The Joycescape Network

This is one of the numerous fears of the pregnant woman. During pregnancy, as the baby grows and gets heavier, it presses against the cervix. This may cause the cervix, which is the muscle which encloses the uterus, to open up before the baby is ready to be born. This condition is called an incompetent or weakened cervix, and will result in a miscarriage between the 13th and 20th weeks of pregnancy. Although this condition is rare (about 1 in a 100 pregnancies), it still accounts for about 25% of all second semester miscarriages.

The cervix is composed of circular muscular fibers that keep it tightly closed throughout the pregnancy. However, damage to the cervical muscles may result in incompetent cervix. Damage can result from:

• Previous surgery on the cervix
• A previous difficult birth
• Malformations due to a birth defect
• Previous trauma such as dilation and curettage from a termination or miscarriage

Diagnosis of an incompetent cervix is rare as it is not routinely checked for during pregnancy. However, ultrasounds and pelvic exams can unearth the problem. Some signs and symptoms of the condition are given below:

• Lots of discharge (incompetent cervix is suspected when there are three discharges in the second semester).
• Pelvic heaviness
• Discomfort

The treatment for a weakened cervix is cerclage, a procedure that sews the cervix closed. Cerclage is performed in weeks 14-16 and the sutures are removed by week 36 to prevent any problems during labor. Complications can arise as a result of cerclage, including uterine rupture, maternal hemorrhage, cervical laceration…etc.

Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Incoming search terms:

• fibrous cervix
• incompetent cervix
• symptoms for incompetent cervix
• celebrity with incompetent cervix
• symptoms of incompetent cervix
• symptoms of damaged cervix
• pictures of a pregnant womans cervix
• picture of a weak cervix
• incompetent cervix symptoms
• cervix damage

by:Jocelyn Iyog

Serious medical consequences of the use of alcohol, such as heart damage, brain damage, and liver damage, are more likely in women than in men. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recently reported that women more easily achieve high levels of blood alcohol, and are at greater risk for the damage that alcohol does to the major organs. In addition, they are also more vulnerable to injury resulting from drinking related traffic accidents. Alcohol abuse also puts women at higher risk for being the victim of physical violence and rape.

Some of the differences are due to different metabolism between the genders, but there are other factors that are as yet unknown. What is known is that women develop alcohol induced liver damage in a shorter amount of time than men do, and after consuming less alcohol. Women are also more likely to die from cirrhosis.

Alcohol induced brain damage is also more of a risk for women than for men, according to studies using magnetic resonance imaging. Among heavy drinkers, women are also at greater risk of heart muscle disease associated with alcohol, despite the fact that women use 60% less alcohol than men on average over a lifetime.

Additionally, heavy drinking has been associated with higher risk for breast cancer, though drinking up to one drink per day does not appear to increase the risk. When it comes to traffic crashes, women are less likely to drive drunk than men, but they are more likely to be involved in an alcohol related crash if they do drive after drinking.

Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Incoming search terms:

• how alcohol affects women and men differently

A professional manicure is more than just a treat. In addition to pampering yourself by having someone else gently caring for your hands, getting a manicure is both relaxing and loaded with intangible therapeutic benefits.
Going to a professional is always good, but if time or money are problematic, you can have a trusted friend or relative give you a professional looking massage in the comfort of your own home. In fact, why not consider a manicure party for yourself and a few of your closest friends.
The supply list is simple. For starters, you will need a fresh bowl of warm water for each manicure; a superior grade emery board; cuticle remover; a cuticle stick; cuticle trimmers; a nail brush and a nail buffer.
Start your manicure by filing the nails into the preferred shape with the emery board. Starting at the nail bed, hold the board at a 45 degree angle and file toward the center of the nail bed. This way, you will reduce the chance of stress on the nail and enhance nail growth. The next step is to soften your cuticles. After massaging each fingertip thoroughly with cuticle cream, then spend a few minutes with your hands immersed in warm water. Not only does the soak soften our cuticles, it makes the next step easier… using the nail brush to scrub your nail beds and trimming your cuticles.
Finish the process by giving your nails a smooth, glossy appearance with the buffer. Not only does this step make your nails look strong, smooth and shiny, it also improves the flow of blood in your nail bed, making your nails healthier and stronger.
Now that the filing, soaking, clipping and buffing is done, the fun really begins. Decide whether your want to sport your own nails or invest in a set of artificial nails. The most popular types of artificial nails are gel, acrylic and nail tips. If you opt for artificial nails, it might be best to trust the job to a professional nail technician. Whether in a salon or at home, simply let your creative spirit soar as you pick the color you want and select any special designs that might strike your fancy. Then just relax and be prepared to dazzle the world with your beautiful hands and nails.

Republished by Blog Post Promoter

If you are experiencing foot problems, ask yourself a few questions to decide whether home treatment is an option, or if you should seek medical help right away.

Are you diabetic? If so, you’re best getting help from your doctor, nurse, or diabetes educator rather than taking a “wait and see” approach. Foot problems that non-diabetics can deal with themselves can often be much more difficult to treat in diabetics. It’s best not to take chances.

Do you have arthritic feet? If so, you may be better off getting medical help for any structural problem of the foot, like bunions or hammer toes. You may, however, be able to treat minor skin problems like foot fungus or athlete’s foot at home.

Have you had an infected toenail for several weeks or months? If so, perhaps you should get professional medical help. Prescription treatments for toenail fungus take time, but waiting for toenail fungus to fix itself resolves nothing and may make it harder to treat.

Minor problems such as run-of-the-mill athlete’s foot can often be treated at home with over-the-counter medications with active ingredients like terbinafine, miconazole, clotrimazole, and tolnaftate.

With most foot problems, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you use public showers at your dorm, or at your gym, always take your own flip flops or shower shoes and wear them any time you don’t have your regular shoes on in the locker room.

And diabetics should make inspection of their feet for problems part of their daily routine, to prevent small problems from becoming major problems.

If you have trouble with athlete foots, It can be cure within seven days without using over-the- counter medication. CHECK THIS OUT!

Republished by Blog Post Promoter

If you work in a job where you’re on your feet all day, particularly on tile or some other hard surface, you know how much your feet can suffer. A professional foot massage is the ultimate in luxury, but if you don’t have the time or budget for this, there are other options that can help you have happier feet.

A foot spa or foot bath is an affordable option. While they generally cost $30 to $50, it’s a one-time investment that you can enjoy over and over, particularly if you choose a model with a generous warranty. Some models, like the HoMedics Pedicure Spa Salon Foot Bath not only have massaging bubble action, but pedicure tools like a dry heel reducer, pumice, nail brush, and nail buffer.

Simpler foot baths without the tools, but with heat and bubbles, are available for under $25 if you shop around and compare prices. Many of these have hooded basins to avoid splashing water out, as well as textured bottoms, which feel great on aching feet.

But even if you don’t invest in a massaging foot bath, there’s always the old-school option of sitting on the bathroom vanity with your feet soaking in a sink full of nice, warm water, or perching on the edge of the tub and soaking your feet. Dry your feet with a nice, fluffy towel and massage in some lotion and your feet will thank you.

Foot spas and foot baths are great little luxuries for those who are on their feet all day, but don’t forget the importance of high quality, well-fitting footwear to keep those aches to a minimum.
GZJEU3QJ6B73

Republished by Blog Post Promoter