All women need to be aware of their vagina’s health. Keeping it healthy means you will avoid infections and also have a pleasant odor and the tips enclosed will ensure that you have optimum vagina health
A healthy vagina is home to a huge variety of minute organisms. Normally, they live harmoniously in an acidic environment that prevents the overproduction of any one species in the vagina and helps combat foreign bodies that can infect it.
Vaginal infections are common and occur when the delicate balance is disrupted can cause discomfort in the area and unpleasant smells.
Firstly, the health of a women’s Vagina and the smell are influenced by overall lifestyle, diet and weight.
If you follow the tips below you can ensure a healthy vagina so here they are:
1. Your Overall Diet
Eat a healthy diet. Cigarettes alcohol and drugs should be eliminated if you can or cut down, as should heavily spiced foods and junk food.
Try and eat as naturally as possible (food free of additives) and make sure you drink lots of water. What you put into your body comes out in its secretions and the vagina is the same. Ever noticed how your sweat smells differently after eating spiced food, then you will realize why this is so important.
2. Cleaning
Odor-producing bacteria can thrive on the vulva and need to be cleaned off regularly to prevent vaginal inflections and prevent odors.
Washing the genital area daily with a simple, fragrance-free soap is normally enough to keep the vagina area clean and fresh.
Your vagina self-cleans itself so douching is not required.
Furthermore, douching upsets the delicate balance between good and bad bacteria in the vaginal ecosystem and can actually be harmful.
Because infections such as yeasts are found in the intestine, it is important after going to the toilet to wipe front to back i.e. you need to wipe the vagina area first and the rectum last!
During sex it is also very important to avoid contamination of the vagina area with organisms and bodies from the bowel, or rectum area.
3. Clothes to wear
To prevent vaginal infections and keep your vagina healthy make sure your clothing allows the area to breath. To do this avoids tight garments and fabrics containing a high percentage of synthetic fibers such as nylon.
Remember, that tampons and diaphragms left for too long in the vagina can create a very strong unpleasant odor as well.
4. Safe sex
Finally, if you don’t know your partner very well, always Use a condom and a spermicidal to reduce the chances of infection and disease.
If you are unlucky enough to get an infection, the symptoms are outlined below of three of the most common ones.
The good news is that to reclaim a healthy vagina is easy, if you are alerted to the problem and take action.
1. Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) accounts for more than 50% of all vagina related health visits.
About half of all women with BV vaginal infections have no obvious symptoms.
The most common symptom is a thin, white to light grey discharge with an offensive fishy like smell that is extremely unpleasant.
The odor is strongest when the discharge is exposed to any alkaline substance and this includes soap and semen, it will therefore be at its strongest and most obvious after cleaning or sex.
BV is easy to treat and is normally treated by a course of antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.
2. Yeast
Although yeast infections are probably the most common type of vaginal infection, many women never bother to seek help.
Most simply recover naturally and others treat themselves with anti-fungal vaginal creams available without prescription from the chemist.
Symptoms of yeast infections include:
Vulvar itching combined with irritation in the vagina area and redness.
If the urinary opening becomes inflamed, urination will increase and discomfort will be present. If the infection is severe, the vulva will swell and fine breaks, called fissures occur. This causes vaginal discharges to become thicker and whiter.
Yeast infections are the result of excessive growth of a family of fungi that normally live in any healthy vagina, but when they increase the balance of the vagina is upset and problems occur.
The most common infection is vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), which is usually caused by a fungus named Candida albicans.
There are two types of VVC:
Uncomplicated, a mild infection that responds to therapy. Or recurrent which, is more severe and often occurs in women who have diabetes or are infected with less treatable forms of yeast, such as Candida glabratia.
Recurrent VVC, normaly occurs more than four times a year and needs a long initial treatment of around two weeks and then a follow-up therapy course for up to 6 months or longer.
Certain factors are common causes such as nylon and Lycra clothing that traps heat and moisture, so be aware of our clothing tips for a healthy vagina we noted earlier.
Other common causes include:
Obesity, pregnancy, diabetes and suppression of the immune system during illnesses, the use of oral contraceptives, and eating excessive amounts of sugars, starch, and yeasts.
If you do have a yeast vaginal infection, your doctor will ordinarily treat you with either prescription or nonprescription antifungal creams and suppositories referred to earlier.
If you have a problem get professional help and you will soon have a healthy vagina. Do not ignore symptoms or think they will go away get help quickly.
3. Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis, or "trich," is a sexually transmitted vaginal infection suffered by a huge amount of women worldwide and this runs into tens of millions. While infection with trichomoniasis can be uncomfortable, it is not in anyway a serious threat to overall health.
The symptoms are normally vulvar and vaginal burning and itching. The burning is normally at its height after intercourse.
In addition, there may be vulvar swelling and frequent and uncomfortable urination. There is a heavy vaginal discharge, usually yellowish or green, which may or may not have an offensive smell.
The trichomonad is a minute parasite. It has three tails at its narrow end and swims with them and the white blood cells of the body follow.
These blood cells literally chase down the trichomonad and kill it by eating it.
Symptoms occur only when the body's natural defense are swamped by with sheer number of reproducing trichomonads and the white blood cells cannot cope.
Trichomoniasis is usually easily diagnosed and antibiotic treatment cures it in the majority of cases.
Follow the tips above for a healthy vagina and if you do have a problem don’t worry or be embarrassed simply seek help quickly and clear up the problem, in the vast majority of cases treatment is quick, easy and painless
Friday, February 22, 2008
Vagina Health Tips for a Sweet Smell & Optimum Health
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Boost Your Immune System With Fruits and Vegetables
Having a heatlhy and nutritious diet is the most important thing we can do to prevent disease. A healthy and nutritious diet should include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts and whole grains. These foods are great sources of antioxidants, which benefit our health by neutralizing harmful molecules known as free radicals. Heart disease, cancer, stroke and other diseases that are common with aging result from damage to cells from these free radicals.
In small amounts, free radicals help fight infection, but in large amounts, they may cause damage to tissue and DNA, a process known as oxidative stress. A way to prevent or minimize the oxidative stress in your body is by increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables.
Our immune system needs to be well nourished to accomplish its mission: Defend our body against infection and other diseases.
Broccoli
Broccoli is considered as the number one anti-cancer food by the National Cancer Institute. It contains sulforaphane which stimulates the body's production of substances known as Phase II detoxification enzymes. The Phase II detoxification enzymes destroy carcinogens and free radicals before they attack healthy cells. Other sources of sulforaphane are kale, cabbage, cauliflower, bok choy, brussels sprouts and mustard or turnip greens.
Blueberries
Among all fruits and vegetables, blueberries have one of the highest content of antioxidants. They get their beautiful deep color from pigments called anthocyanin, which have some very powerful immune stimulating properties. These anthocyanins are antioxidants that protect capillaries from oxidative harm. Blueberries have been found to help with mental health and memory and with urinary tract infections.
Apples
Apples are rich in magnesium, iron, silicon and potassium. Raw apples are a valuable aid to digestion, cleansing of the intestines and are excellent for fevers and inflammations. If you are having trouble with constipation, try having an apple (or apple juice) on an empty stomach, as they have a diuretic and laxative effect on the lower intestine.
Garlic
Called the “poor man's antibiotic”, garlic is a powerful aid against infections. It is also a powerful blood cleanser, a digestive stimulant, a diuretic and a systemic cleanser. It is also a powerful cleanser of the mucous membranes, especially those of the lungs, sinuses, nose and the throat. Due to its blood cleansing properties, garlic is beneficial for conditions such as high blood pressure. Garlic also appear to help block cancer by preventing the formation of some carcinogens that damage DNA.
Lemons
Rich in organic citric acid, it quickly changes an acid condition into an alkaline one; they help maintain the proper acid-alkaline balance of the body and relieve many other irritating conditions. Lemons are excellent for colds, sore throat and upset stomach.
Tomatoes
Rich in vitamin C, fiber and potassium, tomatoes have a high content of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that protects the body against cancer. They also contain beta-carotene and flavonoids that inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Carrots
Carrots are great for cleansing the bile and dying substances impacted in the liver. When eaten raw, carrots supply many of the components and vitamins needed by our bodies. Carrots are one of the best sources of Vitamin A and are also high in potassium, calcium. magnesium, manganese, sulfur, chlorine, phosphorus and protein.
Spinach
Raw spinach is just about one of the most nourishing vegetables for the digestive and eliminative system and for all muscles, cells, tissues and nerves. It stimulates the muscular contractions of the intestines and is rich in iron, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Brief details on Skin Diseases
Skin diseases are some of the most dangerous diseases that affect the outside image of the patient as well. They can be of many types but they have almost the same causes and especially consequences. The most serious consequences are the visible ones. People who suffer from skin diseases usually have visible marks or traces left by these problems.
Hence, the most serious problem when it comes to skin diseases is the exterior image of the patient. Among the most common skin disease, some are to be mentioned. These are candidiasis, acne, cellulitis, eczemas or even skin cancer. These diseases are considered by some specialists to be some of the most unpleasant, as they affect the image of the patient’s skin.
Causes:
Since there are numerous skin diseases, there are also numerous causes that permit these affections to install. One of the most common causes for skin diseases is the incorrect or peccary skin hygiene, fact which can lead to serious consequences for the important element of the body that is skin. The lack of skin hygiene can lead to numerous diseases that affect skin, such as candidiasis or acne, which may also be considered as an affection of the skin.
Another possible cause of skin diseases is the apparitions of microbes on one’s skin. Some microbes can be really harmful for skin and most of the times their effects are very inesthetical. They can lead to eczemas herpes or even dermatitis. They can be contracted from water or from surfaces that were also touched by many other people (door handles or handrails). These microbes are very dangerous and very “effective” at the same time, as they install very fast into one’s derma. One of the effects may be the change of the natural look of the skin to a very pale look or they can even give the image of bruises.
Another element that may cause skin diseases is the toxic reaction that some perfumes or deodorants may have upon the skin. Doctors advise people who use these perfumed cosmetics with alcohol to spray or apply them only on normal, healthy skin with no other affections. Some of the perfumed beauty cosmetics are said to provoke skin cancer if applied on irritated or freshly shaved skin.
Another important cause may also be the excessive exposure in the sun. This may lead to skin burnt and may even have serious effects in time, such as skin cancer.
Symptoms:
The symptoms in the case of skin diseases are of the most obvious. These diseases usually signal their apparition by marks left on skin and by bruises or irritations. People are advised to visit their doctors whenever they notice any of these symptoms or even for irritations of the skin.
People must be very careful when presenting these symptoms on their skin and are advised to take immediate measures, as skin diseases are easier to treat after an early diagnosis.
Precautions:
The most important precautions regarding skin diseases regard mostly the domain of skin hygiene. People are advised to pay special attention at their skin care. They are also advised to be careful for the water they use for their skin hygiene. The water in some swimming pools can also contain numerous candidiasis from other people and these may easily affect the ones having a sensitive skin.
Another important advice given by specialists to people is not to stay too expose their skin to excessive sunbaths. Besides its healing properties sun can also have serious negative effects upon people’s skin. The consequences can be really serious and sun may actually have very grave effects, as skin cancer for example.
These precautions are to be taken into consideration by most of the people, no matter how resistant or sensitive their type of skin may be.
People with sensitive skins are advised to take into account these precautions as they can help greatly in the prevention of numerous skin diseases such as the ones stated above.
Treatments:
The treatments for skin diseases are divided in two categories. The prevention treatments and the actual treatments for solving skin problems. The prevention treatments include lotions and solutions that people are advised to use in a preventive manner. For example, sun lotions with a great factor of protection against skin burns. These treatments are very effective, as they can prevent effectively the problems that sun may cause to sensitive skin.
Another type of treatment is the actual treatment for existent skin diseases. This type of treatment is usually found under the form of lotions and ointments which are also very effective for treating skin diseases.
For more grave skin diseases there are laser treatments which are considered very benefic for skin cancer in general. They are much more complicated but they are also very effective and most of the times provide the desired results. These can be also used for depigmentation problems, such as candidiasis or acne.
Related best health centers on the world:
There are many health centers specialized in skin diseases around the world, since these diseases have been spreading very fast all over the world. Skin care health centers have the necessary medical technology in order to treat people suffering from these diseases in an effective way and with no side effects of the treatments.
One of the most important health centers for skin diseases is in Perth Australia and it has the necessary technology and experience in order to treat and heal many of the existing skin diseases. Health centers as this one provide their clients with the necessary treatments and solutions for the problems that the latter ones need in order to solve their skin problems.
All in all, skin diseases are considered as some of the most grave ones, as they not only affect our organism but also our exterior image. That is why doctors advise people to be very attentive when it comes to their skin care and pay much attention at the products that they use for their skin.