Preeclampsia prevention may be as simple as taking an aspirin
Preeclampsia is a common and serious pregnancy condition that results in elevated blood pressure and protein in the urine. It is most common during the third trimester or just after birth, but there may be a simple approach to help prevent it.
Preeclampsia can cause kidney and liver irregularities, blood clotting issues, headaches, strokes, and even death if you are pregnant. It makes it more difficult for a growing fetus to receive nutrients and oxygen. Additionally, it has been associated with premature birth and low birth weight in infants. However, according to a recent statement from the US Preventive Services Task Force, daily low-dose aspirin may help prevent several of these disorders (USPSTF).
Who is at the greatest risk of developing preeclampsia?
While preeclampsia can strike without notice, certain risk factors increase the likelihood of it occurring:
Carrying multiples, such as twins or triplets.
Having diabetes.
Being 35 or older.
Being obese, defined as having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30.
Having high blood pressure prior to pregnancy.
Having kidney illness, or having an autoimmune disorder.
Preeclampsia is also more prevalent in Black people as a result of systemic racism, which limits access to care, and can be a cause of chronic stress as a result of variables such as food and housing insecurity, which contribute to poor health and well-being.
Preeclampsia affects around one in every twenty-five pregnancies in the United States. It is responsible for nearly one in every five medically induced preterm births. Preventing it will result in the saving of lives.
Is breastfeeding truly effective at preventing pregnancy?
Having a child is a thrilling and life-changing experience. However, caring for newborns takes a lot of time and effort, especially if you're juggling family and work. Even the happiest and most proud parents may prefer to wait a while after the birth of one child before welcoming another.
It's possible you've heard that if you're breastfeeding, you won't be able to conceive. But that isn't the whole tale. Several factors influence how effective nursing is as a birth control method.
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Experts advise waiting at least 18 months between pregnancies. This gives the uterus time to recover and is safer for both the mother and the baby.
There are numerous birth control methods available. Some alter the hormone cycles that control menstruation and pregnancy. Nonhormonal alternatives frequently inhibit or decrease sperm production, or prevent sperm and egg from contacting each other.
Breastfeeding is a natural method of birth prevention that many individuals find appealing. It has been shown in research to be a successful strategy during the months when a mother is frequently breastfeeding and an infant is eating exclusively breast milk—no formula, baby meals, or other foods.
This procedure is referred to medically as the lactational amenorrhea method, or LAM. Lactation is when a woman breastfeeds, and amenorrhea is when she doesn't have a period or a regular menstrual cycle.
How does this technique operate?
Breastfeeding a kid on a regular basis can prevent ovulation, the process by which an egg is released from the ovary. Ovulation is required for conception.
To avoid pregnancy successfully, all of the following rules must be followed:
- Your infant is less than six months old and exclusively breastfed (no formula or food).
- You breastfeed at least four times a day and six times a night.
- You are currently without periods (amenorrhea).
What is the efficacy of LAM (lactational amenorrhea method)?
A hormone-based method like the birth control pill can be just as effective when used properly, as LAM has been shown to be when used properly. It is 98 per cent effective for the first six months after birth. This means that if the guidelines are followed correctly, only two out of every hundred people will become pregnant while using this method. Otherwise, pregnancy is far more likely. Your medical team can assist you in determining whether this is the best method of birth control for you right now and can explain further options.
What are the benefits of this method?
This method of contraception is completely natural and poses no health risks or adverse effects. In addition, it is free and doesn't need an appointment or procedure with a doctor.
What are the drawbacks to this technique?
- It is not feasible or practical for everyone.
- You must be capable of and willing to breastfeed your newborn exclusively. Giving your baby formula or other food reduces the effectiveness of this type of birth control. As a side note, it isn't clear if pumping breast milk has the same effect on ovulation as breastfeeding.
- It is only temporary. Pediatricians recommend that babies begin eating solid foods at the age of six months. Additionally, babies will begin sleeping for extended periods of time at night.
- If you experience your period while using this approach, you are most likely ovulating again. People who don't use birth control may get pregnant if they don't change their methods of birth control.
If you choose to use LAM, be prepared to change birth control methods by the time your kid is six months old, or sooner if you find it impractical.
Is this technique right for you?
This strategy may be appropriate in the short term if you are willing and able to
- breastfeed your infant entirely for the first six months following birth—no formula or other foods should be added.
- At a minimum of every four hours throughout the day and every six hours at night, nurse.
This approach is not effective in preventing sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), such as chlamydia or HIV. It is not a smart choice for anyone who intends to use breast milk and formula in combination, or who has a health concern or takes medications that could harm a baby if spread or transferred through breast milk.
Choosing the best method of contraception for you
Birth control should be tailored to your lifestyle and health needs. Certain individuals, for example, desire to avoid procedures that contain any hormones. Individuals with a history of blood clots or hypertension should avoid estrogen-containing procedures. Busy people may benefit from a long-term method of birth control that is set it and forget it,' such as an IUD or implant. In addition, anyone who wants to protect themselves from STIs should think about using condoms with any method of birth control they choose.
Inform your midwife, doctor, or other members of your medical team of your preferences and needs. They can clarify your alternatives and assist you in making the best choice for you.
For additional information on available alternatives, contact the Harvard Health Birth Control Center.
Is it possible that cataract surgery can protect you from dementia?
Cataract surgery has become extremely safe and commonplace in the United States over the last few decades. An estimated two million Americans, largely seniors, undergo this treatment each year. By 2050, the population may have doubled, or perhaps tripled.
Even though many of us think that cataract surgery only helps us see better, new research shows that it may also help us think better and avoid dementia.
Recent studies have discovered a relationship between dementia and age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, or diabetes-related eye illness. In one study, elderly people whose vision deteriorated during an eight-year period had a higher chance of dementia.
So, may preventing or correcting vision loss help to lessen dementia risk? Previous research has yielded conflicting results. According to a 2015 study, cataract surgery is connected to a lower risk of dementia in the future. The results of a 2018 study found no benefit in terms of dementia risk, but there was a lower rate of mild cognitive impairment. The disparities in findings could be explained by differences in study populations and techniques, particularly in the diagnosis of dementia.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that removing cataracts may lower your risk of dementia. It looks into how cataract surgery affects the risk of dementia over time in over 3,000 older people with cataracts or glaucoma. At the start of the trial, no one had dementia.
People who had cataract surgery had a 29% lower risk of developing dementia than those who did not.
Whether glaucoma patients had surgery or not, the risk of dementia was the same. (It's worth noting that glaucoma surgery doesn't help you see again.)
Because of differences in health or access to health care, the study's findings were not likely to be caused by those things. Also, other dementia risk factors were not likely to have been the cause. The findings remained the same once these variables were taken into account.
The researchers point out that while the findings are compelling, they must be confirmed by others. Future research should involve a more varied population: the majority of study participants were white, and they all had easy access to complete health care, including cataract surgery.
Even though many of us think that cataract surgery only helps us see better, new research shows that it may also help us think better and avoid dementia.
According to research, there is a link between eyesight loss and dementia.
Recent studies have discovered a relationship between dementia and age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, or diabetes-related eye illness. In one study, elderly people whose vision deteriorated during an eight-year period had a higher chance of dementia.
So, may preventing or correcting vision loss help to lessen dementia risk? Previous research has yielded conflicting results. According to a 2015 study, cataract surgery is connected to a lower risk of dementia in the future. The results of a 2018 study found no benefit in terms of dementia risk, but there was a lower rate of mild cognitive impairment. The disparities in findings could be explained by differences in study populations and techniques, particularly in the diagnosis of dementia.
There's new evidence that cataract surgery can help people avoid dementia.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that removing cataracts may lower your risk of dementia. It looks into how cataract surgery affects the risk of dementia over time in over 3,000 older people with cataracts or glaucoma. At the start of the trial, no one had dementia.
According to the research,
People who had cataract surgery had a 29% lower risk of developing dementia than those who did not.
Whether glaucoma patients had surgery or not, the risk of dementia was the same. (It's worth noting that glaucoma surgery doesn't help you see again.)
Because of differences in health or access to health care, the study's findings were not likely to be caused by those things. Also, other dementia risk factors were not likely to have been the cause. The findings remained the same once these variables were taken into account.
The researchers point out that while the findings are compelling, they must be confirmed by others. Future research should involve a more varied population: the majority of study participants were white, and they all had easy access to complete health care, including cataract surgery.
There is currently no safe place in Ukraine, and the situation is changing by the hour. All children across the region are now in grave danger of physical harm and severe emotional distress.
So please, let’s do what we do best: let’s gather together our network of friends, family and colleagues and fundraise for the innocent children of Ukraine.
So please, let’s do what we do best: let’s gather together our network of friends, family and colleagues and fundraise for the innocent children of Ukraine.
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Violence and explosions have been reported in the capital of Kyiv and other major cities – forcing children and families into basements and bomb shelters. At least 100,000 have already been forced to flee their homes. As temperatures drop below freezing, displaced children could face long days and nights exposed to brutal conditions.
Russia ignores ceasefire, trapping thousands
Last week, a sliver of good news arrived when authorities from Ukraine and Russia agreed to create safe corridors to allow civilians to be evacuated. Unfortunately, that hope was dashed when Russia broke the brief ceasefire, forcing Mariupol to suspend evacuations for two days in a row.
The port city is encircled by Russian soldiers and has been shelled on a regular basis. The inhabitants of Mariupol are in a rapidly deteriorating condition since the city has been without heat, food, or electricity for days.
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