In many forms of diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.  However, in gestational diabetes, glucose stays in our blood instead of moving into our cells and getting converted to energy.

Here, the problem lies in the placenta. The placenta provides the baby with nourishment and produces a number of hormones that interfere with the body’s usual response to insulin, a condition termed as “insulin resistance.” This is not a problem for future mothers because as the need for insulin increases, the pancreas dutifully secretes more of it. In gestational diabetes, a woman’s pancreas cannot correspond with the insulin demand.  Thus, her blood glucose levels get too high and will end up in the baby’s blood. When that happens, the baby’s pancreas needs to produce more insulin to process the extra glucose. This excess blood sugar and insulin can cause the baby to create more fat and put on extra weight,  particularly in the upper body.

Gestational diabetes often has no symptoms. A pregnant woman may notice that she is more thirsty, hungry, or tired than usual or needs to urinate more frequently, but these are common symptoms during
pregnancy. The following factors make a person high risk, according to the American Diabetes Association:

• Obesity (body mass index is over 30).

• History of gestational diabetes (having the condition in a previous pregnancy).

• Strong family history of diabetes.

• Presence of sugar in her urine (urine is tested at each prenatal visit).

• Previous birth to a big baby (some use 8 pounds, 13 ounces as the cut off; others use 9 pounds, 14 ounces).

• Had a baby with a birth defect or stillborn.

• High blood pressure.

• Over 25 years of age

• belongs to an ethnic group known to have higher rates of gestational diabetes (in the United States, these groups include Mexican-Americans, American Indians, African-Americans, as well as individuals from Asia, India, or the Pacific Islands)

There is no known way to prevent gestational diabetes. However, having healthy eating habits, proper exercise, and refraining from smoking can best handle the effects of insulin resistance. Gestational diabetes is managed depending on the gravity of the condition. One needs to keep diligent track of her glucose levels, using a home glucose meter or strips.  Following are pointers to keep in mind:

• Take glucose screening between 24 and 28 weeks. If one is at high risk for diabetes or shows signs of it, such as having sugar in your urine, take this screening test at your first prenatal visit and then again at 24 to 28 weeks if the result is negative. If this test result is positive, you will need a longer
  follow-up test.

• Eat a well-planned diet based on your height, weight, and activity level. Get nutritional counseling from a registered dietitian who will help you develop specific meal and snacks with the correct balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates in your diet. Do not skip meals, especially breakfast.

• Exercise moderately. This will help improve your body’s ability to process glucose. You may
  benefit from 30 minutes of aerobic activity such as daily walking or swimming. Ask your practitioner what level of physical activity would be beneficial for you.

• Regularly measure your blood sugar. To do this, poke a finger with a needle called a lancet, put a drop of blood on a special type of paper, and feed the paper into a meter that evaluates and reports the blood sugar level. Self-monitoring of blood glucose helps manage gestational diabetes and prevent complications. You may need to take regular shots of insulin when diet and exercise do
  not keep blood glucose levels within an acceptable range.

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When it comes to sexual differences, women need more supply of calcium than their male counterparts. This is especially true for pregnant and lactating mothers. Women in this category need to make sure that they replenish the calcium their body consumes due to their physical condition.  The baby these women carry and the babies they nurture and feed consume a good amount of calcium their body needs.  Hence, women in this group must ensure that they take more calcium than what is required of their body. The question now is, how much is enough? How much calcium do women need to avoid getting afflicted by bone-related diseases and to ensure that their bones are properly fed?

Popular studies require that women on the average take 1000mg of calcium daily. The exact amount varies whether women are pregnant, lactating or in their menopausal stages. Women in the menopausal stage needs 1500mg of calcium everyday if they are not taking estrogen. If they are taking estrogen, 1000mg of calcium is enough for their body’s needs since the estrogen intake could supplement the supply of calcium. In the case of women or girls with ages ranging from 9-18, they need around 1300mg of calcium daily to have healthy bones.

With these daily calcium requirements, still bone related diseases are getting rampant. This is due to the fact that women are not too conscious about their calcium intake. Some have eating habits which do
not consider calcium dietary requirements. Others women are not even fond of drinking milk.

The good news is, for those people who are not fond of drinking milk or who are naturally lactose tolerant, there other ways of getting the body’s calcium supply through other food groups or if they are not enough, these women can take calcium supplements.

Indeed fulfilling the calcium requirement of a healthy body may sometimes be difficult to attain. Especially for busy people who have no time to monitor the food they take into their body.  But the
important thing to remember is to make sure that the daily diet is composed of the right food groups and nutrients.  The right foods have their natural calcium contents. If individuals who make sure that they
maintain a healthy diet, there is little amount needed which needs extra effort to attain. And lastly, maintaing a healthy diet would work best with the corresponding effort to maintain a healthy supply. This
would certainly ensure a steady supply of calcium that the body needs.

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Basically, Osteoporosis is a bone disease.  Like all diseases, the effects are damaging. In this case, the damage to the bone has a direct effect on the bone mineral density.  When a person is suffering from Osteoporosis, the bone mineral density in a person’s body is reduced making him/her more prone to breakage or fractures. And since there are no real symptoms, a person does not really know that his/her bones are getting weaker and weaker until a bone actually breaks.  The risk of women getting Osteoporosis is higher than men.  This is due to the decrease in Estrogen levels in a woman’s life- at menopause or during pregnancy.  It is Estrogen that blocks or slows down bone loss.  Because Estrogen is a chief hormone in the female, the danger of Osteoporosis is very high for the female population.  It is estimated that 1 out of 3 women over 50 get Osteoporosis compared to the statistic of 1 out of 12 men over 50.

Indicated are some reasons why a person can get Osteoporosis. Unfortunately, based on science, being female, as explained earlier, definitely increases a person’s chances for getting the disease. Other things factor into possible developing Osteoporosis as well. Being small, thin, or under 120 pounds, having a family history of the disease, being of postmenopausal or advanced age, being Caucasian or Asian more than any other race, having abnormal menses or eating disorders, having too little exercise, low testosterone levels in men, a diet devoid of dairy products or other sources of calcium or Vitamin D, having an inactive lifestyle, too much cigarette smoking or too much alcohol are all factors that increase the risk of a person developing Osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis is also a danger for pregnant women. This usually occurs during a first pregnancy, in the third trimester or after the woman has given birth.  Women who suffer from this usually complain of backaches, experience a loss of height, or have vertebral fractures.

What does having Osteoporosis mean for a woman then.  Such inconveniences as disability, pain, and loss of independence are the main complaints. Furthermore, back pains and deformity pose a challenge to anyone’s social functioning.  In addition, considering that Osteoporosis happens later in life for most people, having to seek treatment is both stressful and not to mention time and energy consuming. The main reason why women are known to suffer more is basically because more women suffer form this disease than men. By virtue of scientific make-up, the chances of a woman developing Osteoporosis is uncomfortably high.

What can a woman do to prevent Osteoporosis? These are simple pieces of advice that can be applied by any woman. Have a balanced diet, never forgetting the recommended daily allowance for calcium and Vitamin D; exercising regularly or maintaining regular physical activity; avoiding cigarettes and alcohol; practicing good posture and avoiding falling or damage to the bones; and mostly, to be informed, both of family history and of the disease in general.

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Options towards Migraine solutions (Click Picture to review or Buy).

Estrogen helps in the development of secondary sex characteristics of women including breast, thickens the endometrium and regulates the menstrual cycle. Other functions of estrogen includes maintenance of vessel and skin, increases bone formation, increases hepatic production of binding proteins, increases salt and water retention, increases cholesterol in bile, reduces bower motility, decreases low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) and increases high-density-lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride and fat deposits.

The life cycle of estrogen starts during infancy and childhood wherein the estrogen level is low. As the child matures, the estrogen level also increases and reaches an unusually high level after the first menstrual cycle. After the first menstrual cycle, estrogen level stabilizes until the perimenopausal – before menopause – stage is reached. During the perimenopausal period, the estrogen level again becomes variable and sometimes higher than the normal estrogen level. Then, estrogen level gradually lowers as the woman approached menopause stage. The low level is maintained throughout the postmenopausal stage. Studies have shown that low level of estrogen causes migraines or chronic headaches. The recurring headaches are usually experienced by women during their menstrual cycle, perimenopausal and menopausal stage. Aside from migraines, women also experience other low estrogen-related symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, dizziness, fatigue, irritability and sweating. Because of the intense and frequent occurrence of migraines in women during their menopausal stage, hormone replacement therapy was studied and recommended by medical professionals. The therapy also aims to correct the estrogen level, to remedy migraine and to prevent osteoporosis. It was also believed that estrogen prevents heart attacks and maintains the youthful and sex drive of women. A study conducted by Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) revealed disturbing results. One of the study used estrogen only for the therapy. The study was not finished. There was more harm than benefits observed. The study showed that estrogen therapy increased the risk of stroke, increased deep vein thrombosis and did not prevent heart attacks especially for women who had undergone hysterectomy. Increased strokes, breast cancer, heart attacks and blot clotting were experienced by women who used estrogen with low dosage of medroxyprogesterone. As women age and reach the age of 52, estrogen will likely cause more harm than benefits. There are different forms of estrogen other than pills such as creams, gels and patches. These forms are not generally recognized as safe and effective even if less clotting occurs since the liver is not stimulated.  Still an unapproved new drug, labeling any cosmetics as hormone is said to be subjected to regulatory action. For osteoporosis, progesterone is recommended instead of estrogen. When migraine headaches occur, estrogen and progesterone are recommended to be taken daily. And for women who have used estrogen, it is recommended that a gradual removal of estrogen-related therapy be done when women age 52 and above.

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With the surfeit of available choices, it is no surprise that most, if not all, are overwhelmed. It is a good idea to work with your doctor, and together you can find the best technique of birth control – thus reducing, if not eliminating, adverse side effects and increasing her level of comfort, safety, and satisfaction.

There are questions that must be answered when choosing the birth control method that is right for you – one of which is how important it is for the woman to prevent pregnancy.

No birth control is 100% successful – except abstinence. Of course, the more information you have, and the more you understand where you are in your life, the quicker it is to find a method that will work effectively and safely for you. And no birth control will be effective if you use it incorrectly or forget to use it at all.

If you are adamant about not getting pregnant and is sexually active, a method or a combination of methods with the highest level of success against both pregnancy and STIs – Sexually Transmitted Infection – is suggested, like using birth control pills and condoms. If you are open to a potential pregnancy if it occurs, but would rather avoid having a child with your present situation – and if you are wary of synthetic hormones – the diaphragm or the Sponge are good choices, though they are less effective than the Pill.

Once you and your doctor have talked about your individual requirements of a birth control method, it is time to review the list of alternatives – beginning with the most effective options with perfect use down to the least effective options.

As you move through the list of contraceptive methods, other things to consider are age, health, and lifestyle habits that will make you a good candidate for a particular method or a poor candidate for others. Other factors are family medical history and personal medical history.

Do not be shy with talking about your individual needs and health considerations when seeking a birth control method that is right for you.

When asked about your own preferences, choose the birth control method that appeals more to you. Take into account your own convenience and satisfaction – weigh the pros and cons, the advantages and the side effects. Consider too, your partner’s cooperation and satisfaction. Choosing the right birth control method for will take time and a lot of thought. Remember too, that birth control is not a woman’s concern alone; include him in the decision.

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A woman’s breast is one of the female secondary sex characteristics, or one of the distinguishing traits, developed during puberty, that differentiates her from her brothers, male friends and all the other male human beings on earth. The other parts of the human body are common between males and females, like both have arms, eyes, hair and many more. But the enlarged breasts are exclusive to women and are the most visible features of a female body even if it is fully clothed. Simply put, her breasts define her being a woman.

It is no wonder then why just the thought of losing her breasts is so devastating to a woman because they are integral parts of her psyche. Losing the breasts are not only physical but also psychological and emotional issues. It is for these reasons why it is a must for any woman to protect her breasts, particularly against breast cancer, one of the leading causes of deaths among women.

Inspite of the advances in the methods of detection and treatments (if caught early), medical researchers could not still point out what really cause breast cancer. Many probable causes have been reported but there were contradictions to question its widespread validity. One example of a questionable probable cause if that breast cancer is hereditary which is contradicted by  data that majority of breast cancer victims do not have a family history of deaths due to the disease. However, at this time it is for any woman’s benefit to assess themselves against the following identified risk factors and discuss with their doctors the appropriate screening methods to make sure any breast disease, even the benign ones, are caught and treated on time:

• Age, the risk of having breast cancer increases with age.

• Family history of breast cancer.

• Continued use of some contraceptives

• Hormone Replacement Therapy for an extended period of time

• Limited or no access at all to health care

• Exposure to different toxic chemicals in the environment like pesticides, bleached paper, plastics, tobacco smoke and other pollutants

• Lack of exercise and unhealthy diet

Every woman should know the correct way of doing a self breast examination (SBE). It is also important to record the result of the examination for future reference. The procedure is widely available and through monthly SBE, the following signs and symptoms of a probable breast problem can be detected:

• Thickening and hardened parts of the breasts, lumps or tumors

• Changes in the nipple shape, size, color and texture. A retracted nipple should be subject for further medical examination.

• Bloody discharge if the nipple is pinched

Women should be very familiar with their breasts. Potential troubles are usually manifested by changes in the breasts. Cigarette smokers should stop the habit since smoke carries carcinogens.

Exercise and the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle should be strictly observed. The breasts are so important to any woman in a way that only a woman can understand. The best way to keep them in a healthy condition is to know about them.

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According to a Swedish research wherein they traced almost 700 adults with the average age of 58, who happens to have a commonality upon experiencing rheumatoid arthritis for around six months at the commencement of the research. The result obtained that two-thirds of the patients are women. Arthritis is the common term used for the inflammation of the joints. Rough estimate of 100 types of arthritis are now known but the most frequently experienced by women are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The said disease is proven to be the key reason of immobility and constant pain in Americans.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most usual type of arthritis; it actually develops when a cartilage or the smooth covering over the bones in our joints starts to wear down usually it results from aging, trauma or increase wear and tear. While rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a universal autoimmune illness in which our immune cells strike and inflame the membranes around different joints, it is typically unceasing and degenerating and it has an unknown cause. Particular types of infection (such as Lyme and syphilis) are identified to cause an unrelenting arthritis.

There are various risk factors in terms of the two aforementioned types of arthritis. For OA it has been discovered to be of multifactorial origin such as the theory that it is genetically passed yet most OA [patients show not a single sign. The risks that might amplify the probability of acquiring OA includes: being overweight, unceasing stress transversely joints, several microfractures in the linked bone, major trauma or other metabolic or inflammatory damage, and not to mention the fallacy of cracking knuckles also increases the risk. On the side of RA, it is deemed to be interconnected with genetic, hormonal, environmental and other aspects. In the 1950s birth control pills may have contributed in preventing and ameliorating RA. Evidence also showed that the menstrual cycle increases symptoms of RA whereas the changeover into menopause also intensifies the symptoms.

Since arthritis has long been experienced yet only recently been given an attention a lot of myths and fallacies surfaced which science now dares to disprove. One example would be the myth that Arthritis being a natural effect of aging, it is false because it is not a ‘by-product’ of aging, aging only increases the risk of acquiring OA. Next would be the myth that arthritis only hits women. While it has been true that most women are prone to be affected by arthritis, recent studies showed that more than half of all men that are over 65 also have OA.

Due to modernization an array of options are now developed to ameliorate cases of arthritis, to cite a few would be acupuncture, drugs, prescription medications, alternative and adjunctive therapies, exercise, surgery, psychological support and also proper diet to enhance ones quality of life that would eventually reduce the risk of acquiring arthritis.

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What must one consider before buying or taking vitamins? With the conditions we have today, where vitamin intake is not just a necessity but a lifestyle for some people, there are simply too many variants of vitamins out in the market. One could end up getting confused, or worse, getting the wrong kinds of vitamins which may potentially be a health risk.

Vitamins are derived from several sources. There are those that come from natural ingredients such as fruits, vegetables and other plants and herbs, or from animal sources. Natural ingredients are usually more absorbent to the body. Then there are those that come with synthetic ingredients. These are vitamins first derived from natural resources but are further processed in a laboratory.  Synthetic vitamins have added chemicals so some of its natural structure may inevitably be altered or eliminated. Some vitamins also contain fillers that may cause unwanted side affects. Such fillers may have high amounts of fat ingredients that could be bad for the heart or it include artificial colors or flavors which may be carcinogenic to some people, causing them to become allergic to vitamin pills.

Is there really a need to take vitamins? It used to be that most experts would simply tell you to maintain a healthy and well-balanced diet instead. But because research have shown how vitamins may help ward off diseases like heart problems, osteoporosis and cancer, people are inclined to include this in their daily diet.

Vitamin benefits differ for every type and depend on your body’s requirements:

Additionally, in choosing the type of vitamins, you should also look for one that has the required 100% dietary reference intake (DRI) for vitamin pills. Some pills actually carry more than 100% of the DRI and this can be very dangerous. Too little vitamin intake is just as harmful as too much intake.  Vitamins, if taken in higher dosage, will bring toxic effects. Exceeding the allowable DRI may cause damage to the liver, among other things. For instance, excessive intake of Vitamin A is known to cause bone brittleness which could lead to hip fracture. It may also cause birth defects. Hence, an allowable dosage daily should be strictly followed to prevent acquiring such side effects (for men the recommendation is 5,000 IU; for women 4,000 IU). High amounts of vitamin B and any of the B components, which are proven to greatly aid in the prevention of heart diseases, may actually increase the risk of heart complications.  It is also the same for Vitamin E, which, if taken what is more than allowable, may result in nausea, digestive problems or heart failure

The best approach to a healthy body is having good diet, keeping an exercise regimen, living a healthy lifestyle and taking vitamin supplements — all in moderation. It would be terribly wrong to survive on fatty food or junk food; it would be unwise to abuse your body by fatigue or sleep deprivation, only to rely on multivitamins for nutrition because this approach will induce one to take more vitamins than allowed.  Overdoing what should be beneficial for your health can be definitely become a major problem.

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