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Causes of Hair Loss in Young Women

June 17th, 2010 No comments

When many young women think of their hair as their crowning glory, it is easy to see why hair loss is such a difficult thing to deal with. The truth of the matter is, many women may find themselves losing their hair very quickly, or they may even notice a small bald patch forming. As with many things, hair loss in young female is the symptom, rather than the condition itself, and you may be able to understand the entire situation a little bit better by keeping a few things in mind.

The first thing that you should think about when considering hair loss in young female women is that you should always findout what is going on in your life. A large amount of stress is something that can have an extremely detrimental effect on your hair, causing you to shed it, and the only way to deal with this, of course, is ease back, if at all possible. Stress can cause hair loss in anyone, but if you are having a very rough time of it, you may find that your hair loss can be surprisingly quick.

Hair loss can also be affected by age and genetics. Though it is certainly less well known that male pattern baldness, about fifty percent of women who experience hair loss are experiencing female pattern baldness, which is a condition which normally starts along the hairline and leads to the hair becoming finer and shorter over time until it can fall out entirely. This process can take place in women who are as young as 25 years of age.

Hormonal changes can also be responsible for hair loss at a young age. If you have suddenly noticed a change in your body, or you have been taking medicines that might have an impact on your hormones, you’ll find that hair loss might be one of the side effects. Speak with your doctor about any medications that you may be taking and figure out whether the hair loss could be a symptom.

Remember also that hair loss in young female women, as stated above, can be a symptom of another illness, so make sure that you speak to your doctor about it. Keep track of other symptoms and make sure that you are aware of any changes that your body might have gone through. There are solutions to hair loss in young female women, so keep that in mind; all you need to do is to find out the cause before you can get the solution!

Tracy Ballisager is a stay at home mum and provide info on hair loss causes in women online.See her website for Female Hair Loss and Questions and more.

To read more on natural hair loss remedy go tohair-loss-causes-in-women

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Signs of Breast Cancer in Young Women

June 17th, 2010 No comments

Breast cancer is said to one of the leading causes of death in women all around the world. One widely believed fact about breast cancer is that only women above the age of 40 are at a risk of developing this disease. Though this is true to a certain extent, it should not be believed completely. In other words, even young women i.e. those between the age of 20 – 40 can also be diagnosed with cancer in breasts. According to studies conducted by experts, at least 7% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are under the age of 40. This shows that young women are surely at a risk of developing breast cancer and hence, it is important for them to be aware of the symptoms that can accompany this disease. However, before we go into the details of signs of breast cancer in young women, let us take a look at the risk factors of this disease.

Risk Factors of Breast Cancer in Young Women

One of the main causes that has lead to breast cancer in young women is the change in lifestyle. Even environmental changes like pesticides, food contamination, pollution, use of antiperspirants, etc. are also said to be responsible for this problem. Another cause that has emerged during the recent times is breast enhancement. When a woman undergoes breast enhancement, it gives rise to hormone manipulation which increases the chances of breast cancer in them. Apart from this, young women who have a personal history of non-cancerous breast diseases or breast cancer are also at a risk of developing this problem again. Also, family history can play a role when it comes to breast cancer in young women. Other risk factors that can cause this disease in young women are race, dense breasts, heavy alcohol use, obesity and high intake of red meat. Read more on breast cancer facts.

Signs of Breast Cancer in Young Women

The problem with breast cancer in young women is that it is quite difficult to detect. One reason for this is that young women do not think that they are prone to breast cancer and do not take the symptoms seriously. Hence, though breast cancer in young women can be treated at the early stages, due to the lack of knowledge about the symptoms of breast cancer, the cancer may go undetected till it reaches a very advanced stage. Apart from this, the breast tissues in young women are denser than in older women and therefore, it is little difficult to detect the cancerous lump in their breasts. However, there are several other signs of breast cancer in young women that one should be aware of. More on breast cancer stages.

Changes in the Nipples
One of the earliest signs of breast cancer in young women is changes in the nipples. Most women may observe that their nipples look retracted i.e. they may get pushed inward. The nipples may turn reddish in color and it may be accompanied by pain as well as irritation. Other than this, it is also common to experience a clear fluid or blood-stained discharge from the nipples.

Changes in Breast Size
Another common change that is seen in women who have breast cancer is the change in the size of the breasts. Though the changes in the size of the breasts happens gradually, by the time the woman starts noticing it, the size may have changed considerably. However, whether the size of the breasts increases or decreases varies from woman to woman. In other words, some women may experience decrease in breast size while for others, it may be other way. Also, change in the breast form is also another symptom of breast cancer in younger women.

Changes in Texture and Color
Another symptom that young women who have breast cancer may experience is the change in the texture as well as the color of the breasts. They may observe that the color of their breasts have transformed into red or may be pink in color. The change in color may occur either on the entire breast or only on certain area of the skin. Scarring may occur on the breast giving the skin an orange color. Other than changes in the texture and color of the breasts, another sign of breast cancer in young women is the indentations on the breast or in the area above the breasts. Read more on breast cancer diagnosis.

Appearance of Lumps
Lumps are the most common sign of breast cancer, however, the problem is that young women are not trained to recognize the lumps caused by breast cancer. A lump is a thickening that is felt near the breasts or sometimes in the armpits. This lump which is felt like a small sized pea is not very painful, however, one may experience tenderness or irritation near that area.

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Tips on Getting Pregnant Fast

June 16th, 2010 No comments

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Tips on Getting Pregnant Fast

At the onset itself, let’s try to understand, that getting pregnant fast is not a chore, which needs to be done at the earliest. However, it does not mean, that you do not get onto this task with the same fervor, as you did with your career and other matters on your to-do list. Often it is seen, that many women are taken aback or even devastated, by how difficult it is to get pregnant or carry a full-term pregnancy. But understand, there are some things, which are not in your hands. There are some things, which you can do and some things, which you should not do, that will help you to increase your chances of getting pregnant at the earliest. In others, there are some tips on getting pregnant fast, which will prove to be of help to you.

Easy Tips on Getting Pregnant Fast

Some couples may conceive during the first month of trying to conceive a baby, whereas there are some couples, who may take longer in the process of conceiving a baby, which is also true of fertile couples. Now let’s see, how to get pregnant fast.

Get a Preconception Checkup
When you are officially ready, it is recommended, you get a preconception checkup. This will make sure, you do not have any underlying medical problems. In case there are any, they can be brought under control, before you safely become pregnant. The doctor may recommend folic acid or prenatal vitamins, which contain folic acid. This helps in decreasing the risk of having a baby with neural tube defects and is an important part of prenatal care.

Know Your Ovulation Cycle
The next among the tips on getting pregnant faster, is to know when does ovulation occur. You will have to keep track of how long do periods last. This helps in understanding, which are the days, when you are more likely to conceive. Couple of days after ovulation is the best time to get pregnant. You therefore, have to be on the look out for symptoms of ovulation, like cervical mucus, such as a thin watery, mucus-like discharge, one sided twinge of pain, etc. This is the time, when you will have to focus on sex. There are certain ovulation prediction kits also available, which help predict the best time to get pregnant.

The basic method to know your ovulation cycle is as follows. Consider the first day of your menstrual cycle as day one. Women, who have 28 day cycle, tend to ovulate on 14th day. This is however, the normal range. There are many women, who have longer or shorter cycle. Once you know the ovulation period, it will help in planning intercourse accordingly.

Myths about Best Positions
You will come across a lot people, who will give you free tips on getting pregnant fast. One of them would be about best positions for getting pregnant. There is no scientific evidence that proves, which of the position is better than the other to get pregnant. In very rare cases, can the woman’s cervix be in an unusual position, where certain position can make a difference. Certain gravity-defying positions, like sitting or standing after intercourse, may discourage sperms from traveling upstream. It is a good advice to lay in bed for 15 to 30 minutes after intercourse, however, you do not need to keep your legs up in the air.

Do Not Overdo It
It is not necessary, to have intercourse during ovulation. It will not necessarily increase the chances of pregnancy. Ideally every other night around the time of ovulation helps in increasing the chances of getting pregnant. Sperm can live up to 72 hours after intercourse. So using the alternate day method will also prove to be beneficial.

Do De-stress
One of the important tips on getting pregnant fast, is to de-stress. As trying to get pregnant can be stressful and cause sexual dysfunction and performance anxiety in men. Taking a mini-vacation can also prove to be useful.

Healthy Lifestyle
When you are trying to get pregnant, having a healthy lifestyle will go a long way. Make sure nutritious and healthy diet is a part of the healthy life. Exercises are good, but too much of it can prove to be harmful. Hence, exercising moderately not more than thrice a week is recommended. You should also watch what you are eating. Dieting is a double-edged sword, which every woman should take care from. If you are coffee drinker, you may want to switch over to decaf coffee.

After following the tips on getting pregnant fast, if your efforts prove to be futile, you may want to seek help from your health care professional. The doctor will be in a better position to assess the exact cause of your problem. Wish you luck and hope the stork visits your house soon!

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Exercises for Pregnant Women

June 16th, 2010 No comments

Exercising and being fit during pregnancy is essential for both the expecting mother as well as the baby. Read on for some easy and safe exercises for pregnant women in this article.

Exercises for Pregnant Women

While most of us must be wondering whether exercising while pregnancy is safe or not, let me tell you that a pregnant women should exercise throughout her pregnancy, as it helps in strengthening muscles and building endurance that prepares the mother for childbirth. Pregnancy exercises help preventing common problems like back and hip pain, strained ligaments, constipation, prolapsed organs and incontinence due to stress on the musculoskeletal system. Along with this, these exercises help curing morning sickness, tone muscles, manages weight gain and makes it much easier to get back in shape after the delivery. Therefore, here are some great exercises for pregnant women at home, that will boost your mood and self image and overall health.

Exercises for Pregnant Women

Stretching Exercises for Pregnant Women

  • Neck Rotation: For this exercise, you need to relax your neck and shoulder, and drop your head forward. Slowly rotate your head to your right shoulder, then to the center and over the left shoulder. Do four slow rotations in each direction.
  • Shoulder and Ankle Rotation: First take your shoulders forward and rotate them up towards your ears and then back down. Now for ankle rotation, sit on a chair with your legs extended and toes relaxed. Rotate your feet, making large circles and do these rotations at least four times in each direction.
  • Swim: Keep your arms at your sides, take your right arm up and stretch your body forward and twist to the side, as if you are swimming in the crawl stroke. Likewise do with your left arm and repeat the sequence ten times.
  • Thigh Shift: Stand straight with your one foot about two feet in front of the other, toes pointed in the same direction. Now lean forward and support your entire weight on the forward thigh. Repeat the sequence and do four shifts on each side

Ab Exercises for Pregnant Women

  • Side Bending: Rest your entire body weight on the knees and arms, move your shoulders and hips close to each other and do a light crunch. Likewise do it on the other side as well.
  • Curl Up: Of all other back exercises for pregnant women, this exercise is extremely simple as all you have to do is to lie on your back and bend your knees. Then keep the hands across your chest and slightly lift your shoulders, off the floor.
  • Pelvic Tilt: Stand straight with your back against the wall, keeping your heels 12 to 18 inches from the wall and knees slightly bent. Now, slowly tilt your lower back towards the wall until your lower back flattens against the wall. Remain in this position for a few seconds and then come back to the initial position.
  • Roll Backs: Out of many exercises for pregnant women with back pain, roll back is highly effective in curing the pain. Here you have to sit erect on the floor with your knees folded. Then try to bend your back in the backward direction and stay in that position as long as it is comfortable.

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These were few basic exercises for pregnant women in first trimester, as well as throughout the pregnancy, that will help increase strength and flexibility. However, high intensity exercises, prolong standing, or exercises that require lying on your back after first trimester should be avoided. Make sure you don’t overheat yourself and keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Before starting any exercise regime, it is strongly recommended to consult your doctor or a proper trainer to avoid any complications or injuries.

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Healthy Recipes for Pregnant Women

June 16th, 2010 No comments

There are no special diets for pregnant women, but following a well-balanced, healthy diet is always recommended. Take a look at some healthy recipes for pregnant women that are beneficial for the growing baby, as well as the mother.

Healthy Recipes for Pregnant Women

Every expecting mother searches for healthy and nutritional recipes that is favorable for her baby and herself. And we all know that at times they get irresistible and strange cravings for certain kinds of food. When you’re pregnant, it is possible that you might start liking the foods you once used to hate. The healthy recipes for pregnant women mentioned below have staying power, as they are adaptable to all types of foods you may want to consume, at any given time of the day. These recipes will aid you in staying on track to eat wholesome foods that are nourishing for you and your baby.

Because you will be eating for two, all the nutrients from the food you consume will go straight to the baby first. So if your balanced diet is lacking essential sustenances, you may be left depleted.

Easy Healthy Recipes for Pregnancy

The below mentioned easy healthy recipes for pregnancy is categorized into an entire day: breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner, and dessert. There are times when the entire table will be filled with delicious treats and you must be having a hard time deciding if you should or shouldn’t eat them. No matter what your dilemma is, these healthy recipes for pregnant women can be balanced in all the stages.

Breakfast
Start your day with hearty and valuable breakfast or brunch. With these healthy recipes for pregnant women, you will satisfy yourself and the little one inside you. Read more on high protein breakfast ideas.

Bulgur Breakfast Bowl Recipe

  • ¾ cup coarse bulgur cereal
  • 20 dried figs, coarsely chopped
  • ¼ cup toasted walnuts, chopped
  • 1 cup 2% milk
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar

Take a pan and fill it with water. Boil it over high heat. Add the bulgur and cook it till it turns tender. This will take about 15 – 20 minutes. Take another small bowl of hot water and soak the figs so that it gets soft. Drain the bulgur and keep the pan back on the stove. Take the figs, squeeze the water out, and whisk it into the cereal. Pour the milk and sugar in it, and keep stirring. Cook it till the sugar melts and pour the hot cereal out in a bowl. Add walnuts on top and serve hot.

Strawberry French Toast Recipe

  • 2 tablespoons strawberry jam
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 3 eggs, lightly beaten
  • Salt for taste
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 6 slices whole wheat bread
  • Sliced strawberries and confectioner’s sugar, for serving

Warm the jam and mix it till it gets loose. Add the milk, eggs, and salt in it as you keep stirring everything in. Take a deep, large pan and place 2 – 3 slices of bread dipped in the egg mixture. Make each sides moist and place them in the pan. Cook both the sides of the french toast till it turns golden brown. Finish making all the french toast and cut them into triangles. Serve with sliced strawberries on top and sprinkle confectioner’s sugar.

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Lunch
Help yourself with nice crunchy salads, sandwiches, and burgers for lunch.

Crunchy Pear Salad Recipe

  • 1 ripe pear, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 4 cups baby spinach
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • ¼ cup walnut, chopped

Take a salad bowl and mix the spinach and slices of pear together. Take another small bowl and whisk in vinegar, mustard, olive oil, shallot, salt, and pepper. Add the dressing in the spinach-pear mixture and coat evenly. Sprinkle some parmesan cheese and walnuts on top. Serve immediately.

Lemon-Basil Turkey Burger Recipe

  • 1 lb lean ground turkey
  • 1 bunch fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 cup whole-wheat bread crumbs
  • 3 scallions, chopped
  • Lemon zest

Take a bowl and mix all the ingredients together. Mix it properly and divide into 4 even parts. Make thick patties according to your liking. Take a nonstick pan and cook the patties over medium heat for about 10 – 15 minutes. Cook all the sides completely and season with salt and pepper. Add ¼ cup of water in the pan, cover it, and let the patties cook for another 2 – 3 minutes. Place them between the hamburger buns and serve it with mustard and ketchup.

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Snack
Take a look at these two delectable and irresistible smoothies that will make your mouth water. Both the recipes have good amounts of proteins, fiber, iron, calcium, vitamin C, carbohydrate, and around 320 and 346 calories respectively.

Ginger Peach Passion Recipe

  • ½ cup peaches, peeled
  • 1 cup low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt
  • ¼ cup mango juice
  • ½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger

Cut the peaches into small slices. Add all the ingredients into a blender and mix it until it turns smooth. Have the smoothie while it’s fresh. You can also opt to refrigerate the leftover and have it later in the day.

Banana Berry Delight Recipe

  • 1 small banana, peeled
  • 1 cup frozen mixed berries
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • ½ cup vanilla soy milk
  • ½ cup low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt

Cut the bananas into small slices. Add all the ingredients into a blender and mix it until it turns smooth. Have the smoothie while it’s fresh. You can also opt to refrigerate the leftover and have it later in the day.

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Dinner
Who says you can’t have pasta when you’re pregnant? You sure can and a delicious recipe awaits you. Here’s a quick way to enjoy some fettuccine with Parmesan cheese.

Fettuccine with Turkey & Wild Mushrooms Recipe

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
  • 3 tablespoons fresh dill, minced
  • 3 cups shiitake or portobello mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 shallots, minced
  • 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
  • ¼ lb whole-wheat fettuccine
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ lb boneless, skinless turkey breast, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup plain yogurt
  • Salt and pepper for taste

Cook the fettuccine as per the directions on the box. In a large pan, heat olive oil, add turkey to it and cook for about 3 – 5 minutes. Incorporate the mushrooms, shallots, and thyme and cool for another 5 minutes. Add the yogurt and dill in it. Once the fettuccine is ready, drain it and toss it with the turkey-mushroom mix. Add the Parmesan cheese to it and mix properly. Season the fettuccine with salt and pepper, and sprinkle some pine nuts on top.

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Dessert
My favorite time in the day, as I get to eat yummy treats to satisfy my sweet tooth. You can do so as well with these simple and healthy recipes for pregnant women.

Fruit Salad Recipe

  • 1 ripe pineapple, cored and peeled
  • 1 ripe pear, cored
  • 1 banana, peeled
  • 1 pink grapefruit, skin and pit removed
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries
  • 2 tablespoons strawberry jam

Cut the pineapple, pear, banana, and grapefruit into small bite-size pieces. Take a bowl and add all the ingredients in it. Mix the jam properly and refrigerate it for an hour or so before having it. The fruit salad can be refrigerated up to 3 days.

Rice Pudding Recipe

  • 1 quart whole or reduced fat milk
  • ¾ cup white rice, steamed
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup sugar plus additional to taste
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Your choice of chopped fresh fruit

Take a heavy pan and warm the milk, steamed rice, cinnamon stick, and sugar. Keep the heat at medium and when the mixture starts to boil, reduce it to low, and keep stirring from time to time. Do this for half an hour and then take the cinnamon stick out. Whisk the beaten egg in and stir for another 5 minutes over low heat. Add the vanilla, salt, and sugar if needed. Let the mixture cool down and then refrigerate it. Serve the rice pudding chilled with dusted ground cinnamon on it and your choice of fresh fruits.

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Here is a detailed chart of an entire day on what can be some healthy recipes for pregnant women. Apart from that, you should eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid eating junk food and fast food as they don’t provide any proteins, vitamins, and other important nutrients for your baby. Engage in non-impact exercises daily to help keep the muscles strong during the birthing stage. May you have a hassle-free pregnancy and birth time.

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