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Tooth Pain during Pregnancy - Causes and Remedies
Pregnancy is a wonderful phase and almost all women want to embrace motherhood at some point. But this journey of pregnancy may not be easy for all women. Pregnancy brings certain challenges with it, and one such challenge may be the pain in the teeth. If you want to know why you may have a toothache in pregnancy then browse through the following article. Know the various causes of tooth pain during pregnancy and the measures you may adapt to take care of your teeth.
Can Pregnancy Cause Toothache?
If you are wondering if your pregnancy may cause any kind of dental problems, the answer to this question is yes, pregnancy may lead to teeth and gum problems. Dental problems during pregnancy may arise due to hormonal imbalance, calcium requirements of your baby, and other such factors. However, if you are consuming calcium in adequate amounts, maintaining dental hygiene and paying your dentist a regular visit, you may stay away from any kind of dental issues during pregnancy.
Does Toothache Affect Your Unborn Baby?
In a study, it was established that there was a direct link between severe gum ailments that a woman may experience during pregnancy and low birth or preterm babies being born to these women. In a study conducted on 100 pregnant women, who suffered from chronic periodontal diseases, 18 women were reported to have delivered preterm or premature babies. However, proper care and prompt dental treatment reduce the risk of preterm or premature babies to a great extent.
What Are the Causes of Tooth Pain in Pregnancy?
Following are some of the causes that may cause tooth pain during pregnancy:
Morning sickness may be one of the reasons for your dental troubles during pregnancy. When the stomach acid comes into your mouth, it may lead to dental cavities and toothaches during pregnancy.
The hormonal disturbances in the body during pregnancy may make you more prone to gingivitis, which in turn may lead to various tooth and gum troubles.
Your diet undergoes various changes during pregnancy. If you consume more dairy products or sugary products, then it may increase your chances of having dental problems.
When you become pregnant, your body’s calcium requirement increases as it needs to facilitate the calcium requirements of a growing foetus. However, if you do not consume adequate amounts of calcium during pregnancy, it may lead to demineralisation on your tooth enamel, causing toothaches and pains.
Pregnancy may make your gums and teeth sensitive, and this may lead to improper brushing or brushless frequently, which in turn may lead to dental problems.
Treatment for a Toothache in Pregnancy
Where some women may like to postpone their dental treatment until their delivery, others may have to get the treatment to avoid further complications. Here are some treatment recommendations that your doctor may make:
1. X-ray
Sometimes your doctor may have to make use of an x-ray to establish the extent of damage to the tooth. Many women fear that undergoing an x-ray can have adverse effects on their unborn baby. Your dentist may not recommend an x-ray until or unless it is absolutely necessary for your treatment, but if he does then you may be told to wear a lead apron that may save your baby from the ill-effects of an x-ray.
2. Medication
Whenever you visit a dentist for solving your dental problems bring it to his notice that you are pregnant, as there are some medicines for a toothache that may lead to birth defects and other complications in your baby if taken during pregnancy. You will require a course of antibiotics in case you have any kind of gum or tooth infection.
Natural Remedies
Pregnancy may make you extra cautious regarding your health, and when it comes to dealing with dental troubles, you will first want to try some natural remedies. Well, the good news is we have some natural remedies that you may effectively use to treat tooth pain during pregnancy:
Cloves are one of the best options for treating tooth pain. You may either chew a clove or apply clove oil on the affected tooth.
Chewing on some spinach leaves is also an effective remedy for tooth pain during pregnancy.
Applying hot compressions may help in reducing the pain. You may soak a washcloth in some warm water and apply on the face, where your tooth may be hurting.
Gargling with the decoction made by boiling some guava leaves or chewing some guava leaves directly also helps in curing the toothache.
Allicin present in garlic is effective in killing the tooth-decaying bacteria and thus chewing on a garlic pod can also relieve the tooth pain.
Can Vomiting Damage Your Teeth?
Frequent vomiting bouts or acid refluxes during pregnancy may coat your teeth with stomach acid. This acid damages the tooth enamel and thus may cause various dental problems. Hence, vomiting during pregnancy may damage your teeth.
How to Increase Calcium and Vitamin D
Calcium not only protects your bone mass during pregnancy but also helps in the formation of foetal bones and teeth too. So, here are some foods rich in calcium that you should include in your diet:
Cheese
Curd
Calcium-fortified soy milk
Calcium is important for your body, but in the dearth of vitamin D in the body, it does not get properly absorbed by your body. So along with calcium, your body should also get enough vitamin D. You can include these foods in your diet:
Salmon and other fatty fishes
Eggs
Cheese
Fortified margarine
Things to Remember While Brushing Your Teeth
There are a few things that you should remember while brushing your teeth to reduce the chances of having any tooth problems during pregnancy, such as:
Take some time to brush your teeth and go for slow brushing strokes.
If you do not like the taste of your toothpaste, try using different toothpaste.
Be deliberate with your brushing action, however, do not brush vigorously.
Use a brush with a smaller head, which is usually used by younger children.
If brushing makes you feel like vomiting, we recommend distracting yourself by listening to some music or closing your eyes and focusing on something else.
Pre-pregnancy Dental Health Care Tips
If you are trying to get pregnant, apart from taking other precautions, you should also pay heed to your dental health so that you do not have any dental problems during pregnancy. Here are some pre-pregnancy dental care tips that may help you in taking care of your oral hygiene:
Go for regular dental visits so that any dental problem can be taken care of.
Brush your teeth twice a day.
You may not like it but flossing helps. So, floss your teeth daily.
Prevention is better than cure; therefore, your efforts should be integrated towards not having any kind of tooth problems during pregnancy. However, if you develop any kind of dental problems, visit your dentist at earliest.
Also Read: Home Remedies for Tooth Pain and Bleeding Gums when Pregnant Read more
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22 Infections That Can Affect Your Pregnancy
Pregnancy is perhaps the most wonderful phase in a woman’s life. She takes utmost care of her health, nutrition, lifestyle and surroundings and is cared for and pampered by everyone around her. However, pregnancy comes with its share of uneasiness, and being ill in this phase can leave you feeling extremely tired.
Measures have to be taken to prevent an infection during this beautiful journey. This article will help you to understand these infections and what can be done to avoid them.
Why Pregnant Women are More Prone to Infection?
Our body has a natural defence mechanism to shield us from attacks by bacteria and viruses. Antibodies are produced by the body to fight these infection-causing agents, but sometimes the body fails to make sufficient antibodies making us susceptible to infections.
Pregnancy infections occur mainly because the woman’s immunity is lowered making her an easy prey. During pregnancy, the immune system adapts to protect both the mother as well as the baby. Some part of this defence mechanism is enhanced while some gets suppressed as it helps create a balance. However, the mother also goes through a surge of hormonal and physiological changes making her even more vulnerable to catching infections. During conception, labour and delivery, a woman’s body is exposed to a lot of infections which add up to her vulnerability.
It is very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy in order to have a healthy you and a healthy baby.
List of Infections That Can Affect a Pregnant Woman
Infections which are contracted during pregnancy are complicated as they affect not only the mother but in some cases the unborn child too.
Thus, knowing about these infections is crucial and their timely cure can be life-saving. Here are some infections you need to guard yourself and your baby against.
1. Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B virus affects the liver, causing toxins to accumulate in the body. A pregnant woman is tested for Hepatitis B on her first prenatal visit. Carriers may show no symptoms, but can transfer the virus to the baby during delivery. The virus spreads through sexual intercourse with an infected person without any protection or even via direct contact with infected blood. The Hepatitis B test is crucial to plan the precautions to be taken during birth and after, in order to protect the baby from contracting the virus.
Symptoms of this infection are abdominal pain, vomiting, jaundice, joint pain and appetite loss.
If your test result is negative, you are given Hepatitis B immunisation which is safe to be administered during pregnancy. Further, your baby is given the immunisation 12 months after he/she is born. Some babies, who are at a risk of contracting the infection, need a dose of Hepatitis B immunoglobin (HBIG) at birth.
2. Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C virus also affects the liver. Though an infected person may show no symptoms, the sign to look out for is nausea which is also common in early pregnancy making it difficult to diagnose the infection. The virus is transmitted by blood transfusion, direct contact with blood or through medical or dental treatment at places where infected patients visit. Infection can be transferred to baby from pregnant mother at the time of birth.
3. Urinary Tract Infection
A Urinary Tract Infection or UTI is an infection in the urinary tract caused by bacteria that goes into the urethra and up from the skin, rectum or vagina. The infection can affect bladder (cystitis), kidneys (pyelonephritis) or be asymptomatic bacteriuria (bacteria in the urinary tract with no symptoms). Pyelonephritis and asymptomatic bacteriuria can cause preterm labour and low-birth-weight baby.
UTI is characterised by pain or a burning sensation while urinating, cloudy or foul-smelling or even bloody urine, a frequent urge to urinate even when there is no urine in the bladder, and pain in the lower abdomen.
Drinking plenty of fluids, not holding on when there is an urge to urinate, maintaining proper hygiene and wiping from front to back after visiting the toilet are some of the measures that can be taken to avoid this infection. Treatment is done by administering low dose antibiotics prescribed by the doctor.
4. Vaginal Infection
Vaginal yeast infections are caused due to increased levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones. It causes burning in vagina and is characterised by a whitish yellow discharge. Doctors usually prescribe a medicated ointment to treat it.
5. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Pregnant women are highly prone to contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) which usually have no defined symptoms . The most common type of STD is Chlamydia. Babies of mothers having STD are prone to low birth weight. The mother may also be at risk of pre-mature birth gestational bleeding, pre-term delivery or miscarriage. There are high chances of transmitting infection to the baby during birth which can be timely treated with antibiotics.
6. Chicken Pox
If you already have had an episode of chicken pox or if you have been immunised, then it is quite likely you will not contract chicken pox again. To be on a safer side, a blood test can be performed to check if you are immune to chicken pox.
However, in case you come down with chicken pox in the first or second trimester, there is a risk for congenial varicella syndrome in your baby. It is characterised by physical and mental disabilities. Ultrasound is performed to check for any defects in the baby. If you are in your third trimester when you get infected, then you are lucky as antibodies are delivered to the baby through the placenta and the risk of them being exposed to the infection is lowered.
Chicken pox is characterised by mild flu followed by an eruption of red bumps on the body. Consult your doctor immediately in case you observe the symptoms to avail proper treatment.
7. German Measles or Rubella
Contracting Rubella in the first four months of pregnancy can mean serious damage to the baby which include the likes of a brain and heart defects, hearing loss and cataract. It can even lead to miscarriage.
Symptoms of Rubella include mild flu, fever, red-pink rash, swollen lymph node, sore and red eyes and painful joints. In case of suspicion of Rubella, get medical advice as soon as possible. Although a screening test is done during the fourth month of pregnancy to detect the virus, however, it is best to get all necessary check up done before conceiving to get vaccinated against the disease.
8. Group B Streptococcus
Group B Streptococcus is a life threatening infection in newborns that can have adverse effects on the mother as well. During pregnancy, GBS may cause bladder infection, still birth or endometritis (a painful disorder in which the tissue that usually grows inside the uterus tends to grow outside). Most of the time, the infected person may not exhibit any symptoms, and hence, a screening test is a must around the 35-37th week of gestation. Chances of this infection affecting the baby increase in case water breaks early, mother has fever during delivery or in case of premature labour. Antibiotics are prescribed to prevent it.
9. Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis is caused due to an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina. When the level of lactobacilli- an essential bacteria in the vagina- goes down, this infection develops and leads to low birth weight of the baby, pre-term labour or second trimester miscarriage.
Any grey or white discharge from vagina accompanied by a fishy smell especially after sex and a burning sensation while urinating may indicate an infection.
It is treated using safe antibiotics. Using any product that disturbs the balance of bacteria such as hygiene sprays in the genitals should be avoided. Seek your doctor’s advice for the course of treatment.
10. Viral Infections
Some of the viral infections that affect pregnant women and their babies are Toxoplasmosis, Rubella, CMV, Herpes, Fifth Disease, varicella-zoster virus (VZV), West Nile Virus, measles virus, enterovirus, adenovirus, HIV and Zika virus. Viruses can be transferred from mother to baby through placenta, through blood and vaginal fluids during birth or while breastfeeding. They can cause congenital defects in babies, stillbirth or even result in death of the mother.
Some of these have been elaborately discussed in this article.
11. Fifth Disease (Parvovirus)
Fifth disease is caused by parvovirus B19V. It usually occurs in small children and is characterised by red rashes on the cheek which gives it the name “slapped cheek disease”. Other symptoms include a runny nose, flu and achiness. For a normal person, it does not pose much of a threat, but in individuals with some irregularities in RBC, it can be life-threatening as it inhibits production of RBC.
Infection is spread through saliva and nasal secretions. In pregnancy, it can cause stillbirth, miscarriage, cardiac issues in foetus and foetal anaemia. If contracted in the second trimester, it can lead to a condition called hydrops which marks an increased amount of fluid in tissues.
If contracted during pregnancy, ultrasounds are done to check fluid levels in the foetus.
12. Chikungunya
A mosquito-borne viral infection, chikungunya can be transferred to your baby during birth. Chikungunya is characterised by swollen joints, headache or muscle pain in adults. It causes difficulty in feeding, skin problems and fever in newborns. Though there is no medication for this illness, drinking plenty of water and taking rest helps to soothe the symptoms.
13. Cytomegalovirus
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a double-stranded herpes virus and is spread through contact of body fluids. Children can develop CMV at birth and show signs like unusually small head, abnormality of nervous system, enlarged spleen and liver and jaundice. Some babies are stillborn while some suffer serious visual, auditory and neural issues. Good hygiene practices help to avoid this infection and if infected during pregnancy, ultrasounds are done to check the well being of the baby.
14. Dengue Fever
Another mosquito-borne viral infection, dengue fever causes pre-term labour, low birth weight and stillbirth if transmitted during labour to child. Some symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headache, joint pain, muscle and bone pain and mild bleeding from nose or gums. To prevent this, a pregnant mother should take measures to keep away from mosquitoes- the carriers of the disease.
15. HIV
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) affects the immune system of an infected person. A confidential screening test is performed as a part of pre-natal examinations and counselling is carried out for the expecting mother. The most fatal stage of this illness is Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)- a case where the patient is tested positive for carrying HIV. A pregnant mother may transfer the virus to her baby during pregnancy, birth or even while breastfeeding. Baby born to an HIV positive mother undergoes a screening test at time of the birth. This is a life-threatening illness and hence timely measures have to be taken if the mother gets infected during pregnancy so as to give birth a healthy baby.
16. Herpes
Genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus transmitted through genital contact or oral sex with a partner having cold sores or oral herpes. Symptoms include red sores on vagina or vulva which turn into blisters and rupture to become painful sores later on. In early pregnancy, herpes can be treated, but in the final stage of pregnancy, a C section is performed to avoid infection in the new born baby.
17. Listeriosis
Listeriosis is contracted from food containing the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Although a rare disease, it affects people with reduced immunity thus making pregnant women susceptible. It can infect the amniotic fluid and placenta causing still birth or pre-term labour.
18. Toxoplasmosis
Caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, the risk of this infection being transmitted from mother to unborn child increases as pregnancy advances, though, if it is transmitted in the first trimester it becomes more severe. It is transmitted by having undercooked meat or food, by handling contaminated soil or through cat litter. It cannot be transmitted from one person to another by any means other than from mother to child during birth or through organ transplant or blood transfusion.
19. Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis or trich is caused by a microscopic parasite which travels into the host body through body fluids and is associated with causing pre-term birth and pre-term rupture of the membranes. It can cause vagina to become red or itchy accompanied by greenish or yellowish discharge with a frothy appearance and foul smell. Antibiotics are prescribed to newborns to avoid infection getting to the child.
20. Zika Virus
Zika virus can be transmitted by mosquito or can be sexually transmitted too. During pregnancy, it causes microcephaly (abnormally small head) in child. In later years, it can cause visual, auditory and speech impairment, poor growth and even seizures. The best way to avoid Zika is to avoid travelling to places where Zika virus is prevalent.
21. Infections Transmitted By Animals
Toxoplasmosis is an infection which is caused by contact with cat litter. Similarly, Chlamydia psittaci is an organism present in sheep or lamb that is known to cause miscarriage in pregnant women. Lamb and sheep are also carriers of toxoplasma. Milking and handling new born lamb should be avoided. Pigs are source of Hepatitis E and contact with pigs or pig faeces is highly risky in pregnancy.
Prevention and Treatment for Infections in Pregnancy?
Early treatment and measures are required in pregnancy to ensure a healthy baby. A to-be mom has to take the following measures:
Ensure all required immunisation has been done before and during pregnancy.
Perform tests to detect infections (if any) to receive timely treatment.
Wash hands regularly with soap and warm water.
Avoid contact with infected people.
Always consume pasteurised milk.
Cook food thoroughly, especially meat.
Drink plenty of water.
Maintain a healthy and a well balanced diet.
You may not always be aware of the presence of an infection hence it is essential that attention is paid to small changes in your body so that you can give the best protection for that precious life in your womb. Be ready to embrace motherhood and all the little gifts it has in store for you.
Also Read: Torch Infection During Pregnancy Read more
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10 Effects of Working Night Shift and Tips to Stay Healthy
Being the night owl for creative purposes is a comforting story but for some of us living in the real world, working a night shift becomes a necessity. As businesses face increasing customer demand, so is the need for employees who are willing to clock in nightly hours.
Your body goes through a lot of changes when you start working nightshifts and some of them take a turn for the worse. Realizing the pitfalls is the first step and the second is going about fixing them, one step at a time. There's nothing wrong in working at night or going for night shifts, don't get us wrong. But it's just not natural. We're not here to criticize but to help, instead.
Let's take a look at what happens when we work night shifts and some health tips on how to go about addressing that (without quitting our jobs, of course).
Side Effects of Working Night Shift
Here's literally what happens when you pull night shifts-
1. Your Circadian Rhythm Goes Whack
Your body has a natural tendency to sleep during the night and stay awake in the daytime. When you mess with this natural sleep pattern, your circadian rhythm takes a toll. In fact, this is so important because it's literally responsible for flushing out toxins, promoting internal healing, and running other bodily processes efficiently.
2. You Get Stressed
Since your circadian rhythm doesn't do so good when you start working in the late hours, your body takes the stress. This could translate in the form of heightened blood pressure, increased blood sugar levels and more "bad" cholesterol.
3. Women Are at a Higher Risk for Breast Cancer
Researchers can't exactly say why but they seem to have found a link between the increased likelihood of developing breast cancer in women when they start pulling night shifts. And this also applies to those who work once a week during the night too.
4. You Get Zero Exercise
Think about it. You're out there working away the hours at night and when you finally return home in the morning, what do you want? A few hours of shuteye. This leaves little to no time for exercise.
5. Poor Diet and Obesity
The increased cortisol levels also mean you're more likely to binge on processed foods and opt for takeout instead of going the natural route. Night shift workers are known to have higher rates of obesity, heart disease, and poor cardiovascular health because of their eating choices. And nobody can blame them because it's life.
6. Poor Quality Sleep
We need a solid seven to eight hours of sleep a day. Or at least 6.5 hours, if we're being very conservative here. The unsociable hours coupled with the stress at work translate to poor quality sleep. Even if we intend to stay asleep for seven hours, we find that by working night shifts we get only up to four or five hours. There's a survey done by the National Sleep Foundation on chronic sleep deprivation and poor performance too.
7. Switches Up Your Metabolism
Your hormones and metabolism are closely connected. The leptin is one of them, for example, that plays a role in managing your weight, blood sugar, and insulin sensitivity. When you work night shifts, your metabolism is thrown in disarray and this interferes with the production and regulation of some of these key hormones.
8. Puts You at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
When your sugar levels are elevated and your insulin receptors don't work as well, your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes goes high for the future. There's even a study done on the subject by Endocrine Society.
9. You Don't Get Vitamin D
Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin and you get by exposing your skin to the sun. When you're in the dark and don't spend time outdoors, you risk not meeting your RDA. Yes, supplementation helps but there's nothing that beats the natural way. Lack of Vitamin D has been associated with depression, poor bone health, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and even heart disease.
10. You Don't Get Enough Melatonin
Melatonin is the hormone that regulates your sleep and wake cycles. Lower levels of melatonin mean you don't get restorative sleep when you do decide to go to sleep. What do you mean by this?
It means you don't get high-quality sleep and that impairs your cognitive and emotional states when you finally wake up.
Health Tips for Night Shift Workers
Now that we've covered some of the side effects of doing nightshift work, let's talk about how to stay healthy while working nights and getting good sleep.
1. Eat More Fruits and Veggies
Fruits and veggies have a lot of dietary fibre which prevents constipation, leave you feeling full, and supply you with a healthy variation of calories and nutrients. For snacks, you can add some dried nuts, seeds, low-fat yoghurts, and lean meats into your meals. These will give you the B-complex vitamins which your mind and body need plus will also help you function better at work.
2. Sneak in Power Naps
If your work allows it, you can sneak in a power nap so that your productivity doesn't suffer during the rest of the night. This'll also help make sure you sleep better when you do get home. Polyphasic sleep cycles are another option that works very well with power naps. You can look into those and adopt one of the schedules based on your health and requirements.
3. Don't Take Caffeine
Caffeine gives you that high and alertness but it's detrimental for your health long-term. If you gulp down several cups of coffee at work, your body will have to work extra hard to process it. It stresses your adrenal glands which makes it even harder to fall asleep once the initial 5-hour high goes away.
4. Soak in The Sun
Again, if your work is light or if your share is done and you have to stay in the office, try to go for a short walk in the sun. Or just get some sunlight after work once you're done. This'll help you get your Vitamin D and make falling asleep later a lot easier too.
5. No Electronics
Work is work and sleep is sleep. Don't mix the two and that includes chatting with colleagues or watching funny cat videos after returning home. Turn off your electronics at least two hours before heading to bed and make that a house rule, at least for yourself.
6. No Distractions
Also, a follow-up tip. This means no TV, no blaring noises from background music etc. If you have a noisy roommate, consider getting some earplugs. Ideally, you want to sleep in a cool, dark, and quiet environment to make sure you get quality shuteye.
7. Play Relaxing Music
Playing relaxing music like classical or instrumental piano covers will help you gently fall asleep. If you can't stand the silence at home or need your mind to wander, this is a good way to do that.
8. Take an Hour to Unwind
If listening to music doesn't help, take an hour to unwind from your busy routine. Take a nice warm shower and spend a couple of minutes reading a peaceful or relaxing book. You can also draw or exercise your creativity a bit by journaling. This will help you get your thoughts out on paper which will make falling asleep a lot better by emptying your mind.
9. Meditate
Meditation also works when it comes to falling asleep before your sleep time. There are various guided meditation tracks out there and it doesn't take much of your time either. You just sit down in a quiet space in comfortable clothing, breathe deeply, and let your mind wander. Focus on your breaths and let your thoughts simply float, without judging or thinking anything about them. Do this for five or ten minutes a day and you'll notice that falling asleep becomes a lot easier. Furthermore, since you're relaxing your mind and body before bedtime, it'll give you higher quality sleep.
10. Talk to Your Employer
If all else fails and you find you just can't make nightshifts work for you, try talking to your employer. Ask for a daytime shift instead. Trust us, this will make a lot of difference. And it's okay. Some people are night owls while the others are early risers. Just be yourself and you'll know that your productivity will improve.
That's all the tips we can give from our side. The key thing to note is to be positive and be gentle on yourself. Changing habits take time and consistency is the key ingredient. This means eating meals at the same time every day and falling asleep at the same time too. That'll end up making your life a lot easier and the nightshifts less dreadful.
Also Read:
Tips to Avoid Being Sleepy at Work
Exercises to Do at Your Desk
Tips for Maintaining a Work-Life Balance Read more
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25 Beauty Secrets That Women Across the World Use! We’re trying No. 13!
What makes Japanese women have such flawless skin? How do Indians maintain their lustrous, thick hair? We've all been geographically blessed with certain features but wherever we're from, all of us have beauty secrets we swear by. Check out these foolproof beauty secrets for glowing skin, shining locks and healthy nails from around the globe!
Ever find yourself wishing that you had the clear skin of a Japanese woman or the radiance that Caucasians have? No matter where we are from, we tend to want something that another person has if it makes us feel prettier.
Chances are, they want what you take for granted.
Of course, not many of us can manipulate the beauty that genetics and demographic have given us but we can try to adopt some beauty secrets from the rest of the world, to help us all connect a little better while also giving your skin a little treat! If you are from India, multani mitti and turmeric are such common skin-care ingredients that a lot of Indian probably overlook their benefits. But these ingredients are exotic to a woman from across the globe and she would gladly slather it on to treat her skin issues.
We went ahead and took advantage of the fact that the world is getting smaller and more connected by getting together beauty secrets from different parts of the world! Let’s have a look at them, shall we?
Beauty Secrets From Around the World- Skin
1. Brazil: Oatmeal to Soothe Sunburns
If your skin is the kind that turns from normal to pink to itchy, burning and shedding with just 1 hour in the sun, it’s time you followed this Brazilian remedy for sunburns. Just soak oatmeal in water and apply it all over your body. If you own a bathtub, soak in the same concoction. Oatmeal speeds up recovery time and the minerals and vitamins in it have anti-inflammatory properties that soothe your skin.
2. Costa Rica: Orange Juice to Shrink Pores
Wish you could shrink your large pores? Women in Costa Rica Mix equal parts water with equal parts orange juice and apply it to their face with a cotton swab. After a few minutes, the face needs to be washed thorougly and this apparently shrinks pores, but only temporarily. This can be used as a quick fix before an event!3. Australia: Tea Tree Oil to Get Rid of Dandruff
As satisfying as it is to pull out dandruff flakes from your scalp, it is best treated with tea tree oil like the Aussies do! Tea Tree oil may not be so easy to find in stores but it is available online. The best part is that a little goes a long way so it is worth the investment.
3. Chile: Red Grapes and Flour to Get Radiant Skin
Chilean women have a simple recipe behind that radiant skin tone of theirs! Crushed red grapes mixed with flour applied on the skin for 10 minutes and then washed off can do wonders for your dull skin tone. Try this out when you feel like your skin could use some glow and you might have to ditch your highlighter for the night.4. Sweden: Green tea for Great Skin
Want that Swedish soft glow? Freeze green tea bags in an ice cube tray and use them as a toner. Green tea contains anti-oxidants that are good for the skin.
4. China: Rice Water as a Face Wash
Chinese food isn’t complete without their famous rice. Turns out, neither is their skin care routine! Rice is full of antioxidants which fight ageing. Soak Chinese rice in water for 20 minutes. Strain the rice out and use a cloth to rub the rice waster all over your face. Doing this every week will ensure you notice a different soon enough!
5. India: Turmeric/ Haldi for Brighter Skin
Indian brides and grooms usually have a ceremony where they are covered in a turmeric paste by close friends and family. Turmeric has antiseptic properties and also helps make skin more vibrant. Turmeric also gets rid of unwanted facial hair if applied regularly.
6. Singapore: Avocado or Payaya to get Softer Skin
Singaporeans mash up papayas or avocadoes and rub the pulp onto their faces. 15 minutes later it is rinsed off to reveal skin that feels super soft. Both of these have oils that are superior-level moisturising. The enzyme papain in papayas also helps in exfoliating the face, sloughing off dead skin cells. Next time you have avocado's or papayas that are overripe, don’t throw them away, simple rub them onto your face!
7. Egypt: Milk and Honey Baths for Soft Skin
Cleopatra’s milk baths were such a huge hit, women around the world still swear by them for softer skin. In fact, apart from milk and honey, she also added rose petals and lavender to her bath. The alpha-hydroxy acids in milk help remove dead skin cells and the lactic acid helps moisturize. Talk about queen-like luxury right in your washroom!
8. Israel: Dead Sea Mud to Cleanse Skin
Mud is full of minerals that your skin is hungry for! Dead Sea mud is full-to-the-brim with minerals that are good for your skin. The good news is that you don’t have to travel to the Dead Sea to get this, there’s tons of beauty products that use Dead Sea Mud available near you! Israelis also use Ginger and Honey to keep wrinkles away! Crush the ginger and mix it with honey and a little water. Apply this on your face. The sweet aroma will calm you down as well as revitalise your skin.
9. Morroco: Argan Oil for EVERYTHING.
Argan oil is versatile and Morrocans prefer to use it for their skin and hair both! Argan oil keeps hair frizz-free, soft and hydrated all day long with just a few drops. You don’t even need to wash it off, it works as a leave-in conditioner. Apart from tackling frizz, you will have zero fly-aways and your hair will be shiny!
10. Greece: Olive Oil to Get Healthier Skin
Greek women with their olive-toned skin are quite the envy of women around the world. Turns out their gorgeous skin could be the result of olive oil! Apart from their diet being rich in olive oil, Grecians apply it to their skin too. This way its benefits work both internally and externally. What a treat for your skin!
11. The Phillipines: Sake to get Smooth Skin
You heard that right, a sake bath (not downing sake) can exfoliate your skin, making it baby soft. Sake contains kojic acid, which is what causes the exfoliation. The Phillipines gladly adopted this beauty secret from Japan. Sake also helps reduce the appearance of age spots and sun-damage.
12. Russia: Oatmeal as a Pampering Face Mask
Apart from treating sunburns like the Brazilians, oatmeal is used by Russian women as face masks. All you need is oatmeal in warm water. Once the oats turn to pulp, add a teaspoon of olive oil and a squeeze of lime to the mixture. Spread this paste over your face and rinse it off in 10 minutes. Way cheaper than a spa treatment!
13. Spain: Potato Slices to Treat Dark Circles
Potato slices are a well-known way to get rid of dark circles. Chop/grate those potatoes and keep them on your eyes for half an hour before you rinse it off. Doing this before an interview or a big event will get your eyes to look fresh and vibrant!
Enough to pamper your skin for the year? Great! Now let’s move on to hair, shall we? After all glowing skin with luscious hair is what we’re all after, right?
Beauty Secrets From Around the World- Hair
1. Greece: Rosemary Rinse for Healthy Hair
Along with that olive oil, grab some Rosemary as well if you want hair like the lovely Grecian women. Steep Rosemary in water and some apple cider vinegar. Both ingredients remove buildup and minerals that get in the way of hair looking shiny. If you live in a part of the world with hard water, this rinse is your saviour! Apparently this can also darken hair so if that is not what you are after, maybe this treatment is not for you. However, a paste with olive oil and yogurt is an alternative that could work for you too. This paste works well as a conditioner after shampooing and makes hair softer and more manageable.
2. Spain- Cranberry Juice for Red Hair
If your hair has red undertones, then cranberry juice can make your hair more vibrant. A simple mix of cranberry juice and water poured as the last rinse in the shower and your hair will catch on to the pigment. If you don’t wish to have your hair soaked in the sugary packed juices then opt for hibiscus flower extract. It does the same thing!
3. Poland: Egg Yolk for Silky Hair
Egg contains proteins that nourish the hair shaft and smoothen rough ends. Polish women make hair masks using egg yolks with some lemon juice and olive oil. The lemon juice removes buildup or any dandruff from the scalp and the olive oil moisturizes the hair. Egg yolks make the hair strong and less prone to breakage.
4. United Kingdom: Washing Hair Less
Women in the UK prefer washing their hair not more than thrice a week. This is because the limescale in their water causes a buildup, making hair dry and rough. The less washing, lesser buildup.
5. India: Coconut Oil for Complete Hair care
Coconut oil is all over the Internet as a conditioner for hair, moisturizer for skin and a saviour for a zillion other health issues. However, Indians were always big fans of this wonder fruit. Coconut-oiled hair is not an uncommon sight among kids in Indian schools. A warm coconut oil massage once or twice a week can help hair grow longer, faster. Massage your scalp so that the movement promotes circulation and also distributes the oil evenly.
6. The Phillipines- Aloe Vera for Glossy Hair
What gives women from the Phillipines that glossy, thick hair? Aloe-vera! All you have to do is break the leaf of an Aloe plant, cut off the thorns and rub the gel onto your scalp and hair. Rinse it off after a few hours to see the difference. Aloe is great for moisturizing skin too!
7. Japan- Seaweed to get Lustrous Locks
Silky, long and thick, Japanese men and women have hair that is quite the envy of the rest of the world. A part of it comes from high amounts of iodine in their diets. Seaweed is high in iodine and is easily digested too. This secret is not a topical one, it needs to be consumed to see results over time.
Skin and hair, check! Now to tackle those pretty talons. Let’s see what the rest of the world does to keep their nails looking healthy!
Beauty Secrets From Around the World- Nails
1. Dominican Republic: Garlic to Make Nails Strong
A great way to keep your nails healthy and strong is to apply garlic juice to them. Women in South America chop up garlic and add it to a bottle of clear nail polish. After a week of storing, the garlic nail polish can be applied. It will smell foul initially but will make your nails stronger and more healthy.
2. France: Lemon Juice to Get Rid of Stains on Nails
French women like to do their own manicures when it comes to stained nails. Just a simple soak in lemon juice and all the yellow stains come right off.
3. Romania: Vitamin A and Olive Oil for Healthy Nails
Looking to improve the texture of your nails and keep them strong? Romanian women soak their nails in a bowl of warm olive oil mixed with Vitamin A oil. This done every fortnight is enough to keep nails healthy, less prone to breakage and even toned! It also helps keep away painful hangnails and peeling skin around the nails.
Phew! Now you have enough beauty tips for the entire year. Tell us if these worked for you and if you have any secrets that you absolutely swear by! We’d love to know.
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मेरा बेटा एक साल का हो गया है!! Feelings of a mother of a premature baby....
अभी की ही तो बात हैं,जब तुम्हे पहली बार नर्स ने मेरे हाथो में दिया था। तुम्हे नज़र भर देख भी नही पाई थी कि बस कुछ सेकंड में ही वापस ले लिया, तुम्हे फिर से इनक्यूबेटर में जो रखना था। तुम अपने तय समय से थोड़ी जल्दी जो आ गए थे। वो 5 - 10 सेकंड मेरी ज़िन्दगी मानो रुक गई हो। तुम्हे पहली बार अपनी गोद में जो लिया था।
आज जब तुम एक साल के हो गए हो तो सारी बाते आंखों के सामने ऐसे घूम रही है जैसे अभी की ही बात हो। अपने बच्चे को ऐसे अकेले nicu में देखना आसान नहीं था। टेस्ट तुम्हारे होते मेरी आंखों से आसू रुकते नहीं। तुम्हे नहलाया जाता तो मै बहुत डरी सहमी रहती। तुम्हे हिचकी भी आती तो बहुत घबरा जाती । तुम इतने छोटे से जो थे कुछ 2 किलो वजन था तुम्हारा जन्म के समय। सब कहते प्रीमेच्योर बेबी है। थोड़ा कमजोर है। पर मै जानती थी कि तुम्हारा वजन जरूर कम है मगर तुम मेरे स्वस्थ बच्चे हो। और जल्द ही तुमने वेट गेन भी कर लिया। तुम भी दूसरे बच्चो की तरह ही अपने सारे माइलस्टोन समय से पहले ही पूरे कर लेते। कुछ दिनों बाद ही ये प्रीमेच्योर बेबी का जो डर मेरे अंदर था वह भी निकल गया।
आज जब तुम्हारी शैतानियां मस्ती देखती हूं, तो लगता है इससे बड़ी शायद ही कोई खुशी है।
नोट - अगर अगली बार आपकी फैमिली या फ्रेंड्स किसी की प्रीमेच्योर डिलेवरी हो । तो उन्हें घबराए नहीं। एक नई मां पहले ही बहुत डरी हुई होती है। मानसिक व शारीरिक रूप से कमजोर होती है। और अगर बेबी प्रीमेच्योर हो तो ये घबराहट दुगुनी हो जाती है। उन्हे हौसला दे और सबसे जरूरी उन्हे बताए कि प्रीमेच्योर बेबी हेल्दी होते है। और दूसरे बच्चो की तरह ही उनकी ग्रोथ होती है।
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
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BABYHUG CUSHIONED POTTY TRAINING SEAT WITH HANDLE FOR TODDLERS REVIEW
Hello!
Myself Sravani mother of 18 months old toddler!
Me and my husband planned to make baby potty trained for my baby from his 12 months old!!
After lot of research, we planned to take Babyhug Cushioned Potty Seat!
We want to practise baby to train him for pee and Potty
So we selected our alltime go to brand BABYHUG.
We wanted to go with reasonable price with good quality
The best part of this potty seat is, it comes with handle.
It is travel friendly and easy to pack in ur travel bag. The size and shape are on point which makes baby comfortable for seating.
Cleaning is also very easy as the potty seat is waterproof and the outer layer can be easily cleaned by running water or by wet wipe!
My baby now understood his place for his nature's call and he immediately shows me or my husband to make him sit on the potty chair whenever he does stooling.
I like the way it designed for baby's bum and to adjust the commode at a time
U shaped foam padding above to sit and the four padding underneath makes it perfect fit for the commode
The durability of the potty seat is firm and it quality is of good one!
The finishing of the product is smooth and it is anti skid which results in No hurts and injuries to baby
My overall take on Babyhug Cushioned Potty Training Seat with Handle is
It is well designed, nice and sturdy product. Made baby comfortable with its Cushioned seat and made moms work of cleaning easy.
To all the new moms who are confused in choosing between potty chair or potty seat, I would highly recommend and suggest potty seat.
I would like to conclude by rating the product -4/5
Features -5/5
Product design -5/5
Performance -4/5
Value for money -4.5/5
*Special mentioning is needed for Firstcry for its fast delivery with utmost hygiene! Read more
Nikitha has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
6 hours ago
Q. Mera 8 month start hu white distance hora mere ko
Nikitha
Mom of a 9 yr 5 m old boy
6 hours ago
A. hello since u are a expecting mom this would require a proper medical attention and it is better to check with your doctor and your doctor will be able to guide you better on examination of the same and advise you accordingly
Akifa Tahreem has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
5 hours ago
Q. hello doctor, I'm 3 weeks pregnant. can we sleep on our belly or which side We can sleep on during pregnancy...
Akifa Tahreem
Mom of a 7 m old boy
4 hours ago
A. no you can't sleep in your tummy
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
3 hours ago
Q. @ask_the_expert
#ask the expert
I am having pcod problem.
when should I check pregnancy test at home?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
1 hour ago
A. If you have missed your periods you can wait for one week more and then do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
3 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
At which day should I take pregnancy test
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
53 mins ago
A. after 2 weeks. do ultrasound n necessary tests after consulting a specialist. without proper check up we can't advise or help you.. Avoid shirt cuts when it comes to health if mother n baby. ok.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
when should I take pregnancy test?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
1 hour ago
A. after missed your periods you can wait for one week more ,then you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
but having regular cycles below 35 days. some time it will extended upto 40 days.
so when should I take pregnancy test at home?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
1 hour ago
A. If you have missed your periods you can wait for one week more or else you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication.
The best treatment to have Regular periods is by having a healthy lifestyle with regular daily walking or jogging along with mild exercise and meditation whenever possible. as medications will only act till you are taking them
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