Sex, Health, Diet Info

There is a wide incidence of women in the Western world who experience breast changes that are a direct consequence of their menstrual cycle and it is believed that as high as 70 percent of women are so afflicted. These women may find their breasts have become very uncomfortable due to their becoming tender, swollen or lumpy. This is one of the many women’s health issues that need to be studied and understood if one is to be able to treat the ailment and provide much needed succor to the patients. It is important to find an explanation for the condition and know which natural and medical treatments are available for this women’s health issue.

Breast Health: The Facts

Broadly speaking, women’s health issues can be categorized into several important concerns, of which include: breast problems, cystitis, endometriosis, fibroids, heavy periods, hysterectomy, irregular periods, menopause, miscarriage, no periods, osteoporosis, ovarian cysts, PMS, polycystic ovary syndrome, pregnancy, prolapse, thrush and vaginal infections. Women also face problems such as weight control and infertility.

In the case of breast cancer, one can safely say that it is widely prevalent in women living in the United States. This means that such an important women’s health issue needs to be better understood and this involves knowing the stage of the disease, new diagnostic methods versus recurrence, the woman’s age as well as prior treatments. Mostly, different women would respond to the crisis of having breast cancer in different ways but what is most important is for them to know and obtain as much information as possible so that they are better educated about the disease.

It is important that this women’s health issue be taken notice of, and a study of the risk factors involved with contracting breast cancer needs to be undertaken as some factors may have stronger links to breast cancer than others. These important risk factors are: gender, age, personal history of breast cancer, family history of cancer, high breast tissue density, breast hyperplasia, long term estrogen exposure, menopausal hormone replacement therapy, not having children or having first child after age 30, exposure to radiation, Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, genetics as well as diet, environment, and smoking. There is no denying the fact that breast cancer is an important women’s health issue for which no amount of research and development can be said to be enough.

Women are naturally the caregivers. This happens to a woman by instinct, and this role usually allows them to slip into personal neglect. It so happens that women are the stronger of the two sexes when it comes to health and capacity of bearing pain both mentally and physically. It is a matter of debate whether this is the reason why they ignore their own health in the process or not.

Are The Existing Women’s Health Services Adequate For Women?

The question might be wrong, if you look at the general trends of real life. It should have read, “Are women responding or enjoying the facilities provided by the women’s health services?” Let us analyze this topic a little. There are certain health concerns and facts that every girl and boy should know right from the time of puberty. Actually the best time for the child to find out about the ‘birds and the bees’ is just around this time.

If the foundation is strong, there would be a habit formation that in turn will bring the woman for regular check-ups and enjoy the women’s health services offered in the area they live in. By default a woman tends to look beyond herself to take care of others. It is not uncommon to have women that have sold their entire house and every valuable thing they have to treat a member of their family.

However, when it comes to their own health, they tend to ignore it, even if they have access to the best of best women’s health services. Women need to give themselves more importance. The funny part is, that she has the knowledge and experience to take care of everyone, but she never applies it to herself.

It is imperative that women learn to pay attention to their own needs, too. Neglecting one’s health does not profit anybody, in anyway. Actually one should visit the women’s health services to make them laugh. All you have to do is to have one check-up once in two years, at least. This is sufficient to diagnose any life threatening diseases in time for curing; otherwise you will have to face the dire consequences.

The lives of many women have been lost for mere negligence. Hence, it is advisable to have a full-check up every two-three years once you are in the 30-40s. Some diseases are totally silent, and unless they are caught and cured in the earliest stages, these are the ones who can prove fatal.

Women’s health is not only monitored and maintained by the foods that she eats, or the exercise she completes throughout the week, but also by the status of her sexual health.

Women’s sexual health is quite important because there are so many complications that can occur within a women’s body that could result in life-threatening consequences.

What makes some of these sexual health issues differ from a man is not only the fact that two different genitals are involved, but also the fact that women give birth, thus increasing the complications that could arise and affect a woman’s health.

Vaginal Bleeding

One of the things that affect both the sexual and overall women’s health is the presence of vaginal bleeding after sex, also referred to as post-coital bleeding. If a woman is not on her period at the time, this could be a warning sign of something that needs the attention of a doctor.

Many possible culprits could cause such an act to occur. Understanding sexual and women’s health is important because some causes of vaginal bleeding are common and can be easily treated with no future affects to women’s sexual health, while other causes can turn into life-altering complications.

Cervical dysplasia can cause Vaginal bleeding, which means that there is the presence of precancerous cells within the lining of the cervix that could affect women’s health. The risk of developing these cells is increased when a women compromises her sexual health by having sex before the age of 18; having sex with multiple partners; having a child before they turn 16 or have had a STD in the past. Cryosurgery can treat this condition, as well as other procedures before the cells turn into cervical cancer.

Cervical Polyps

Another women’s health issue deals with cervical polyps, which are growths that extend, pass the cervix or cervical canal. These fragile, red, or purple pests can be easily removed without pain.

Bacterial Infections

Two well-known bacterial infections are transmitted during sex or other contact with semen, vaginal secretions or blood. They are called chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea offers several treatments that can be prescribed by a doctor.

Vaginitis, also called cervicitis, is the inflammation or swelling of the cervix or vagina, which is caused by an infection. Depending on what caused the vaginitis, a treatment is available.

Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted disease caused by a protozoan, can compromise a women’s sexual health, as well as the health of their newborn. It is possible for a mother to pass this disease onto her newborn during a vaginal birth.

One of the most common infections to affect women’s sexual health is the vaginal yeast infection, which is an overgrowth of harmless fungi that found in the vagina. The result is an odorless, cheese-like discharge accompanied by itching and burning. Three out of four women will have at least one yeast infection throughout their lifetime.

When a woman wishes to prevent this sort of infection from affecting her sexual health, a few preventive measures are available – women’s sexual health tips concerning a yeast infection include:

· Wear white cotton panties

· Use only water-based lubricants for the vagina

· Always wipe from front to back after a bowel movement

· Eat one cup of yogurt per day when on antibiotics

· Avoid bath products containing perfume in the vaginal area

· Do not douche because it creates an attractive breeding ground for yeast to flourish.

Other sexual and women’s health concerns include endometritis, uterine polyps, fibroid tumors, as well as adenomysis, which can affect the uterus and ovaries. Never ignore vaginal bleeding.

Calling a doctor immediately is the best way to solve the sexual and women’s health issues.

Sexual health is such a wide topic with so many opinions that it is hard to get any straight answers. Even if you are lucky enough to get an answer one might find that there is another answer waiting just to contradict that one. Itâ??s a puzzling world for both men and women. This distinction is brought to light simple because of the fact that men and woman see sex differently. They experience puberty differently and maleâ??s sexual health is far different to femaleâ??s sexual health.  

It can seriously be argued that Menâ??s sexual health begins at puberty. Women on the other hand, do experience wide and broad ranges of emotions coupled with psychological and physical issues far worse than men. Though men and women experience sexuality differently; itâ??s imperative however, that young men and woman are made aware of the risks they face and what they need to do cope.  

A duo combination

Sexuality and womenâ??s health in general go hand in hand. Itâ??s just plain biology, the fact is women are the reproductive vessels of our species and their bodies undergo tremendous changes and pressure and the sexual and general health are often one in the same. Women have many different stages of their lives that sexual health takes on different aspects; there are different precautions for pregnancy than there is for menopause. Thereâ??re different requirements for puberty than there is for a woman in her twenties. The list is endless. 

Menâ??s sexual health however is less diverse but by no means less important. The first and most obvious is Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STDâ??s). This is something that all men and women need to be aware of and act accordingly. It is very much manâ??s responsibility to get himself checked-out regularly, and protect himself and his partner always!  

When we discuss questions in the male sexual health realm we can have questions from â??can you break your penisâ? to more involved and serious questions such as â??how do I deal with prostate cancerâ?. Male sexual health is not something that is very openly spoken about; this may be due to the fact that in most cultures it is unaccepted discourse. However in todayâ??s evolving world men are becoming increasing open to discuss and asking question about menâ??s sexual health. 

Thereâ??re serious problems out there, unfortunately most are not given as much social awareness as things that are more economically beneficial to the pharmaceuticals market and are as closely attached to menâ??s egoâ??s, such as erectile dysfunctions. Yes these are important aspects to menâ??s health but to a large extent these issues are being flogged on the TV, internet and anywhere else purely for the economic, wealth creating, factor and less for the concerns and sexual health of men and sexual health of woman. Serious sexual and womenâ??s health in general have taken a significant back seat in the public eye simply because it is not as profitable to talk about. That is why it is up to the households to educate the next generation, because the capitalist orientated-world wonâ??t. Sexual health questions are part of growing-up, and parents should encourage their children to be open about sexual questions.

 

When you first feel the signs of a migraine attack coming along, do you immediately pop the pills that your doctor prescribed? If you have the common headaches, muscle or joint pains, do you ‘prescribe’ a medication for yourself and look for an over-the-counter pain killer?

It’s good to rely on medications for the more serious medical conditions that you may have- but for the common aches, pains and health complaints, it really makes much more sense to rely on natural remedies.

This is especially true because of the recent spate of health news about how some over-the-counter medications are discovered to actually cause more complications to your health after treating a supposedly simple ache or pain in your body.

Why ‘Natural’ is the Way to Go when Treating the Most Common Aches, Pains & Health Conditions

Let’s say that you feel a headache coming along and you swallowed a couple of Aspirins. This over-the-counter drug is used to relieve minor aches, pains and is also used to reduce fever.

Aspirin is also used as an anti-inflammatory medication and when given in low doses, can be used to repair damaged blood vessels; that is why it is used on a long-term basis by some individuals who have problems with their heart.

But the side effects of aspirin include stomach bleeding and gastrointestinal ulcers. When improperly given to children with flu or chickenpox, taking Asprin may cause Reye’s Syndrome to appear.

This is not to say that Aspirin is something that you should completely steer clear of. In fact, this drug is one of the most widely-used medications in the world.

However, it does pay to realize that rather than risking the possibility of experiencing undesirable side effects when you are taking over-the-counter medications for the most minor aches and pains – you do have the option of going ‘natural‘.

Although some individuals may scoff at natural treatments being old-fashioned or mere old wives’ tales, there really are a lot of natural treatments and home remedies which are equally effective as over-the-counter drugs. And the one advantage that natural treatments have over pills is that they do not cause any side effects.

In addition, natural treatments are less expensive, more effective, they are gentler to your body and they are environment-friendly.

The Top 10 Best Natural Treatments & Home Remedies for the Most Common Aches, Pains & Health Concerns

So what are some of the best natural treatments and home remedies for the most common aches, pains and health concerns that people experience on a regular basis? Read on to find out:

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar may be a staple ingredient in most kitchens, but did you know that this is a great natural remedy for heartburn?

If you are experiencing heartburn, it could be due to overeating, stress, indulging on too much spicy food or having too many trips to the refrigerator to steal a snack or two at midnight.

Rather than taking your typical dose of antacids, you can down a spoonful or two of apple cider vinegar.
What this does is to break down the excess foods that you have consumed and restore the normal balance in your stomach.

2. Natural Oils

If you feel a headache coming on, try rubbing lavender or peppermint oil on your temple.

You can also apply the soothing natural medication on your neck – and sniffing its aroma may actually lessen the pain that you are feeling – as indicated in science of aromatherapy.

Another type of natural oil that you can use to treat toothaches is clove oil. That shooting pain on your gum is no fun at all and while you are waiting for your dentist to address the problem; places a couple of drops of clove oil on your tooth and gum.

Another alternative is to bite on a crushed garlic clove, which has antibacterial properties.

3. Green Tea

Yet another natural treatment that you can use as a substitute for antihistamines is green tea.

When you have this habit of reaching for the really strong prescription medications like antihistamines the minute that even the mildest of allergies attack – it will actually cause your body’s immune system to get weak.

As such, it pays to go for natural and body-friendly treatments like green tea. Down two to three cups of this soothing beverage when you have an allergy attack and wait for this natural wonder to work.

In addition to being a natural antihistamine, green tea also has the following benefits to your health:

• Lowers the blood pressure and prevents hypertension.
• Provides protection against cardiovascular diseases.
• Protects against certain types of cancer.
• Speeds up the body’s recovery after a heart attack.
• Thins the blood and helps prevent blood clotting.

4. Cayenne Pepper

Although cayenne pepper puts the sizzle and spice in most foods, it can be actually soothing when used as a natural remedy for cuts.

Aside from stopping the bleeding immediately, sprinkling cayenne pepper on the affected area will actually ease the pain.

5. Flaxseed

Women who are experiencing discomfort due to undergoing the menopausal stage will be glad to know that there is a natural remedy for it: flaxseed.

Hot flashes are a particularly common problem for menopausal women and flaxseed can effectively prevent this.

All you need to do is mix about 1.4 ounces of ground flaxseed into the foods that you are eating and it will relieve menopausal symptoms as effectively as prescription medications.

6. Honey-lemon Tea

If you’re in a job which requires you to talk almost all day, then you might often experience sore throats.

This could also be a sign of the common colds or a flu coming on – and you can counteract the pain on your throat by gargling with warm salt water.

Then, follow it up with a cup of hot honey-lemon tea and you’ll feel better in no time at all.

7. Honey, Mustard, Potato

No, this is not a recipe for a salad – they are actually the natural first-aids which you can use to treat a burn.

Don’t subscribe to the myth that rubbing toothpaste on the burnt area will help heal the burn.

Sure, it may feel cool and soothing to your skin but it is not actually doing anything to help heal your burnt skin.

What you can use instead is honey which has antibacterial properties; a slice of raw potato whose juices will soothe the burn; or mustard which can also double up as a burn salve.

Finally, Aloe Vera gel is also a great natural treatment for burns, which you can apply after rinsing the affected area with cold water.

8. Chamomile Tea

If you have digestive problems, down a cup or two of chamomile tea.

What the herb in the tea does is to relax the spasms in your stomach.

9. Tart Cherry Juice

One of the most common pains that most people immediately treat with medication is muscle pains.

Let’s say that you just came from a workout and you feel drained, and it seems as if every muscle in your body is aching.

For this, you can depend on the natural treatment of drinking a bottle of tart cherry juice. This helps the sore muscles on your body recover, and it also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

10. Turmeric

If you are experiencing arthritis or joint injuries, the Indian spice turmeric will work wonders for you.

All you need to do is include a couple of tablespoons of turmeric or yellow curries while cooking meat or any curry dish – and you will generally feel better afterward.

With these top 10 natural remedies for the most common aches, pains and health complaints, you will feel better afterwards – and you would not have to go through any side effects at all.

Neelima Reddy, author of this article writes for AltMedicineZone.com. The Alternative Medicine blog publishes information on various Alternative Treatments like Yoga therapy, Medication, Aromatherapy, Chiropractic techniques, Reiki Healing, Tai Chi, Massage therapy, Acupuncture, Hypnosis, Ayurveda, etc. For more information Visit Alternative Medicine Blog

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/top-10-best-home-remedies-for-the-most-common-aches-pains-health-concerns-1634815.html

Excruciating, painful, even up to a point that you would think it is sheer torture. That’s how it was to be on the operating table during the Middle Ages.

Back in the days when painkillers and anesthetics were non-existent, how do ‘doctors’ remove an appendix or remove an aching tooth? And what is it that exactly occurred during this period in human history?

Basically, the Middle Ages in European history lasted for about one thousand years, starting from the fall of the Western Roman Empire during the 5th century – up to the start of the Early Modern Period in the 16th century.

Those were the days when menstruation in women was a grave concern, conception and birth could cost new mothers their lives, and what is today a simple medical procedure became a matter of life and death situations.

The Top 5 Most Grave Medical Concerns Back in the Middle Ages

So what exactly occurred in the field of medicine during the Middle Ages? Let’s take the 1600’s as an example. During these times, medical treatments, illnesses, unusual conditions and anything that has to do with human health was addressed using a combination of several factors.

First, there were procedures like bloodletting and cauterization. Second, there was the use of holy relics, prayers, magic, religious rituals and offerings.

The third factor involved in the treatment were the use of items like herbs, spices, stones, enemas, bandages, ointments and a multitude of other things that, when used in today’s modern medicine, would be considered just plain weird, unusual and ineffective.

So what are the top 5 gravest medical concerns back in the Middle Ages? Take a look at the following list:

1. Menstruation

Can you believe that even something as simple and factual as a woman’s menstruation was a major medical concern back in the Middle Ages? This is especially true in the case of Renaissance, classical and medieval physicians and medical writers. Back then, several theories regarding menstruation existed.

One of the most interesting theories was called the ‘Theory of Humors’. For this, it is said that the buildup of bodily wastes and a woman’s excess humors are the reasons behind her monthly menstruation.

Perhaps a theory which can be traced back in the Middle Ages that persists up to now is that if you do not have regular menstruation, illnesses will occur because of waste buildup in the body.

Also, it is said that if an older woman is at her menopausal stage, the fact that she’s not able to eliminate her bodily wastes through menstruation makes her a threat for men and children who she will be in contact with.

2. Childbirth

Being a mother was a scary proposition back in the Middle Ages, because they were told to prepare for their death. According to the Roman Catholic law, midwives who were licensed by a bishop are supposed to swear an oath that they would not use magic when assisting a woman who is in labor.

Some critical aspects of childbirth were if the position of the baby is abnormal, the midwife will be shaking the bed to reposition the fetus. If the fetus is dead inside the womb, it will be dismembered and removed with a squeezer. Finally, a placenta which is retained will be pulled out by force.

3. Treatment of Many Illnesses through Bloodletting

Also called phlebotomy, bloodletting is probably one of the most painful cures for headaches that you can possibly think of. At least, it was during the Middle Ages.

The principle behind this medical treatment was that if the human body is relieved of ‘juices’ and humour or the excess fluid in the body, any illness can be healed.

Obviously, there were no needles back then, so leeches and venesection were used to let the blood out. Venesection is a procedure wherein a narrow blade is used to penetrate a vein, leaving a small wound and letting the blood run through a bowl. Aside from curing the common pains, monks in monasteries used this medical procedure regularly to maintain good health.

Fortunately, we are not in the Middle Ages anymore and the medical industry has vastly improved. Instead of undergoing these excruciatingly painful procedures, you can rest assured that the doctors will lull you into a good, long sleep during the operation in case you need to undergo surgery.

4. Headaches, Cramps and Other ‘Unusual’ Pains

It’s really quite amazing the lengths that man has gone through in order to make a particular pain or ailment go away.

During the Middle Ages, running electric current through your body is used to heal a number of ailments – from the common headaches, stomachaches and menstrual cramps – to the more complicated cases of mental disorders. Electric eels and fish were usually used to apply shock and treat headaches and seizures.

5. Raising of Children Up to the Age of 5

Did you know that back in the Middle Ages, mothers had a difficult time raising healthy kids because some of them cannot even reach the age of 5?

What make young children particularly vulnerable during those times were infections, injuries and birth defects which may not have even been named during those times.

Since there were no pediatrics back in the Middle Ages, it has become a grave medical concern to raise children up to the age of 5, simply because there were no means of taking better care of such young kids.

The Role of Women in Medicine during the Middle Ages

Basically, women were confined to home chores back in the Middle Ages. As such, included among their household duties was the medical-related task of offering help and administering treatment when an individual or family member has a health problem.

A woman who is considered to be the female lead in a household usually has to play doctor for her family members, her servants, dependents, neighbors, tenants and almost everybody else who is of a lower status.

Since women were not permitted to enroll in schools and universities, there were only a very small number of women physicians. The one other role that women in society played back in the Middle Ages is being an ‘empiric’.

This refers to someone who is into healing without having undergone any special medical training. The skills that women empirics learned are all from practical training.

Finally, the midwives back in the Middle Ages consisted mostly of women. The same thing holds true for nurses who worked in charitable hospitals back in the Middle Ages.

As you can see, women played a quite varied role in the field of medicine during the Middle Ages, so you cannot discount the contribution that they played in caring for people’s health from back then up to now.

Neelima Reddy, author of this article writes for AltMedicineZone.com. The Alternative Medicine blog publishes information on various Alternative Treatments like Yoga therapy, Medication, Aromatherapy, Chiropractic techniques, Reiki Healing, Tai Chi, Massage therapy, Acupuncture, Hypnosis, Ayurveda, etc. For more information Visit Alternative Medicine Blog

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/the-top-5-gravest-medical-concerns-back-then-1549869.html