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Common Breast and Nipple changes during pregnancy
Of the many signs and symptoms that give you an inkling that you might be pregnant before you have even taken a pregnancy test, is breast pain. Pregnancy is a life-changing experience for a woman, not only because it creates a new life, but because it alters her body to accommodate and nurture a growing baby for nine months, and also prepares to provide nourishment after birth. Like your muscles loosen up, your rib cage widens, your tummy stretches and your internal organs shift, your breasts grow and change to prepare you to feed your baby when she is born. However, breast growth during pregnancy is not always a pleasant experience. Most women complain of pain, but the level of discomfort varies. Read on for a quick overview of what breast changes to expect if you are expecting!
Breast Changes in Pregnancy
As with almost every other symptom related to pregnancy, breast tenderness in pregnancy is attributed to two main culprits, oestrogen and progesterone. The very same hormones which led to the formation of your breasts when you were a pre-pubescent teen, now kick into action to prepare you for lactation. They ensure that your milk ducts widen and that your breasts receive ample blood supply. Breast pain in early pregnancy is common, as you experience most of the changes in the first trimester, that is, between two to four weeks of conception.
Here are the early pregnancy breast changes, week on week, during the first 12 weeks:
Changes in Week 1- 3
Breast changes start as soon as implantation occurs. A large part of the changes take place during the second week, and you will face increased sensitivity, especially on the sides where the internal mammary arteries are. Milk ducts and alveolar buds grow rapidly during this period.
Changes in Week 4- 6
Changes in the nipples are noticeable during this period. The increase in blood supply causes a prickling sensation accompanied by tingling around the nipples. Tingling may also be triggered by changes in temperature. At the end of this phase, an increase in pigmentation will make your areolas appear darker and the nipples will be more prominent.
Changes in Week 7- 9
In the seventh week, the breasts start growing bigger, as fat accumulates and milk ducts grow further. Lobules are formed by the growing alveoli, making them feel sore and tender. Montgomery’s tubercles or small pimples around the areolas appear around week 8. By week 12, the dark areolas are surrounded by a second areola of lighter tissue and inverted nipples are corrected.
Changes in week 10- 12
This is the period when the nipples protrude fully, and you are sure to notice the difference, especially if it is your first pregnancy.
Common Breast Changes in Pregnancy
While the major changes occur during the first 12 weeks, breast development persists throughout the pregnancy, and is marked by the following changes:
1. Breast Growth
Breast enlargement is the most noticeable change during pregnancy, but the pattern of growth may differ from woman to woman. While some women experience a slow and steady growth, others see growth-spurts. If it is your first pregnancy, you may find that your bra-size has increased by as much as one cup, and your breasts feel fuller and heavier. A sudden increase in size stretches your skin and may cause itchiness. It is not uncommon for stretch marks to appear, but these are mostly temporary, and you need not be too concerned about them.
2. Breast Tenderness
Soreness or breast tenderness is most noticeable during the first trimester and usually eases as the second-trimester approaches. Caused by a surge in hormones, soreness can make the most regular daily tasks uncomfortable.
3. Visible Veins
The increased blood flow in the body during pregnancy may lead to the occurrence of visible veins in the delicate skin of your breasts. This condition is temporary, and the veins usually return to their normal size after you give birth or after you stop breastfeeding.
4. Lumps and Bumps
Some women may notice the development of lumps in the breasts. While most of these are benign, it helps to have them checked if you notice changes or new lumps. Most lumps are caused by galactoceles (milk-filled cysts), fibroadenomas (fibrous tissue) or cysts.
5. Nipple Changes While Pregnant
Pregnancy causes an increase in pigmentation in your nipples, also called areola. The changes in the third trimester include a growth in the size of the nipples and the appearance of Montgomery’s Tubercules.
6. Montgomery’s Tubercules
Appearing as small pimples around the areola, these bumps are named after an Irish Obstetrician who was the first to observe them. The number of bumps is different for each woman. These tubercles are believed to perform a protective function, as they secrete oil which keeps the areola moisturised and relieves sore nipples during pregnancy. Resist the urge to pop them, or you may end up with an infection.
7. Breast Leakage- Pregnancy Squirts
Leaky breasts are a common occurrence, even as early as 16 weeks into pregnancy. As the milk ducts prepare for their task post-delivery, they leak colostrum, a straw-coloured liquid. The colostrum is what your baby should drink right after birth, as it is rich in antibodies that protect your newborn.
Tips for Relieving Breast Pain
While breast changes and the discomfort associated with them are unavoidable, there are several things you can do to make the transition easier for yourself:
Wear a Maternity Bra
Make sure you get yourself measured for a new bra whenever you feel constricted by the changing breast shape during pregnancy. Measuring at the end of the first trimester, and once at the end of the third trimester, and buying well-fitting bras will ensure that your breasts are always well supported. Make every purchase cost effective by choosing maternity bras, which you will be able to use after giving birth. Adjusting to the changing breast size during pregnancy is the surest way to avoid breast tenderness.
Moisturise
Get rid of itchy breasts during pregnancy by making sure your skin is moisturised. As the skin stretches over your growing breasts, it needs to be nourished, so that it remains soft and supple.
Put Away Underwired Bras
It was earlier believed that underwired bras could hamper blood flow and milk production, but research has debunked this theory. However, most women find underwired bras uncomfortable for sore breasts. If your bra is adding to your discomfort, make sure you switch to one without an underwire.
Choose Cotton for Comfort
A hypoallergenic fabric, cotton not only protects against irritation and skin infections, but also makes sure your skin can breathe. The soft fabric absorbs sweat, keeping your skin clean and dry. Picking cotton bras brings much-needed relief.
Avoid Bumping Into Things and People
Prevention is the best way to ensure you are not jarred by occasional pain. Look where you are going, whether you are at home or outside, so that you are not hurt by physical contact.
Ask Your Partner to Take a Hands-free Approach
Sore breasts during pregnancy can come in the way of physical intimacy too. Make sure you share your problem with your partner and ask him to avoid touching your breasts.
Use a Warm Compress
Covering your breasts with a warm and wet towel is a great way to relieve pregnancy breast pain. A warm compress helps reduce swelling and tenderness by improving blood circulation.
Dietary changes go a long way in helping reduce breast discomfort during pregnancy.
Stay Hydrated
One of the reasons for sore breasts is water retention, and this can be avoided if you drink plenty of water all day. This helps flush out excess hormones and fluid that cause pain.
Consume Less Salt
Some women find that reducing salt-intake temporarily helps lower breast pain in pregnancy.
Consume Flax Seeds
Supplement your water, fruit juice or yoghurt with a spoonful of ground flax seed. Rich in nutrients and a good source of fibre, flax seeds help alleviate breast soreness.
Follow Proper Diet and Nutrition
A healthy body is better equipped to handle breast pain. Consume vitamin and mineral rich foods including seeds and nuts, leafy greens, beans and cereal to reduce tenderness.
Breast exams- When to See a Doctor
While breast discomfort during pregnancy is normal and transient, as with every other symptom, it is something one must be aware of. Make sure you consult your doctor if you experience any unusual pain or discharge. Speak to your doctor if:
You notice any rapid changes in lumps or increase in the number of lumps
You notice blood leaking with the colostrum
You notice rashes
Do the Breasts Change After Pregnancy?
The journey of pregnancy and childbirth causes dramatic changes in women’s breasts. The breasts tend to grow during pregnancy, pregnancy for milk production to nurture the child after delivery. Once you deliver your child, you begin lactating and the breasts remain large as long as milk is produced. Many women also experience breast engorgement, which occurs when the breasts become too full due to breastfeeding issues or over-production of milk. This can be reduced by pumping milk after breastfeeding.
Some women’s breasts go back to their original size once the breasts stop producing milk, while others’ breasts may remain larger than the pre-pregnancy size. Some women also experience sagging as the breasts lose elasticity. The changes in each woman’s breasts are determined by factors such as genetics, breastfeeding duration, and fluctuation in weight. The nipples usually darken during pregnancy, and will gradually become lighter after childbirth.
Learning to deal with breast changes is a part of embracing the many changes your body experiences during pregnancy. While the first and third trimesters see the maximum development, be prepared for mild discomfort from changes in the second trimester too. As long as they do not pose a health risk, these changes should not cause you any worry and are sure to fade as the pregnancy progresses.
References and Resources: Healthline, MedicalNewsToday Read more
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Jaundice in Children
Most parents recognize the fear and trepidation that comes with an illness to their child. It can be one of the most frightening things a person can go through. Not knowing about the condition also adds to this fear. This can change, as learning about an illness can not only alleviate your fears but help provide the best care possible for their child. One of the conditions that can affect numerous children worldwide is jaundice. It is an illness that has an effect on the bloodstream, liver, digestive and excretion systems of the body. This condition is easy to identify as it will turn your child’s skin and sclerae (the white part of the eyes) yellow. Jaundice can manifest in adults and kids alike.
What is Jaundice?
Amongst the numerous conditions that can affect your child, one of the easier illnesses to identify is jaundice. Although jaundice alone is not a dangerous illness, the yellowing of the skin and the white part of the eyes that it causes is a sign of a rise in bilirubin in the bloodstream. Bilirubin, commonly known as bile, is a fluid that is produced in the liver and is yellow in colour. This fluid is essential to the functions of the body, particularly the digestive tract. This fluid usually helps regulate the digestive system and is excreted through the stool. When it fails to come out through the stool and begins to work its way into your system, it can spike the amount of bilirubin in the blood which leads to a condition known as hyperbilirubinemia. This is the primary cause of the change of colour in the eyes and skin.
Types of Jaundice
1. Obstructive Jaundice
This type of jaundice is caused when the natural excretion of bile from your body is blocked causing extra bile to be present in your liver.
2. Pre-Hepatic Jaundice
Also called haemolytic jaundice, this is caused when red blood cells break down much faster than they should, red blood cells have bile particles in them and when they break down too fast it can cause excess bile in your body.
3. Hepatocellular Jaundice
Commonly called intra-hepatic jaundice, this is caused due to some form of trauma or injury that damages the liver causing a large amount of bile to be found in your body.
Causes of Jaundice in Kids
Jaundice can be caused due to numerous different reasons, some of these are:
If your baby is born premature, jaundice is common. This is because the liver is still developing and that means the bilirubin isn’t flushed out of their system, this should correct itself in two weeks.
Your child may naturally have a weak liver leading to jaundice.
The baby may have an inflamed liver which can cause jaundice.
They may contract an infection of the liver which, if serious enough, can cause jaundice.
Their bile ducts may be blocked or may prevent the excretion of bile due to inflammation of the bile ducts. Obstruction of the bile ducts could lead to the failure to flush bile out of the system and lead to jaundice.
A condition called cholestasis could be preventing your body from ridding itself of bile, this can cause jaundice as a side-effect.
An illness known as Gilbert’s syndrome is known to interfere with the normal functions of your liver by disturbing or preventing healthy enzymes from developing, this could block bile excretion causing jaundice.
Haemolytic anaemia is known to be a cause of jaundice because it speeds up the breakdown of red blood cells, this leads to excess bile being pushed out of these cells early and in other parts of your body, this can cause jaundice.
Malaria can infect the body, it is a well-known aggravator and root cause of bile instability leading to jaundice.
Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are all well-known causes of Jaundice.
Sickle cell anaemia is a condition that is known to cause jaundice as a side effect.
A genetic condition known as Crigler-Najjar syndrome is a known cause of jaundice.
The most common cause of jaundice is consuming unhealthy, unhygienic and unclean water.
Symptoms of Jaundice
There are many ways to identify jaundice, some of the symptoms of this condition are:
Your skin turns yellow.
The white part of the eyes turns yellow
Frequent high fevers
Extremely itchy skin
Pale stool or yellow colour stool
Dark urine
Fatigue accompanied by other illnesses.
A rapid loss of weight
A constant bitter taste in your child’s mouth
Chills accompanied by some of the other symptoms
Extreme abdominal pain could indicate a bile imbalance
Joint pains with other signs
Diagnosis
Diagnosing jaundice can be done in different ways. Usually, the tests for adults don’t vary that much from the ones done for kids. A good way to notice if your child has jaundice is to understand that a change in skin colour, specifically to yellow is a clear-cut manner in which a doctor will diagnose jaundice. Here are some other things your doctor may ask you to do to confirm the diagnosis.
Get a K.U.B ultrasound, K.U.B stands for kidney, urethra and bladder. If the ultrasound shows abnormalities, doctors could help make the diagnosis.
Doctors may ask you to do an LFT. This is a liver function test, usually, a blood test that can help evaluate the levels of bilirubin in the blood.
The lab may take samples for a complete blood count as well as a haemoglobin count. These routine tests help doctors diagnose jaundice.
Routine urine sample to test the urobilinogen in your urine.
A urine culture further diagnoses any abnormalities in the urine that may help diagnose jaundice.
Bilirubin tests to detect the presence of bilirubin in your blood.
At times, doctors can diagnose a child with physical examinations where they check for swellings in the feet, legs and ankles, these all indicate cirrhosis of the liver and could indicate jaundice.
Treatment of Jaundice in Children
Whether it be treating jaundice for 4-year-old kids or adults, it is very important to get sufficient rest, increase your intake of fluids. In most cases, this should cure the condition and in the cases it doesn’t, here are a few other treatment techniques:
If jaundice is causing hepatitis, anti-viral medication could be prescribed to help combat the condition.
Similarly, steroids are prescribed to help combat hepatitis caused by jaundice.
In case of blockage of the bile ducts, you or your child may need surgery.
In cases of sickle cell anaemia, a complete blood cell replacement procedure may be required.
If jaundice is caused by Gilbert’s syndrome, the treatment, if any, is minimal and varies from doctor to doctor.
Jaundice caused by a bad liver cannot be fixed. Doctors, in this case, may advise a change of diet and lifestyle to help slow down the deterioration of the liver.
Talk to your physician to come up with a customized treatment plan to help you combat this condition.
Home Remedies
Apart from the medicated treatments, some parents may choose to opt for natural home remedies. Here are a few remedies that may help combat jaundice.
1. Tomatoes
Rich in enzymes that repair damaged livers called Lycopene, tomatoes are thought to have properties that can help rid your child of jaundice.
2. Turmeric
This ingredient reinforces enzymes that flush out carcinogens that hurt the liver and can help beat jaundice in kids.
3. Sugarcane Juice
It is estimated that apart from helping restore glucose, sugarcane has particular properties that can fasten recovery from jaundice.
4. Buttermilk
Not only does buttermilk re-energize and refresh your child, it hydrates them and helps improve digestion. This can help combat jaundice.
5. Barley Water
Considered the quickest and most natural cure for jaundice, it is assumed that barley water has properties that reinforce the digestive tract and liver.
6. Lemon and Beetroot Juice
Lemon juice works to reinforce and protect the liver, beetroot has properties to purify blood and help digestion. The combination of the two are known to help cure jaundice quickly and efficiently.
To learn more about natural remedies for jaundice talk to your primary health care physician.
Diet for Children Suffering From Jaundice
During jaundice, it is important to regulate your child’s diet religiously. This is because this condition can cause weakness and fatigue while also impairing nutritional value naturally. Here are a few things to keep in mind while creating a meal plan for your kids:
Ensure the diet is extremely rich in iron. This will help recovery and reinstate the lost minerals for your child. If there is a good amount of Iron in your child’s blood, they will recover faster as iron works actively to combat jaundice.
Hydration is the key. This illness will dehydrate your child rapidly and frequently, ensure they stay well hydrated throughout the day.
Keep the meals short and frequent, this will keep their energy levels up without overloading their system. This also will help digestion.
Limit protein, this could worsen jaundice. Instead, give your kids carb-rich food with no oil or fat and increase their fibre intake.
If your child has extremely low energy levels give them a glucose supplement.
Talk to a dietician and doctor before implementing a diet plan.
Prevention
Here are a few tips to help prevent jaundice:
Make sure your kids stay hygienic
Ensure your kids drink mineral or bottled water or boil the water before drinking it
Eat fresh, eat organic and eat based on a nutritional chart.
Ensure your kids get their vaccines
We recommend you talk to your doctor for more tips on how to prevent jaundice.
Jaundice can be a tough disease to face. It can exhaust your kids and you. Remember though, with the right treatment and care they can make a complete recovery. It is highly recommended that you follow through with a treatment plan for the entire prescribed duration, and ensure that good hygiene plays a huge part in your child’s routine. Diet and exercise with good hygiene can help avoid most diseases like jaundice.
Also Read: Rheumatic Fever in Children Read more
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Ragi Puri
Ragi is rich in calcium, iron, fibre and is versatile. Ragi is a popular weaning food and is very nutritious for your entire family. Even the most stubborn toddlers like puri and thic be a great way to include the nutritious Ragi in their diet.Though deep fried, Ragi's health benefits make up for the excess oil. This recipe doesn’t deviate much from the usual puri recipe and is fairly simple to make.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
2 People
10-15 Minutes
10 Minutes
Ingredients
1 cup wheat flour
1 cup ragi flour
1/2 cup water
Salt to taste
Oil for deep frying
Method
Step 1
Knead the wheat and ragi flours together to make a soft dough with water.
Step 2
Make small balls out of the dough and flatten them with a pin to make a puri.
Step 3
Heat the oil in a wok and deep fry the puris one by one.
Step 4
Remove on absorbent paper and serve with a side dish of choice.
Nutritional Information
Calories
209 K cal
Proteins
13.3 g
Fats
14.4 g
Carbohydrates
5.8 g
Cholesterol
19.3 mg
Sodium
337 mg
Potassium
105 mg
Tip: For frying, add approximately 10 grams of fat per serving which will add up the calories by around at 90 Kcal. Read more
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Effective Ways to Get Rid of Christmas Tree Bugs
With the holiday season around the corner, people uphold the tradition of buying Christmas trees for their homes. The aroma of fresh trees filling up the house is surreal. Farms open from the middle of November and start cutting trees for sale. When opting for a real tree, you must make sure the Christmas tree doesn’t come with bugs, as there stands a good chance of up to 25000 bugs living on a single Christmas tree. You will do anything possible to make sure your Christmas tree is bug-free.
What are Christmas Tree Bugs?
Many bugs and Christmas tree insects gather during the peak winter season, slumbering in tree trunks and holes. Once the tree is brought inside your home, the warm temperature will help these insects wake up, thinking that spring must have arrived, leading to an unsightly infestation.
Types of Christmas Tree Bugs
There are different types of Christmas tree insects, bugs, or critters that could be living in your Christmas tree. Know some of the most commonly found Christmas tree bugs better.
1. Aphids
Christmas tree aphids are brown and black bugs that have six legs. They are common in balsam fir, evergreen, pine, spruce, white fir, and Fraser fir trees.
You can kill these bugs manually. It is important to keep in mind to avoid crushing them on any fabric (furniture upholstery, clothes, tablecloth, carpet, or similar things), as they would leave stubborn red or purple stains.
2. Adelgids
These little bugs are about a sixteenth of an inch long in size. They resemble aphids and are covered with dense wooly wax. Common in Eastern North America, Adelgids are found mostly on white pine, Norway spruce, scotch pine, and fir trees. They appear to be like a dusting of snow on the tree.
Their feeding practices cause your tree’s needles and branches to turn a brownish color and dry quickly, leaving your tree to starve to death if not removed on time. Although they are not dangerous or harmful to humans, it isn’t pleasant to have them around.
3. Spiders and Mites
Spiders are predators that feast on other insects on the tree. Spiders on Christmas trees will form webs and are easy to trace. Spiders are likely to die soon, as indoors is not a suitable environment for them.
On the other hand, Christmas tree mites are bugs that look like tiny red or brown dots. Crushing mites will leave red stains on your fabric, furniture, carpet, and even on ornaments. Spiders and mites are typically found on spruce trees, Fraser fir, Douglas fir, and white pine.
4. Scale Insects
Scale insects grow beneath wax covers and look like small shiny pearls or flecks of white paint. You will find them mostly on the tree’s needles or branches. The infected needles will drop early. They produce tiny red bugs upon hatching. Scale insects are commonly found on Norway spruce, scotch pine, and Douglas-fir trees.
5. Bark Beetles
These bugs are as big as a grain of rice. Although it is hard, you can still notice these bugs. They are red, black, or even brown. These bugs burrow themselves in the trunk or branches of the tree. They leave behind sawdust trails and can be identified through the small holes that they leave behind. Bark beetles are common in Monterey pines, Coulter pines, juniper trees, white fir, ponderosa, and Jeffery pine.
6. Praying Mantises
Praying mantises are one of the most common insect categories that feed on smaller insect pests. They are light tan and hold up to 400 eggs in them. Praying mantises are found on all types of trees and plants and are not specific to Christmas trees.
7. Psocids
These are brown, gray, or white soft-bodied insects with slender antennae. Psocids are Christmas tree flies, also known as barkflies or bark lice. They have wings and can feed on fungus, pollen, or even dead insects on trees.
Are Christmas Tree Bugs Harmful?
It would help not to panic to see if you find a bug on your Christmas tree. With a live Christmas tree at home, the chances of bringing bugs along are high. While these bugs are harmless, it is still quite annoying to have them around. Bugs like aphids, adelgids, scale insects, and psocids quickly die once you bring the Christmas tree indoors as the environment inside the house is not favorable for them to survive.
Praying mantises, even if they hatch eggs, die quickly and pose no cause of concern. There are chances of tree-dwelling spiders coming as unwanted guests; however, they are also harmless to humans and pets. They may even die off before you notice them.
Where Do We Find Bugs in Christmas Trees?
Every Christmas tree harbors one or the other type of bug. Depending on the type of Christmas tree that you are bringing home, you can find these little critters in different places.
Aphids and Scale insects can be found on the lower boughs of your Christmas tree, like in the limbs, trunk, and woody parts of the tree. They are easily visible. Adelgids, closely resembling Aphids, are often found on the tree's twigs, bark, or green parts. Spiders and mites that remain on trees mostly go unnoticed. They are found in any part of the tree, like the trunk or even on the tree's boughs.
Tips to Get Rid of Christmas Tree Bugs
Once the Christmas tree is inside your home, bugs tend to die quickly due to dry conditions inside the house. Follow the below tips to get rid of these little critters.
1. Shake It Out
Give your Christmas tree good manual shakes before bringing it in. This works well by making these bugs jump out of the tree once you thoroughly shake the tree. You can also use a tree shaker or a leaf blower available in shops to remove these common bugs.
2. Inspect and Check It Out
Given that Christmas tree bug infestation is common, it is important to examine the tree well for any signs of bug before it is brought home. You can cut out any branches or twigs with egg casing or nest. It is a good idea to carry a bright flashlight along with you to scan the sections of needles for bugs and eggs and remove them.
3. Use Vacuum
Using a vacuum to get rid of any straggler bug around the tree is a good idea. Most bugs that live on the Christmas tree die quickly due to humidity and lack of food. Using a vacuum, you can get rid of the dead bugs, which may otherwise continue to collect under your tree daily.
4. Do Not Use Aerosols or Pesticides
Do not use aerosol spray insecticides or any other over-the-counter pesticides. These are highly flammable and pose a high risk, especially if the dried-out needles get exposed to the hot holiday lights. Thus, any pesticide is not a good option to kill and remove bugs from your Christmas tree.
Remember! As mentioned earlier, do not squash the bugs to avoid stain marks on fabric, furniture, and walls.
How to Prevent Your Christmas Tree From Bugs?
While you may think it is natural for bugs to be attracted to your Christmas tree, there are a few ways to keep them away.
1. Routine Check
The Christmas tree requires routine maintenance; hence, inspect the Christmas tree periodically to look for bugs and insects.
2. Vigorous Shaking
Vigorously shake the tree over a large cloth or sheet to remove the bugs.
3. Careful Examination and Pruning
Choose your Christmas tree carefully, prune any branches or twigs with bird nest or egg cases, and do examine the bases of the branches and trunk.
4. Daily Vacuuming
Vacuuming every day will remove the stray needles that fall from the tree daily. Do not forget to empty the canister and discard the vacuum bag once the holiday season is over.
5. Isolating Before Bringing Into Your Home
Air out your Christmas tree after you buy it. If you have a garage, you can store it there for few days in isolation before bringing the tree inside the house.
6. Spraying Cold Water
You can easily remove the most commonly found Aphids from your tree by spraying cold water. Alternatively, use neem oil to kill any bugs that still exist on the tree.
Which Christmas Tree, Real or Artificial, Is the Best to Choose to Keep Bugs Away?
Real Christmas trees keep the festive family traditions alive. A tree is a must-have for the holidays. Going to a local nursery or a Christmas tree farm to bring home a real fresh tree is not the same as taking an artificial tree out of the storage every year. Live trees do smell incredible!
Do not feel bad about choosing either of the trees. It is up to you to decide to buy a real live tree or get an artificial one. Real trees do have a little environmental impact, as they are grown specifically for the holiday season; however, they are high maintenance. If you don’t like the mess and the fuss of a live tree due to the uninvited bugs that come along or have allergies that prevent you from having the real live evergreen, you can consider buying an artificial tree.
The artificial trees are expensive, and you cannot change the size or the color of the lights year on year. However, the life expectancy of an artificial tree is more than 5-6 years and has less or no negative impact on the environment. The artificial trees also eliminate the hassle of trimming, sweeping, watering, and the Christmas tree bugs. They are made with fire-resistant materials and are easy to customize.
Simple DIY Spray for Christmas Tree Bugs
If you cannot keep those nasty bugs away, you can try this simple homemade spray to treat them instead.
1. Home-made DIY Bug Spray
What You Will Need
1 teaspoon of dish soap (organic or natural detergent)
1 cup of water
1 spray bottle
Instructions
Pour the natural dish soap into a spray bottle.
Add water.
Shake well.
The spray is ready to use.
How To Spray
Adjust the concentration by adding more or less water and soap to reach a perfect consistency
Spray on the needles and branches of the Christmas tree where browning or wilted is noticed
Check carefully for the areas which have bug problems
Spray on the egg cases, dust trails, wooly wax, nymphs, and on the adults with the detergent spray
Spray few spritzes on damaged needs irrespective of the bug being there
When celebrating the holiday season, having a Christmas tree decorated at home sets the mood of the festive season. With these tips and tricks, you can take decisive action of buying a Christmas tree and maintaining it through the holiday period. Now, you can enjoy the holiday with your family and friend without worrying about the nasty bugs and mites in your tree.
Also Read:
Simple Tips to Remove Lizards From Your Home
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Flies
Effective Remedies to Get Rid of Mosquitoes at Home
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Sleep Problem - Snoring During Pregnancy
Snoring during pregnancy can be quite embarrassing. But don’t you worry as it’s quite normal and almost 1/4th of women experience it. It usually begins in the third trimester and goes away after you deliver. It also signifies a medical condition hence discuss with your gynaecologist during your next visit.
Common Causes Of Snoring During Pregnancy
Have you ever wondered why pregnant women snore? Following are some of the common causes of snoring during pregnancy:
Nasal congestion:
During pregnancy, the blood in your body increases and hence the blood vessels become thicker. These swollen blood vessels block your nasal passage making breathing difficult, leading to snoring.
High level of estrogen also causes swelling of the mucous membrane in your nose leading to nasal congestion and snoring.
The other common causes can be nasal congestion due to a cold, flu or allergy.
Increase In Weight:
The heavier you become, the more difficulty you will find to breathe because when you gain excess weight some extra fat adds-on in your neck and throat regions. This excessive weight can cause breathing problems.
Sleep Apnea:
Obstructive sleep apnea can be another reason for snoring. This is a medical condition and needs treatment so do not forget to mention it on your next prenatal visit. This can be diagnosed if you are snoring loudly and frequently. Sometimes you can be making snorting or gasping sounds in your sleep. Sleep apnea needs treatment because, in this condition, your airways get blocked causing you to stop breathing during sleep (sometimes it could be a hundred times). This could affect the baby too as it can cause oxygen deprivation in your body and for the baby. This condition is usually treated with the help of a machine attached to your nose while sleeping.
Risk Associated With Snoring When Pregnant
Snoring during pregnancy can be quite risky for the baby. University of Michigan’s sleep study centre revealed that snoring mothers have a higher risk of delivering smaller babies and are also likely to have a C-section delivery. If you notice that you are snoring more than three times a week, you need to consult the doctor for medical intervention.
Most chronic snoring mothers are most likely to deliver a baby in the tenth percentile of weight. This shows that it does not matter if you were snoring before or after pregnancy. However, if you are frequently snoring and gasping for breath in your sleep, you must see a doctor. This could be harmful to the baby. The swelling of the blood vessels due to weight gain in pregnancy can also restrict blood flow to the placenta, which in turn will affect the growth of your baby because nutrients and blood will not reach the baby in proper quantity. There is no need to panic as it is completely manageable.
Pregnancy snoring can also be an indication of gestational diabetes. You might want to take a glucose tolerance test to rule out this possibility.
Another risk could be an IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) leading to smaller babies with developmental delays. This can be managed with regular ultrasound screening.
Snoring can also lead to preeclampsia, which is a serious issue leading to premature birth and sometimes can be fatal too.
Remedies for Snoring in Pregnancy
How to stop snoring? There are some simple remedies that are available to manage snoring.
Following are some remedies that you can try:
Nasal Strips:
Nasal strips for snoring during pregnancy are easily available in pharmacies and easy to use too. They are drug-free to and hence safe to use in pregnancy. You have to just stick it on your nose before going to bed.
Humidifier:
If the snoring is due to nasal congestion, then use a warm mist humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep to get some relief. Humidifiers are readily available on any online shopping sites. They come with variations depending on the number of hours. Try and choose anything that has 8 hours or more so that you can have a good night’s sleep.
Sleep On Your Side:
This is something that you will already be doing as sleeping straight is not possible during pregnancy, but remember to lie on your left side for better blood circulation and better sleep too.
Head Elevation:
If you are sleeping with your head on the bed, then try using two pillows instead of one and keep your head elevated to help free airflow through our nose. This will ease your breathing and reduce your snoring.
Eat Right:
Weight gain during pregnancy is common, but you have to monitor and do not gain a lot of weight as it is difficult to shed those extra kilos post pregnancy. Excess weight gain causes snoring hence eat right and stay healthy.
Ear Plugs:
Ear plugs for your partner can be useful as he could be sleep deprived because of your snoring. Sleep deprivation can be very difficult for husbands, too.
Sleeping Couch:
It is a good idea to ask your husband to sleep on a couch outside the bedroom or shift to another room. It can be quite irritating to be sleep deprived.
Avoid Alcohol, Smoking And Sleeping Pills
A big ‘NO’ to alcohol, smoking and sleeping pills during pregnancy. These are good if completely avoided during pregnancy as they not only cause snoring but also harm the baby.
When to Consult a Doctor
Although snoring seems to be a harmless problem, during pregnancy, it can indicate serious complications. If you notice the following symptoms, you need to visit the emergency room(ER) of a hospital:
Persistent headaches
Very sleepy during the daytime
Swelling in the legs
The symptoms mentioned above are signs of preeclampsia, which is a serious concern. If the diagnosis is confirmed, you will be delivered immediately. These mentioned symptoms might just be suggestive of preeclampsia, but it is always better to be safe than sorry, so visit the ER as soon as possible. The only way to save the baby in case of preeclampsia is to deliver the baby at whatever number of weeks it is in and give it a chance to survive.
Any persistent and unusual symptoms that you notice during pregnancy can be very significant. Therefore you need to mention it to the gynaecologist during your prenatal visits, snoring too can seem very trivial but it sure is a cause for concern.
Also Read: Pregnancy Pillow - Benefits, Types and How to Use Read more
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexpert my belly still not growing completely and I can feel my baby in abdomen not upper tummy
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. For the query asked needs consultation with doctor for proper guidance so it is better that the docdggtor will guide you the correct way .
Online consultation can also be taken and the expert will give you the proper answer .
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
57 mins ago
Q. my baby girl is 1 month old she is crying while passing urine nd she is passing urine while feeding pls answer wat to do
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
45 mins ago
A. Both the situations are very normal for a child as a doctor said that the kid can cry extensively sometimes due to stomach pain as well as while passing urine and pooping also also but that is completely normal so nothing to be worried as of now
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
41 mins ago
Q. need second trimester proper diet
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
37 mins ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. Please take healthy food items including fresh fruits and dry fruits. Please take eggs and chicken. Also drink chicken soup. You can also take banana shake. Please take lots of green vegetables and dairy products and soaked almonds.
Thanks and take care
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
17 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert my new born baby boy weight @ birth time 2.475kg, after 7 weeks weight 2.90kg. weight gain very slow. Can u pls advise why weight gain is slow till my baby using breastfeeding milk right now.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
13 mins ago
A. failure to thrive please. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Sarika gupta has added a new answer
13 mins ago
Q. why can't I add child details in my profile
Sarika gupta
Mom of 2 children
New Answer
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much and please add in your profile aftwr login and still is you find any difficulty then you should contact first cry customers service department.
Take care
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
9 mins ago
Q. right now I am 39 week pregnant but never feel any type of pain is it ok my due date is 5/5/24
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
7 mins ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. But it is difficult to say anything without any proper examination. It is advisable to get yourself evaluated by your gynaecologist and follow doctors advise properly. You can also book online doctors appointment on First Cry where the doctor can help you and guide you.
Thanks and take care
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