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The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has made us fear the words “fever”, “cough”, “sore throat” and other symptoms associated with COVID-19. Earlier, fever was not an immediate cause of concern, unless it was related to other conditions such as fever in a surgical patient. Today, however, even a mild fever can result in panic and quarantine. In this article, we will look closer at “fever”, measuring it and how to understand if it is harmless or indicative of something far more serious.
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A fever (or hyperthermia) is defined as a temporary increase in your body temperature. Fever is not a condition on its own, in fact, it is one of the first symptoms that indicates something amiss in your body. A body temperature above 98.6℉ is considered to be a fever. While fever is uncomfortable in adults, in most cases, it need not cause concern unless it crosses 102℉.
Based on what condition is causing the fever, you may also experience other symptoms such as:
Fever should be taken more seriously if it manifests in infants and children between the ages of 6 months to 5 years as even a slightly elevated temperature may indicate a serious infection.
There are several types of thermometers available to help measure temperature. These are oral, rectal, tympanic (ear) and forehead thermometers.
Doctors recommend the use of rectal thermometers for infants. Hence, if you are reporting your baby’s temperature to your doctor, do mention how you recorded it as well.
The following steps can help you measure your temperature more accurately.
Usually, fevers should not immediately be a cause of alarm. Seek medical attention in the following cases.
Fevers are considered to be more serious in babies and young children. Take your child to the doctor if
You need not worry about your child having mild fever if he/she is responsive to you, ie: making eye contact, speaking etc. Consult your child’s pediatrician if:
Adults need to seek medical attention in the following cases:
Also Read: Ivy Gourd: Benefits & Side Effects
Fever can be caused due to a number of reasons. Some of the most common reasons are
In some cases, the cause of fever might not be evident. In such cases, the diagnosis is defined as “fever of unknown origin”.
As fever is a symptom, the focus is placed on minimising the risk of developing conditions that can cause fever. This includes reducing your exposure to infections and maintaining proper personal hygiene. The following steps can help reduce the risk of developing fever both in adults and children
The table below can help you identify fever associated with COVID-19. However, this is only for reference, if you are experiencing a fever with or without any other symptoms of COVID-19, please practice self-quarantine until recommended otherwise.
You can consult Dr Tushal Tayal, the best internal medicine specialist in Delhi NCR, at the CK Birla Hospital – Gurgaon.
Also read: What is Coronavirus: symptoms | how it spreads | how to avoid it
Did you know that almost every child is born with flat and flexible feet? During the first year of their life, they grow exponentially fast. However, the arches of their feet might fully develop only after they are 3-4 years old, even though they started walking and running much sooner. This article offers valuable insight into this condition for parents looking to learn about flatfeet.
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The reason behind every child being born with flat feet is that their muscles, bones and ligaments are yet to develop fully. One usually starts noticing the formation of the main arch of the foot (medial longitudinal arch) after the child reaches 3 years of age. This arch keeps developing until the child reaches 10 years of age. In many cases, the mature arch foot isn’t developed till the age of 7.
Basically, don’t be alarmed if your child has flatfeet before they are 3-4 years old, this is completely normal. The condition generally corrects itself with age as the muscles become stronger.
In medical terms, flatfoot is referred to as “Pes Planus”. It means a fallen arch of the foot has made the individual come in full contact with the surface they are standing on. People with flatfeet are further classified as symptomatic and asymptomatic. One common characteristic of asymptomatic and symptomatic flatfeet is the partial or total collapse of the arch.
Many parents become concerned about this condition. It is important to note that for most cases, this condition isn’t problematic and does not require any primary treatment.
As mentioned earlier, paediatric flatfeet are classified as symptomatic or asymptomatic (showing no symptoms). Understanding this distinction helps in deciding the best course of action to manage and treat this condition.
Also, read: All You Need to Know About Flat Feet
Flatfeet requires medical intervention only when it causes pain or is impacting the child’s daily life and play. Some of the common signs that indicate the need for treatment include:
Flatfeet can be caused by a number of reasons. Some of which are extrinsic while some in some cases, it is caused by underlying conditions. Some of the common reasons that can contribute to this condition are:
Read: Clubfoot or Congenital Talipes Equinovarus (CTEV)
These are two forms of foot deformities that can be present at birth (congenital deformity) and result in Flatfeet. These conditions are named after the “Talus” – a small bone that sits in the ankle and connects the foot with the lower leg.
Congenital oblique talus is a less severe form of vertical talus. In the latter (vertical talus), the talus points towards the ground, resulting in a stiff foot with no arch. This condition is also called “rocker bottom foot”. In oblique talus, even though the foot is pointing towards the wrong direction, it can be aligned normally whenever it is put down. A foot affected with congenital oblique talus looks more severe as compared to a normal foot, however, it looks less severe than a foot affected by vertical talus.
Both these conditions are treatable with surgical and non-surgical treatment methods which will be discussed in the following sections.
Based on the symptoms experienced by your child and the physical appearance of the foot, the condition is classified as:
This is the most common manifestation of Flatfeet which isn’t associated with any functional problems or pain. In this condition, the arches of the feet are only seen when you lift the feet off the ground. The arch completely disappears when the foot is placed flat on the surface. In most cases, this condition does not require any support or treatment.
However, in some rare cases, if medical intervention is deemed necessary, the focus is placed on finding the root cause of the deformity and treating that. The deformity itself is addressed later.
This is a rarer manifestation of Flatfeet which can create complications and impact normal functioning. This is due to the abnormal development of the foot with time. However, it is important to note that this deformity is more likely to develop in adults than children.
If not addressed and treated on time, this condition can worsen resulting in extreme pain, swelling and even arthritis.
Rigid Flatfeet requires surgical treatment. The most common reason for rigid flatfeet is a tarsal coalition – a state in which two or more bones are connected in an abnormal manner.
It can be treated with a resection surgery that is aimed at reducing pain and preserving the normal foot.
Depending on the severity of the condition and symptoms, flatfeet can be treated both surgically and conservatively.
Physical therapy
There are several exercises that are designed to treat Flatfeet by strengthening the muscles involved. These include heel chord stretching, gold ball roll, arch lifts and calf raises.
Lifestyle changes
This is especially relevant if Flatfeet is caused due to factors such as obesity. Patients are recommended to follow a healthy diet and exercise routine to bring their weight under control. The patients would also be required to switch to recommended footwear.
Choosing the right insole
Using the right insole in your shoes can significantly improve the functionality of Flatfeet and reduce pain. In recent times, with the development of 3D printing, customised insoles offer great support and comfort for people affected with flatfeet. The main thing to remember while choosing insoles is to opt for a low arch with maximum support.
Arch support
Even though arch support cannot treat flatfoot, it can help in reducing the symptoms associated with it. These are orthotic devices that are curated to provide support to flatfeet. They can be designed according to the contours of your feet.
Surgical treatment for Flatfeet is usually considered as the last resort. Even though surgery is considered after other forms of treatment, it does result in a positive outcome. Based on the problem that is causing the Flatfeet, your orthopaedic surgeon will try to correct it via surgical methods such as creating a false arch, repairing the tendons, or fusing the bone and joints in place.
To conclude, Flatfeet in children is not necessarily a cause of alarm. Consult a paediatric orthopaedic doctor if this condition is limiting your child’s play or causing excessive pain etc. For more information, you can consult Dr Gourav Jandial, the top paediatric orthopaedic surgeon in Delhi NCR at the CK Birla Hosptial Gurgaon.
Also, read: Finding the permanent solution for clubfoot
In recent years, a lot of effort has been placed on increasing awareness about breast cancer and the steps you can take to minimise its impact. This is largely due to the fact that today, breast cancer is the most common cancer to affect women around the world. It is also easily treated in its early stages. Regular breast cancer screenings and awareness about risk factors can go a long way in minimising the impact of breast cancer.
Breast density is one of the risk factors that is detected on a mammogram. But what does it mean to have dense breasts? Does it really increase the risk of breast cancer? What should be done after being diagnosed with dense breasts? In this article, we will explore the answers to some such questions related to breast density.
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Before we define breast density, let us look more closely into the structure of the breasts. Breasts are made up of three types of tissue. These are:
Breast density is the amount of fibrous and glandular tissue in the breasts compared to the amount of fatty tissue.
Based on the mammogram report, breast density is categorised into the following grades:
Women with heterogeneously dense or extremely dense breasts are considered to have dense breasts.
Dense breast tissue cannot be felt in a physical or self-examination. It is detected only on a mammogram. The dense tissue appears white on a mammogram while fatty tissue appears dark.
The factors which contribute to dense breasts are still unclear. However, some of the causes that can increase the chances of having dense breasts include:
Watch the video as Dr. Rohan Khandelwal, Breast Cancer surgeon in CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon talks about the relationship between Breast Density and Breast Cancer.
Breast density is an important part of managing your breast health as well as developing your breast cancer screening plan.
Breast density makes it harder for the radiologist to detect anomalies or signs of breast cancer in the mammogram. This is because early cancers, which show up as white dots or masses in the mammograms are masked by the dense breast tissue (which also appears white). Studies show that mammograms can miss almost half of the cancers in women with dense breasts. Women with dense breasts are also more likely to be detected with cancer after getting a normal mammogram report (after other symptoms of breast cancer start appearing such as lumps).
Apart from this, dense breasts are also associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. The reasons for this are still unclear. For women in category C of breast density, the risk of breast cancer is almost 1.5 times that for women with mostly fatty breasts. For women in category D, the risk of breast cancer is almost double that of women who have a mix of dense and fatty breast tissue.
Read: Worried about an underarm lump? Find out what it means
It is important to remember that dense breasts does not necessarily result in breast cancer. Breast cancer is often caused by a complex interplay of risk factors.
The most important steps to keep in mind if you are diagnosed with dense breasts are:
Follow lifestyle recommendations to minimise the risk of breast cancer such as maintaining healthy body weight, limiting your consumption of alcohol, not smoking and exercising regularly.
While breast density is out of our control, the above steps can help you minimise other risk factors. For more information about breast cancer and to assess your risk, you can consult Dr Rohan Khandelwal, one of the best breast cancer specialist in Delhi NCR.
Book an appointment with Dr Rohan Khandelwal.
Read: Breast cancer: warning signs and how do you minimise your risk?
Mood swings, depression, irritability, food cravings etc. are all some of the classic signs of the infamous “PMS”. PMS or premenstrual syndrome affects most women at some point of their lives. Several factors contribute to the severity of the symptoms women experience.
Lifestyle and dietary changes can help manage PMS symptoms to a large extent according to Dr Anjali Kumar, one of the best gynecologists in Gurgaon. With our increasingly busy lifestyles, we often opt for the easy way out, popping pills to manage cramps and other symptoms rather than focusing on healthier alternatives. Medication should always be the last resort. They are more useful for women who have extremely severe PMS symptoms, especially if they have underlying conditions such as PCOS.
Dr Anjali Kumar, Obstetrician & Gynecologist at the CK Birla Hospital, which is known to be one of the best hospitals for gynecology in Delhi NCR, gives us a few lifestyles and dietary tips that can help us breeze through our PMS phase every month.
Regular physical activity goes a long way in alleviating your mood, controlling your bloating and making you calmer during PMS. You should aim to complete atleast 45 minutes of low-medium intensity exercise three or four times per week. Try walking to do your chores rather than driving or climb stairs instead of using the elevator.
What is life without seasoning? Bland is definitely not good, but too much seasoning can be far worse for our body. If you face problems with bloating, breast tenderness/swelling, swollen hands etc every month in sync with your menstrual cycle, you should consider decreasing your salt intake. Try using more of other seasonings such as herbs or spices and with time your body would get used to having less salt.
Make it a point to drink at least 3 litres of water in a day regardless of whether you feel thirsty. Increasing your water intake during PMS can help you reduce symptoms of bloating and indigestion. If wish to make things more interesting, you can flavour the water with ginger or turmeric etc for additional health benefits.
Read: Why is it important to maintain menstrual hygiene
Try avoiding processed food by consuming more whole grains. This will not only help your health in general but also help in managing mood swings, depression and anxiety with is triggered by PMS by reducing the serotonin levels in your body.
Women, especially of the menstrual age are more prone to iron deficiency anemia. This results in them feeling more tired, irritated, bloated etc especially when they are going through PMS. Include iron-rich food in your diet such as whole leafy vegetables, apricots, dates, eggs, chicken, fish etc. If required, consult your doctor for vitamin supplements.
As we grow older, we need to increase our calcium intake. For women, this micronutrient can greatly help in reducing the symptoms of PMS. Increasing calcium intake by having more nut milk, yogurt, sesame seeds, ragi etc.
Always remember that the more you rely on medical intervention for PMS, the more you will need it. Rather train your body and understand its requirements when it comes to dealing with PMS. Exercise to regulate your mood and appetite. Reduce aches and pains by applying a warm compress. And follow healthy eating habits for long term benefits.
Also, read: A quick understanding about Menstrual Cramps
Asthma is a relatively common chronic lung disease that can develop even in infancy. This chronic condition has become increasingly common in the past decade. It is believed that the increase in air pollution, environmental smoke etc. might have contributed to the rising incidence of this problem. It is believed that in India, approximately 6% of children have asthma, this statistic may not be accurate as even today, a large number of cases go unreported or undiagnosed. In this article, we will learn about Asthma in children, how to identify its early signs and the best ways to manage this condition in children.
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Asthma is a chronic condition which causes inflammation in the airways and lungs, especially when you inhale any “triggers”. Triggers are any stimuli which can increase the inflammation in the lungs and airways, making it difficult or impossible to breathe. These triggers range from inhaling pollen, infections, second-hand smoke etc.
Asthma can affect people of any age; however, childhood asthma has unique challenges associated with it. This is because the “patient” (child) does not really understand the condition to take precautions and care that adults with the condition would. It can also decrease the quality of life of the child as it can severely limit their lifestyles such as participation in play and sports. It can also interfere with their normal sleep. Hence as parents, it is extremely important to know the early signs of the condition and get the proper care to keep the symptoms under control. Asthma attacks can be extremely dangerous and might require hospitalisation.
Causes of asthma in children is still quite unclear. Research suggests that it could be a combination of genetic and environmental factors such as inherited allergies, parents with asthma, ethnicity, any infection affecting the airways during childhood, second-hand smoke inhalation, air pollution etc. Underlying conditions such as childhood obesity, GERD also have been linked to childhood asthma.
One of the main challenges with childhood asthma is that the child himself/herself will be unable to identify the symptoms or early signs of asthma. Many children will start showing signs of asthma before the age of five. Here are some of the early symptoms of asthma in children that you should watch out for:
These symptoms will worsen when the child is exposed to any triggers. Such instances are called asthma “flare-ups”. These triggers can be any of the following and vary from child to child:
In some cases, you may have to rush your child to the hospital for emergency treatment. If you notice the following signs, take your child to the emergency room immediately:
Asthma is a chronic condition, and treatment protocol is aimed at managing the symptoms and flareups. This includes:
If the child becomes overly dependent on short-acting medications and has to consume them too often, long term medications can be used to manage the symptoms over time. These include inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, long-acting beta-agonist, cromolyn and oral corticosteroids. Consult your child’s paediatrician before giving your child any type of medication, long term or short term.
Most of the aforementioned medications are generally administered via metered-dose inhalers. You can use attachments such as a valved holding chamber with a mask or a nebulizer to make it easier for your child to use the inhaler.
Read: Vaccinating your child – What you need to know?
For parents with asthmatic children, managing symptoms of asthma as well as preventing future flareups can be quite difficult. It is also extremely important to take steps during childhood itself to stop further inflammation of the airways and lungs. The following tips can help you stay ahead and let your child live and play to the fullest:
An asthma action plan will help you react faster and better to any asthma symptoms as and when they manifest. Your child’s paediatrician is the best person to help you come up with this plan. The plan should include step by step instructions about the short-term and long-term medications and when to take them, things to do between flareups, how to identify and manage triggers as well as how to identify when a trip to a hospital is required.
Diligently recording asthma attacks as well as the treatments that your child is undergoing will help you identify what triggers your child’s asthma as well as what form of treatment is working best for him/her. These records will also help your child’s doctor determine whether short-term medication or long-term medication is best suited for your child. The record should include:
Identifying and minimising exposure to all the stimuli which trigger an asthma attack in your child is perhaps one of the most essential aspects of long-term management of asthma. Taking into account the environmental factors in play whenever your child experiences an asthma attack can help identify if they are triggered by dust, pollen, animal fur, smoke, infection etc. In some cases, excessive crying or laughing can also cause an attack. The following steps can help you minimise this risk:
As your child grows older, teaching them what to stay away from, how to react to asthma attacks and precautions to take is extremely important. You can also do an allergy panel to identify what other allergens can be harmful for your child. Routine visits to the paediatrician would help in monitoring your child’s condition and prevent it from becoming worse. You can book a consultation and a comprehensive health check-up for your child under the care of our paediatric experts at the CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon.
Read: What makes kids picky eaters and what may help them get over it
Left with a bitter taste after a great meal and don’t know why? It’s probably acid reflux. Acid reflux is an uncomfortable backflow of gastric juices up the oesophagus (food pipe). It is usually triggered by what we eat and in severe cases can even be confused for a heart attack! Thankfully, you can simply avoid certain foods to prevent acid reflux and spare yourself this extremely uncomfortable feeling.
Diet is one of the significant contributors to acid reflux. Like it or not, certain types of food, no matter how great they taste, can worsen the condition. These foods can either cause delayed stomach evacuation, decrease the tension of the lower oesophageal muscle or stimulate the production of stomach acids. Here is a list of foods to avoid to prevent acid reflux:
Read: Causes of stomach ache after eating
Chronic acid reflux can also be a symptom of GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). This is a far more serious condition that occurs when the stomach acids and juices start flowing back from the stomach into the oesophagus. If you don’t control acidity right away, it can develop into GERD. You can prevent this by making acid reflux dietary modifications such as:
If your symptoms are not fading away after a few days after these dietary changes as well, you should visit your doctor to figure out what is causing these symptoms. Acidity can be extremely uncomfortable, but it is easily preventable by making healthy dietary and lifestyle choices.
Read: What to eat and avoid if you have an upset stomach
Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, which are responsible for filtering out toxins and waste fluids from our blood. This waste is then excreted from our body in the form of urine. They are present on either side of the spine, right below the rib cage.
In some situations, the kidneys may lose their filtering ability. When they lose more than 90% of their functional ability, they are considered to be in end-stage kidney disease (renal/kidney failure). In such cases, the patient would have to undergo routine dialysis to artificially filter their blood, or get a kidney transplant. In this article, we will look closer at the causes of kidney failure, caring for a kidney transplant and what all to keep in mind when considering kidney transplants during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Kidney failure can occur due to a number of reasons. Underlying health conditions which damage the kidneys over a period of time is one of the most common causes of kidney failure. Diabetes, uncontrolled high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases, genetic conditions, urinary tract problems, nephrotic syndrome are some such conditions which can damage your kidneys over time. If these conditions are not kept in check, they continue to damage the kidneys, and the patient is said to have chronic kidney disease (CKD).
In some cases, the kidneys can suddenly stop working. This is called Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) or Acute Kidney Disease (AKD). This can be the result of any trauma, heart attack, drug abuse, lack of blood supply to the kidneys and urinary tract problems. This may or may not be permanent.
Read: Chronic Kidney disease: What is it and how can it be prevented?
Some of the most common symptoms of kidney failure are
Fortunately, patients with kidney failure can still lead completely normal lives with routine dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Dialysis is a process to artificially filter the blood of waste and toxins. There are two types of dialysis: Haemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis. Based on the type of dialysis you are recommended, you would have to undergo this treatment daily (peritoneal dialysis) or 3-4 times a week (haemodialysis).
Kidney transplant on the other hand, offers a more permanent solution to kidney failure. Kidney transplant is a surgical procedure in which one or two healthy kidneys are placed inside your body when your own kidneys are no longer functioning properly. The damaged kidneys may or may not be removed.
There are many factors to consider before deciding between kidney transplants and dialysis. These include your age, general health, lifestyle, pre-existing conditions and availability of a donor kidney. Another major thing to consider is that kidney damage may not be permanent. Your doctor will take all these factors into consideration while discussing all viable treatment options with you.
In many cases, where the kidney damage is irreversible, patients would require dialysis for the rest of their life. Kidney transplant can be a more permanent solution. Research indicates that kidney transplant is associated with a better quality of life, lower risk of death, fewer dietary restrictions and ultimately lower treatment cost (in the long run). Some people may also choose to opt for a kidney transplant before they require dialysis. This process is called a preemptive kidney transplant.
Kidney transplant is not suitable for everyone. Your doctor might rule out kidney transplant in the following cases:
Apart from the risks associated with any form of surgery such as infection, excessive bleeding, complications from general anaesthesia, etc, there is also a risk of rejection of the donor organ and side-effects of the anti-rejection medication that can occur with kidney transplant. Talk to your doctor in detail about all these risks before opting for a kidney transplant.
After the procedure is completed, you would be required to stay in the hospital under observation for several days up to a week, based on how the procedure went as well as your recovery rate. During this time, your healthcare providers would monitor you closely to ensure that you are recovering fine. In some cases, you may also require dialysis till the time your new kidneys start functioning satisfactorily. You would be advised to avoid all unnecessary physical exertion till your surgical wounds have healed completely.
After you are discharged from the hospital, you would be asked to come for routine checkups. This is just to make sure that your new kidneys are functioning right and your body is not rejecting the donor kidney(s). You would also be required to take several medications which are designed to stop your immune system from attacking your new kidneys. These medicines are called immunosuppressants.
Diet plays an important role in determining the success of your kidney transplant. It is essential to maintain healthy body weight and follow a balanced diet. The major points to keep in mind while choosing what to eat is to avoid excess salt, limit your fat intake and consume more fibre rich food. Ideally, you should have fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meat, low-fat dairy products, whole grains and lots of water. Apart from this, your doctor and/or dietician would give you a more personalised diet plan that would be best suited for you.
Because of the ongoing global pandemic, “Does transplant increase the risk of COVID-19” is one of the most common questions asked today. Due to the anti-rejection medications which are required after the transplant, there is a higher risk of any infection, including COVID-19. Hence, it is that much more essential that you follow the precautions laid out by healthcare advisories regarding COVID-19. This includes:
While these are general precautionary guidelines against COVID-19, these are especially important for people who are at a higher risk, including people who are immunocompromised, have had any type of surgery recently and any type of transplant patient.
Any individual living with a transplant patient, will need to be more cautious, limit their exposure, avoid crowds and strictly follow social distancing whenever they step outside. They will have to be diligent about their sanitisation and should never interact with the transplant patient without taking the necessary precautions. For further information regarding kidney disease and kidney transplant, you can speak to our nephrology team.
Also, read: Types of Kidney & Renal stones, and it’s symptoms
While some couples prefer to leave pregnancy to chance (“let’s just stop trying not to get pregnant and see what happens”), others find themselves meticulously planning every aspect of their pregnancy.
Whichever of these categories you fall in, there are a few things you must do if you are even thinking of becoming pregnant in the near future. These will not only help increase your chances of conceiving, but also make your pregnancy healthier. They significantly reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and aid in maintaining your baby’s health both before and after birth.
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10 things all couples must do before getting pregnant are:
There is no grey area with regard to smoking. If you are not a smoker, do not start. And if you are a smoker, it is always a good time to stop.
Smoking during pregnancy is a strict no-no. It has been linked to a wide range of pregnancy complications including preterm labour, premature birth, low birth weight amongst others. It also increases the baby’s chances of developing chronic conditions such as obesity later on in life.
It is a lesser known fact that smoking also has extremely adverse effects on both male and female fertility. Couples can significantly increase their chances of becoming pregnant by simply kicking this habit.
Finding a good maternity hospital can be very tough. And this decision is one of the most important ones you will make for your pregnancy.
Do extensive research into their qualifications and experience before making your choice. It is essential that you be comfortable with your doctor. You should be able to call them for any question or concern at any time without hesitation.
Try finding your doctor before your pregnancy itself. Schedule a visit with your doctor as soon you decide to start trying to conceive. They will probably assess your general health; review the medications you are currently on, test for infections and advise you to lose or gain weight as required.
Read: Early signs of pregnancy
Certain vaccines that contain live viruses are not advised for pregnant women. These include rubella and the chicken pox vaccine. However, protecting oneself against these diseases can go a long way in preventing them from causing complications in your pregnancy.
If you have never had measles, mumps, rubella or chickenpox, your doctor might advise you to get these vaccinations before you become pregnant.
During pregnancy, women often report that they can feel the effects of caffeine on their unborn child. Women who consume a lot of caffeinated products might find it tougher transitioning to “decaf” during pregnancy. Common symptoms of caffeine withdrawal include headaches, irritability and constipation. Try reducing your caffeine intake before you conceive to avoid experiencing any of these unpleasant symptoms during your pregnancy.
Unfortunately, raw meat such as sushi and certain cheeses can cause mild to severe infections. Pregnant women are advised to steer clear of unprocessed cheese and any type of raw or undercooked meat. If your favourite dish falls into either category, try weaning yourself off gradually or simply go cold turkey before your pregnancy.
Most of us confuse becoming fit with just losing weight. However, being fit and healthy is more than just losing weight. Start exercising regularly to make your body stronger for the pregnancy. It is also advised to start Kegel exercises to avoid complications such as fallen or prolapsed bladder. Remember to continue exercising throughout your pregnancy unless advised otherwise. If you are concerned about what exercises are or are not safe for your baby, consult your obstetrician.
Folic acid is probably one of the most essential and well-known vitamin supplements associated with pregnancy. Women are advised to start folic acid as early as one month before conception. It is generally consumed for the first three months of pregnancy. Folic acid is known to promote the development of your baby’s brain, skull and spinal cord. It helps prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida in the baby.
Based on your general health, you should also consider taking iodine, iron, fish oil and vitamin D3 supplements.
For the male partner, the following supplements have been shown to have a positive impact on sperm health.
Do not wait for your baby to come before you go for a dental visit. You will not have the time. During pregnancy, your hormones will go haywire and can sometimes cause unpleasant dental issues. It is a good idea to get your teeth cleaned and healthy before you start your pregnancy.
Read: How to prepare your body for Pregnancy: A complete how-to-guide
High stress levels can severely lower your chances of becoming pregnant. This can invariably result in greater stress. Get out of this vicious cycle and start taking care of your psychological health. Try doing some breathing exercises, yoga, meditation etc. to manage stress. Some couples also find short vacations and getaways extremely effective. Also remember to talk openly to your partner as well as your doctor.
Diet plays a key role in improving one’s fertility. Both partners must be conscious about what they are consuming. You and your partner can increase the chances of conception by following a healthy balanced diet. Be sure to include plenty of whole grains, unsaturated fats and vegetable proteins. Your obstetrician will also guide you with your diet based on your nutritional deficiencies.
ओवुलेशन के लक्षण यदि आप माँ बनना चाहती हैं या इसके लिए प्रयास कर रही हैं, तो आपके लिए यह जानना अत्यंत आवश्यक है कि आपके मासिक चक्र यानि मेंस्ट्रुअल साइकिल के दौरान वो कौन से दिन होते हैं
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ओवरी से परिपक्व एग रिलीज़ होने की प्रक्रिया को ही ओवुलेशन कहते है, यह प्रक्रिया हर महीने होती है। इस समय के आसपास एक महिला के प्रेगनेंट होने की सम्भावना सबसे अधिक होती है।
आमतौर पर महिलाओं का मासिक चक्र 28 से 35 दिन का होता है, इस साइकिल में कुछ विशेष दिन ही ओवुलेशन पीरियड में आते हैं। सामन्य रूप से महिला के पीरियड्स खत्म होने के 12 से 16 वें दिन का समय ओवुलेशन पीरियड (Ovulation period) कहलाता है।
जब आपके गर्भ धारण करने की संभावना सबसे अधिक होती है, इन संभावित दिनों को ओवुलेशन पीरियड (ovulation in Hindi) कहा जाता है। यदि आप किसी प्रकार के जन्म नियंत्रण तरीके या कॉन्ट्रासेप्टिव दवाइयों का उपयोग नहीं कर रहे हैं तो आमतौर पर आपके गर्भ धारण करने की संभावना 25 से 30 प्रतिशत होती है, हालांकि यह परिस्थितियों के आधार पर व्यापक रूप से भिन्न हो सकता है।
ओवुलेशन के दौरान और उस समय के आसपास (मासिक धर्म चक्र का वह समय जब आप सबसे अधिक फर्टाइल होती हैं और निषेचन (फर्टिलाइजेशन) की संभावना सर्वाधिक होती है) आपके गर्भ धारण करने की संभावना सर्वाधिक होती है।
मासिक चक्र के दौरान जब ओवरी से एग निकलता है तब ओवुलेशन होता है। अब यह एग, स्पर्म से निषेचित (फर्टिलाइज) हो भी सकता है और नहीं भी। यदि एग फर्टिलाइज हो जाता है तो आप गर्भ धारण कर लेती हैं और यदि यह फर्टिलाइज नहीं होता है तो एग टूट जाता है और आपके मासिक धर्म के दौरान यूटेराइन लाइनिंग गिर जाती है और यह निकल जाता है।
अतः गर्भ धारण करने के लिए ओवुलेशन के संकेतों (Ovulation symptoms in Hindi) को पहचानना अत्यंत आवश्यक है।
अब प्रश्न यह उठता है कि – आपको कैसे पता चलेगा की आपका ओवुलेशन पीरियड आने वाला है या चल रहा है? यहां हमने ओवुलेशन के कुछ मुख्य लक्षण (Ovulation symptoms in Hindi) दिए हैं जिनके द्वारा आप पता लगा सकती हैं कि आपका ओवुलेशन पीरियड है या नहीं, साथ ही आप यह भी जान सकती हैं कि आप ओवुलेट कब करेंगी।
ये भी पढ़े: लिकोरिया (Likoria) का कारण, लक्षण और उपचार
डॉक्टर्स के अनुसार – महिलाओं में उनके जन्म के समय उनकी ओवरी में करीबन 2 करोड़ एग्स होते हैं और युवावस्था यानी की उनके मासिक धर्म शुरू होने के समय तक करीब 5००००० एग्स ही बचते हैं।
प्रत्येक माह मेंस्ट्रुअल साइकिल के पहले भाग में एग विकसित होता है और धीरे धीरे परिपक्व होने लगता है। पीरियड्स खत्म होने के कुछ दिन बाद महिलाओं के शरीर में एस्ट्रोजन हार्मोन बनने लगता है जो यूटेरस की लाइनिंग को मोटा करने में सहायता करता है जिससे यह स्पर्म के लिए अनुकूल वातावरण बना देता है।
धीरे धीरे एस्ट्रोजन में वृद्धि होने लगती है और यह एक अन्य हार्मोन ल्यूटिनाइजिंग हार्मोन (LH) में वृद्धि को ट्रिगर करता है। LH की वृद्धि एग के ओवरी से रिलीज होने का कारण होती है और महिला ओवुलेट (LH वृद्धि के 24 से 36 घंटे बाद) करती है।
इस दौरान यदि एग को स्पर्म मिल जाता है और स्पर्म एग को निषेचित करने में सफल हो जाता है तो महिला गर्भ धारण कर लेती है, और यदि एग फर्टिलाईज़ नहीं होता है तो यह यूटेरस की लाइनिंग में मिल जाता है और पीरियड्स के दौरान महिला के शरीर से निकल जाता है।
निषेचन के न होने की स्थिति में यह प्रक्रिया फिर से होती है जो अगले मासिक धर्म/पीरियड्स की शुरुआत होती है।
नोट: गर्भधारण के लिए आवश्यक है की आप फर्टाइल विंडो (एग रिलीज होने के बाद स्पर्म के प्रजनन मार्ग में रहने वाले 6 दिन) में ही सेक्स करें, इसमें ओवुलेशन वाला दिन और इसके बाद के 2 दिन सबसे उचित होते हैं।
जैसा की हमने बताया की यदि आप ओवुलेशन पीरियड में या उसके आस पास सेक्स करते हैं तो आपके गर्भ धारण करने की सम्भावना बढ़ जाती है, अतः आपके लिए ओवुलेशन के लक्षणों (Ovulation ke lakshan) को जानना बहुत महत्वपूर्ण है। यहाँ हमने ओवुलेशन के सात मुख्य लक्षण (Ovulation symptoms in Hindi) दिए हैं, जिनकी सहायता से आप अपने ओवुलेशन पीरियड के बारे में जान सकती हैं :
Also, read in English: Quick guide on understanding of ovulation cycle
उन दिनों के बारे में जानकर जिनमें आप सबसे अधिक फर्टाइल होती हैं, आप अपने गर्भवती होने की संभावना को बढ़ा सकती हैं। सामन्यतः एक महिला का मासिक धर्म चक्र 28 दिन लंबा होता है, लेकिन यह प्रत्येक महिला के लिए अलग हो सकता है।
प्रत्येक मासिक धर्म के दौरान लगभग 6 दिन होते हैं जब आप गर्भवती हो सकती हैं, इसे आपकी फर्टाइल विंडो कहा जाता है। ओवुलेशन कैलकुलेटर (Ovulation Calculator in Hindi) का उपयोग करके आप आसानी से जान पाएंगी कि किस दिन आपके फर्टाइल होने की सबसे अधिक संभावना होगी, इसके लिए आप किसी ऑनलाइन कैलकुलेटर या किसी मोबाईल एप्लीकेशन का प्रयोग कर सकती हैं।
यदि आप अपनी फर्टाइल विंडो/ओवुलेशन के दौरान गर्भधारण कर लेती हैं तो आप निम्नलिखित लक्षणों को महसूस कर सकती हैं:
याद रखें, जब आप गर्भधारण का प्रयास कर रही हों तो धैर्य और दृढ़ता महत्वपूर्ण है, साथ ही इसकी भी कोई गारंटी नहीं है कि आप निश्चित रूप से गर्भ धारण कर ही लेंगी भले ही आप ओवुलेट कर रही हों। लेकिन इन सामान्य ओवुलेशन के लक्षणों (Ovulation symptoms in Hindi) पर नजर रखना अत्यंत आवश्यक होता है और लगातार प्रयास करते रहें।
यदि आपको ओवुलेशन (Ovulation in Hindi) नहीं होता है तो शीघ्र ही अपने नजदीकी हॉस्पिटल जायें और स्त्री रोग विशेषज्ञ से सलाह लें। इसका कारण PCOD या कोई अन्य इनफर्टिलिटी सम्बंधित कारण हो सकता है।
इसे भी पढ़ें: जानिए क्या होता है IVF (IVF kya hai) और कैसे की जाती है IVF प्रक्रिया
1. अंडा फटने के बाद कितने दिन हम गर्भवती प्राप्त करने की कोशिश कर सकते हैं
आपके अंडाशय(ovary) से एक परिपक्व अंडा निकलने के बाद, यह फैलोपियन ट्यूब में जाता है जहां इसे शुक्राणु के साथ निषेचित(fertilized) किया जा सकता है। आप गर्भधारण करने के लिए अंडे के निकलने के 12-24 घंटों के भीतर गर्भधारण करने की कोशिश कर सकती हैं।
2. पीरियड के कितने दिन बाद ओवुलेशन होता है
यदि आपका मासिक धर्म (पीरियड) नियमित है, तो आपकी अगली माहवारी शुरू होने से 12-14 दिन पहले आपका ओव्यूलेशन शुरू हो जाता है।
3. फर्टिलाइजेशन के लक्षण क्या हैं?
ओव्यूलेशन की पहचान सर्विकल डिस्चार्ज में बदलाव, यौन इच्छा में वृद्धि, स्तन कोमलता और शरीर के बेसल तापमान (बी.बी.टी) में वृद्धि से होती है।
4. महिलाओं में अंडा कब बनता है?
आपके मासिक धर्म (पीरियड) के 6-14 दिनों के बीच एक अंडा परिपक्व होना शुरू हो जाता है।
