Arthritis affecting whole body

My friend recently asked me, “Why have I become so forgetful since I became pregnant?” I told her I didn’t know, but that I’d look into it and write a post for her. She then followed with, “I was going to ask you to explain something else to me, but I totally forgot what it was.” Does “ pregnancy brain” exist? There’s no doubt that many changes are happening to a woman’s body during pregnancy, but how do these changes affect (or originate in) the brain? To answer my friend’s question — and in an effort to address whatever else she was forgetting at the time — here is Part 1 of my expectant mom’s guide to the neuroscience of pregnancy. What is morning sickness? More than half — perhaps up to 90 percent — of pregnant women experience nausea or vomiting to some degree, particularly in the morning. Thrust into the limelight as a result of Kate Middleton’s hospitalizations , around 1 percent of pregnant women experience more severe, prolonged morning sickness called … [Read more...] about Pregnancy Brain: The Expectant Mom’s Guide

Home Pregnancy parenting Postnatal Postnatal oi-Shamila Rafat By Shamila Rafat on October 19, 2020 Postpartum Depression, or PPD as it is more commonly referred to as, is defined as "an irritable, severely depressed mood" that can be seen in new mothers. [1] Clinical studies have revealed that PPD affects up to 15% of mothers. [2] Recent research in the field has come to the finding that there are various biological as well as psychological factors that place an expectant mother at a higher risk for developing PPD after giving birth. Studies have revealed that women at a higher risk for developing PPD include inner-city women as well as mothers of pre-term infants. [3] Generally, many new mothers tend to get depressed after giving birth. With the focus shifting to another individual and the need to cope with the new erratic schedule, offering less time for sleeping, a majority of women go through the … [Read more...] about What Is Postpartum Depression (PPD) In New Mothers?

Home Pregnancy parenting Prenatal Prenatal oi-Amritha K By Amritha K on February 26, 2021 Mood swings are one of the common complaints of pregnant women and legit one at that. One minute you are abounding with joy, and the next, you are having the gloomiest of all days. While not every woman will not suffer from this rollercoaster of emotions, the ones who do, in fact, go through this are definitely not fans. So, what can you do when the hormones are rapidly moving back and forth between pure, unadulterated joy and complete and utter despair during your pregnancy? Well, there are some ways you can manage these uncomfortable mood swings. This article will tell you all about pregnancy mood swings, their causes, and ways to manage them. The article will also cover post-pregnancy mood swings. What Causes Pregnancy Mood Swings? Being pregnant may sound exciting, but going through all the physical and … [Read more...] about Pregnancy Mood Swings: Causes, Ways To Manage It And Will You Have It After Delivery?

One day, long ago, a tobacco plant discovered humans and it has never relinquished its control over our brain. During the intervening millennia, we humans have tried to find novel uses for this plant in order to distract us from being a slave to its actions in our brain. Tobacco was once used to treat persistent headaches, colds, and abscesses or sores on the head. Tobacco enemas were used to treat flatulence, and even more surprising, the smoke was once inhaled deeply in order to lessen bad coughs. In 1560, Jean Nicot, (then the French Ambassador to Portugal), sent some tobacco to Catherine de Medici, who was then queen to Henry II of France; she reported that it helped treat her migraines. The plant initially was given the title of herbe sainte , or holy plant, and then later, was dubbed Herba Regina , the queen's herb. Nicot got the credit for the discovery and Von Linné named the genus Nicotiana in his honor. Despite all this royal glory, in the 1890s the U.S. pharmacopeia … [Read more...] about Nicotine and Your Brain

“ COVID-19 robbed us of our goodbyes,” says psychotherapist Dr. Joy Miller of Peoria, Illinois, “My friend was suddenly gone without warning. How do I say goodbye? I can’t travel. We aren’t allowed to gather, and I will never see him again. I don’t know what to do. I feel lost and empty, as if my heart is being ripped from my body.” Self-distancing has created a new normal for how we mourn the losses of our loved ones. Source: Milada Vigerova/Unsplash Grief is a lonely and isolating experience in and of itself. And human contact is essential for healthy and full psychological closure. With added self-distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, grief can be compounded and prolonged. In the midst of heartbreak, Miller finds the loneliness of grieving compounded by the double whammy of self-distancing. Unable to embrace or be embraced by those who share her loss, she must draw upon her own creativity and resources for comfort. Miller—founder and CEO of the … [Read more...] about The Impact of Virtual Grieving