A Closer Look on the Side Effects of Birth Control Products

Research and studies have been made on the effectiveness and reported risks of using birth control products, with results as varied as the number of the said products being sold today. These products actually deserve that much attention most especially since there is now about 100 million women worldwide who currently use birth control pills. Since its introduction in 1960 as a new method of birth control, these pills have somewhat influenced how society, and women in particular, view the issues of sexual health, reproduction, and population control. Still, the deep level of acceptance of such a method does not belittle the urgent matter of monitoring the safety of these types of medications. The potential health risks posed by some birth control products that underwent very short, inconclusive field testing makes further research a great necessity.

According to a Belgium-based research, they said that the long-term use of birth control pills can increase buildup of debris or plaque in the arteries, making the user of the drug more exposed to risk of heart disease. Another study claims that 1,300 healthy women aged 35 to 55 had 20 percent to 30 percent increase in prevalence of arterial plaque for every ten years of oral contraceptive use. While the said arterial plaque identified were small and not large enough to block an artery, any plaque is thought to raise your risk of heart disease. Many of the women in the study had used older, first-generation birth control pills, which had twice the estrogen levels as most oral contraceptives used today. Such side effects of birth control may seem ordinary to the naked eye and hardly noticeable during the early years of use, so women should be aware of their current health condition.

Moreover, the use of birth control pills for non-contraceptive purposes is rarely justified. If in case a woman only uses birth control pills for controlling menstrual cycles, irregular bleeding, cysts, or endometriosis, then they are not treating their underlying condition. Instead, they may simply be increasing their risk for other conditions such as cervical and breast cancers, and an abnormal increase in blood pressure. If these products are used without a prescription or doctor’s approval, some women may experiences side effects of birth control such as faster thinning of the bones and higher risk for osteoporosis. Some oral contraceptives contain the synthetic hormone called desogestrel which doubles a woman’s risk of having fatal blood clots.

Many women also report side effects of birth control, and some of which are awful and is undoubtedly due to the artificial hormones that run throughout a woman’s body when taking birth control pills. Side effects of birth control usually include migraines and nausea, irregular bleeding or spotting, weight gain and mood changes, breast tenderness, yeast overgrowth and infection, among others. Barrier methods and natural family planning usually are the safer alternative. However, there is now a new generation of oral brith control medication that is much safer and more effective that the ones released decades or even just a few years ago. Since the side effects of birth control cannot be taken lightly, it is best to consult a doctor or visit online pharmacies that feature valuable information about various oral contraceptives.

Herbal Remedies – Menopause Symptoms – Buy Over The Counter

Several herbal remedies menopause symptoms respond to and get alleviated by have been used by the Chinese for centuries. Menopausal symptoms include hot flashes, nausea, insomnia, anxiety, vaginal dryness, night sweats, weight gain, mood swings, headaches and possibly decreased sex drive. Now, listen, every woman is different and every woman may not experience all of these symptoms all at once.

Some symptoms may be more prevalent than others, my personal experience has been mostly having hot flashes and feeling nauseous. The occasional night or two of insomnia and night sweats and anxiety with the unbelievable number of hot flashes I was having.

Not to scare anyone but when the hot flashes started for me they came every twenty minutes and didn’t let up for months, maybe even the better part of a year. Now I just have several a day and pretty much have gotten used to them. They still are a bother but not nearly as bad and my mood is much better even when I do have one.

Most herbal remedies menopause can be bought over the counter and you may have to try several before you find one that works for you. The ingredients come in different combinations and strengths so finding the right combination may take a while. So try to deal with the symptoms the best you can until you find the right one.

Black Cohosh is the main ingredient in all menopause herbal remedies and is an effective treatment for hot flashes, insomnia and increased anxiety. If you take this on it’s own though it may not work for you. Keep trying.

Red clover is used in combinations with Black Cohosh and contains phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens. Plant estrogens work like estrogen found in a woman’s body and are taken to regulate that specific hormone. Red clover may also help alleviate hot flashes.

Dong Quai has been found effective as a treatment for night sweats and anxiety related to menopause.

Ginseng Root is used for a variety of reasons but in the treatment of menopausal symptoms you may find it useful for relieving headaches and aiding in sleep.

Agnus Castus, also referred to as Chaste Berry, assists the pituitary gland in balancing the hormones of your body.

St. John’s Wort has antidepressant qualities and can help regulate your mood swings. Trust me on this one, everyone in your family will be glad for this herbal remedy! Menopause is not only difficult for you to handle but you need to understand it is just as hard on the people who are important to you. Mood swings can be kinda scary sometimes and your family may just run away screaming.

I, for one, can tell you that menopause is no picnic and the sooner it is over the better, although, symptoms may last up to ten years. I am not kidding. Ten years! I figure I have got four down and six to go. I have used most of these herbal remedies menopause and I am still looking for the combination that will work for me to relieve my symptoms.

Nausea and Vomiting: Common Signs of Illnesses that No One Should Ignore

Most people associate vomiting to two things: a pregnant woman or a man who just had too many to drink. What is seen as a normal bodily response to conception or, in the case of a hard drinker, overconsumption of alcohol, nausea and vomiting may also be signs of something more serious. Getting sick will usually involve nausea, since the body is no longer in equilibrium health-wise.

It is quite normal for people to experience certain health conditions like headaches, flu, or fever. Everyday, people come into contact with millions if not billions of bacteria and viruses at home, in the office, in the street, and just about everywhere they go. Once the immune system is overrun by the microscopic “invaders”, a person would almost always have bouts of nausea and vomiting. These are actually symptoms of an illness. Nausea is a queasy, unpleasant feeling that is felt in the stomach all the way to a person’s throat. Nausea may lead to vomiting and dizzy spells. Vomiting, on the other hand, is occurs when a person feels a strong, uncontrollable need to “throw up.” Nausea and vomiting can happen in both adults and children. Pregnant women may also experience nausea and vomiting, especially during the first trimester of the pregnancy. People undergoing cancer treatments are also prone to nausea and vomiting because of the chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Whether one is healthy or sick, it is important to know how and what causes nausea. The sight of a person vomiting or being in such a weak condition may cause a lot of concern not only for the sick person but for people around him as well. Knowing the signs, causes and ways to prevent nausea and vomiting will certainly help reduce the worries when somebody gets sick.

Some of the more common reasons for nausea and vomiting include seasickness, early pregnancy, motion sickness, exposure to chemical toxins, food poisoning, intense pain, emotional stress, gallbladder disease, indigestion, and virus infections. Other causes of nausea include diabetes, influenza, Addison’s disease, appendicitis, brain tumor, alcohol abuse, stomach flu, heart attack, kidney failure, peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, viral hepatitis, radiation therapy, medications (prescription and non-prescription), and bowel obstruction.

In some cases, what causes nausea and vomiting may be quite similar. But in adults, most cases of vomiting may be traced to food poisoning, viral infections, and motion sickness. In children, vomiting may be caused by overeating, coughing, and other illnesses where the child experiences high fever.

Nausea and vomiting are usually harmless or non-life threatening. However, concussions, meningitis, intestinal blockage, brain tumors, migraine headaches, and encephalitis may also cause a person to vomit or feel nausea. For that reason, it is essential to know and observe the symptoms of nausea and vomiting, especially in children. Dehydration is also a concern in the case of vomiting, since it this occurs when the child is having diarrhea. Severe dehydration in children is life-threatening. Consulting a physician may be advisable if nausea lasts for more than a week, but vomiting can just be treated at home.

Strategies And Tips For Effectively Managing Stress

Stress can sometimes be a difficult thing to manage even though a lot of people know that managing stress helps reduce health risks. Keep in mind that the more you know and apply towards living a stress free life the better chance you have at living one. Take note from tips like the ones in this article, that can help you live as stress free as possible.

A great tip that can help you keep your stress levels down is to be careful about which words you use to describe your stress. Avoid using negative words too much because they’ll influence your mood. Try to stick with positive or neutral words as often as you can.

If you feel that you are being overwhelmed with stress and anxiety you should take some deep breaths. Deep breathing has been shown to reduce anxiety. It causes you to focus on the way that you are breathing rather than on what’s causing you so much anxiety.

Persistent headaches are one of the more common symptoms of stress. That’s why we often refer to an undesirable experience or task as a headache! There could, of course, be other underlying problems that are contributing to headaches but stress should certainly be investigated as one of the more logical culprits.

Try to get as much sleep as you possibly can during the course of the day, regardless of how much you have to work. Lack of sleep will result in increased stress levels, which can limit your productivity and hurt the way that you feel. Aim for 8 hours of sleep a night to feel your best.

One way to relax and become in tune with nature is to start a garden or improve an existing one. Flowers are beautiful and invigorating, and a nicely kept garden is very rewarding. Tending your garden is very therapeutic, and it helps reduce your stress level considerably if you give it a try.

When it comes to dealing with stress, one way that may help out is identifying a comfort food and always making sure that you have it available when feeling stressed. This is important because sometimes that is all that it takes to relieve yourself of stress, and as long as it is not too unhealthy, you are taking care of a meal and stress relief all at once.

To stay as active as possible, join a weekend sports team with a friend or member of your family. This will give you something to do so you are not sitting at home worrying about your issues. Also, you will get exercise, which is a great way to reduce stress.

With all the information you learned you should feel more positive and optimistic about what you can do to manage the stress in your life. As stated earlier in the article remember, the more you know and apply the better chances you have at living as stressed free life as possible. Keep on the lookout for new information you can apply when possible and managing stress should become a breeze before you know it.

The Soothing Effects of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years. Commonly used to treat bodily pains, acupuncture actually has a wide range of uses that range from addictions, to injuries, to disease prevention. If you are thinking about trying acupuncture, the following will give you a better idea of its many benefits.

Pain
Acupuncture is most commonly known to treat bodily pains such as muscular pains and arthritis. There are many types of arthritis, and each have a different acupuncture procedure. However, the healing effects may vary from person to person. Acupuncture for arthritis usually takes several sessions and takes a lot of cooperation your therapist for best results.

Other pain related ailments that can be cured by acupuncture are severe headaches and migraines, acute backaches, shoulder and neck aches, leg pains, trapped nerves, muscle related injuries, after surgery, carpal tunnel syndrome, sports injuries, menstrual pains, tooth aches, abdominal pains, and rheumatic pains.

Depression
Acupuncture is widely recommended for symptoms of depression and anxiety such as irritability, insomnia, loss of appetite, loss of interest in social activity and suicidal tendencies. Acupuncture is thought to relieve stress and improve flow of energy that may be causing the depressive symptoms. Improvement in symptoms can be seen as early as the first session. Experts have found acupuncture to be a beneficial complement to other forms of depression therapy such as psychological counseling, and healthier than chemical alternatives such as anti-depressants.

Insomnia
Acupuncture has become a popular alternative to common remedies such as sleeping pills. It works at the nerve levels, relaxing and soothing your senses. Acupuncture is thought to be a safer route for insomnia because it brings back your natural sleeping cycle through natural means and not through chemicals, which can turn into an addiction. Using acupuncture for insomnia usually starts working after the very first session. The treatment is usually stretched out for a period of time, until your body returns to its natural sleeping cycle.

Infertility
Studies show that acupuncture is a beneficial form of complementary therapy for women who are having undergoing treatments for fertility problem. Acupuncture is believed to relieve the anxiety of women undergoing fertility treatment. Also, acupuncture’s success in aiding fertility is more pronounced in in-vitro fertilization. In addition, the rate of miscarriages has been found to be lower for women who do acupuncture.

Others
The following are other ailments that acupuncture has been known to remedy:

· Menopausal problems such as hot flushes, infertility, and premenstrual tension.

· Bladder or bowel problems, difficulty or pain in urination, and urinary infections.

· Digestive disorders including nausea, indigestion, heartburn, and diarrhea.

· Respiratory problems such as rhinitis, hay fever, prickly heat, rashes and ulcers, eczema, and some types of dermatitis and psoriasis.

· Conditions of the eyes and mouth such as cataracts, dry eyes, conjunctivitis, retinitis and toothache, and post extraction pains.

· Heat problems such as poor circulation, stroke recovery, and hypertension.

· Addictions such as smoking, drinking, or other harder drugs.

If you as suffering from any of the ailments mentioned above, acupuncture may just be the remedy for you. Acupuncture is harmless, and is known to promote health and a sense of well-being. It is a healthy, chemical-free alternative to traditional forms of medical treatment.

Aromatherapy: Revive Your Senses

The art of aromatherapy had been practiced since the earliest times. Strong evidences were found to link aromatherapy to ancient traditions. Though aromatic oils had been used to treat and cure various ailments and conditions for who knows how long, the formal study on their properties only started in the year 1928.

In it’s simplest form, aromatherapy is the use of essential plant oils for therapeutic purposes. They are normally employed to relieve a person from stress and a variety of stress-related conditions. And also for promoting an individual’s general well being and in invigorating the body and the psyche.

Aromatherapy works by inducing the olfactory nerve cells with aromatic oils, which then carries out the message to the limbic system in the brain. Limbic system is the part of the brain that is responsible for controlling memory and emotions.

Aromatherapy is concerned in both the workings of the physical and emotional aspects of the person under treatment. Physically, aromatherapy helps in relieving specific conditions trough the stimulation of the nervous, immune and circulatory system. In emotions however, they may evoke pleasant memories.

Yet, the medical circles do not agree if aromatherapy in itself is instrumental to the complete healing of a certain condition. But the idea of recovery through aromatherapy is widely accepted.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are derived from the distillation of the elements of a plant like the leaves, roots, flowers, stems and bark. They hold the true essence of the plants from which they originally came in high concentration. Though termed as oil, essential oils normally do not have the real properties of oil. Some essential oils are yellow like that of the lemongrass and orange and many are clear.

These oils are used in a variety of methods: through inhalation, by adding them in the bathwater and by the application of the diluted oil on the body.

The use of oil in aromatherapy is only restricted to those with unadulterated qualities. The purest of the essential oils alone have the therapeutic values.

The following is a list of the most common essential oils used in aromatherapy. Some of which are used as carrier oils (also known as vegetable oils or base oils):

– Almond, Sweet
– Apricot Kernel
– Avocado
– Borage
– Cocoa Butter
– Evening Primrose
– Grapeseed
– Hazelnut
– Jojoba
– Kukui
– Macadamia Nut
– Olive
– Peanut
– Pecan
– Rose Hip
– Sesame
– Shea Butter
– Sunflower

Below are listed essential oils that are not advisable to use in aromatherapy, especially if not supervised by a professional aromatherapy practitioner.

– Ajowan
– Almond, Bitter
– Arnica
– Birch, Sweet
– Boldo Leaf
– Broom, Spanish
– Calamus
– Camphor
– Deertongue
– Garlic
– Horseradish
– Jaborandi
– Melilotus
– Mugwort
– Mustard
– Onion
– Pennyroyal
– Rue
– Sassafras
– Thuja
– Wintergreen
– Wormseed
– Wormwood

Aromatherapists put into practice the workings of aromatherapy in a spectrum of work environments including:

– private practice
– mobile visiting practice
– natural health clinics
– beauty therapy clinics
– health clubs
– hospitals
– hospices and
– nursing homes.

In spite of the lack of formal research on aromatherapy therapists and European physicians are often prescribing certain aromatic oils for a range of complaints including colds and flu, insomnia, sinusitis, migraines, digestive problems and muscle pains. It must be understood though that aromatic oils must never be taken orally and should be first tested to determine the degree of skin’s sensitivity to some oils.

Cocktail: Mixing Medications

People take medications everyday for several reasons, depending on their current health condition. Whether it’s for a simple headache to the much more severe anxiety attack, medicines are the most affordable, easy, and practical way in treating such health ailments.
Medicines come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and forms, depending on what kind of ailment it treats or how it is taken. These medications are seen in our neighborhood drugstores, where it is conveniently available for the whole community. However, not all medication purchased in these stores are over the counter (OTC) drugs. Some medications may be harmful if taken without medical examination and approval of one’s physician. Medications such as those are called prescription drugs and are made available to people only with a doctor’s prescription.
It is fairly normal for some people to take more than one type of drug in a day. Usually, medicines are specifically intended to treat a certain health condition. Although some medications say that they can relieve more than just headaches (think flu, and pain reliever all in one), it is possible that this might not be as effective as other medicines directed at each symptom.
Taking more than one medication is not always considered dangerous to us, as long as it is in low dosages. Vitamins or similar supplements are mostly taken in conjunction with other medication. If one needs to treat ailments like flu, colds, fever, or headaches, it is possible to take a medication strictly for the purpose of relieving the said condition. But sometimes a person already has a prescribed drug regimen aside from taking over the counter medication. In this case, a person should know the drug interaction between his/her medications.
Drug interaction happens when the effect of a certain drug is changed when another medication is taken. This interaction can also happen with food, alcohol, and tobacco and can result in side effects, possible overdose, decrease in effectiveness of the medication, or a higher concentration of the drug in the blood. There are three major descriptions of medicines: the prescription drugs, nonprescription medicines, and supplements which include vitamins and herbal medicine. All these can interact within your body and can produce unwanted side effects that can harm one’s health, causing permanent damage to your organs or at the very least seriously disrupting your body’s natural processes.
In line with this, there are drug interaction tools that are used to provide information as to what specific medication has an adverse effect on another. Online health websites are using reference checks to see if your medications have improper effects, cause an overdose, or would not work well with another specified medication. By using these, one could prevent such events from happening. The results of the drug interaction checks would be an appropriate reference as to what medications should a person take for a day, or a reschedule of medications may also be considered. For further information, it is wise to consult your physician and ask about drug interactions, and how to prevent unwanted effects caused by multiple medicine intake.

Morning-After Pill: For Backup Use Only

Many women today are putting their pregnancies on hold probably because of physical health, career priorities, or the fear about the hardships of parenting. These individuals rely on various birth control methods like condoms, contraceptive pills, patches, diaphragm, and many more. However, there are loopholes that can be encountered with these family planning methods. For example, condoms may break or slip off, diaphragms and cervical caps may be knocked out of place, and missed contraceptive pills may lead to unwanted pregnancies. Using emergency contraception like a morning-after pill may reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy by 80 percent.

Morning-after pills are used to prevent a woman from getting pregnant after unprotected vaginal intercourse. These pills are like ordinary birth control pills that contain higher doses of synthetic estrogen and progesterone. These hormones stimulates and regulates various body functions and play essential parts in maintaining pregnancies. Regular and low doses of estrogen may prevent females from ovulating while progesterone inhibits the growth of uterine lining. When this happens, it can be more difficult for a fertilized egg to become implanted there, it also thickens the mucus around the area keeping sperm from getting to the uterus. These pills are usually used within 72 hours after intercourse with a second dose that should be taken after 12 hours. Morning-after pills can be used as backup method for other contraceptive measures but should not be routinely used. These pills do not work like abortion pills because they only prevent pregnancies. Abortion pills work by terminating established pregnancies – those that have been attached to the uterine walls and have begun to develop.

Like other forms of medication, morning-after pills may also bring side effects to individuals who decide to use them. About 50 percent of the women who take these pills feel nauseated for a day or two and about 20 percent experience vomiting. Less common side effects may include headaches, breast tenderness, dizziness, and fluid retention.
Doctors should be consulted immediately if the following are experienced:

shortness of breath
chest pain
abdominal pain
severe leg pain
severe headache or dizziness
loss of vision
speaking difficulties

These conditions may indicate many serious complications from blood clots to liver damage. Women who use morning-after pills will usually have their period within a week after taking the pills. If one’s period does not occur within 21 days, it is advised that these individuals should visit their doctor. It could mean that the patient is pregnant or the egg is implanted in the Fallopian tubes or abdomen and may need emergency treatment.

Before taking morning-after pills, birth control pills, and other forms of contraceptive methods, individuals should seek the approval of health professionals. Morning-after pills are not intended for women who have had breast cancer, any reproductive cancer, stroke, blood clots in the legs or lungs, diabetes, liver or kidney disease, severe migraines, or high blood pressure. One’s medical history, age, and how it may affect one’s health is essential in choosing the right form of oral contraceptives, emergency contraceptives, and other methods for family planning. Understanding the effects and health risks of using birth control methods are essential in effective family planning and overall health.