning of breast cancer seem to be connected to a premature diminishment of egg reserve. This discover finally explain the relation between infertility and breast cancer or ovarian cancer risk.

Patients with BRCA mutation-positive, there was low ovarian response rate that is considerably more as thought to patients with BRCA mutation-negative and also with BRCA-untested women.

Each mutation-positive low patient seemed to have BRCA1 mutations, but low response could not be seen in women who were just BRCA2 mutation positive. As opposed to controls, BRCA1 mutation but not BRCA2 mutation-positive women is believed to have generated lesser amount of eggs.

It is established that, in the common inhabitants, around 1 in every 1,000 women is actually BRCA mutation positive and this rate could be as high as 2.5% in particular racial group.

Irrespective of major mechanisms of early diminishment of egg store in BRCA1 mutation-positive patients, the end result could have deep suggestions for the future fertility of a vast amount of women in the population.

Also, the study stated that there may be a new connection between low response to ovarian stimulation with fertility drugs and BRCA1 mutations. It could propose a possible connection between infertility, and breast cancer or ovarian threats.

The examination of the BRCA gene in the women with infertility and low response to ovarian stimulation could be valuable, particularly if there is a history of breast and/or ovarian cancer.



5 Alternative Remedies For Urinary Tract Infection!

Urinary tract infection occurs when the microorganism invades your bladder or urethra that carries urine from the bladder and out of the body.

Finally, it leads to burning or pain during urination, frequent urination, blood in the urine and lower back pain.
Proper sanitation and drinking lots of fluids are very much essential for preventing urinary tract infection.

Here are alternative medicine choices for treating urinary tract infection:

1. Juice therapy for treating urinary tract infection:

Drinking lots of fluids can help to flush out the bacteria that lead to urinary tract infection. Some fluids are even better than the others. For example, cranberry juice is probably the best, because it helps prevent bacteria from anchoring to bladder walls. It is best to take real cranberry juice, but not cranberry juice cocktails. This juice is rich in vitamin C and quinolic acid, which help to prevent UTI.

If you won’t find real cranberry juice, you can get cranberry juice concentrate, which you can mix with water. Researchers suggested that drinking 16 ounces of cranberry juice a day can help to prevent the problem. To get delicious taste, you can mix it with some fresh apple juice.

2. Aromatherapy for treating urinary tract infection:

Make essential oil by mixing equal parts of tea tree, juniper, sandalwood, frankincense, and bergamot. Thoroughly mix all these ingredients and apply over your bladder area and rub. Continue rubbing with this mixture for 3-4 days until the symptoms will subside.

3. Vitamin C to prevent urinary tract infection:

Daily intake of vitamin C in your diet will increase the acidity content of the urine and prevent bacterial growth. Women who are suffering from urinary tract infection, a daily intake of 1000mg of Vitamin C can prevent the disease from reoccurring.

4. Herbal remedies for treating urinary tract infection:

Herbal remedies such as goldenseal root, uva ursi and Echinacea when consumed three to four times a day can help to prevent urinary tract infection. Goldenseal root is a power antimicrobial agent, when consumed in the form of tea made from 1 tsp of dried herb per cup of hot water or as a tincture or in capsule form can help to prevent UTI.

Uva ursi is a powerful antiseptic agent that has soothing and strengthening properties. You can drink it in the form of tea or take as a tincture.

Echinacea contains substances that can help to fight infections such as UTI. You can drink Echinacea in the form of tea once a day or in the form of capsule once a day.

Some other herbs that help to prevent UTI include:

• Marshmallow root: It is a soothing agent.
• Corn silk: A soothing diuretic
• Usnea Lichen: It has wonderful soothing and antiseptic properties.
• Buchu: It is a soothing diuretic and antiseptic for the urinary system.
• Usnea Lichen: It is an antiseptic and soothing agent.
• Horsetail: It is an astringent and mild diuretic with tissue healing properties.

These herbs don’t cause any side effects when used at the suggested doses. But very rarely they can cause mild headache and stomach upset.

5. Homeopathic remedies for urinary tract infection:

You should consult a trained homeopathic practitioner to prescribe a deep acting and constitutional remedy. Do not take any remedy longer than a day or two without consulting a homeopathic practitioner. Here are some homeopathic remedies often prescribed for UTI:

• Sarsasparilla: Helps to relieve pain that comes after urination has stopped.
• Cantharis: For treating frequent urination that is associated with burning sensation.
• Staphysagria: Helps to treat UTI that is the result of sexual intercourse.
• Apis mellifica: Helps to treat stinging pain that becomes more severe with heat.