A Haven For Tam's Otherwise Homeless Thoughts and Rantings....

Every expectant mother currently holding down a career has questions regarding maternity-leave laws. How does it work and how long are you legally allowed to be away from your job? What about paternity leave and the Family Medical Leave Act? With all of the bits and pieces of information out there, it is enough to make your head spin. Get your facts straight and plan accordingly with this simple guide to  maternity leave and how to do it right.


As soon as you find out you are pregnant, you will want to begin investigating the different rules and regulations within your own workplace.

The sooner you begin researching, the easier it is to arrange the first precious weeks with your baby and make sure all your bases are covered. It is ideal to have all paperwork completed and everything set in stone before you go into labor.

If your state’s maternity-leave laws require you to take short-term disability, do not despair. This works well for many new moms, as it ensures you will receive your salary (or a fair share of it) while you are caring for your child. Most corporations are mandated to provide short-term disability, not often making it an optional maternity-leave policy. This protects new moms in a lot of places where they otherwise would have no other option.

Most short-term disability is paid for by small subtractions from your paycheck during each pay period. You can also choose to buy your own private policy if you are concerned about parental leave and the way it works within your specific job structure.

Choosing When to Take Parental Leave
While it varies from state to state, federal laws ask you to put in your leave request approximately 30 days before you take it. However, most women choose to tell their bosses much earlier than this. Hiding your pregnancy is never a good idea, as you want to remain trustworthy to your employer before, during and following your maternity leave.

For this reason, as soon as the delicate first trimester is over and done with, most women choose to tell their employers. This also allows you ample time to work out details and take part in any negotiations if necessary.

Most women begin their maternity leave pay (if it’s an option) when they are eight months pregnant, though others choose to wait until their water literally breaks so they can have as much time off as possible. Your doctor can help you determine when it’s a good time to start your maternity leave. Thanks to the FMLA, you are legally allowed to start your unpaid leave anytime throughout your pregnancy. You can also choose to take it following the birth as long as your leave is complete and you are back at work full time within 12 months. If you are concerned about any confusion, talk to your boss or human resources department. Remember, if your company meets the employee population necessary for the Family Medical Leave Act, you cannot lose your job due to being a mom.

While most of us look forward to sweet dreams after a long day at the office, those who suffer from night terrors are anything but at ease. Night terrors in adults, formally known as “pavor noctumus”, are a type of parasomnia sleep disorder that is distinguished by extreme fear and the impaired ability to return to full consciousness. An individual suffering from a night terror will wake up suddenly, usually sweating, gasping for air or screaming. It can be very difficult to rouse someone experiencing an episode of such a disorder, and oftentimes he or she will return back to normal sleep patterns without ever fully awakening. Since night terrors do not typically appear during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, a person afflicted with such a disturbance usually cannot recall the attack.

The Reality of Night Terrors Adults Face
While night terrors are usually defined as a sleep disorder experienced by children under the age of seven, adult night terrors are a very real occurrence. Symptoms, similar to those exhibited in youngsters with the disorder, are usually blamed on trauma-based circumstance when they appear post-puberty. The physical signs of a terror may include not only excessive perspiration and labored breathing, but also a paling of the skin and eyes opened wide and yet seemingly unaware of what they are seeing. Since adult night terrors are so closely associated with life trauma and psychological disorders, many of those who endure this bedtime battle will often also exhibit signs of aggression, anxiety, memory loss, and inward pain that are often expressed in the form of self-mutilation. Some are even at risk of sustaining physical injury during a terror, as the unconscious mind is unable to overcome the disconnect between reality and illusion.

While night terrors stand alone as a childhood condition, in adults they are almost always a symptom of a deeper issue or more complicated diagnosis.

Just as psychological disorders such as manic depression and chronic anxiety can be hereditary, night terrors have also been linked to the gene pool. Only 2.2% of the adult population endure this sleep complication, and both those with and without a previously diagnosed mental condition can still trace their terrors back to a family member.

Differentiating from Nightmares
Unfortunately the night terrors adults experience sometimes are misdiagnosed as nightmares, even though the two are very different occurrences. During a nightmare, a sleeping individual can be easily roused, and quickly regains full consciousness. As noted above, this is not often the case with night terrors, and the sleeper can continue to experience the terror for up to twenty minutes. Night terrors also take place during slow-wave sleep, meaning they can never be confused with a nightmare that occurs during the previously mentioned REM cycle.

Lastly, a night terror rarely involves a dream at all. Nothing frightening has been shown in the subconscious; rather the gripping “feel” of fear is apparent despite a lack of a concrete basis for it. This lack of a tangible emotional trigger can cause even further distress in an individual, increasing the symptoms and intensity of the episode.

While nightmares appear randomly, night terrors tend to be more routine, varying in each individual, but usually appearing somewhere between nightly and monthly.

Both of these sleep occurrences find their basis in the life events of an individual, but while nightmares simply steal real-life facts for its nighttime production, night terrors instead cause instances of irrational fear and mental arrest that is considered to be a whole other league.

Preventing Night Terrors
Just as research has begun to reveal night terrors’ causes, treatments have begun to surface as well. For adults, medication is usually prescribed to keep the symptoms at bay. Many fall under the category of anti-depressants & pain reliever, namely Klonopin, Tofranil, and the less commonly used Valium. For those who aren’t comfortable with the idea of ingesting psychotropic medications, St. John’s Wort is a popular alternative. This all-natural herbal remedy has been shown to reduce the telltale symptoms of depression and anxiety, making it the perfect contender in the race to find a true cure for night terrors as well.

Beyond these doctor-approved choices, there are several other medicines currently being tested for their effectiveness against this debilitating disorder. These include sleep medications such as Lunesta, Ambien, and Sonata.

Psychoanalysis has been used for years on countless patients searching for relief from internal struggles. While psychoanalysis has been met with extreme resistance by some, many still hold fast to its proven ability to promote emotional healing and recovery. While some remain wary of certain therapy methods, many are extremely loyal toward such treatments, claiming them to be their only hope in an otherwise hopeless world. What exactly is psychoanalysis and how is it used today? Does psychoanalysis really help people regain control of their life, or does it cause more damage than good? Gain insight into the methods used in psychoanalytic therapy by using the following guide.

Definition and History of Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis is a version of psychotherapy invented by Sigmund Freud before the turn of the century. Like many of Freud’s discoveries and methods, psychoanalysis finds its roots in Vienna. Freud blamed the need for such a procedure on mental health issues that developed out of either unmet or traumatic sexual experiences. The procedure was also regarded to work on people who did not experience traumatic events and the results of this particular psychological derivative have been impressive.

While in traditional therapy the patient talks to the psychologist face-to-face, psychoanalytic therapy mandates that the therapist (analyst) face away from the patient. The one undergoing treatment is often lying down on a couch, and this image has long been mimicked and mocked in various movies throughout the years.

The reasoning behind the cold reception is found in the theory that having a patient look the analyst in the eyes would make them a friend or someone who is capable of judgment. By keeping some degree of anoniminity between patient and analyst, the client is able to release thoughts unhindered and transfer hurt emotions and memories onto the analyst. In turn, the analyst studies this transfer of thoughts, yielding results and insight then deemed helpful to the patient.

The psychoanalytic approach has been borrowed and used in other more traditional forms of psychotherapy, and almost all of psychology uses some variant of this original procedure. While most people who attend therapy undergo the more casual form of conversationalism or “talk therapy”, psychoanalysis is usually prevalent in the session, whether or not the client is aware of it.

The Good, the Bad and the Subconscious
Just as Freud was considered to be both a genius and crazy in his own time, his theories and methods continue to be cherished by some and met with disdain by others in the medical world. Psychoanalytic therapy can be beneficial, however like any other medical procedure, there are risks of things becoming worse rather than better. For this reason, all analysts are required to go through intense schooling and training until they are at last analyzed themselves to both test their level of experience and also to give them a chance to gain the viewpoint of the patient. This process can be daunting, but all licensed analysts must complete it.

This ensures patients receive the best quality of care possible, since all analysts have experienced and appreciate the rigorous demand of such a procedure.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 26.2 of Americans suffer from some form of mental illness. This equals a staggering 57.7 million people battling dangerous thoughts and feelings. For this reason, procedures such as the psychoanalytic approach are regarded with respect and credibility.

For the majority of people who receive some form of psychoanalytic therapy, be it Freud-esque or modern psychoanalysis, the outcome is usually positive. Through a lot of hard work, many patients find a tremendous comfort through various forms of counseling, and the sorting of thoughts and emotions tend to make them more functional and able to live their lives much more happily.

Psychoanalytic therapy usually involves talking through one’s childhood, where poignant memories and influences are often uncovered. This can be particularly painful for an individual who has sustained some form of abuse before adulthood, however, purging this from the mind and soul can lead to an impressive release of burdens, causing a new and improved outlook on life. Psychoanalysis also focuses on present circumstances, ranging from work to family to personal triumphs or defeats. Working through these with an objective analyst assists the client in finding his true self and often clears his head when otherwise trapped in a difficult situation.

The majority of psychotherapy patients improve rather than worsen.

Perhaps the largest risk that comes with psychoanalysis, is the fact we know so little about it. Many of Freud’s theories have proven to be rather abstract and disjointed, and it seems that his biggest fans in today’s generations have analyzed themselves out of ever needing analysis. Instead, everyday folks who have no scientific or psychological education are receiving these controversial treatments, often unaware of what they truly entail. There is always a risk that comes with digging deeply into the mind, and while we always hope for the outcome to be a positive one, many have internal demons yet to have been conquered. Psychoanalysis can bring these demons out, sometimes damaging those who have no ready defenses.

Fortunately, instances of damage or mental trauma due to psychoanalytic therapy are very rare. The majority of people who undergo such procedures usually do so once or twice a week for a few years and live to happily tell of victory. Freud’s theories and developments of enrichment for the psyche have helped countless individuals heal from bondage of the past, readying them to successfully live out the remainder of their lives.

Coughing is the body's way of removing foreign material or mucus from the lungs or of reacting to an irritated airway. Coughs have distinctive traits you can learn to recognize. A cough is only a symptom, not a disease, and often the importance of your cough can be determined only when other symptoms are evaluated.

Productive coughs

A productive cough produces phlegm or mucus (sputum). The mucus may have drained down the back of the throat from the nose or sinuses  or may have come up from the lungs. A productive cough generally should not be suppressed; it clears mucus from the lungs. There are many causes of a productive cough, such as:

* Viral illnesses. It is normal to have a productive cough when you have a common cold. Coughing is often triggered by mucus that drains down the back of the throat.

*Infections. An infection of the lungs or upper airway passages can cause a cough. A productive cough may be a symptom of something more serious such as pneumonia.

* Chronic lung disease.

* Stomach acid backing up into the esophagus, which is often a sign of acid reflux disease.

* Nasal discharge draining down the back of the throat. This can cause a productive cough or the feeling that you constantly need to clear your throat. Experts disagree about whether a postnasal drip or the viral illness that caused it is responsible for the cough.

* Smoking.  A productive cough in a person who smokes or uses other forms of tobacco is often a sign of lung damage or irritation of the throat or esophagus.

Nonproductive coughs

A nonproductive cough is dry and does not produce sputum. A dry, hacking cough may develop toward the end of a cold or after exposure to an irritant, such as dust or smoke. There are many causes of a nonproductive cough, such as:

* Viral illnesses. After a common cold, a dry cough may last several weeks longer than other symptoms and often gets worse at night.

* Bronchospasm. A nonproductive cough, particularly at night, may indicate spasms in the bronchial tubes (bronchospasm) caused by irritation.

* Allergies. Frequent sneezing is also a common symptom of a form of allergy so severe, a doctor's visit may be required.

* Exposure to dust, fumes, and chemicals in the work environment.

* Asthma. A chronic dry cough may be a sign of mild asthma. Other symptoms may include wheezing, shortness of breath, or a feeling of tightness in the chest.

* Blockage of the airway by an inhaled object, such as food or a pill.

Many coughs are caused by a viral illness. Antibiotics are not used to treat viral illnesses and do not alter the course of viral infections. Unnecessary use of an antibiotic exposes you to the risks of an allergic reaction and antibiotic side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, and yeast infections. Antibiotics also may kill beneficial bacteria and encourage the development of dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

A careful evaluation of your health may help you identify other symptoms. Remember, a cough is only a symptom, not a disease, and often the importance of your cough can only be determined when other symptoms are evaluated. Coughs occur with different infections such as viral and bacterial. If you have other symptoms, such as a sore throat, sinus pressure, or ear pain, see your doctor for a more accurate and informed diagnosis.

A new medical study is causing an uproar as it so boldly suggests that many of today's leading antidepressants, including Prozac, Paxil and Effexor, are no more effective than placebo pills that are given to equally ailing mental health patients. As you can imagine, this has upset many researchers and doctors in the mental health industry, especially those whose livelihood is dependent upon prescribing such medications.

The findings were published in the February issue of PloS Medicine, and researchers report in the article that when taken as a whole, only a small group of patients responded more positively than those who took placebos. In conclusion, most patients who are on antidepressant medications need not be.

While this provocative new research is causing a stir, the very people who reported such facts are quick to recognize that the information does in fact contradict several studies which show a positive impact in those taking pills. The American Psychiatric Association President-elect Nada Stotland, MD has come out to say that a study such as this new one, which compares one specific drug to a placebo, cannot accurately reflect the way doctors prescribe antidepressants to most patients.

She goes on to say that many people who are depressed do not respond to the first medication they try, or in some instances, even the first several. Thus, testing one specific drug on a group of affected  people will obviously show that many do not improve.

So why the worry? This could partly be due to the fact our society still places such a stigma on the mentally ill and the help they receive. Many people still associate antidepressants with weakness or "crazy" behavior, and they are far from being supported as strongly as physical medications are. This can cause even the most sophisticated of researchers to jump all over the opportunity to disprove the efficiency of certain medications, leading to a new wave of doubt and speculation that both the traditional medical community and modern day media love.

There has also been plenty of evidence to support long term physical damage when particular medications are used continuously for many years. For this reason, less conventional doctors can use new studies such as this one as a platform to argue that antidepressants are not a constructive nor helpful way out of the debilitating life depression creates for an individual.

However despite all of this, talk therapy and medication prescriptions continue to be the most widely accepted way to treat severe depression. Many doctors are able to prescribe an appropriate medication on the first or second try, enabling them to help suffering individuals each year. Dr. Ronald R. Fieve, a psychopharmacologist and professor at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York recently stated that patients also must realize it can take up to 6 weeks for some medications to take effect. In his personal practice, 65% have seen improvement on the first antidepressant given, with 85% meeting success on the second or third.

In other words, society shouldn’t give up hope on antidepressant medications quite yet. There is plenty of research to be done, and out of the studies that have been completed, many more point to positive outcomes rather than negative conclusions as this most recent study has shown.

We all have bad days.  Understandably, life at times makes it impossible to avoid the blues, and in today’s world, prescription mood enhancers are more readily available than ever.  While these are extremely beneficial to those struggling with clinical depression, they aren’t always necessary for everyone. If you want to get back to basics and find comfort in some natural mood enhancement, check out the suggestions listed below.

Good Mood Food: Mood Enhancers from the Kitchen

Women especially find comfort in eating when they are in a low mood, and scientists agree that while this isn’t always the best solution for your waistline, eating your troubles away does have some validity to it. Serotonin, the chemical that your brain releases to stay stable and happy, is rooted in the essential amino acid known as tryptophan.

While women make the mistake of assuming it’s found in ice cream and chocolate, the reality is you can find tryptophan in a variety of foods that are not only yummy to eat, but are healthy for your body too. You will find this serotonin releaser in fish, chicken, turkey, bananas, avocados, cottage cheese and wheat germ.

If these healthy foods make you squirm, don’t worry. Since some quality girl talk can also help you to feel better, you probably don’t want to entirely shelve the junk food just yet. Save them for the next time you have a friend over, and feel free to occasionally drown your troubles in this tried and true mood enhancer: hot fudge sundae therapy.

Taking a Cue from Nature: Herbal Mood Enhancers

The organic food craze is stronger than ever, and with it comes a wave of herbal mood stabilizers and enhancers that have been proven to improve your outlook on life without filling your body with unwanted chemicals.

St. John’s Wort has long been noted for its ability to cure mild to moderate depression, and Vitamins C, E, and B12 have been made into various extracts and powders to be used as mood enhancers. The goal of many herbal mood enhancers is to increase your activity level through renewed energy sources. In fact, many people have added these vitamins to their diet, only to later discover their body was experiencing a deficiency – causing sluggishness and depression. With all its needs now being met, the outlook outcome proved better than ever!

Natural mood enhancers are rooted in ancient civilizations, where people first realized the ability they had to manipulate their emotions with a little help from Mother Nature. Today, holistic medicine is returning to this approach as more patients complain about the uncomfortable side effects often associated with prescription anti-depressants. Many of those who have suffered from depression in the past often find themselves weaned off of their medications completely once their bodies have begun to respond to herbal remedies instead.

All herbal remedies can be purchased at your local health food store, and many are becoming available in mainstream grocery stores as demand increases.

The Power of Positive Thinking

We all have that one friend or family member who seems as if life never gets her down.

What’s her secret? Perhaps she was born with an incessantly optimistic disposition, however more likely is her chosen outlook on life. To a large extent, we choose the path our emotions take, and while they can sometimes seem difficult to control, it is almost always possible.

In the 1990s, psychologists began to suggest smiling in the mirror while getting ready for work in the morning. The body was proven to release more serotonin and adjust to a happier mindset, simply by putting on a happy face. Those who smile and laugh for the first fifteen minutes of their day are more likely to snap out of a slight depression than those who trudge through their morning routine.

Feel like you have nothing to smile about? Think again. Purchase a journal from your local bookstore and begin to make lists of all you are grateful for. From family to a Saturday afternoon nap, we all have something that makes us happy in life. Taking a few moments out of your day to conjure up these more positive thoughts can get you through tough times. Keep the journal close at hand if you are entering a situation where you know you’ll need a pick me up. Re-read your lists and try your best to focus on the positive.

You can also make a playlist for your car or mp3 player of songs that tend to elevate your mood. Dance music, classical piano, or a vintage comedy sketch – whatever works for you personally; fill your mind with it whenever you feel negative thoughts creeping in.

Positive thinking is also a mood enhancer often found in companionship. Invite over a friend who is guaranteed to make you chuckle. Laughter is not only good for your mood; it is a great way to burn calories at the same time! Watch a funny movie together, or recall some good memories. Whatever you do, maintain a high giggle quotient, and you will find the stress and worry melting away.

Spirituality as a Natural Mood Enhancer

Finding a spiritual focus has helped numerous individuals alleviate a chronic bad mood. No matter what you believe, chances are there is a deeper faith to be explored, and through that process you may find the root of your sadness you never even realized was there before.

From a traditional church group to new age meditation and breathing techniques, rediscovering your personal spirituality can work well as a natural mood enhancer whenever life gets you down.

If you aren’t sure where to start on your path to spiritual enlightenment, consider investigating the faith of your friends and family members. Surrounding yourself with those who have a strong soul foundation can be inspiring and empowering, leading you down your own road of self-realization.

Helping Others: The Ultimate In Mood Enhancements

When we are struggling to make sense of hurtful circumstances, the best remedy at times is to get outside of ourselves completely. Check in with your local recreation center or surf a website such as VolunteerMatch.org, and find a way to chase away your storm clouds through serving others.

Volunteer in a soup kitchen, or take part in an after school program for high risk youth. If you love animals, pay a visit to the humane society and see if there is anything you can do to help. Whatever activity you choose, you will find your mood is improved by doing a good deed and uplifting the hearts of others.

Planning a surprise getaway for yourself and a loved one is another great opportunity to brighten someone else’s day while upping your own at the same time.  Go play in the great outdoors or visit that art museum exhibit you’ve been meaning to see. Taking the steps toward turning off the TV and rediscovering your passions with a close friend or significant other will leave you feeling happier than ever before.

Lastly, check out a book at your local library. There are numerous self-help books available for those who are looking for further resources in the genre of natural mood enhancement. You can also pick up an inspirational novel or other form of comfort to indulge in during an evening at home. Feed your heart, mind and soul, and you’ll find your happy mood is rarely far behind.

The Internet has become such a resourceful place for information, and no matter what you are looking for, chances are you can find it on the Net. This is especially true with healthcare facts, as medical websites have continually increased in popularity over the years. Riding the wave of this trend, many have cropped up with self-diagnosis tools and medical jargon that has increased the common knowledge of the public to the point where everyone is able to get an increased medical education.

However, while self-diagnosis is not always the best of ideas, there are a handful of websites out there who have focused on other areas of medical expertise – providing accurate information, community chat boards, and superb search functions able to provide the resources a common web user may be seeking.

Out of all the sites available, Healthsphere has continually proven itself to be one of the strongest entities on the Net.  Heavily community-based, their message boards are the perfect forum for a person to chat about their existing health issues, finding both support and information in the form of real-life individuals going through the same struggles as they are. It is not necessary to try to find solace in an automated system, when they can experience more personable interaction courtesy of Healthsphere.

 

Healthsphere also contains an extensive search feature, able to locate information on almost any health related topic, be it physical, mental, or emotional. When you enter the keyword of your choice, you will be given an extensive amount of links devoted to the topic you selected. What makes Healthsphere stand out from the crowd, is its video library collection, giving you interactive search results you can view as a television program, rather than the typical essay-style reading material available on other websites. These videos are dynamic and informative, great in their style and able to easily keep your attention.

 

Healthsphere has also recently added a predictive health analysis tool that has become the fruit of numerous research and case studies – literally decades of work. This tool is able to help you analyze your current health state, help make you aware of your potential risks, and provide you with suggestions to improve and sustain good health. 

To use this tool, all you have to do is enter a few easy questions, and you will be mailed your test results. All information is confidential and you can rest assured that all of your answers will be secure.

Using Healthsphere is easier than most healthcare sites, as it is simple and more concise than its competitors. Why click through fluff and annoying advertisements, when you can get the solutions you need in no time flat? This is Healthsphere’s thinking, allowing you to track information through several different topic bases. Browse through a symptoms list, look through various conditions, research different tests & procedures, or find out information about your current medications. You can also discover what vaccinations you or a family member may need, as well as what treatment options are available for a particular health issue. Lastly, an extensive database of general health topics are available for your at-home research.

Registering with Healthsphere provides you with the latest updates of pertinent information, while giving you full and total access to one of the best medical websites as well. You can enjoy expert ratings on a variety of subjects, as well as information services personalized especially to your specific wants and needs. Lastly, enjoy medical expert blogs and research information on hospitals local to your area. Nervous about an upcoming surgery? Rest assured by reading performance ratings and license statuses for particular facilities.

Healthsphere is your one stop shop for all your medical related needs. Why would you consider visiting anywhere else, when this site is so complete and full of the answers you need!

Pneumonia, despite modern medical treatments, is still a serious illness that usually takes place during the winter months. Especially an issue in the elderly, no one is immune to pneumonia, and often the simplest of chest colds can turn into this sometimes critical condition. Pneumonia, by definition, is an inflammatory illness of the lung. The disease occurs when the parenchyma (air-filled sacs of the lungs that absorb oxygen from the environment) become not only inflamed, but begin to fill up with fluid. You can catch pneumonia from bacterial infections, a virus, or even a chemical injury to the lungs. Many 9/11 rescue workers experienced pneumonia-like symptoms following the inhalation of the damaging air engulfing Ground Zero.

If you are suffering from pneumonia, you will experience a wide variety of symptoms, primarily isolated to your respiratory area. These can include a persistent cough, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, and a high fever. You will usually be diagnosed through a series of x-rays and other examinations. Your x-ray will reveal any white areas in your lungs that show infection. A computed tomography can also show evidence of pneumonia; however it is not a favored diagnosis, as it can diagnose individuals with pneumonia when they actually may have a more serious disorder such as congestive heart failure.

Before x-rays are done, usually there is a physical examination given, including listening to the lungs with a stethoscope. This can decipher whether or not your breathing sounds are normal, if there is an existent “crackle” sound, or if there is other evidence of stiffened lungs potentially filled with fluid.

Your treatment plan will vary depending upon the type of pneumonia you have, for example, bacterial pneumonia will be treated with antibiotics. Now that medical advancements have been made, there are even certain vaccines available to help prevent certain types of pneumonia.
As mentioned above, there are various forms of pneumonia that can be contracted. The most dangerous is known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). This gained international attention after a severe outbreak occurred in China in 2002. Fortunately, there have been no new instances of this version of pneumonia since 2003. It is very rare, and is the most deadly.
Chemical Pneumonia is caused by the inhalation of toxins like oils and pesticides. You don’t have to only inhale the poisonous substance, as you can contract it through the pores in your skin.

Aspiration Pneumonia is caused by inhaling random objects , usually during eating or vomiting. The lung inflammation that follows can contribute to an infection that develops into pneumonia. Aspiration pneumonia is one of the highest causes of death among elderly people, as their airways are weakened with age and they do not have all of the physical abilities common among the young. At times, very sick hospital patients can also suffer from aspiration despite age.
When you have pneumonia, you can usually heal without the need for hospitalization. Oral medications and plenty of fluids and rest can resolve pneumonia. If things have progressed to a point of severity, hospitalization may be necessary. Often this forced rest and round the clock care will help a patient to greatly improve, and fortunately hospital stays can often be brief.
If pneumonia is left untreated, it can lead to respiratory or circulatory failure. While pneumonia rarely starts out as a serious illness, ignoring it will inevitably cause a distressful progression. Treatment should always be sought, as often the solution is simple. Unfortunately sometimes newborns suffer from pneumonia if the amniotic fluid is not properly suctioned by the nurse or doctor at birth.

Fortunately, with proper health choices and prevention, pneumonia is an illness that most people never have to worry about. If you do however begin to experience pneumonia-like symptoms, call your doctor immediately.

Finding out you are pregnant can be a very exciting time, however it can also be nerve wracking as you realize you have a lot of new rules to follow when it comes to your everyday life. There are plenty of healthy choices to be made, however having a strong pregnancy goes beyond just eating your fruits and veggies. There are some precautions to take that perhaps you haven’t thought of before you found out about baby. Now is the time to make some healthy choices for both you and your little one, while working to debunk some of those common pregnancy myths. Below are just a few of what you may have heard, and what you should really worry about, especially pertaining to chemicals and other household products .

Coloring Your Hair

There has been a great debate over whether or not it is safe to dye your hair during pregnancy. Most doctors recommend you stay away from doing so, especially during the first trimester. However, there is no evidence that the chemicals can actually cause birth defects, miscarriages, or any other negative pregnancy effects. Despite no concrete facts, you will usually be advised against using these products during your term.

One of the main reasons for no reliable proof or evidence, is because it has not yet been studied long enough to yield results either positive or negative. For this reason, avoidance is recommended, or you should at least minimize your contact with them during the first trimester.

If you absolutely must color your hair, consider getting a highlight or just streaking color instead, so you can minimize the amount of dye coming into contact with your scalp and skin. You can also opt for a much safer (yet also less common) vegetable-based dye like henna. If you go on ahead toward a self-dye, make sure you follow the directions carefully and color your hair in a well ventilated area. Wash off immediately after completed, do not leave on for an extended amount of time.

Painting and Decorating

Especially if it’s your first baby, chances are you need to renovate the guest room or office into a haven for your little one. If painting is on the agenda, it is probably best to have someone else get the job done. However, if you do choose to paint, then make sure you are again in a well-ventilated area and wear protective clothing. Be sure to not ingest any food or beverages while you are in the room, as you don’t want to accidentally digest paint flecks or other chemicals.

Avoid paints that include a solvent known as a glycol ether, as these greatly increase your risk of miscarriage. Other solvents can cause birth defects. Oil-based paints are the most likely to include solvents, so stick to water-based paint whenever possible.

Second Hand Smoke

Even if you feel you’re doing a great thing by not smoking during your pregnancy, (and you are!), secondhand smoke can cause damage to your baby as well. Being in direct contact with a smoker during your pregnancy can cause low birth weight, learning disabilities, and certain forms of childhood cancers. For that reason, make sure your baby’s father, or anyone else within regular contact with your up and coming baby, are smoke-free and conscious about their health as well. You can all work together to improve the health of the baby, and refraining from smoking is one of the best ways to do this.

All Sweetened Up

A lot of women have been concerned about aspartame, a commercially engineered artificial sweetener that is usually found in a large variety of foods – especially those that are “sugar free.” While doctors usually recommend using natural sweeteners whenever possible, there is no evidence to suggest that using NutraSweet, Equal, or any other sweetener leads to miscarriage or other early formed birth defects.