Labour pain relief options

Labor is the part of the pregnancy process that moves you from pregnancy to delivery. Through labor, your body will open the birth canal. Contractions will help push the baby from the womb through the cervix, through the vaginal passage and into your arms. Labor is often the most traumatic part of the delivery process for expecting mothers.

While no one knows the exact cause of labor, several factors come into play during this final stage of pregnancy. First, the level of prostaglandin, a hormone, increases, causing the cervix to soften. Second, the levels of the hormone oxytocin increase, triggering contractions. Third, the sac of membranes surrounding the baby ruptures. In a normal pregnancy, these factors can occur any time from two weeks prior to your due date to two weeks after it. 

Discuss The Options

In weighing your options about pain relief during labor and delivery, educate yourself on all the different types available by talking to your doctor or other health care professional. There may be one type that is recommended for you specifically over another. Some pain relief options will allow you participate in the birth of your child while others will completely block out all feelings. Many women make the decision before going into labor to have natural childbirth and later change their mind. Others plan to get pain medicine and then arrive at the hospital as the baby is about to be born, and birth happens before they have a chance to get medicine. It is always best to know your options before you go into labor.

Non-medical pain relief options for childbirth

Research suggests that adequate preparation can help to reduce pain or at least modify the perception of pain and reduce anxiety, which can help you to better cope with labour. There are several non-drug pain relief options:

• Breathing exercises

  Breathing exercises are a traditional way of coping with pain; nowadays, there are many other methods of pain relief, which are more effective; however, breathing exercises are still important and they can help to make labour run more smoothly.
  During the different stages of labour, different breathing exercises will be more useful than others:
  Stage.1: during the early stage of labour you should focus on breathing deeply through each contraction; you should inhale slowly and then exhale gradually. Some women find it beneficial to count during these long breaths. As the labour progresses and the contractions become stronger you can start to breathe quicker; as the contraction reaches its peak, it is helpful to breathe in and out quickly, like a panting action.
  Stage.2: during this stage breathing can help make contractions more effective; during this stage you feel an urge to push but your body will not be ready to push just yet. During this time, you should inhale deeply and then exhale slowly when the midwife tells you to push; this helps to encourage the baby to drop lower. After a deep breath, take a couple of shallow breaths and then you will be ready for another deep breath for the next contraction.
  Breathing techniques and exercises help to maximise the oxygen available to both you and your baby and will help to reduce discomfort and focus your mind on something other than sensations of pain.
  It is a good idea to practice your breathing technique throughout your pregnancy; it will seem natural doing it during labour if you do this. You can learn about breathing techniques from antenatal classes, books and DVDs.
  

• Tens 

  Many pregnant women choose to use Tens as a way of controlling their contractions, as it able to effectively distract from the pain. Tens stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve stimulation. It is a machine which is attached to your clothing during pregnancy, and gives out safe electric pulses of energy which can be used in conjunction with four pads that you can put on your back.
  Each tens machine is different and it is best to read the instructions carefully and get help if need be. Your birth partner will be able to assist you with the use of the Tens machine during labour. The pads which come with the Tens machine are usually placed on your back, though you may only need to attach two pads at about bra level. The other two pads should be placed on your lower back or your bottom. The pads are coated in a gel to make it more comfortable, but this is also a means to ensure pulses reach the body effectively. The Tens machine typically contains dials which are used to adjust pulse output according to your individual needs.
  Tens machines are available to buy in pharmacies and mother and baby shopping outlets, or as an alternative you could look on the internet.
  
  Hot or cold packs, massage, a warm shower or immersion in a warm bath, and keeping active may all be helpful.   

 

Medical Pain Relieve Options

There are three main ways to provide pain relief during labor and childbirth:

• Local anesthesia may be used by your health care provider during delivery to numb a painful area in or around the vagina if stitches are needed. Local medications do not reduce discomfort during labor.
• Regional anesthesia (also called an epidural or spinal anesthesia) is administered by an anesthesiologist (a doctor who delivers pain medicine) during labor to reduce discomfort. In both epidural and spinal anesthesia, medications are placed near the nerves in your lower back to "block" pain in a wide region of your body while you stay awake. Regional anesthesia greatly reduces pain throughout the birthing process. It can also be used if a cesarean birth becomes necessary.
• General anesthesia puts you to sleep during the birthing process. While safe, general anesthesia is rarely used and only during emergencies because it prevents you from seeing your child immediately after birth.

Gas and air (Entonox) for labour

This is a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide gas. Gas and air won't remove all the pain but it can help to reduce it and make it more bearable. Many women like it because it's easy to use and they control it themselves.

How it works

You breathe in the gas and air through a mask or mouthpiece, which you hold yourself. You'll probably practise using the mask or mouthpiece if you go to an antenatal class. The gas takes about 15 to 20 seconds to work, so you breathe it in just as a contraction begins. It works best if you take slow, deep breaths.

Side effects

There are no harmful side effects for you or the baby but it can make you feel light-headed. Some women also find that it makes them feel sick, sleepy or unable to concentrate. If this happens, you can stop using it.
If gas and air doesn't give you enough pain relief, you can ask for a painkilling injection as well.

Pethidine injections in labour

Another form of pain relief is the intramuscular injection (into the muscle of your thigh or buttock) of a drug, such as pethidine or, less commonly, diamorphine. The injection can also help you to relax, which can lessen the pain.

How it works

It takes about 20 minutes to work after the injection, and the effects last between two and four hours.

Side effects

There are some side effects to be aware of:

• It can make some women feel woozy, sick and forgetful.
• If it hasn't worn off towards the end of labour it can make it difficult to push. You might prefer to ask for half a dose initially to see how it works for you.
• If pethidine or diamorphine are given too close to the time of delivery they may affect the baby's breathing. If this happens, another drug to reverse the effect will be given.
• The drugs can interfere with the baby's first feed. 

Epidurals

An epidural is a special type of local anaesthetic. It numbs the nerves that carry the pain impulses from the birth canal to the brain. For most women, an epidural gives complete pain relief. It can be helpful for women who are having a long or particularly painful labour, or who are becoming distressed.

An anaesthetist is the only person who can give an epidural, so it won't be available if you give birth at home. If you think you might want one, check whether anaesthetists are always available at your hospital.

How much you can move your legs after en epidural depends on the local anaesthetic used. Some units offer 'mobile' epidurals, which means you can walk around. However, this also requires the baby's heart rate to be monitored remotely (by telemetry) and many units don't have the equipment to do this. Ask your midwife if this a mobile epiduran is available in your local unit.

An epidural can provide very good pain relief, but it's not always 100% effective in labour. The Obstetric Anaesthetists Association estimates that one in eight women who have an epidural during labour need to use other methods of pain relief.

What's involved in having an epidural?

To have an epidural:

• A drip will run fluid through a needle into a vein in your arm.
• While you lie on your side or sit up in a curled position, an anaesthetist will clean your back with antiseptic, numb a small area with some local anaesthetic and then introduce a needle into your back.
• A very thin tube will be passed through the needle into your back near the nerves that carry pain impulses from the uterus. Drugs, usually a mixture of local anaesthetic and opioid, are administered through this tube. (An opioid is a drug that binds to special opioid receptors in the body, reducing pain.) It takes about 10 minutes to set up the epidural, and another 10 to 15 minutes for it to work. It doesn't always work perfectly at first and may need adjusting.
• After it has been set up, the epidural can be topped up by your midwife, or you may be able to top up the epidural yourself through a machine.
• Your contractions and the baby's heart rate will need to be continuously monitored. This means having a belt around your abdomen and possibly a clip attached to the baby's head.

Side effects of obstetric epidurals

There are some side effects to be aware of:

• An epidural may make your legs feel heavy, depending on the local anaesthetic used.
• Your blood pressure can drop (hypotension); however, this is rare because the fluid given through the drip in your arm helps maintain good blood pressure.
• Epidurals can prolong the second stage of labour. If you can no longer feel your contractions, the midwife will have to tell you when to push. This means that forceps or a ventouse may be needed to help deliver the baby's head (instrumental delivery). When you have an epidural, your midwife or doctor will wait longer for the baby's head to come down (before you start pushing). This reduces the chance you will need an instrumental delivery. Sometimes, less anaesthetic is given towards the end so that the effect wears off and you can push the baby out naturally.
• You may find it difficult to pass urine as a result of the epidural. If so, a small tube called a catheter may be put into your bladder to help you.
• About one in 100 women gets a headache after an epidural. If this happens, it can be treated.
• Your back might be a bit sore for a day or two but epidurals don't cause long-term backache. 

 The birth of a new life makes it all worth the pain....




 Please share your birthing experience with us..Did you get a pain relieve or you went all natural?

3 easy steps to an instant skin glow in just 15minutes!!!

Yes, your skin can radiate and achieve a fresh glow by using supplies you have in your kitchen in just 15minutes.

Step 1. STEAM
Steaming helps to open up the Pores. Fill stainless pan with water and throw in a handful of lavender. Heat the water until it boils. Turn off heat and move pan away from stove. Pull your hair back into a ponytail and place your face in front of the rising steam. Use your bathe towel to help direct the steam to your face. Do not place too close to steam to avoid burns.

Step 2. EXFOLIATE
Your pores should now be opened from the effects of the steam. Dampen exfoliating facial pad in warm water and then lightly dip it into powdered milk. Gently massage your facial skin using a circular motion. Repeat process untill you have covered your entire face. Use dry towel to to pat your face dry. Your skin should have a natural glow.

Step 3. APPLY A SOOTHING FACIAL MASK
Mix together one tablespoon of oatmeal and 2 tablespoon of powdered milk in a bowl. Add one egg (white) and mix thoroughly. Blend the ingredients thoroughly in a blender until smooth and pasty. Apply the mixture to your face and allow it to dry for 15minutes. Rinse with water and apply moisturising lotion.


Your skin will feel so soft and smooth that you will need little make-up.

Beauty Products in Your Kitchen!!

   

• Salt and Sugar: Hand and Foot Exfoliator

Salt and sugar are too strong for the delicate skin on your face, but make an excellent scrub for hardworking hands and feet.  Mix a little with some olive oil or honey and keep a jar handy for a quick treatment.

• Olive Oil: Eye Make-Up Remover

Keep a small jar in your medicine cabinet.  Dab a little onto a damp cotton ball and watch your eye makeup melt right off.  It also moisturizes the delicate skin around your eyes and nourishes your lashes.  And it doesn’t sting.

• Eggs: Protein Hair Mask

Eggs are high in protein and make an excellent mask for damaged hair.  Whip up the eggs a bit, adding a tablespoon or two of olive oil and spread onto damp hair.  You may want to mix it in a blender to completely emulsify the oil.  Spread it onto your hair, wrap it in a warm towel, relax for ten to twenty minutes while it works its magic, then shampoo as you normally would.  A once a week treatment will help protect oft-styled hair.

• Coconut Oil: Moisturizer and Stretch Mark Cream

If used on the belly throughout pregnancy period, the occurrence of stretch marks is greatly reduced.  It’s also excellent on hands and feet, especially with cotton gloves or socks worn overnight

• Honey: Skin and Hair Conditioner

Honey makes a wonderful, moisture-rich conditioner.  Its humectant properties draw moisture into your hair.  And far from being a sticky mess it rinses out easily and leaves hair soft.

• Eggs: Protein Hair Mask

Eggs are high in protein and make an excellent mask for damaged hair.  Whip up the eggs a bit, adding a tablespoon or two of olive oil and spread onto damp hair.  You may want to mix it in a blender to completely emulsify the oil.  Spread it onto your hair, wrap it in a warm towel, relax for ten to twenty minutes while it works its magic, then shampoo as you normally would.  A once a week treatment will help protect oft-styled hair.

• Milk: Skin Softener

Patting some milk onto your face, letting it dry and then rinsing it off with warm water will give you noticeably softer skin.

• Lemon Juice: Nail Whitener

 Lemon juice is used to remove the stains that would accrue from a day of cooking and cleaning.

Cornmeal: Facial Exfoliator
You can mix fine to medium ground cornmeal into a base of honey, oil, yogurt or mashed fruit for a gentle, but effective facial scrub that can be used on a daily basis.

• Vinegar: Shiny Hair Rinse

1 tablespoon in a cup of water will give you a great hair rinse that removes product buildup and makes your hair shaft smother, resulting in shinier hair.  You can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a pleasant scent

• Avocado: Nourishing Skin Mask

Face masks containing avocado line grocery store shelves.  Simply mashing up an avocado and letting it sit on your face will give you all the nutrients and moisture, plus enzymes, but minus weird fillers and chemicals.  Mixing it in the blender with a little water or olive oil will give you an easier-to-spread consistency.

Who will save us from secondhand smoke?

While walking down a street in Ikeja, a young man smoking walked past me. Unfortunately, I didn't see him on time and I had inhaled deeply the tobacco smoke which announced his presence. I choked, coughed and was left belching even after he was gone. I was enraged but helpless at the same time. I shuddered and wondered what persons with lungs related challenges like asthma go through moving around public places.

Yes, everyone has a right to do whatever they want, but it must not be to the detriment of others. I understand there is a Tobacco Control Bill which prohibits persons to engage in tobacco smoking in public places like Cinema, Stadium, Offices, Medical Establishment, Schools and public transportation. This bill which took more than two years before lawmakers finally approved it had been awaiting ratification by the federal government  since March 2011.

 

The dangers of Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke is a mixture of the smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke exhaled by smokers.The smoke that burns off the end of a cigarette or cigar actually contains more harmful substances than the smoke inhaled by the smoker, as there is no filter it must pass through.

If you are a non-smoker but are exposed to secondhand smoke on a regular basis, your body will still absorb nicotine and other harmful substances.

Smoke contains more than 4000 chemical compounds, of which 250 are toxic and more than 50 are known cancer-causing agents. These dangerous substances linger in the air for approximately 4 hours and breathing in these particles for only minutes can harm you.


A few of the chemicals that float into your lungs when you are exposed to secondhand smoke are:

• Hydrogen cyanide -- a highly poisonous gas used in chemical weapons and pest control
• Benzene -- a component of gasoline
• Formaldehyde -- a chemical used to embalm corpses
• Carbon monoxide -- a poisonous gas found in car exhaust
• Vinyl chloride
•  Cadmium
•  Arsenic
•  Ethylene oxide

 

How does secondhand smoke affect non-smokers?

Exposure Time to Secondhand Smoke and Effects:

• 5 minutes – stiffens the aorta as much as smoking a cigarette
• 20-30 minutes – causes excess blood clotting, as well as increases the build up of fat deposits in blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke
• 2 hours – increases the chance of irregular heart beat (arrhythmia) and can trigger a fatal cardiac event or heart attack.

In addition, the longer you are around secondhand smoke, the greater the level of harmful substances in your body.

Lung cancer and secondhand smoke
Passive smoking is an established risk factor for the development of lung cancer. Coughing, chest congestion, and decreased lung function can also occur in those exposed to passive smoke..

Cardiovascular disease and secondhand smoke

Like cigarette smoking itself, secondhand smoke is a significant risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease and heart attack.

Secondhand smoke and other effects on children
In addition to the risk of pneumonia and respiratory infections in babies exposed to secondhand smoke, passive smoke is known to increase the severity of asthma in children with this condition.  Babies who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Secondhand smoke and the effects on pregnant women

Like women who smoke, pregnant women who are exposed to secondhand smoke have an increased risk of having low-birthweight babies.

Eye, nasal and throat irritation; increased risk of sinus and respiratory infections.

Now with the obvious and urgent need to control tobacco use in public places, one wonders why the Tobacco Smoking Control Bill is still awaiting ratification by the federal government after been approved by lawmakers in march, 2011. Could it be because of pressure from tobacco lobbying groups who benefit a lot from the proliferation of tobacco in the country? It is said that Nigeria is one of the largest markets for tobacco products in Africa with about 13 million Nigerians smoking and about 17 billion cigarettes produced in the country each year.

Picture: Stop editing your pics. What if you go missing? How can we find you if you look like Beyonce on Facebook, and Waka Flocka in person-hahaha

hehehehe. Cant stop laughing. Alright o.

You can choose your baby's gender ('xes') before conception

At conception, gender is determined by chromosome characteristics - and it will be the male (hubby) that dictates whether the baby will be a boy or a girl.

Prior to conception, the unfertilized egg carries an X chromosome while the sperm can carry either an X or a Y chromosome. The gender of the baby comes down to one simple event:

• If the sperm carrying an X chromosome fertilizes the egg, a girl will be conceived.
• If the sperm carrying a Y chromosome fertilizes the egg, a boy will be conceived

---

Timing of Intercourse

Studies indicate that the sperm with the X chromosome - or female chromosome - have a longer life span than the male sperm (with the Y chromosome). Yet the male sperm appear to have a higher motility. Sperm motility is measured in two ways: percentage of sperm exhibiting movement, and the quality of this movement, which is called the forward progression. Poor motility means the sperm have a difficult time swimming toward the egg. It is said that the sperm carrying the Y chromosome uses energy faster than the sperm carrying the X chromosome. The energy utilization is said to be due to the speed in which sperm swim. Supposedly, the Y sperm is speedy or contains less mitochondria whereas the X sperm is slower or carries more mitochondria. Mitochondria are the energy producing cellular components which are absolutely necessary for life. Sperm contain, and can only produce, so much fuel for their journey. If one sperm type swims faster than another, the consequence of that, of course, is faster arrival - but also faster expiration. That said, if a woman knows her cycle and when she ovulates, the odds of baby gender prediction can be in one's favor. Sperm can reach the fallopian tubes in about 20 minutes to 2 hours. Sperm are viable for about 4-7 days inside the woman.

You want to have a Boy ?

It is believed that if intercourse takes place closer to ovulation, then the probability is greater that the child will be male, due to the high motility (forward progression) and also the decreased life span of the Y carrying sperm.  If you want a boy - aim for later intercourse before ovulation - say about 1 day before ovulation. Frequent intercourse around the time of ovulation. Have your partner wear boxers. A male with a high sperm count is more likely to have a boy. You want to have a Girl ?  The sperm with the X chromosome - or female chromosome - have a longer life span than the male sperm, but exhibit decreased motility. Therefore, intercourse that takes place earlier may provide increased probability of a girl.   You know you ovulate 14 days before your next cycle. You must deliver sperm no closer than 4 days before ovulation. This way, the Y carrying sperm will likely be expired and the X carrying sperm still viable. When the egg is released at about 5 days after intercourse, the X carrying sperm will be in the fallopian tube waiting. If an X chromosome sperm fertilizes the egg, a girl will be conceived. The critical and perhaps not so obvious tip - don't repeat intercourse again for a week! Make sure fertilization is with 'mature sperm'. To sum up: If you want a girl - aim for earlier intercourse before ovulation - at least 4 days before you ovulate. 'Xesual' position also matters in the success of baby's gender selection. Parents desiring a girl, are encouraged to have sex in the missionary position (face to face, man on top) about two to four days before ovulation so that by the time the egg comes, only the heartier, more resilient X sperm will remain in the woman's reproductive tract.  Rear entry positions (man enters woman from behind) gives the Y chromosome an advantage over its the  X when the sperm is discharged as close as possible to the opening of the cervix.  Other methods such as Sperm sorting and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) are most effective, costly but not natural methods .

---

This is clear enough, right? Wish you luck in your baby's gender selection now and in future.

You dont need Viagra to cure erectile dysfunction– JUST KEGEL EXERCISES

Do you want to fix premature ejaculation?
Do you want to stop erectile dysfunction?
Do you want to have a hard and health Pen*s?
Then Kegel Is the answer


Here’s a quick list of what Kegel exercises have done for some men:

The Kegel builds a harder pen*s and longer-lasting erections

The Kegel improves penile blood flow

Kegel exercises for men build a healthier prostate

Kegels increase the angle of erection (For example, one man declared that his penis use to point towards the floor when erect, but practicing Kegels has helped his penis point straight out.)

The Kegel indirectly enlarges the pen*s (The Kegel does this by increasing the blood flow to the penis, and making it as hard – and thus as big – as possible.

The Kegle increases ejaculation volume

Kegel exercises for men produce stronger orgasms and more intense ejaculations

Kegels increase shooting distance of ejaculation (As rumor has it, Peter North — the furthest long-distance shooter in the porn business — kegeled religiously.)

The Kegel cures post-nucturition dribble (in which urine consistently dribbles from the penis after you go pee)

The Kegel builds your staying-power — of urine, that is (Several men report that after they started kegeling, they no longer had to get up in the middle of the night to use the restroom as they did before.)

Kegel exercises for men increase control of ejaculation, which leads to greater sexual stamina and even male multiple orgasms


The Kegel is different from all the other penile exercises in that it actually contracts and strengthens real skeletal muscles – your pelvic floor muscles (commonly referred to as the PC muscle or pubococcygeus muscle).

FINDING YOUR “PC” MUSCLE

 When you do Kegel exercises for men, you’re really exercising multiple muscles – along with your PC muscle, the Kegel exercises your IC muscle and BC muscle.

Finding the PC muscle is easy. The next time you’re urinating, stop your pee mid-flow. The muscles used to stop urinating is your PC muscle.

HOW DO I DO KEGEL EXERCISES FOR MEN?

To do Kegel exercises for men, contract your PC muscle when you’re not urinating. Try holding the contraction for as long as possible. You probably can’t hold it for longer than a few seconds, if that. Many men can’t hold the contraction at all. This just means you have a weak PC muscle.
But not to worry, by doing just a few Kegels here and there, you’ll be able to dramatically improve the strength of your PC muscle – and you’ll reap the rewards in the bedroom.


The best part about the Kegel is that it doesn’t require any assistance from your hands or legs.
You can do Kegel exercises for men anywhere, anytime — whether it’s in a car, at the computer, while running, or even while you’re at work.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU DO KE

Since your PC muscle is actually a skeletal muscle, like your biceps and triceps, you’ll want to give it enough rest to nourish and grow. Just like your other muscles, your PC muscle is easily over-trained.  To avoid over-training, don’t do Kegel exercises for men every day. Instead, only Kegel three to four days a week.

YOUR KEGEL ROUTINE

• For the first few weeks: Do 50 Kegels every other day. Each Kegel should be contracted for one to five seconds, depending on the strength of your PC muscle. The first time you Kegel, it probably won’t last much longer than a second or two. With more exercise and experience, your PC muscle will become much stronger and your Kegel exercises for men will last much longer.

• Over time: Gradually incorporate more Kegels into your routine.  Work up to five to ten minutes a day, four days a week.  This should be fairly easy to do, since you can do Kegel exercises for men anywhere, anytime.  Many penile exercisers do them on their morning commute to work, for example. Eventually, spice it up and try holding your Kegels for as long as possible.

STOP PREMATURE EJACULATIONS & ACHIEVE MULTIPLE ORGASMS

Once your PC muscle is strong, you’ll have the ability to stop yourself from ejaculating.  To do this, you’ll need to be able to hold a tight Kegel contraction for at least 10 seconds. Once you can do that, try the following method for delaying ejaculation:

• Kegel right before you hit the “point of no return” – the point where semen starts moving through your penis and ejaculation is inevitable.
• Hold the contraction for roughly 10 seconds or more.
• After the urge to ejaculate has gone away, release the Kegel.

Kegel exercises for men is that easy! The hard part is building up your PC muscle so it’s strong enough to withstand the pressure of ejaculating. Accordingly, learning this process may actually take you anywhere from a few weeks to months to even years.
Many men report that learning exactly when to do Kegel exercises for men is another hard part of the process. This part can take practice, patience, and a lot of attempts (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing), but is well worth the end result.


Don’t give up on kegeling if it causes temporary premature ejaculation. This beginner kegeling side effect typically passes in just a few weeks time – and you’ll be able to last even longer in the bedroom once you get over it. The stronger your PC muscle, through performing Kegel exercises for men, the easier it is to stop yourself from ejaculating altogether.

Back on my feet...

6months ago, I laid sick in the hospital not knowing what the morrow holds but trusting in God to pull me through. I had a surgery and started blogging to kill boredom while recuperating at home.


Well, I'm back on my feet now and back to work. The frequency of my blogging will sure reduce but I wont stop.

If you are sick, May the healing balm of the Lord rest upon you. Remember His words, He will never leave or forsake you neither will He allow you through trials that will crush you. He will show Himself mighty in your situation and give you peace all around so that You can also testify of His goodness.


Peace

How to Maintain Clear White Eyes

 The eye are the windows to your soul, they are also a good indication of how healthy and rested you are. When the whites (the sclera) of the eye are bright and clear, you look younger, more alert and overall more well taken care of. White eyes are healthy eyes. Red, itchy eyes result when you are not getting enough sleep, fluids or have a lifestyle that is causing eye strain. Maintaining clear, white eyes is fairly simple, if you are prepared to take care of yourself consistently.

Baby your eyes whenever possible. Use cold cucumber slices or a cool pack on your closed eyelids to help constrict the blood vessels in the area and reduce redness.

Wear your sunglasses when outside all year round. The sun and wind can cause dryness and irritation. Make sure the lenses have proper UVB protection.

 

When reading or working at a computer screen, give your eyes a rest every half hour or so in order to reduce eye strain and dryness. Keep lubricating eye drops on hand and use them when your eyes begin to feel itchy.

Drink LOTS of water. I once took 3.5-4 liters of water throughout the day and woke up the next morning with clear, shiny eyes. Too bad I’m usually lazy in filling up my glass with drinks. - See more at: http://ecobeautysecrets.com/2012/02/how-to-have-clear-sparkly-eyes-naturally/#sthash.oJxo5vkn.dpuf

Maintain a balanced lifestyle, stay hydrated and get enough sleep. Eating foods rich in Vitamins C, A, E, beta carotene and zinc are beneficial for optimum eye health.

Take enough Vit A and Vit C. I’m sure you usually read about how Vit A is good for your eyes but Vit C is as important, too. Vit C helps prevent the build up of foreign particles on your eye that cause blurriness, irritation, floaters and cataracts. You can take supplements to boost up your Vit A & C levels. But nothing beats natural, healthy food. Examples of foods rich in Vit A are carrots, sweet potato, butternut squash and green leafy veggies like spinach and kale. While some foods rich in Vit C are guava, bell pepper, citrus fruits and papaya. - See more at: http://ecobeautysecrets.com/2012/02/how-to-have-clear-sparkly-eyes-naturally/#sthash.oJxo5vkn.dpuf

Take enough Vit A and Vit C. I’m sure you usually read about how Vit A is good for your eyes but Vit C is as important, too. Vit C helps prevent the build up of foreign particles on your eye that cause blurriness, irritation, floaters and cataracts. You can take supplements to boost up your Vit A & C levels. But nothing beats natural, healthy food. Examples of foods rich in Vit A are carrots, sweet potato, butternut squash and green leafy veggies like spinach and kale. While some foods rich in Vit C are guava, bell pepper, citrus fruits and papaya. - See more at: http://ecobeautysecrets.com/2012/02/how-to-have-clear-sparkly-eyes-naturally/#sthash.oJxo5vkn.dpuf

Although redness relieving eye drops are a great "quick fix" on occasion, they are not recommended for long time use as you will gradually become immune to the effects. Make sure that any lubricating drops you keep on hand for regular use are for lubricating only.

Take enough Vit A and Vit C. I’m sure you usually read about how Vit A is good for your eyes but Vit C is as important, too. Vit C helps prevent the build up of foreign particles on your eye that cause blurriness, irritation, floaters and cataracts. You can take supplements to boost up your Vit A & C levels. But nothing beats natural, healthy food. Examples of foods rich in Vit A are carrots, sweet potato, butternut squash and green leafy veggies like spinach and kale. While some foods rich in Vit C are guava, bell pepper, citrus fruits and papaya. - See more at: http://ecobeautysecrets.com/2012/02/how-to-have-clear-sparkly-eyes-naturally/#sthash.oJxo5vkn.dpuf

Do not use red out drops on a regular basis--these can actually make the redness much worse. I recommend wearing sunglasses with maximum UV protection, make sure you are getting enough sleep, avoid dusty/smoky environments, and use an artificial tear drop up to 4x per day. Cold artificial tears can temporarily constrict blood vessels and make your eyes appear whiter. 

 

The entire white of both eyes being yellow is a sign of jaundice due to liver function abnormalities. The most common cause of this a a hereditary absence of a liver enzyme causing mild elevation of the serum bilirubin. Other causes include hepatitis. You should be checked.

The other side of being skinny

Although most people are trying to lose weight, many others want to gain a little here and there.

Perhaps other people envy you because you still manage to look skinny, no matter how much junk or food you eat. But nobody knows that you secretly wish to fill up those bones in order to wear certain clothes without looking scrawny.

However, it is not as easy as it seems. Nutritionist and dietician, Dr. Ruth Onyechukwu, says that  trying to gain weight when you are underweight is as hard as trying to lose weight when you are overweight.

She notes that those who are underweight usually have a weaker immune system, which makes them prone to infections, surgical complications, and slower recovery times for illness.

Onyechukwu states that those who are thin tend to have low muscle mass, less skin composition  and also experience disruptions in their ability to regulate hormones and protect bone health, which could  result in irregular menstruation cycles in women.

But you can increase your body mass by a few changes in your diet and lifestyle choices.This does not mean that you should reach for junk and fatty foods always.

Onyechukwu says there are better ways to gain weight, such as eating foods that are rich in nutrients and exercising everyday to build muscle mass.

Here are some healthy ways that you can gain some weight to meet your goal:

Eat more protein and carbohydrates frequently

When you are underweight, eat five to six smaller meals during the day rather than two or three large meals.

You need to be eating every two-three hours. Also eat right before bed. Experts say a lot of our healing, repair and regeneration takes place while we sleep. It’s like rush hour for building muscle and lean tissue, so eating a healthy snack right before bed ensures a fresh supply of nutrients that are available to “go to work” inside the body.

 A great option that won’t leave you feeling stuffed might be a small bowl of salad made with 100 per cent whole-grain pasta (wheat or a gluten-free alternative), vinaigrette made with extra-virgin olive oil, chopped or shredded veggies, and a lean protein such as beans and chopped chicken breast.

Also, as part of an overall healthy diet, choose whole-grain breads, pastas and cereals; fruits and vegetables; low-fat dairy products; lean protein sources; and nuts and seeds.

Get proper sleep

Snooze time is essential when it comes to gaining weight. They say the majority of muscle repair and growth of the muscle itself is done while we sleep. This is why proper rest days and sleep is crucial for the development of muscle mass. Trained muscles should be given 48 to 72 hours for full recovery and you should be aiming for eight hours of sleep per night.

Drink up!

When it comes to increasing muscle mass, water intake is key. According to Chukwu, water is retained within the muscle itself. So when you don’t drink enough water for the muscle mass the size can appear to decrease. Hydration is also beneficial for overall bodily and muscle function.

Add in calorie-dense snacks. Snack on nuts, peanut butter, cheese, dried fruits and avocados. Have a bedtime snack, such as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a wrap sandwich with avocado, sliced vegetables, and lean meat or cheese.

Drink mixed juices (apple/berry, peach/orange/banana as opposed to one juice beverages) for a higher calorie intake.

Little alcohol

Try a small amount of alcohol (4 ounces of wine, 6 ounces of beer, or a half-ounce of liquor with juice) before a meal, as it could stimulate appetite. Moore warns, however, that this recommendation must be cleared with your doctor, especially if you are on any medication. Too much alcohol can be detrimental to health and could lessen your resolve for eating healthy.

Exercise! Exercise! Exercise

Exercise, especially strength training, can help you gain weight by building up your muscles. Exercise may also stimulate your appetite.

Try squats

Squats help focus muscle development on the largest muscle mass in our bodies, the lower extremities. When you’re doing squats, remember to keep your feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointed forward and torso upright. For the best results, do squats in front of a mirror — this way you can watch the movement of your knees.

Also, bench press promotes muscle development in the chest, shoulders and triceps and can be done on a bench, stability ball or with different angles and hand positions. While doing a bench press, remember to keep your hands comfortably on the bar and push up in a “C” shape as opposed to going up and down.

Lastly, drink your food. Liquids aren’t as filling as solid food, so when you’re trying to gain weight, they can add nutrition without making you feel stuffed or bloated. Good choices include 100 per cent fruit juice, organic skim milk or milk alternatives (such as organic soy, or hemp), and smoothies. Smoothies are ideal  because you can bolster them with all kinds of good stuff, like wheat germ, nut butter, carrot juice, and protein powder.

Culled from The Punch.

Pictures: Fashion or Craze?

Its been a while I blogged. You all know I started blogging to kill boredom while recuperating at home after a surgery I had. Well, I'm back on my feet now and back to work. I came across this pictures and just thought to share with you. You decide if this is fashion or quarter to Yaba left. lol












Awwwww...........She's pouting



Follow the arrow, can't miss your way....

What masturbation does to you

Masturbation has its bad and good side. Masturbation is addictive and we know that too much of everything is bad 

In 2011, A 16-year-old boy died after masturbating 42 times without stopping in Rubiato town, in Brazil.

The young man began to masturbate at midnight and spent the whole night to compulsively touch himself.

They further said that his attraction to women was extreme; he was attracted to all kind of women, regardless of texture physics, color and age.

In his room a great amount of pornography was found, including photographs and videos of nude women that were saved on his PC.


In men, masturbation has been known to be associated with premature ejaculation, that is, having ejaculation before or just after sexual intercourse has begun.


Like all habits, it may be difficult to break for some people. The tendency is also there for adolescents to do nothing else but masturbate whenever they have some free time. This is bad as it does not allow them to develop other aspects of their talent and broaden their horizon for the world ahead


Bruising of the genital organs can occur during masturbation, particularly if they are handled roughly during the act or if there is not enough lubrication. These can cause a lot of pain and can lead to serious infection if contaminated by germs.

Sperm is made up of calories and and when lost through the act, energy is lost 


I heard it causes cancer and mensturual issues in women, and that people addicted to masturbation  loose 30-40 % of their memory  . I dont know how true this is but I'll sure find out about it and bring you more info.

Foods that’ll make you look younger

Sweet potatoes: Beta-carotene, which makes these tubers orange, balances your skin’s pH, helps combat dryness, and promotes cell turnover, all resulting in smoother skin.

•Wild salmon: The pigment that makes the fish pink, astaxanthin, is a powerful foe of free radicals, rogue molecules that damage cell membranes and DNA and cause skin to age. A study found that eating one serving every five days can prevent actinic keratoses — ugly rough patches that are precancerous.

•Tomatoes: The fruit’s red pigment, lycopene, is a potent antioxidant that shields skin from sun damage — like sunscreen, but from the inside out. To best absorb lycopene, eat tomatoes with olive oil.

•Citrus fruits: Vitamin C is essential to building collagen, a vital component of young-looking skin, which starts breaking down in your twenties. Citrus also contains bioflavonoids, which protect skin from UV rays and help prevent cell death.

•Leafy greens: Spinach, kale, and other greens contain lutein, which protects skin from sun-induced inflammation and wrinkles.

•Reject white foods: Need another reason to avoid white bread, pasta, rice, and other refined grain products? They’re quickly broken down into the ultimate white food: sugar. Once in the bloodstream, sugar bonds with protein and creates advanced glycation end products (aptly abbreviated AGEs), which cause collagen to become inflamed and stiff, leading to wrinkles.

Source: details.com

Sneeze, but don’t pass infections

Have you ever been around someone who sneezes on end, especially when they step into bright lights and you end up getting tired of saying “bless you” each time they sneeze, in addition to being worried about the implications for your health?

Generally, doctors say, sneezing is caused by an irritation of the lining of your nose. According to family physician, Dr. Grace Odeleke, “When you sneeze, it shows that something is probably irritating or tickling the interior of your nose. So, it is your body’s way of removing an irritation from your nose.”

Sneezing contributes to the spread of viruses, germs, and disease, carrying with them whatever ailments and contaminations of the individual through the air and onto objects.”

Good sneezing habits

Do not hold your nose or block your mouth while sneezing. Doing so can cause serious injury. The force and velocity of the average sneeze, if prevented from ejection from the body, can eventually cause hearing loss and damage the blood vessels in your head, especially if you make a habit of stopping a sneeze when it’s already begun.

•If you’re around others, you risk spreading harmful bacteria when you let one (or two or three or maybe even four) out into the air. The ‘spray’ you emit can reach up to five feet away from you! That’s a radius that encompasses a lot of people. So, be careful!

•If you can, sneeze into a tissue and dispose of the tissue. If a tissue isn’t available, sneeze into your sleeve. If you do end up sneezing into your hands, be sure to wash them afterwards. Your hands touch doorknobs, your face, surfaces, and other people constantly. And, if you happen to be away from water, carry hand sanitiser to save the day.

•When you’re in a group of people, you’ll surely be given the evil eye if you wind up for a sneeze and deliver with flying success. You’re spreading germs and disrupting the flow, so it’s best to sneeze as discretely as possible.

•Sneezing into your elbow can diffuse the sound. If that’s not an option, grab a tissue, tilt your head down, and sneeze as quietly as possible.

•Make it a habit to carry a tissue or handkerchief with you at all times, so that you don’t feel the need to withhold a sneeze unnecessarily.

•If you do sneeze, take precautions to not spread disease. Many doctors now recommend sneezing into the inside of the elbow rather than the hands to discourage the spread of germs. At the very least, you should cover your mouth and nose so as to prevent spraying germs into the air. You can blow mucus into a tissue, then wash your hands as soon after as possible to prevent the spreading of your disease.

Source: wikihow.com