Women’s Health

Tips to get back into post pregnancy shape

After delivering a child, women not only fight against sleepless nights, but also body shape. This makes the women to feel more inferior. To gain back a pre-pregnancy figure, use whatever time you have in hand for workouts, yoga and much more.

“The key is to do what you can in the time that you can, and do it more intense to make for the lack of time,” an online portal quoted celebrity trainer Andrea Orbeck as saying.

She is responsible for helping models Heidi Klum, Kimora Lee Simmons and Adriana Lima quickly getting back into shape.

Orbeck, who has created a Pregnancy Sculpt DVD, recommends starting with cardio exercises and making your child part of your workout.

You can push the stroller or strap the baby on to your chest while you step out for a walk.

“As babies need so much sleep, it`s a great time to get moving during nap time and make the most of your precious time to yourself,” she advised.

Other workout ideas for new moms include sumo squats, alternative reverse lunges, reverse bridges and much more.

Orbeck suggests new moms to stick to food items that are clean, lean, green and rich in protein.

She also advises women to do yoga post-pregnancy.

“I like to build strength in women after pregnancy. Yoga is great for toning, mental health, relaxation and more during stressful times,” she said.

Alcohol deaths in young women on rise

Deaths in young women from alcohol-related disease are rising, a study says. Experts study about deaths in men and women of all ages in Glasgow, Liverpooland Manchester from 1980 to 2011.

They said the results for women born in the 1970s should be a “warning signal” about their drinking habits.

Almost 9,000 people die from conditions related to alcohol each year in the UK. This study, detailed in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, of alcohol-related mortality in the three cities, which all have similar patterns of deprivation, poor health and industrialization.

It compared alcohol-related deaths born between 1910 and 1979.

Men were much more likely to die from alcohol-related disease than women – and the age range most affected was people in their 40s and 50s.

But this rate even fallen for the youngest group of women – those born in the 1970s – this death rate increased in all three cities.

‘Cultural influences’

The team behind the report suggests that cheaper alcohol, and longer drinking hours will all have played their part in fuelling the problem.

Dr Shipton told the BBC it was “a shame” minimum pricing had been rejected in England and Wales. Lucy Rocca: “Heavy drinking was glamorized and became a habit”

She said it was one measure which would help tackle the problem, although it would not address the “deep-rooted cultural influences at play”.

He added: “We know that more action is needed to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol.

“That’s why we’re banning alcohol sales below the level of duty plus VAT to tackle the worst cases of cheap and harmful alcohol. “We’re also strengthening the ban on irresponsible promotions in pubs and clubs and challenging industry to increase its efforts through the responsibility deal.”

Avoiding estrogen therapy proved deadly for nearly 50, 000 women

Doctors believe that misconceptions about the risks of estrogen therapy have led to the premature deaths of nearly 50,000 women in the past 10 years, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Estrogen therapy has long been a controversial topic in the medical world. Before 2002, more than 90 percent of women who underwent a hysterectomy were treated with some type of hormone therapy, to help manage symptoms related to early menopause triggered by the procedure.

However, in 2002, a Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study suggested that combination estrogen-progesterone treatments could potentially increase women’s risk for cancer and other health issues.

In the 10 years after that study was published, the numbers of women choosing to receive any type of hormone treatment post-hysterectomy dropped dramatically.

Now, in a study published in the American Journal of Public Health, researchers are arguing that misconceptions about hormonal treatments also led women to reject estrogen-only treatments, which have numerous health benefits including reduced mortality and lower incidences of breast cancer and heart disease.

Using data to analyze a population of women ages 50 to 59 who had undergone hysterectomies, researchers estimated that up to 48,835 women died prematurely between 2002 and 2011 because they failed to use estrogen therapy treatments, the Los Angeles Times reported.

“What has happened is an avoidance of use of estrogen, not because of the [study] findings, but because of the way they were communicated and understood,” lead study author Dr. Philip Sarrel said, in a video interview released Thursday by Yale. “None of those women lived to be 70 years old. They were all women aged 50 to 59 who would have used estrogen but did not use it,” because of unfounded fears, he added.

 

Lack of sleep during pregnancy: lead to complications:

Scientists have proved that lack of sleep during pregnancy can lead to severe complications and hinder immune processes, says a study.

Scientists at the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine conducted the research and the study was published in the journal “Psychosomatic Medicine”.

“Our results show the importance of identifying sleep problems in early pregnancy, especially in women experiencing depression,” said Michele Okun, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychiatry at Pitt`s School of Medicine and lead author. “The earlier that sleep problems are identified, the sooner physicians can work with pregnant women to implement solutions.”

There is a dynamic relationship between sleep and immunity, and this study is the first to examine this relationship during pregnancy as opposed to postpartum,” added Dr. Okun.

 

Tips to get better sleep:

The following tips may help you to get sound sleep during pregnancy. However, if your sleep disturbances are severe, consult your doctor.

  1. Extra pillows: Pillows can be used to support both the tummy and back. A pillow between the legs can help support the lower back and make sleeping on your side easier. Some specific types of pillows include the wedge-shaped pillow and the full-length body pillow.
  2. Nutrition: Drinking a glass of warm milk may help bring on sleep. Foods high in carbohydrates, such as bread or cakes, can also promote sleep. In addition, a high protein snack can keep blood sugar levels up and could help prevent bad dreams, headaches, and hot flashes.
  3. Relaxation techniques: Relaxation can help calm your mind and muscles. These techniques include stretching, yoga, massage, and deep breathing.
  4. Exercise: Regular exercise during pregnancy promotes physical and mental health. Exercise also can help you sleep more deeply. However, vigorous exercise within four hours of bedtime should be avoided.
  5. Prescription and over-the-counter medications: Ideally, all medications should be avoided during pregnancy. Some drugs can hurt the developing baby. However, there are some medications that are considered safe to take during pregnancy and that might help you sleep better. Always talk to your doctor before taking any kinds of drugs. This includes over-the-counter drugs, herbs and dietary supplements.