What are the skin conditions during pregnancy?

One has to believe that there are many changes in the women’s body during pregnancy. The most obvious change beside a big tummy is noticed on the skin. There are several skin changes during pregnancy and many previous skin conditions also get aggravated during pregnancy. The changes in the skin   are caused by hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy.  The hormonal upheavals and the stomach stretching to accommodate the growing baby bring unexpected changes in the skin.

Skin conditions during pregnancy

Stretch marks

These  are noticed on the belly, hips and thigh in the later stages of pregnancy. They appear as reddish or pinkish streaks running down the stomach and breasts.  There is no complete treatment for the stretch marks. But they can be delayed or minimized by exercises and applying lotions containing Vitamin A. Most of the time these stretch lines fade to silvery faint lines after delivery. Genetics plays an important role in the amount of stretches and the time when the stretches will appear.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins are the blue and purple veins that are visible on the legs during pregnancy. These are caused by the extra blood flow going to the baby. Varicose veins are sometimes very painful and uncomfortable. Heredity plays a vital role in the development of these veins. There are several ways to prevent the varicose veins include

• Avoid sitting, standing for long periods of time.
• Walking helps the blood to return back to the heart.
• Keep feet elevated as far as possible.
• Stockings support the veins and prevent them from bulging.
• Consume Vitamin C to keep the veins elastic and healthy.
• Keep control over excess weight gain.

Pimple Breakouts and Acne

Many pregnant women experience some grade of acne during the complete nine months of pregnancy. If one is having the problem before getting pregnant, they are sure to become more irritating during pregnancy. The production of extra hormones during pregnancy causes the oil glands to secrete oil, which in turn results in pimples and acne on the skin. This condition of the skin during pregnancy can be minimized by cleansing the skin morning and evening with a mild soap. An oil free moisturizer will help in keeping the skin soft.

Itchy skin

Pregnant woman skin normally itches from the growing stomach to the bottom of the feet. The itching is caused by the stretching of the skin as the abdomen grows big.  If the itching in the later stage of pregnancy is accompanied with nausea, vomiting and fatigue, the doctor must be consulted. This can be a symptom of cholestasis which is related to liver function. Doctors diagnose this disease by a blood test and it can be easily treated with medicines. Another form of intense itching can spread to the arms and legs. It causes red, raised and itchy patches on the body which go away on their own after delivery. The dry, itchy condition of the skin can be alleviated by keeping the skin on the abdomen moisturized. Anti- itch creams or lacto calamine also gives relief from this condition. A nice oatmeal bath can give relief from the discomforts of itching.

Skin darkening

This is also known as the mask of pregnancy or melisma. These are dark splotchy spots that appear commonly on the forehead and cheeks. They are the result of high pigmentation. Mask of pregnancy can be prevented by applying good sunscreen lotion.

Spider Veins

These are thin and reddishtiny blood vessels that branch on the outwards. They are caused by the increase of blood circulation. Spider veins do not hurt, but appear on the chest, face,neck and upper chest. These can also be hereditary. There is nothing to do to get rid of them. They disappear on their own after delivery.

Linea Nigra

This is a dark line that develops from the naval to the pubic bone.  It is a line that always been there, but it becomes dark and noticeable during the fourth and fifth month of pregnancy by the imbalance in hormones. There is nothing to do for it. It will fade away after pregnancy. This is due to hormones stimulating the production of pigment in the skin. It appears on the midline as the abdominal muscles pull away from one another and extend, adjusting to the expanding uterus. Women can notice this streak below their navel only, whereas in others it can reach right up to the breastplate. It occurs during the second trimester, linea nigra tends to fade or completely disappear in this week following the birth.

Skin Tags

Skin tags are very small, loose growths of skin that normally appear under the arms or on the breasts during pregnancy. They usually disappear after delivery.

Skin tags are generally small, light colored nodules attached to the body by a stalk. They commonly grow in the folds of skin of the armpits or beneath the breasts and are caused by skin rubbing against skin. Skin tags are soft, benign growths consisting of collagen fibres and blood vessels covered skin. While they usually regress in the period after the delivery, those remain and or become bothersome as removed by electrocautery, cryotheraphy, surgical excision.

Hyper pigmentation

Hyper pigmentation during pregnancy can change usually and are more pronounced in women with a darker complexion. The areolae, axillae, and genitals are commonly affected, although scars and nevi may be darkening. The linea nigra is the line often forms when the abdominal linea alba darkens during pregnancy. Melasma may be the most cosmetically troublesome skin condition associated with pregnancy. IT occurs in up to 70 percent of pregnant women and may occur in women taking oral contraceptives.

Some of the reasons are exposed to sunlight and other ultraviolet radiation worsens melasma, therefore, using high potency, broad spectrum sunscreens and avoiding excessive exposure to sunlight may prevent melasma from developing or being exacerbated. There is no specific treatment and are indicated during pregnancy, physicians can reassure patients that melasma resolves postpartum in most cases. It may not resolve completely and may recur with future pregnancies or with oral contraceptive use. Severe postpartum epidermal melasma is treated with combinations of topical tretinoin, hydroquinone and corticosteroids.

Psoriasis

Posariasis are many preexisting skin conditions; pregnancy can affect psoriasis, a chronic skin condition in which patches of skin become red. It is inflamed and covered by white, flaky skin. These occur due to skin cells that are produced more quickly than normal. It causes a buildup which creates the plaques. IT can be caused by faulty signals from the immune system. Pregnancies are occasionally exacerbating psoriasis; women can notice an improvement in their condition during this time.

How Much Weight for a Beginner on the Leg Press

A perfect method for finding the right weight to lift when doing a leg press doesn't exist. The strength of your legs varies depending on your overall fitness, exercise regimen and physiology. While you can use a calculator to determine how much you should lift, a basic trial also offers insight into how much weight a beginner should leg press.

Factor of Body Weight

Lifting a weight based on your body weight is one means of determining how much to lift. The University of Texas at Austin reports ranges for men and women between ages 18 and 29. The university's data say that the lowest percentile of women completing a leg press is 1.79 times their body weight and the lowest percentile of men completing a leg press is 2.47 times their body weight. At the highest level, women press 3.71 times their body weight and men press 4.84 times their body weight.

Trying Out a Weight

Another method involves sitting down with a trainer at the leg press to find your maximum. To do this, warm up for five to 10 minutes. Rest for one minute. Seat yourself in the press and select a weight you can comfortably press three to fives times by adding 30 pounds to 40 pounds. Rest for two minutes. Then increase the weight to near your maximum by adding an additional 30 pounds to 40 pounds Press two to three times. Rest for two to four minutes and increase the weight by 10 to 20 percent or 30 pounds to 40 pounds. Press one time. If you can't press that weight, then you've found your maximum load. If you can press the weight, increase again by 10 to 20 percent until you can't complete a leg press. Rest for two to four minutes after each increase.

Considerations

Form is important when completing a leg press properly. Press your back and tailbone against the supporting pad before you start the press. Keep your feet parallel, not pointed out, on the pad and keep your heels flat so they don't drop below the pad. Adjust the position of the seat so that your knees don't bend beyond 90 degrees when you begin the press. Use the side bars to gently support your upper body and brace your core to start. Press until your leg is extended, but not so far that you lock out your knees, which can hyperextend and injure them. Do not lift your bottom or round your back.

Benefits

Leg presses target your lower body, working primarily your gluteal muscles, which are the muscles of your bottom; the quadriceps at the front of your thigh; and the hamstrings at the back of your thigh. You also workout the calf muscle called the gastrocnemius when pressing the weight. In addition, leg presses give you the opportunity to lift a heavy weight. Start with a weight you can comfortably lift for eight to 12 repetitions, increasing the weight every six weeks as you establish your 

30 Days of Ab Exercises

With a bit of dedication, you can have flat, toned abs. Your core supports almost all of your movements, every day - everything from sitting in your chair to standing in line to driving your car and picking up your cat off the ground. Perform the following ab exercises every other day for 30 days to target every angle of your abdominals and strengthen your back and core.

Leg Lifts
Step 1
Lie with your back flat on the ground and rest your hands, palms down, under your buttocks for support. Raise your head 1 to 2 inches off the ground, keeping your gaze on the ceiling. Do not tuck your chin.

Step 2
With your legs out straight and feet together, exhale as you hinge at the waist to arc your feet toward the ceiling until your feet are straight up above your hips.

Step 3
Using a slow, controlled motion, lower your legs toward the ground, but stop before your heels hit the floor. Perform the move for twenty seconds or 10 repetitions, whichever comes last.

Scissors
Step 1
Lie with your back flat on the ground and rest your hands, palms down, under your buttocks for support. For beginners, keep your head on the ground. As you advance through the 30 days, raise your head 1 to 2 inches off the ground, tucking your chin slightly.

Step 2
With your legs out straight and feet together, exhale as you hinge one single leg at the waist to arc your foot toward the ceiling until it is straight up above your hips. The opposite foot may rest on the floor or you may maintain it in a slightly raised position, for a more advanced move.

Step 3
As you inhale, lower your leg slowly, controlling the movement, while at the same time raising the opposite leg. Perform the move for 20 seconds or 10 repetitions, whichever comes last.

Plank Punches
Step 1
From your hands and knees, with your hands placed directly under your shoulders, straighten your legs behind you so that you are resting on your hands and toes, in a push-up position with your feet slightly spread. Maintain a straight line from your neck to your heels by keeping your core engaged and not raising your butt into the air; tightening the gluteus muscles will assist with maintaining the proper form.

Step 2
Lift your right hand off the floor by slightly bending your elbow, make a fist and use a controlled motion to punch the air out in front of your face.

Step 3
Return that hand to the ground and repeat on the opposite side. Perform the move for 20 seconds or five repetitions, whichever comes last.

Flutter Kicks
Step 1
Lie with your back flat on the ground and rest your hands, palms down, under your buttocks for support. For beginners, keep your head on the ground. As you advance through the 30 days, raise your head 1 to 2 inches off the ground. Do not tuck your chin.

Step 2
With your legs out straight and feet together, raise both heels 1 inch or 2 off the floor. Exhale as you raise one leg to a height of 6 to 12 inches, then lower that leg and raise the opposite leg with no pause in between.

Step 3
Continue with the flutter kicks for a period of 20 seconds.

Reverse Crunch
Step 1
Lie with your back flat on the ground and rest your hands, palms down, under your buttocks for support. Bend your knees so that your quadriceps are approximately perpendicular to the floor and your caves are parallel to the floor.

Step 2
Roll your pelvis back to raise your butt off the floor so that your feet point skyward and your knees are above your belly button or chest, depending on how strong you are.

Step 3
Use a slow, controlled motion to return to the starting position. Perform the move for 20 seconds or 10 repetitions, whichever comes last.

Mason Twist
Step 1
Begin in a seated position with your knees bent, heels on the floor and hands clasped together in front of you.

Step 2
Raise your heels a few inches off the floor and keep your feet and legs in front of you as you twist your torso to the side and bring your clasped hands to the floor next to your hip.

Step 3
Repeat the twist to the opposite side, keeping your heels off the floor through the entire move. Perform the move for 20 seconds or 10 repetitions, whichever comes last.

Measures to increase brain power through Ayurveda

Ayurveda and brain

Our body, mind your prime, is a ministry. Without the consent of any part of the body can not function properly. Excessive mental stress and fatigue sometimes, digestive Institute, prolonged physical and mental impairment or disease affecting the brain and our memory disturbances decreases. Slide through how to increase the power of our brain to learn to show through Ayurveda.

Almond

Found in almonds, iron, copper, phosphorus and vitamin B. It is the medicinal ingredients act together. So almonds brain, heart and liver helps to keep working properly. Bhigon five almonds in water overnight to increase the power of the brain.Make a fine paste by grinding day skin. Now the milk and two teaspoons of honey in a glass, add the paste and it will benefit you to drink a lot.

Brahmi

Brahmi herb is known to increase brain power. Regular intake of antioxidants present in Brahmi element seems to enhance brain power. It is beneficial to drink a teaspoon juice everyday. If you do not like eating chewing juice has the same benefits from eating the leaves 7.

Linseed oil

Linseed oil faster, brain power and increases its concentration increases the power of you understand. Regular intake of linseed oil, would not you brain disorders.

Fennel

Anise spice is used daily at home. Its regular use is very beneficial to health. Fennel powder and sugar mixed in equal amounts. After eating two tablespoons of this powder twice a continued weakness of the brain is blocked.

Walnut

Omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts are plentiful. Manganese, zinc and selenium, such as copper, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, minerals are present. Walnut is also highly beneficial for our brains are an excellent source of vitamin E.

Cinnamon

Not only hot cinnamon spice, but it is also a drug. Weak brain is good medicine.Bedtime regularly take a pinch of cinnamon powder mixed with honey and increasing brain power relieves mental stress.

Nutmeg

Because that will be used in very small amounts of nutmeg abuse warm effect produces very sharp brain. Alzheimer Amnesia does not mean you are eating.

Black pepper

With medicinal properties too little pepper to taste rich food are seeing. To overcome the weakness of the brain and memory enhancement is beneficial pepper. 25 g butter, mixed peppers, cut 5-6 brain is faster than ever.

7 Foods that Keep You From Overeating

The Chinese have a saying: Eat only until you are 70 percent full. The trouble is, many of us can’t resist that last 30 percent. Fortunately, there are foods we can enjoy that prevent us from overeating (something most of us fall victim to, especially around the winter months). But now that the holidays have passed and we’ve recovered from “weight scale” shock, it’s time to address the problem. Here are seven foods that will help.

• Cappuccino Instead of Candy. Skip the lunchtime candy bar and reduce those hunger cravings with a cappuccino. As noted in PubMed, aerated, foam-based drinks can reduce your appetite, and trick your brain into feeling fuller. Sugary foods, on the other hand, can make you feel hungrier.

• Hummus to Reduce Hunger. Hummus is packed with protein and pairs well with fiber-rich vegetables. Combining hummus with veggies like snap peas, carrots or celery will make you feel fuller, so you’ll eat less at lunch or dinner. In a WebMD feature archive, Mark Gold, MD, at the University of Florida noted that the higher the fiber and protein content of a food or meal, the more likely your stomach will be satisfied.

• Avocados Help Suppress Appetite. Avocados eaten in moderation can help regulate your hunger hormones. The Nutrition Journal reported a study that eating half a fresh avocado with lunch reduced the desire to eat for hours afterward.

• Popcorn Cancels Appetite. Air-popped corn can make you feel full without adding lots of calories. Skip the butter or margarine and instead try nutritional yeast and lime juice. The air-injected snack fights the urge to snack on chips, cookies, ice cream and other high calorie snacks.

• Beat the Urge with Bananas. To beat the blues and stresses of today’s fast-paced living, pack some bananas for lunch. The sugar in this healthy fruit will keep you from those high calorie vending machine snacks.

• Reach for the All-Bran Cereal. WebMD also notes that researchers at the University of Sydney indicated a number of foods that make people feel full. Among the foods that scored highest was all-bran cereal. So if you feel the need to snack at home or at office, fill a bowl of all-bran cereal with skim milk to satisfy those midday hunger pangs. An article inPrevention points to a Journal of American Dietetic Association that links lower body mass index with a high fiber intake.

• Choose High-Fiber Fruits. Apples and oranges are high in fiber, water content and protein. All these ingredients help satiate your hunger and reduce your tendency to overeat. Prevention notes that you should “munch on fiber all day long.”

22 Amazing Benefits And Uses Of Bitter Melon/Bitter Gourd For Skin, Hair And Health

Confused with the name? More commonly bitter gourd in hindi is known as “Karela”. This vegetable is called as Bitter Gourd, Bitter Melon and Bitter Squash in english. First thing that comes to my mind seeing it is the bitterness in the name. They are dark or light green in colour depending on the region where they are grown. Though they taste very bitter, they are filled with many beneficial antioxidants and essential vitamins.

Bitter melon can be consumed in various ways like drinking its juice, pickle or using them in recipes.

BITTER MELON BENEFITS:

Let us quickly look at some of the most well known health benefits of Bitter Melon:

1. Respiratory disorders:

Fresh pods are an excellent remedy for curing respiratory problems like asthma, cold, cough, etc.

2. Liver tonic:

Drink one glass of Bitter Melon juice daily to heal liver problems. Keep consuming this continuously for a week to see results.

3. Immune system:

Boil bitter melon leaves or fruits in water and consume it every day to fight against infections. This also helps to build your immunity.

4. Acne:

Consuming Bitter Melon can help to get rid of acne, blemishes and deep skin infections.  Bitter melon is useful in treating blood disorders like blood boils, scabies, itching, psoriasis, ring-worm and other fungal diseases. The free radicals in it are also useful for anti ageing.

Consume juice of bitter melon mixed with lemon on an empty stomach daily for 6 months or till you get the required results.

5. Diabetes:

Bitter melon juice benefits to overcome type 2 diabetes. It has been a part of the Chinese and Indian ancient medicine for a long time but only recent research has proven that it is no folk lore. Type 2 diabetes is caused partially due to the inability of a cell to absorb the sugar in the blood due to insufficient insulin or due development of resistance to insulin. In both cases, the cells are unable to absorb the sugar due to the ineffectiveness of insulin produced. The absorption of sugar occurs due to the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase in the cells. Bitter gourd activated these kinases due to which the absorption of sugar increases. And hence aids in bringing diabetes in control.

Green juice for diabetics: cucumbers, green apples, bitter melon, celery, ½ green capsicum (bell pepper). Bitter melon contains certain chemicals that are like insulin which help to reduce blood sugar levels.

6. Constipation:

Bitter melon helps in easy digestion as it contains fibre properties. The food is digested and waste is thrown out of the body which helps in curing indigestion and constipation problems.

7. Kidney and bladder:

Bitter melon helps to maintain healthy liver and bladder. It is also useful in curing kidney stones.

8. Heart disease:

Bitter melon is very good for the heart in many ways. They help to reduce the bad cholesterol levels which clog the arterial walls and thereby reduce the chances of heart attacks. Also it is known to lower blood sugar levels that help in maintaining good heart health.

 9. Cancer:

Bitter Melon can prevent cancer cells from multiplying.

10. Weight loss:

Bitter Melon contains antioxidants, which help to flush out your system. This improves your metabolism and digestive systems thus helping you lose weight quickly.The two other major factors that aid in weight loss is the calorie control and filling components. Calorie control happens as such because vegetables are low on calories which allows you to consume more quantities of them. Filling component in this vegetable is water. We know that water is a universal suppressant of hunger. And the pods of this vegetable contain on the whole 80-85% water.

SKIN BENEFITS FOR BITTER MELON:

The appearance of your skin is largely determined by what you put inside your body. In other words, getting proper nutrition is a pre requisite for healthy and damage free skin. Being a natural blood purifier, bitter gourd helps in improving the appearance of your skin. It provides the following benefits to your skin:

11. Prevents Skin Problems:

Regular consumption of bitter gourd helps in keeping your skin glowing and free from blemishes. It also helps prevent acne thanks to its blood purifying properties.

12. Skin Infections:

Bitter melon benefits in treating skin diseases or skin infections, eczema and psoriasis. Regular consumption of bitter gourd juice helps in improving psoriasis condition as well as other fungal infections like ring worm and athletes foot.

13. Anti-ageing:

Bitter gourd contains vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant. By fighting and eliminating the harmful free radicals, it helps to prevent wrinkles by slowing down the ageing process. It also protects the skin from damage by Sun’s ultraviolet rays.

14. Healing Qualities:

Bitter gourd helps in controlling blood flow and clotting, causing wounds to heal faster, preventing further infections.

HAIR BENEFITS OF BITTER MELON:

Bitter gourd is a great home remedy for your hair. Besides being beneficial for your skin and health, bitter gourd juice is also effective in treating hair problems and promoting longevity. It is beneficial for your hair in the following ways:

15. Shiny Hair:

To impart a natural shine to your hair, you can mix a cup of fresh bitter gourd juice with yoghurt and apply on your hair. Wash off after sometime. This will make your hair shiny and beautiful.

16. Dandruff:

Dandruff is a common problem and is mostly caused due to the consumption of unhealthy food and exposure to pollution. To ward off dandruff, you can prepare a hair pack by mixing bitter gourd juice and cumin seeds. Regular usage of this pack will rid you of dandruff within a month.

17. Split Ends:

If you are troubled by split ends, you can apply raw bitter gourd juice to your split ends and then comb gently. This should be done twice a week to get rid of split ends.

18. Dry and Itchy Scalp:

To combat dryness of scalp, you can rub a fresh piece of bitter gourd on it and massage your scalp in a circular motion. Then rinse off with clear water. To combat itchiness, you can prepare a hair pack by mixing bitter gourd juice with either avocado or banana and apply it on your scalp. This should be used at least once a week to get rid of itchy scalp.

19. Hair Loss:

Bitter gourd juice helps in reducing hair-fall naturally. All you need to do is mix bitter gourd juice with a dash of sugar and use this paste on your hair to get good results.

20. Rough and Tangled Hair:

If you have rough and tangled hair, you can pour a cup of bitter gourd juice and allow it to soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Then rinse off your hair. This will help smoothen your hair texture and make it soft and shiny.

21. Grey Hair:

Bitter gourd can also treat premature greying of hair. You can apply freshly squeezed bitter gourd juice on your grey strands. Doing this once in every ten days will reduce grey hair growth.

22. Oily Hair:

Increased intake of oily food can cause the accumulation of excess oil in your hair. If you have oily hair, you should first limit the consumption of oily food. You can apply a mixture of bitter gourd juice and apple cider vinegar to remove excess oil from your hair.

Bitter Gourd: Nutritional Value:

The numerous health, skin and hair benefits of bitter melon can be attributed to its nutritional value. It has a wide array of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin C, calcium, potassium, zinc, iron, copper and phosphorus. The chart given below shows the nutritional value of bitter gourd.

See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients:Bitter melon (Momordica charantia), fresh, raw, Nutritive value per 100 g
Principle	Nutrient Value	Percentage of RDA
Energy	17 Kcal	<1%
Carbohydrates	3.70 g	3%
Protein	1.00 g	2%
Total Fat	0.17 g	0.5%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	2.80 g	7%
Vitamins
Folates	72 µg	18%
Niacin	0.400 mg	2.5%
Pantothenic acid	0.212 mg	4%
Pyridoxine	0.043 mg	3%
Riboflavin	0.040 mg	3%
Thiamin	0.040 mg	3.5%
Vitamin A	471 IU	16%
Vitamin C	84 mg	140%
Electrolytes
Sodium	5 mg	<1%
Potassium	296 mg	6%
Minerals
Calcium	19 mg	2%
Copper	0.034 mg	4%
Iron	0.43 mg	5%
Magnesium	17 mg	4%
Manganese	0.089 mg	4%
Zinc	0.80 mg	7%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-ß	190 µg	–
Carotene-α	185 µg
Lutein-zeaxanthin	170 µg	–

• Calories: Bitter gourd is quite low in calories with a 100 gram serving providing just 17 calories.
• Vitamin C: Bitter gourd is an excellent source of vitamin C with 100 grams of raw pod, providing 84 mg of this vitamin which is equivalent to 140% of Recommended Daily Intake (RDI).
• Folates: Fresh pods are a good source of folates. 100 grams of fresh pods provide 72 µg of folate which is equivalent to 18% of RDI.
• B-vitamins: It is also a good source of B-vitamins like niacin or Vitamin B3, pantothenic acid or Vitamin B5 and pyridoxine or Vitamin B6.

SOME IMPORTANT TIPS:

1. Always wash Bitter Melon thoroughly under running water.

2. Use fresh Bitter Melon for best results.

3. Always choose bitter gourds that are fresh, bright, deep green in colour.

4. Don’t consume more than 2 bitter melons a day

4. The Bitter Melon leaves should be kept in a cool, dry, dark place. They stay fresh in refrigerator up to a week.

5. Marinade with salt to reduce bitterness.

6. Pregnant women should be careful while consuming this vegetable. The laxative component of the vegetable may lead to premature contraction, vaginal bleeding and miscarriages. Do consult your doctor once.