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Worms in kids

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Few of my friends are always  worried about their child's growth. Natasha always keeps me asking why her daughter is not gaining weight and why she falls sick again and again.  The worms are parasites which feed off the host’s body and eventually result in malnutrition, affecting the healthy growth of the child.  Worms may get entry into abdomen and create health problems .          Though all age groups can get worms, kids are more susceptible. Worms in abdomen can affect the appetite and ultimately growth of a child. When a child is not eating properly we assume he is showing tantrums or too busy in playing and ignore it but it can be worms those are troubling the stomach. When to suspect worms? Itchy bottom, which is usually worse at night Redness around the bottom area Restlessness due to itching Difficulty in falling asleep Visible worms – small, white and 8-13 mm long (often mistaken for bits of toilet paper!) ...
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Pre-conceptional care

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Preconceptional care


 If you are planning to have a baby you need to think about few things. You should be physically and mentally ready. At the same time time you should be financially doing well . If you are struggling with any medical issues they should be sorted. Healthy man and healthy woman will surely make a healthy baby.

What is preconception care?

The health check up of woman before getting pregnant is preconception check up. The goal is to find things that could affect your pregnancy. Identifying  these factors before pregnancy allows you to take steps that can increase the chances of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Why is healthy diet important?

Your body needs a regular supply of nutrients to grow, replace worn-out tissue, and provide energy. The fetus depends on mother for nutrition so it is important to have a good diet.

Which vitamins are important?

Folic acid, Iron , Calcium and Iodine are some of the important vitamins for proper development of baby.
Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects when taken before pregnancy and during pregnancy. It is recommended that all women (even if they are not trying to get pregnant) consume 400 micrograms of folic acid a day by taking a vitamin supplement containing folic acid.
Iron also is important during pregnancy. It is used to make the extra blood needed to supply oxygen to the baby. Not getting enough iron can be a problem for some women.
Some medical conditions—such as diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure,depression, PCOS,thyroid and seizure disorders—can cause problems during pregnancy. If you have a medical condition, your health care professional will discuss with you the changes that you need to make in order to bring your condition under control before you try to get pregnant. The first 8 weeks of pregnancy are key for the fetus growing inside you. Most of the fetus’s major organs and body systems have begun to form. Your health and nutrition can affect your fetus’s growth and development in these early weeks. So it is better to do the preconceptional health check up.
  1.  Overweight: Excess weight during pregnancy is associated with several pregnancy and childbirth complications, including high blood pressure, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and gestational diabetes. Obesity during pregnancy also is associated with macrosomia, defined as a larger-than-normal baby, as well as an increased risk of birth injury and cesarean delivery. It also increases the risk of birth defects, especially neural tube defects. Having too much body fat may make it more difficult for your health care professional to monitor your fetus with ultrasound and to hear the fetus’s heartbeat
  2. Underweight: Being underweight also poses risks during pregnancy. It increases the risk of having a low-birth-weight baby.  Being underweight during pregnancy also increases the risk of preterm birth.
  3. Diabetes: Poor control of diabetes during pregnancy increases the chances for birth defects and other problems for the baby. It can cause serious complications for the woman.
4.      Thyroid diseases:Untreated thyroid diseases in pregnancy may lead to premature birth, preeclampsia (a severe increase in blood pressure), miscarriage, and low birth weight among other problems.
Some medications, including vitamin supplements, over-the-counter medications, and herbal remedies, can be harmful to the fetus and should not be taken while you are pregnant. So consult with your doctor if you are taking any such medicines.

Prevent infections:

  1. Sexually transmitted diseases- can affect your ability to become pregnant.If you think you or your partner may have an STI, get tested and treated right away.
  2. Chickenpox
  3. Measles, Mumps

    How  lifestyle can affect pregnancy?

    Smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs during pregnancy can have harmful effects on a fetus. The time when the fetus is most vulnerable to the harmful effects of these substances is during the first trimester of pregnancy. Stopping harmful behavior before pregnancy may reduce or even eliminate the risks of some birth defects that occur early in pregnancy.

    How environment can affect  pregnancy?

    Some substances found in the home or the workplace may make it harder for a woman to become pregnant or could harm her fetus. If you are planning to get pregnant, look closely at your home and workplace. Think about the chemicals you use in your home or garden. Find out from your employer whether you might be exposed at work to toxic substances such as lead or mercury, chemicals such as pesticides or solvents, or radiation.
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Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

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