Postpartum Depression (PPD)

Clinicians and researchers use the term “postpartum depression,” or “PPD,” to refer to non-psychotic depression that occurs shortly after childbirth.

Does it differ from other depressions?

Apart from the fact that it happens soon after childbirth, PPD is clinically no different from a depressive episode that occurs at any other time in a woman’s life. The symptoms are the same as in general depression, and must meet the same criteria for diagnosis. However, not surprisingly, the content of the symptoms of PPD often focuses on motherhood or infant care topics.

What causes it?

Although health professionals do not know what causes depression (and therefore PPD), they accept that there is no single cause. Physical, hormonal, social, psychological and emotional factors may all play a part in triggering the illness. This is known as the biopsychosocial model of depression, and is accepted by most researchers and clinicians. The factor or group of factors that trigger PPD vary from one individual to the other.

How common is it?

PPD is the most common complication of child-bearing. Although the rates given in individual studies vary greatly, a meta-analysis of 59 studies of more than 12,000 women found that PPD affects an average of 13 per cent of women (O’Hara & Swain, 1996).

When does it start?

The time period used to define “postpartum” varies, from immediately following childbirth to four weeks (according to formal diagnostic classification systems) after childbirth or up to a year, according to some research studies. Symptoms usually begin within the first four weeks postpartum, although they can start up to 12 months afterwards. However, service providers may not detect and treat PPD until much later. Often, questioning will reveal that the symptoms actually began much earlier than the woman had disclosed to a health care provider.

How do clinicians diagnose it?

A physician or licensed psychologist makes a formal diagnosis of depression. Professionals use numerous methods to elicit the information needed to make a diagnosis, including standardized clinical interviews. The clinician’s judgment is essential in deciding whether or not an individual’s symptoms meet diagnostic criteria, in terms of severity or duration of symptoms. The formal classification system used in North America is the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth edition, or DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994).

To indicate an episode of PPD using DSM-IV criteria, the physician or psychologist would indicate that it is an episode of major depressive disorder with the specifier “postpartum onset” (which means that the symptoms occurred within four weeks of the woman’s having given birth).

Individuals must have exhibited either a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities (called anhedonia) continually, for a minimum of two weeks. In addition, they must have experienced other symptoms from a given list of seven, for a minimum of two weeks.

A clinician will diagnose major depression if the individual has a low mood or anhedonia, plus four other symptoms (for a minimum of five symptoms). People with a low mood or anhedonia with fewer than four symptoms will receive a diagnosis of minor or moderate depression.

How can service providers rule out other causes?

It is imperative that the symptoms displayed a) represent a change from the individual’s normal functioning and b) cause impairment in everyday life. Through referral to the family doctor or another physician, as appropriate, providers should rule out other medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms and may be common in the postpartum period (e.g., thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, anemia, autoimmune diseases).

How long does it last?

The length of an episode varies from a number of weeks to a number of months. Some women say it can take up to a year for them to feel back to their normal selves. In a small number of cases, the episode may not remit and the women experience chronic episodes of depression.
by: Arthur Buchanan
Read Full Article...>>>

Dealing with Sexually Transmitted Diseases During Pregnancy

One of the risks that people take during sexual intercourse is the possibility of contracting a sexually transmitted disease or STD. The consequences of acquiring one are even greater during pregnancy because the condition can severely affect the health of both the mother and her baby. Moreover, contracting such diseases during pregnancy may result to long-term effects on the health of the baby.

Sexually transmitted diseases are one of the leading complications during pregnancy. The infection affects approximately two million women during their pregnancy. This is because getting pregnant offers no fail-safe protection from acquiring the disease, and a woman who is pregnant is as vulnerable as any other woman active in sexual activities. If sexually transmitted diseases are dangerous enough for a woman who is not pregnant, the risks multiply even more for a pregnant woman.

Why STDs are More Dangerous during Pregnancy

Sexually transmitted diseases that are acquired during pregnancy are potentially life threatening. This is because a pregnant woman’s health is very fragile. She must learn how to protect herself and her baby from infection.

The following are the common consequences when contracting sexually transmitted diseases during pregnancy:

1) Cervical cancer and other infections in the reproductive system

2) Chronic hepatitis

3) Cirrhosis

4) Early onset of labor

5) Uterine infection

Premature rupture of the uterine membranes that surround the baby

Once a pregnant woman learns that she is infected with sexually transmitted diseases, the first thing that she needs to do is to seek medical treatment right away. However, just like in the case of sexually transmitted diseases affecting non-pregnant women, detection of the disease is difficult. Often, it is only detected when it is already in its advanced stages. Detection at an earlier stage is often difficult and is a very critical element towards proper treatment.

What is even more dangerous with sexually transmitted diseases acquired during pregnancy is the possibility of the transmitting the disease or causing an infection to the infant. For example, syphilis is known to cross the placenta and cause fetal infection, which may affect the development of the baby. Aside from syphilis, other sexually transmitted diseases that can be transmitted to the infant are HIV and genital herpes.

Once infection is passed on to the infant, there are many consequences that will result such as cirrhosis, liver disease, meningitis, hepatitis, blindness or deafness, neonatal sepsis, brain damage, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, low birth weight, and stillbirth.

The Best Treatment for Sexually Transmitted Diseases during Pregnancy

Medical experts suggest that the best way to protect one from sexually transmitted diseases is through a monogamous relationship. This is because any medication taken by a pregnant woman has to be considered against the possible risks, especially towards the health of the baby. Fortunately, there are antibiotics that are safe for pregnant women and can cure some sexually transmitted diseases. However, some STDs such as HIV and genital herpes are not curable during pregnancy and any medication against them is only to reduce the symptoms.
by: James Pendergraft


Read Full Article...>>>

Condoms- a Safe Way to Birth Control

Why do I need to use a condom?

Condoms are the only form of protection, which can both help to stop the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV and prevent pregnancy.

Choosing the right condom

A number of different types of condom are now available. What is generally called a condom is the 'male' condom, a sheath or covering which fits over a man's penis, and which is closed at one end. There is also now a female condom, or vaginal sheath, which is used by a woman to fit inside her vagina.

What are condoms made of?

Condoms are usually made of latex or polyurethane. If possible, you should use a latex condom, as they are slightly more reliable, and in most countries, they are most readily available. Latex condoms can only be used with water-based lubricants, not oil based lubricants such as Vaseline or cold cream as they break down the latex. A small number of people have an allergic reaction to latex and can use polyurethane condoms instead.

Polyurethane condoms are made out a type of plastic. They are thinner than latex condoms, and so they increase sensitivity and are more agreeable in feel and appearance to some users. They are more expensive than latex condoms and slightly less flexible so more lubrication may be needed. However both oil and water based lubricants can be used with them.

It is not clear whether latex or polyurethane condoms are stronger - there are studies suggesting that either is less likely to break. With both types however, the likelihood of breakages is very small if used correctly.

The lubrication on condoms also varies. Some condoms are not lubricated at all, some are lubricated with a silicone substance, and some condoms have a water-based lubricant. The lubrication on condoms aims to make the condom easier to put on and more comfortable to use. It can also help prevent condom breakage.
by: David Chandler
Read Full Article...>>>

Tuberculosis, a Cause for Concern?

Despite advances in treatments available, tuberculosis (TB) still remains a global pandemic. One third the human population is currently infected with tuberculosis. What is tuberculosis?

The disease tuberculosis is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis can affect any part of the body but usually infects the lungs. Tuberculosis is spread through airborne droplets occurring when an infected individual sneezes, talks, or coughs. However, prolonged exposure to the infected individual must occur before you may become infected. The body may harbor the bacteria while the immune system prevents sickness. For this reason, there are two forms of TB: latent tuberculosis and active tuberculosis.

With latent tuberculosis, the immune system is able to prevent the bacteria from growing. The tuberculosis bacteria remain alive within the body but are inactive at this time. However, the bacteria can become active later in life. Those with latent tuberculosis have no symptoms, do not feel sick, are not contagious, and may develop TB later in life if they do not receive treatment.

Active tuberculosis simply means that the tuberculosis bacteria are growing within the body causing an active infection. Signs and symptoms of active tuberculosis include fatigue, slight fever, chills, night sweats, loss of appetite, unintended weight loss, a cough that lasts three or more weeks producing discolored or bloody sputum, and pain with coughing or breathing. Active tuberculosis is highly contagious.

What is causing the tuberculosis pandemic? Improved public health programs have helped to create a steady decline of tuberculosis cases in the United States. However, the problem is far from solved. Factors that contribute to the spread of tuberculosis in the U.S. and elsewhere include the increase in number of foreign born nationals, crowded living conditions, increase in drug resistant strains of tuberculosis, lack of access to medical care, and the increase in poverty.

Poorly ventilated and crowded conditions help to spread TB. This is one reason tuberculosis cases have reached epidemic proportions. Although the incidence of TB cases in the U.S. is declining, the incidence in other parts of the world is increasing. Half of the reported cases in the U.S. (in 2000) occurred in individuals that were born outside of the U.S. Individuals that live in poverty, move or migrate often usually do not finish the tuberculosis treatment. This is leading to drug resistant forms of tuberculosis.

Drug resistant strains of tuberculosis are a serious problem. Tuberculosis bacteria have developed strains of the bacteria that are resistant to each of the major tuberculosis medications. There are also strains of tuberculosis that are resistant to at least two tuberculosis medications. This multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is posing an even deadlier threat to those affected. Individuals affected with MDR-TB are much more difficult to treat requiring a long term therapy of up to two years. The medications required to treat these strains can cause serious side effects. This is one great reason to complete the entire course of medication as prescribed by your doctor.

Certain factors increase your risk of contracting tuberculosis. An individual in an immunocompromised state is at risk of developing TB. A number of factors can cause the immune system to be in a weakened state. Some diseases can suppress the immunity such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and silicosis. Certain medications can affect the body’s immune system which includes chemotherapy drugs and corticosteroids. An increased risk of reactivated tuberculosis has been associated with the use of arthritis medications Enbrel and Remicade.

Individuals within close proximity of those infected with tuberculosis are at an increased risk of developing disease. Individuals in areas of high rates of tuberculosis (Asia, Africa, Latin America, former Soviet Union) have an increased risk of developing tuberculosis. Certain races (Hispanics, American Indians, Asian Americans, African Americans) in the U.S. are at risk of developing tuberculosis. What other factors may increase your risk of developing tuberculosis?

The older adult is at an increased risk of developing tuberculosis due to a weakened immune system. Individuals who are malnourished, lack adequate medical care, or who suffer from long term drug or alcohol abuse are at increased risk of developing tuberculosis. Health care workers are at increased risk of developing tuberculosis also.

If you develop any of the signs or symptoms listed above, you should seek medical advice. Individuals with HIV should be tested for tuberculosis, since the leading cause of death in the AIDS patient is tuberculosis. HIV and tuberculosis have a deadly symbiosis, in which TB increases the rate at which the AIDS virus replicates and HIV reactivates inactive TB. Health care workers are usually tested at least yearly for tuberculosis by Mantoux test. Individuals with latent tuberculosis reveal a positive Mantoux even though no symptoms of the disease are evident. Tuberculosis is also tested by chest x-ray and culture tests (urine, sputum).

Tuberculosis is a preventable disease. There are a few measures one can take to protect their health. First, you should be tested regularly. If you have an immune suppressing disease, live or work in a prison or nursing home, were born in a TB prevalent country, or have other risk factors, then a Mantoux test should be done every six months.

If you test positive without symptoms, speak with your doctor about treatments to reduce the risk of developing active tuberculosis. The most important step you can do for the public and yourself is to finish the entire course of medication.
by: Kristy Haugen
Read Full Article...>>>

Malaria Initiative Succeeding

Africa Malaria Day, April 25, is a reminder that Malaria is one the deadliest diseases in the world -- killing more than one million people per year, mostly poor women and young children in tropical countries. Because of this urgent need, in 2002, Freedom from Hunger, with help from the drug company GlaxoSmithKline, launched an anti-malaria pilot program in six West African countries.

This Malaria Initiative educates women in poor rural areas about malaria; brings them access to subsidized, insecticide treated bednets; and provides linkages to local health services for treatment. Education, provided in the form of role-play, story and song, is the key because it teaches women who have never been to school how to prevent malaria, when and how to treat it, and even how to organize community safeguards.

Overcoming Cost Barriers

Many women whose families are threatened by malaria cannot afford insecticide–treated mosquito nets. So Freedom from Hunger has convinced manufacturers and distributors to provide the nets at a substantially reduced cost (about $4 per net). Freedom from Hunger also arranged for local sources of appropriate and reliable anti-malarial drugs to be provided at reasonable prices to individuals when the disease strikes. Because Freedom from Hunger’s Malaria Initiative is layered onto a self-financing microcredit program, women gain sustainable access to credit to build home-based business, earning money to buy nets and pay for health services.

In a recent visit to program areas in Burkina Faso, it was seen that many of the women had already purchased the nets and the rest were setting aside money to buy them soon. One participant, Fatoumata Monomata, expressed the essence of the program, "I learned how to keep my children safe from malaria." By the end of the three-year pilot, the Malaria Initiative will be reaching 180,000 women in West Africa.

Achieving Sustainability

Wherever poverty, hunger, and poor health combine they often form a vicious cycle that lasts for generations. To break this chain of hopelessness permanently, Freedom from Hunger will make the anti-malaria activities a regular part of the Credit with Education program whenever it is implemented in malaria-endemic areas. The women themselves cover the local costs of the anti-malaria program through earnings generated by their loan repayments. The powerful combination of services provided by Credit with Education creates a ladder out of poverty, hunger, and ill health—with each step leading to a life of self-reliance, health, and hope.
by: Dottie Duncan

Read Full Article...>>>

What Is Good For Watery Diarrhea? Let's Get Some Help

What Is Good For Watery Diarrhea? Let's Get Some Help

Thinking back I have never forgotten how I would get scared to death if one of my young babies not yet two or three years old got watery diarrhea. They always attracted a fever. What is going on with the inside of my baby’s body? This watery diarrhea was getting worse by the minute. Whatever my wife or I gave one of them it didn't matter. Our remedies were not relieving our children’s problems. Keeping the food in their bodies did not take place. It was one diaper after another. I felt so awful I often suffered like my wife did.

When my kids had watery diarrhea they looked so pale. They had a colorless face and a wasted appearance. Like there was nothing left inside them. This watery diarrhea knocked them for a loop. This watery diarrhea made me feel so helpless. Hopefully you never went through this with your kids. But if you did you know how punishing this can be.

What is Acute Watery Diarrhea?

A greater number of stools or looser form of bowel movement is a symptom of watery diarrhea. This will last less than 2 weeks, and is frequently combined with abdominal issues such as cramping, bloating, and gas. Although frequently gentle, acute watery diarrhea can be a pre cursor to dehydration as a result of large fluid and electrolyte losses. Often the person feels weak. Patients have often had to rest for hours when they have contacted watery diarrhea because they are just drained of energy.

Acute bloody watery diarrhea suggests a bacterial force like Campylobacter, Salmonella or Shigella. One way that this can happen is to visit underdeveloped locations of the world. Some of these places lack the technology to maintain a higher level of hygiene. Eating rotten foods such as ground beef or fresh fruit can cause diarrhea due to E.coli.

Watery diarrhea causes

Acute, watery diarrhea is usually caused by a bug (viral gastroenteritis.) Applications such as antibiotics and drugs that specialize in magnesium products are also routine offenders. Sudden changes in your eating pattern can again contribute to acute watery diarrhea. An intake of coffee, tea, colas, dietetic foods, gums or mints that contain poorly absorbable sugars can contribute to watery diarrhea.

Acute bloody watery diarrhea implies a bacterial consideration like Campylobacter, Salmonella or Shigella. Visiting to newly developed areas of the world can result in exposure to bacterial pathogens common in certain areas. Some of these areas lack the waste removal technology present in more developed countries. Eating unhealthy foods such as bad ground beef or unfresh fruit can cause watery diarrhea due to E.coli.

Do not rest your intestine during this time. This can cause dehydration. Drink plenty of liquids. Like water and herbal teas. There has not been a safe and effective drug to treat watery diarrhea. There have been herbal remedies that have worked.

Feel free to pass this article on to anyone you think it would help.
by: aron wallad

Read Full Article...>>>

Solving Insomnia and Sleep Problems Without Drugs

If you’ve been watching TVand paying attention, both of the best selling and most advertised drugs for sleep problems (Lunestra and Ambien) have been causing serious problems for some users.

If you really listen to their TV ads, (and all drug advertising ads) you’ll learn that both have various (and dangerous) side effects. As with all drug ads, a “spin” of the facts is done so as to make them seem pretty harmless, but if you listen carefully, these are actually pretty dangerous drugs, not “safe” for many people. Who wants to drive a car while asleep? (The clever “spin” in these ads does fool most people.)

Insomnia affects many thousands of persons. It is often a component of depression, and/or other “brain problems”, such as ADD/ADHD. It was recently estimated that up to 25% of teenagers are not getting sufficient sleep. Many of these are also having attention problems in school as well, even if not diagnosed as ADD or ADHD.

24 million prescriptions were filled for insomnia last year according to Nightly News of NBC. This is a 2 billion dollar business.

Up to now, there have been three alternatives for sleep problems:

1. Suffer with it.

2. See a doctor and get a prescription with possibly dangerous side-effects.

3. Spend large amounts of money on EEG biofeedback (AKA neurofeedback).

Because of the cost of EEG BF, the only real alternative for most families has been prescription drugs. This is the same situation that applies to most “brain problems” - including depression, insomnia, ADD/ADHD and many others.

Now, there’s an inexpensive alternative that actually does the same thing that EEG BF does - namely raise one brain wave, and lower another. Most people don’t know what EEG BF does, and most of the people getting rich using it don’t want you to know the facts and how simple it really is.

There are thousands of audio signals that are actually generated as the brain goes abut its business. Some have compared it to a “Symphony in the brain”. These signals are extremely weak, on the order of a few millionths of a volt. As the ability of electronics grew over the last century, it became possible to actually amplify these signals, and to even see and hear them.

Of course, if you just put them on a speaker, it’s a cacophony of noise without rhyme or reason. However, as electronic filters were developed, it became possible to filter out all except a narrow band. These were classified by early experimenters into several bands, and partially classified as to what each “band” was doing. It was an attempt to “read minds”, but, of course, it didn’t succeed.

In 1969, a Dr Sterman found that by raising a small band of waves just above the Alpha brain wave some strange effects were noticed. Later this small band (12-14 Hz (cycles per second) was re-named SMR (Sensory Motor Response) because the “usual” sensor location on the head was over this brain area.

Sterman and many after him found that if the amplitude of SMR was raised, several important effects were noticed. In particular, cats that died from exposure to hydrazine (anaphylaxis) normally didn’t die after being trained to raise SMR. Other experimenters found with biofeedback training, most other “brain problems” of ADD, ADHD, depression, insomnia, and many others either lessened or were solved!

This was an important clue, because the cats died from anaphylactic shock - that is severe allergy response (well known to people who are highly allergic to things like peanuts, bee stings, etc) When I first found out about EEG BF, I theorized that raising SMR somehow changes the brain affect from allergens. As an Orthomolecular Psychologist, I was very aware that allergy/sensitivity can cause any and all of the “brain problems” such as ADD/ADHD, Depression, Insomnia, and many others, even Schizophrenia.

In 2000, I started a company devoted to lowering the cost of EEG BF so that mid and non-rich families would have an alternate to Ritalin and the rest of those very dangerous drugs. (Again, the cost of “clinical” EEG BF runs upwards of 4000-10,000 dollars.)

In 2004, I suddenly realized that it should be possible to use subliminal messaging techniques to raise the SMR. I set up a volunteer program, and the results showed clearly that both my theories were probable at least.

1. Raising SMR does change the brain affect from allergens.

2. Subliminal Messaging does work to raise the SMR brain waves.

In other tests from that point with several volunteer tests from 2004 up to the present, with over 150 volunteers, these two theories have been expanded and proven over and over to be correct. We now have CD’s that not only raise the SMR brain wave, but also lower Theta, and/or increase brain blood flow. (NASA found that lowering Theta definitely raises “attention” or concentration. However, it also seem to lower creative or artistic abilities. This is why we offer a CD Package that raises SMR, and blood brain flow, but does not lower Theta for those without “attention” deficit problems.

To use it is simplicity itself. Simply place a special CD player near the bedside, and turn on every night. For insomnia and sleep apnea problems, most have found that after 2-3 weeks of play, their sleep problems are solved for good. Others keep using the CD every night, as they like the overlay audio keeping out exterior noises, and with further use, it seems that other allergic problems are solved for many.

It’s important to realize that in all three original tests (using over 100 volunteers), there were NO failures with Insomnia! Over a dozen insomniacs - some who had not even listed insomnia on their input data sheets completely solved this particular problem. Other testimonials from recent users confirm this as well.

Depression has been always alleviated, and the ADHD cases all improved in about the same success rate as they would with EEG BF (neurofeedback). At the present time, we do not have good data on schizophrenia, or anaphylactic shock, however, based on similarity to results to date compared to EEG BF, we expect that this would be similar.
by: Phil Bate PhD

Read Full Article...>>>