Consider your food intake as it is helpful to the body
The six classes of food nutrient are: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Carbohydrates, proteins and fats contain calories, that is, they are nutrients that produce energy, while fibre, vitamins and minerals, although essential to a healthy diet, do not contain any calories. In addition, plenty of water is needed to maintain life.
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Carbohydrates are cheap and readily available in our community. It is required at minimum during pregnancy for energy. Excessive weight gain may be due to excessive intake of carbohydrate mostly sugary foods. The major sources of carbohydrates are bread, cereals, potatoes, honey, cakes, biscuits, confectionery and soft drinks. Sugars taste good and they may encourage people to overeat and in turn cause weight gain.
Fats: Fats (technically referred to as lipids) are, like carbohydrates, compounds of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They are, however, a more concentrated source of energy (calories). Fats are found mainly in foods of animal origin such as lard, fatty meats, butter, full-fat milk, pastry, fried food and cheese. They are also found in some vegetable oils, such as palm oil and cocoanut oil. A high intake of saturated fatty acids may lead to increased blood cholesterol levels; this in turn increases the risk of coronary heart disease. Excessive fat intake will cause increase in weight. During pregnancy, fat deposits may increase by more than a third the total amount a woman had before she became pregnant. Most women lose this extra weight in the birth process or within several weeks thereafter. Breast-feeding helps to deplete the fat deposited during pregnancy. A woman who breast-feeds expends 600 to 800 more calories than one who does not. The woman who nurses her baby also has increased needs for specific nutrients.
Proteins: Proteins are essential components of all body cells, providing structural material and regulating body processes including the formation and development of the foetus. 80g of protein is required daily for a pregnant woman of which sixty per cent should be first class. We need a regular daily supply of protein for the growth, repair and replacement of our tissues, but if we eat more than is needed for these purposes, the excess is used for energy. Its chief source includes meat, milk, fish, Soya milk, Soya beans, yoghurt, liver, eggs, peas, pulses and nuts.
Fibre: The human digestive tract is unable to digest the structural material in plant foods – known collectively as fibre – but it has a vital role to play in the body. Cereal grains, vegetables and fruit all contain fibre of various types. “Insoluble” types, such as cellulose predominate in wheat, maize and rice and in pulse vegetables and many fruits. Insoluble cereal fibre provides bulk and helps the intestine to work efficiently, preventing constipation and probably also protecting against other bowel disorders such as haemorrhoids.
Water: This is the major constituent of the body. The body is made up of about 70 per cent water. About 2 litres (31/2 pints) is lost every day in expiration, urine, faeces and sweat. The lost fluid must be replaced, but about 70 per cent of most foods are water, so one does not necessarily need to drink 2 litres of fluid at a time in order to replace lost amounts.
Vitamins and Minerals:
Vitamins are chemicals. Nausea and vomiting and sometimes mal-absorption couples with insufficient intake can lead to vitamin deficiency. The demand of vitamin B is on the high increase during pregnancy and lactation. Naturally, the body produces some amounts of vitamins, such as vitamin D, which is made in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight; however, most vitamins can be obtained only from food or supplements. Anyone who eats a varied diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, diary products, fish and meat generally gets enough vitamins.
Minerals such as iron, calcium, iodine and sodium are of major nutritional importance. An apparently reasonable diet may be deficient in iron, calcium or iodine. And in parts of the world where the soil is deficient in iodine, it is often added to our table salt (iodized salt). A well-balanced diet usually provides enough iron, calcium and iodine. Many people eat too much sodium (salt), and this is known to increase the risk of heart disease for people who already have high blood pressure.
Iron is needed in larger doses, especially in the later stages of pregnancy, and cannot be met by diet alone, according to the American National Research Council. More iron is needed not only because of foetal demands, but also because the mother’s blood volume may be increased as much as 30 per cent. This mineral is essential to the formation of healthy red blood cells, and it is difficult for a woman to consume enough of it from foods to maintain an adequate supply for herself and her foetus. Without enough iron, the foetus will draw its supply from the mother, often leaving her anaemic exhausted. An iron supplement can alleviate this condition. So pregnant women are advised to always meet Gynaecologists for expert advice during pregnancy stages and this will help to reduce maternal morbidity.
More articles will be published on this blog on maternal health so don’t miss it.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tips for Good Health (1)
HEALTH THEY SAY IS WEALTH
• Bleaching creams can cause irritation and discolouration of the skin. Avoid them.
• Anal stimulation with the penis, vagina or the tongue or having sex through the anus should be discouraged. It could lead to infections by anaerobes.
• When one partner contracts a sexually transmitted disease (STD) both partners should be treated to avoid recurrence.
• Premature ejaculation is one of the commonest causes of sexual disharmony, please avoid it by controlling yourself.
• A menopausal woman should be taken care of. The husband should continue to treat her with love and kindness.
• When an offensive odour is noticed in any of the sex organs, the cause and treatment should be sought immediately from a qualified doctor.
• During a girl’s menstrual period, it is advisable for her to bath with warm water and maintain general body cleanliness.
• A menstrual woman should take a lot of fruits, have plenty of rest, water and indulge in minor exercises.
• Women should not worry much at the time of ovulation due to changes taking place in their bodies; some may develop pimples on the foreheads which disappear at the end while others develop moon face few days before time. Don’t worry, all these changes are all part of the ovulation period.
• Those whose vaginas are so dry, mostly menopausal women should constantly use vegetable or fruits, oil or lubricant gels to lubricate the vagina.
• Obese individuals can do themselves much good by minimizing their food intake, indulging in regular exercise and reducing their intake of salt and water.
• Any woman who has experienced miscarriage in early stage of pregnancy in the past should abstain from sex during early pregnancy.
• Tobacco snuffing is very damaging to the body just as cigarette itself. Please shun them. It has also been proven through research that tobacco snuffing causes cancer of the cheeks, gum and throat.
• Intending couples are advised to go for blood group and genotype tests to know whether they are compatible. This will enable them to know the prospects of their future offsprings.
• Adolescent males should not go into sexual relationship with adolescent or teenage girls till the girls are mature enough to practically do so.
• A decaying tooth should be removed as this might produce cancer of the tongue if it irritates the tongue.
• Bleaching creams can cause irritation and discolouration of the skin. Avoid them.
• Anal stimulation with the penis, vagina or the tongue or having sex through the anus should be discouraged. It could lead to infections by anaerobes.
• When one partner contracts a sexually transmitted disease (STD) both partners should be treated to avoid recurrence.
• Premature ejaculation is one of the commonest causes of sexual disharmony, please avoid it by controlling yourself.
• A menopausal woman should be taken care of. The husband should continue to treat her with love and kindness.
• When an offensive odour is noticed in any of the sex organs, the cause and treatment should be sought immediately from a qualified doctor.
• During a girl’s menstrual period, it is advisable for her to bath with warm water and maintain general body cleanliness.
• A menstrual woman should take a lot of fruits, have plenty of rest, water and indulge in minor exercises.
• Women should not worry much at the time of ovulation due to changes taking place in their bodies; some may develop pimples on the foreheads which disappear at the end while others develop moon face few days before time. Don’t worry, all these changes are all part of the ovulation period.
• Those whose vaginas are so dry, mostly menopausal women should constantly use vegetable or fruits, oil or lubricant gels to lubricate the vagina.
• Obese individuals can do themselves much good by minimizing their food intake, indulging in regular exercise and reducing their intake of salt and water.
• Any woman who has experienced miscarriage in early stage of pregnancy in the past should abstain from sex during early pregnancy.
• Tobacco snuffing is very damaging to the body just as cigarette itself. Please shun them. It has also been proven through research that tobacco snuffing causes cancer of the cheeks, gum and throat.
• Intending couples are advised to go for blood group and genotype tests to know whether they are compatible. This will enable them to know the prospects of their future offsprings.
• Adolescent males should not go into sexual relationship with adolescent or teenage girls till the girls are mature enough to practically do so.
• A decaying tooth should be removed as this might produce cancer of the tongue if it irritates the tongue.
Sexual Problem of Young People
During the teenage years, all normal young people suddenly become conscious of sex, striking changes start taking place within the body, producing new reactions that are often followed by deep feelings of guilt. How these peculiar problems are handled mean a great deal both at present and in the years to come. Bad companies and a lack of proper guidance may lead to a life of sorrow and tragedy. Many parents would not want to talk about sex, hoping that the young person will learn the true facts of life from someone else. Such sources of information are often faulty, and sometimes they are downright immoral.
A woman with premenstrual tension can trace the beginning of her illness to the fact that she was not told in advance about menstruation and such facts of life. She was either left in total ignorance, or perhaps given some scanty information, with the result that she becomes frightened and ashamed at the sight of blood at the time of menarche. This is certainly not fair to any girl. Long before this, she should have been told frankly what to expect. She should be informed that menstruation is a perfectly normal occurrence in the human female, and that these menstrual periods will continue every month for the next thirty years or more, except during the time she is pregnant.
By the time a girl is a able to menstruate, she already has enough reason not to feel ashamed or guilty. She should not be told that she is “sick”, for actually she is perfectly well. Menstruation and ovulation are simple physiological processes just like breathing. These are normal components of the reproductive process by which the human race is continued from one generation to another. Without menstruation and ovulation, it would be impossible to perpetuate the human race. Having begun her monthly period and ovulation, she is already a woman even though she is still growing and maturing.
The adolescence years of the girl child are frequently marked by stormy emotional upheavals that the girl herself may often find difficult to understand or explain.
A young woman’s menstrual cycle may be compared to the ebb and flow of the tides at the shore. Each month she passes through this ever-changing cycle.
Male hormones are produced in more or less constant ratio, so that a man’s body varies little from one day to the next. But the female sex hormones are produced in ever-changing amounts throughout her monthly cycle. Women are ever-changing. This certainly adds gaiety and variety to life.
When girls menstruate, the monthly cycle in girls is controlled by the glandular system. No one really knows very much why menstruation starts when it does, or exactly how it is regulated. But we do know that when a girl reaches a certain size and age she will begin to menstruate, usually every twenty-eight days for three days or so, although this may vary from one person to another. It may be a little irregular at first, but this is nothing to worry about.
Some girls begin their menstrual periods as early as eleven years of age. Others may begin at their sixteenth year, yet all are perfectly normal. There is no reason for undue concern if the beginning of menstruation seems to be a little delayed. This may be a familiar trait but if there is the need to consult a doctor, it’s not also out of place to reduce tension of delayed menstrual cycle in a girl above certain years that menstrual cycle is already expected.
This time of life, known as puberty is the time when a girl grows rapidly. She may even feel a little embarrassed because she is one or two inches taller than the boys of her age. But she has no need to worry. The boys will soon catch up and become taller as their glandular organs begin to develop and function. This is all part of the normal growing process in either sex.
During the teen years or adolescence period, nature does a wonderful piece of sculpturing. As her body takes shape, the natural feminine curve appears. Her breasts begin to develop and hair begins to grow under her armpits and around the genital organs. Soon her face takes on the shape of that of a mature young woman, making her highly attractive to men, a fact she quickly recognizes and uses to her advantage as she grows older.
SOME GYNAECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS IN YOUNG GIRLS:
Usually, the genital organs of a growing girl function without anything unusually occurring. But there are times when the girl may be troubled by an excessive whitish discharge known as leucorrhoea. This is not a normal occurrence. She should seek the advice of her doctor, rather than discussing the problem with those not qualified to advice her. Some slight vaginal discharge is also not unusual at ovulation (midway between periods), or during times of strong sexual excitement. There is nothing abnormal in this. But if there is associated intense itching, the cause may be a genital infection, such as trichomoniasis, candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis etc. pinworm infestation is another source of irritation in the vagina, particularly in young girls.
Menstrual tension: Just before menstruation, some women become nervous and irritable and suffer from depression, headaches, fullness in the breasts, and swelling in the lower abdomen. This is probably due to increased hormonal activity from the adrenal glands during the latter part of the menstrual cycle, causing retention of sodium and water in the tissues.
The treatment to this is avoiding using extra salt. Then consult your Gynaecologist for further advice and treatment.
Some mild discomfort is to be expected at the beginning of menstruation, although many women have little if any difficulty. If there is severe pain it might be due to some abnormality that should be corrected. Some young women tend to magnify their symptoms, apparently in an unconscious effort to gain sympathy. But in other cases the pain may be due to some endocrine imbalance, which may clear up entirely following pregnancy or a satisfactory marital relationship. Abnormal positions of the uterus may also lead to menstrual pain or discomfort. Certain pelvic conditions, such as endometriosis and fibroids are also possibilities but most of these conditions tend to come on later in life.
Certain infections, such as syphilis, gonorrhea, or tuberculosis may sometimes cause pelvic pain, which may be aggravated during menstruation.
Rectal conditions such as constipation may aggravate menstrual pain and discomfort. Spinal deformities and poor posture must also be born in mind. Finally, there is the problem of emotional tension. This always increases any menstrual discomfort and makes the woman more irritable.
Treatment on this should be that the girl should be encouraged to enter into active exercises, for these always help to improve pelvic blood circulation. Special exercises to strengthen the back are recommended, but they must be done in moderation. The patient should not allow herself to become exhausted by too strenuous a programme at first. She should be sure to get adequate rest and sleep. Chronic constipation should be relieved. As far as possible, she should be encouraged to ignore the discomforts, carrying on with her regular daily activities. Some simple analgesics such as aspirin may be given, but codeine and other habit-forming drugs should be avoided except in cases of severe pain.
Local heat applied to the pelvic area and the lower spine may also bring relief. If all these measures fail to relieve the pain, one should consider consulting her Gynaecologist.
A woman with premenstrual tension can trace the beginning of her illness to the fact that she was not told in advance about menstruation and such facts of life. She was either left in total ignorance, or perhaps given some scanty information, with the result that she becomes frightened and ashamed at the sight of blood at the time of menarche. This is certainly not fair to any girl. Long before this, she should have been told frankly what to expect. She should be informed that menstruation is a perfectly normal occurrence in the human female, and that these menstrual periods will continue every month for the next thirty years or more, except during the time she is pregnant.
By the time a girl is a able to menstruate, she already has enough reason not to feel ashamed or guilty. She should not be told that she is “sick”, for actually she is perfectly well. Menstruation and ovulation are simple physiological processes just like breathing. These are normal components of the reproductive process by which the human race is continued from one generation to another. Without menstruation and ovulation, it would be impossible to perpetuate the human race. Having begun her monthly period and ovulation, she is already a woman even though she is still growing and maturing.
The adolescence years of the girl child are frequently marked by stormy emotional upheavals that the girl herself may often find difficult to understand or explain.
A young woman’s menstrual cycle may be compared to the ebb and flow of the tides at the shore. Each month she passes through this ever-changing cycle.
Male hormones are produced in more or less constant ratio, so that a man’s body varies little from one day to the next. But the female sex hormones are produced in ever-changing amounts throughout her monthly cycle. Women are ever-changing. This certainly adds gaiety and variety to life.
When girls menstruate, the monthly cycle in girls is controlled by the glandular system. No one really knows very much why menstruation starts when it does, or exactly how it is regulated. But we do know that when a girl reaches a certain size and age she will begin to menstruate, usually every twenty-eight days for three days or so, although this may vary from one person to another. It may be a little irregular at first, but this is nothing to worry about.
Some girls begin their menstrual periods as early as eleven years of age. Others may begin at their sixteenth year, yet all are perfectly normal. There is no reason for undue concern if the beginning of menstruation seems to be a little delayed. This may be a familiar trait but if there is the need to consult a doctor, it’s not also out of place to reduce tension of delayed menstrual cycle in a girl above certain years that menstrual cycle is already expected.
This time of life, known as puberty is the time when a girl grows rapidly. She may even feel a little embarrassed because she is one or two inches taller than the boys of her age. But she has no need to worry. The boys will soon catch up and become taller as their glandular organs begin to develop and function. This is all part of the normal growing process in either sex.
During the teen years or adolescence period, nature does a wonderful piece of sculpturing. As her body takes shape, the natural feminine curve appears. Her breasts begin to develop and hair begins to grow under her armpits and around the genital organs. Soon her face takes on the shape of that of a mature young woman, making her highly attractive to men, a fact she quickly recognizes and uses to her advantage as she grows older.
SOME GYNAECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS IN YOUNG GIRLS:
Usually, the genital organs of a growing girl function without anything unusually occurring. But there are times when the girl may be troubled by an excessive whitish discharge known as leucorrhoea. This is not a normal occurrence. She should seek the advice of her doctor, rather than discussing the problem with those not qualified to advice her. Some slight vaginal discharge is also not unusual at ovulation (midway between periods), or during times of strong sexual excitement. There is nothing abnormal in this. But if there is associated intense itching, the cause may be a genital infection, such as trichomoniasis, candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis etc. pinworm infestation is another source of irritation in the vagina, particularly in young girls.
Menstrual tension: Just before menstruation, some women become nervous and irritable and suffer from depression, headaches, fullness in the breasts, and swelling in the lower abdomen. This is probably due to increased hormonal activity from the adrenal glands during the latter part of the menstrual cycle, causing retention of sodium and water in the tissues.
The treatment to this is avoiding using extra salt. Then consult your Gynaecologist for further advice and treatment.
Some mild discomfort is to be expected at the beginning of menstruation, although many women have little if any difficulty. If there is severe pain it might be due to some abnormality that should be corrected. Some young women tend to magnify their symptoms, apparently in an unconscious effort to gain sympathy. But in other cases the pain may be due to some endocrine imbalance, which may clear up entirely following pregnancy or a satisfactory marital relationship. Abnormal positions of the uterus may also lead to menstrual pain or discomfort. Certain pelvic conditions, such as endometriosis and fibroids are also possibilities but most of these conditions tend to come on later in life.
Certain infections, such as syphilis, gonorrhea, or tuberculosis may sometimes cause pelvic pain, which may be aggravated during menstruation.
Rectal conditions such as constipation may aggravate menstrual pain and discomfort. Spinal deformities and poor posture must also be born in mind. Finally, there is the problem of emotional tension. This always increases any menstrual discomfort and makes the woman more irritable.
Treatment on this should be that the girl should be encouraged to enter into active exercises, for these always help to improve pelvic blood circulation. Special exercises to strengthen the back are recommended, but they must be done in moderation. The patient should not allow herself to become exhausted by too strenuous a programme at first. She should be sure to get adequate rest and sleep. Chronic constipation should be relieved. As far as possible, she should be encouraged to ignore the discomforts, carrying on with her regular daily activities. Some simple analgesics such as aspirin may be given, but codeine and other habit-forming drugs should be avoided except in cases of severe pain.
Local heat applied to the pelvic area and the lower spine may also bring relief. If all these measures fail to relieve the pain, one should consider consulting her Gynaecologist.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Nutrition in Pregnancy
There are numerous changes in nutritional needs for a pregnant woman. such changes are partly due to the nourishment demands of the foetus and partly due to the nourishment demands of the foetus and partly to other physiological variations that affect absorption and metabolism of nutrients. These changes help insure normal development of the baby and fill the subsequent demands of lactation, or nursing i.e breastfeeding. Man requires food to live and grow. This is also applied to the foetus. In pregnancy, the foetal development within the uterus demands that the mother should take additional nutrient. Pregnancy women requires different amounts of iron, folic acid, sodium, and sugar intake. The consequences of maternal malnourishment may include health problems for the mother and the an infant of low birth weight who may have nutritional and other deficiences. It is therefore essential that a pregnant mother should eat regular, well-balanced meals. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, pregnant women should increase their usual servings of a variety of foods from the four basic food groups to include more servings of fruits and vegetables, more servings or enriched bread and cereal, more servings of milk and milk products, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, and dried beans and peas. One thing is certain, the baby will be the last to suffer in case of, malnutrition. This is because the baby will continue to draw the amount of nutrient that will be sufficient for her irrespective of her mother's economic and financial ability. Abortion, stillbirths, neonatal deaths and infant mortality rate will be much less when the nutritional status of the people is improved therefore health education is very important during antenatal clinic. It is not the quantity of food that matters but the quality.In recommending diet in pregnancy, the following should be considered: maternal health maintenance, needs of the growing foetus, and strength during labour and milk production during lactation.
At present, there is no comprehensive physiological information concerning the needs of women in pregnancy. This is because women have different-physiques, occupation, and live in different climates only that they are pregnant. The modern teaching is that every pregnant woman should be taught the classes of food nutrient, source and their function. They should be encouraged also to try as much as possible each day to drink a pint of milk which could be either raw or made up in milk drinks; one egg daily; about 120g of meat or fish; eat on oranges; an apple or slice of paw-paw each day. And have leafy green vegetables at least thrice each week. Apart from this, she can eat whatever she likes provided that she pays attention to her weight gain.
However, vitamin and mineral supplements can be prescribed especially to those in the remote areas where carbohydrate is the chief source of food and also to those pregnant mothers whose haemoglobin concentration is below 10.5g/d/ (70%)
It is important to note that during pregnancy some food like caffeine (from drugs, coffee, cola, cocoa etc) is not metabolized in the body as quickly as normal. Such people may complain that they are sensitive to it. For instance, it may make it more difficult for them to get sleep. There is no evidence that caffeine can harm the foetus, but for the comfort of the mother, she may be advised to cut down or avoid foods containing caffeine. It has been proved that smoking is dangerous to health; it has also been proved begond doubt that smoke (carbon monoxide, which mother inhale) can harm the foetus by retarding its growth. The danger of smoking in pregnancy include: Risk of post partum haemorrhage, Risk of premature delivery, Risk of baby being under weight, Foetal distress (heart beat beyond 160/min), Accumulation of carbon dioxide and less oxygen in the foetal circulation may give rise to intrauterine growth retardation. Breathing other peoples smoke can also increase the risk of abnormal sperm cells. Placenta permits the passage of alcohol into the foetal blood stream and can negatively affect its development during the week no matter how little the mother drinks.
Classes of food nutrient
The six classes of food nutrient are: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Carbohydrates, proteins and fats contain calories, that is, they are nutrients that produce energy, while fibre, vitamins and minerals, although essential to a healthy diet, do not contain any calories. In addition, plenty of water is needed to maintain life.
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Carbohydrates are cheap and readily available in our community. It is required at minimum during pregnancy for energy. Excessive weight gain may be due to excessive intake of carbohydrate mostly sugary foods. The major sources of carbohydrates are bread, cereals, potatoes, honey, cakes, biscuits, confectionery and soft drinks. Sugars taste good and they may encourage people to overeat and in turn cause weight gain.
Fats: Fats (technically referred to as lipids) are, like carbohydrates, compounds of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They are, however, a more concentrated source of energy (calories). Fats are found mainly in foods of animal origin such as lard, fatty meats, butter, full-fat milk, pastry, fried food and cheese. They are also found in some vegetable oils, such as palm oil and cocoanut oil. A high intake of saturated fatty acids may lead to increased blood cholesterol levels; this in turn increases the risk of coronary heart disease. Excessive fat intake will cause increase in weight. During pregnancy, fat deposits may increase by more than a third the total amount a woman had before she became pregnant. Most women lose this extra weight in the birth process or within several weeks thereafter. Breast-feeding helps to deplete the fat deposited during pregnancy. A woman who breast-feeds expends 600 to 800 more calories than one who does not. The woman who nurses her baby also has increased needs for specific nutrients.
Proteins: Proteins are essential components of all body cells, providing structural material and regulating body processes including the formation and development of the foetus. 80g of protein is required daily for a pregnant woman of which sixty per cent should be first class. We need a regular daily supply of protein for the growth, repair and replacement of our tissues, but if we eat more than is needed for these purposes, the excess is used for energy. Its chief source includes meat, milk, fish, Soya milk, Soya beans, yoghurt, liver, eggs, peas, pulses and nuts.
Fibre: The human digestive tract is unable to digest the structural material in plant foods – known collectively as fibre – but it has a vital role to play in the body. Cereal grains, vegetables and fruit all contain fibre of various types. “Insoluble” types, such as cellulose predominate in wheat, maize and rice and in pulse vegetables and many fruits. Insoluble cereal fibre provides bulk and helps the intestine to work efficiently, preventing constipation and probably also protecting against other bowel disorders such as haemorrhoids.
Water: This is the major constituent of the body. The body is made up of about 70 per cent water. About 2 litres (31/2 pints) is lost every day in expiration, urine, faeces and sweat. The lost fluid must be replaced, but about 70 per cent of most foods are water, so one does not necessarily need to drink 2 litres of fluid at a time in order to replace lost amounts.
Vitamins and Minerals:
Vitamins are chemicals. Nausea and vomiting and sometimes mal-absorption couples with insufficient intake can lead to vitamin deficiency. The demand of vitamin B is on the high increase during pregnancy and lactation. Naturally, the body produces some amounts of vitamins, such as vitamin D, which is made in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight; however, most vitamins can be obtained only from food or supplements. Anyone who eats a varied diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, diary products, fish and meat generally gets enough vitamins.
Minerals such as iron, calcium, iodine and sodium are of major nutritional importance. An apparently reasonable diet may be deficient in iron, calcium or iodine. And in parts of the world where the soil is deficient in iodine, it is often added to our table salt (iodized salt). A well-balanced diet usually provides enough iron, calcium and iodine. Many people eat too much sodium (salt), and this is known to increase the risk of heart disease for people who already have high blood pressure.
Iron is needed in larger doses, especially in the later stages of pregnancy, and cannot be met by diet alone, according to the American National Research Council. More iron is needed not only because of foetal demands, but also because the mother’s blood volume may be increased as much as 30 per cent. This mineral is essential to the formation of healthy red blood cells, and it is difficult for a woman to consume enough of it from foods to maintain an adequate supply for herself and her foetus. Without enough iron, the foetus will draw its supply from the mother, often leaving her anaemic exhausted. An iron supplement can alleviate this condition. So pregnant women are advised to always meet Gynaecologists for expert advice during pregnancy stages and this will help to reduce maternal morbidity.
More articles will be published on this blog on maternal health so don’t miss it.
At present, there is no comprehensive physiological information concerning the needs of women in pregnancy. This is because women have different-physiques, occupation, and live in different climates only that they are pregnant. The modern teaching is that every pregnant woman should be taught the classes of food nutrient, source and their function. They should be encouraged also to try as much as possible each day to drink a pint of milk which could be either raw or made up in milk drinks; one egg daily; about 120g of meat or fish; eat on oranges; an apple or slice of paw-paw each day. And have leafy green vegetables at least thrice each week. Apart from this, she can eat whatever she likes provided that she pays attention to her weight gain.
However, vitamin and mineral supplements can be prescribed especially to those in the remote areas where carbohydrate is the chief source of food and also to those pregnant mothers whose haemoglobin concentration is below 10.5g/d/ (70%)
It is important to note that during pregnancy some food like caffeine (from drugs, coffee, cola, cocoa etc) is not metabolized in the body as quickly as normal. Such people may complain that they are sensitive to it. For instance, it may make it more difficult for them to get sleep. There is no evidence that caffeine can harm the foetus, but for the comfort of the mother, she may be advised to cut down or avoid foods containing caffeine. It has been proved that smoking is dangerous to health; it has also been proved begond doubt that smoke (carbon monoxide, which mother inhale) can harm the foetus by retarding its growth. The danger of smoking in pregnancy include: Risk of post partum haemorrhage, Risk of premature delivery, Risk of baby being under weight, Foetal distress (heart beat beyond 160/min), Accumulation of carbon dioxide and less oxygen in the foetal circulation may give rise to intrauterine growth retardation. Breathing other peoples smoke can also increase the risk of abnormal sperm cells. Placenta permits the passage of alcohol into the foetal blood stream and can negatively affect its development during the week no matter how little the mother drinks.
Classes of food nutrient
The six classes of food nutrient are: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Carbohydrates, proteins and fats contain calories, that is, they are nutrients that produce energy, while fibre, vitamins and minerals, although essential to a healthy diet, do not contain any calories. In addition, plenty of water is needed to maintain life.
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Carbohydrates are cheap and readily available in our community. It is required at minimum during pregnancy for energy. Excessive weight gain may be due to excessive intake of carbohydrate mostly sugary foods. The major sources of carbohydrates are bread, cereals, potatoes, honey, cakes, biscuits, confectionery and soft drinks. Sugars taste good and they may encourage people to overeat and in turn cause weight gain.
Fats: Fats (technically referred to as lipids) are, like carbohydrates, compounds of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They are, however, a more concentrated source of energy (calories). Fats are found mainly in foods of animal origin such as lard, fatty meats, butter, full-fat milk, pastry, fried food and cheese. They are also found in some vegetable oils, such as palm oil and cocoanut oil. A high intake of saturated fatty acids may lead to increased blood cholesterol levels; this in turn increases the risk of coronary heart disease. Excessive fat intake will cause increase in weight. During pregnancy, fat deposits may increase by more than a third the total amount a woman had before she became pregnant. Most women lose this extra weight in the birth process or within several weeks thereafter. Breast-feeding helps to deplete the fat deposited during pregnancy. A woman who breast-feeds expends 600 to 800 more calories than one who does not. The woman who nurses her baby also has increased needs for specific nutrients.
Proteins: Proteins are essential components of all body cells, providing structural material and regulating body processes including the formation and development of the foetus. 80g of protein is required daily for a pregnant woman of which sixty per cent should be first class. We need a regular daily supply of protein for the growth, repair and replacement of our tissues, but if we eat more than is needed for these purposes, the excess is used for energy. Its chief source includes meat, milk, fish, Soya milk, Soya beans, yoghurt, liver, eggs, peas, pulses and nuts.
Fibre: The human digestive tract is unable to digest the structural material in plant foods – known collectively as fibre – but it has a vital role to play in the body. Cereal grains, vegetables and fruit all contain fibre of various types. “Insoluble” types, such as cellulose predominate in wheat, maize and rice and in pulse vegetables and many fruits. Insoluble cereal fibre provides bulk and helps the intestine to work efficiently, preventing constipation and probably also protecting against other bowel disorders such as haemorrhoids.
Water: This is the major constituent of the body. The body is made up of about 70 per cent water. About 2 litres (31/2 pints) is lost every day in expiration, urine, faeces and sweat. The lost fluid must be replaced, but about 70 per cent of most foods are water, so one does not necessarily need to drink 2 litres of fluid at a time in order to replace lost amounts.
Vitamins and Minerals:
Vitamins are chemicals. Nausea and vomiting and sometimes mal-absorption couples with insufficient intake can lead to vitamin deficiency. The demand of vitamin B is on the high increase during pregnancy and lactation. Naturally, the body produces some amounts of vitamins, such as vitamin D, which is made in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight; however, most vitamins can be obtained only from food or supplements. Anyone who eats a varied diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, diary products, fish and meat generally gets enough vitamins.
Minerals such as iron, calcium, iodine and sodium are of major nutritional importance. An apparently reasonable diet may be deficient in iron, calcium or iodine. And in parts of the world where the soil is deficient in iodine, it is often added to our table salt (iodized salt). A well-balanced diet usually provides enough iron, calcium and iodine. Many people eat too much sodium (salt), and this is known to increase the risk of heart disease for people who already have high blood pressure.
Iron is needed in larger doses, especially in the later stages of pregnancy, and cannot be met by diet alone, according to the American National Research Council. More iron is needed not only because of foetal demands, but also because the mother’s blood volume may be increased as much as 30 per cent. This mineral is essential to the formation of healthy red blood cells, and it is difficult for a woman to consume enough of it from foods to maintain an adequate supply for herself and her foetus. Without enough iron, the foetus will draw its supply from the mother, often leaving her anaemic exhausted. An iron supplement can alleviate this condition. So pregnant women are advised to always meet Gynaecologists for expert advice during pregnancy stages and this will help to reduce maternal morbidity.
More articles will be published on this blog on maternal health so don’t miss it.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
SEX ESCAPADE
INTRODUCTION
Sex is a topic that many people like to discuss especially the youths in Secondary and Tertiary institutions of learning. There is nothing bad in discussing sex but not discussing theoretically and thereafter putting into practice those issues discussed about sex.
Parents are admonished to discuss sex and sex matters at home to avoid snenarios where their wards discuss that with their peers or gangs. Why it is important to discuss it at home is because peer groups may deceive them and lure them into deviant sexual behaviours such as lesbianism, homosexualism, leading to anal and oral sex. And when a child grows with this unwanted sexual relationship, he will be condemned by the society and such may tarnish the image of the child and his family.
Sex is a topic that many people like to discuss especially the youths in Secondary and Tertiary institutions of learning. There is nothing bad in discussing sex but not discussing theoretically and thereafter putting into practice those issues discussed about sex.
Parents are admonished to discuss sex and sex matters at home to avoid snenarios where their wards discuss that with their peers or gangs. Why it is important to discuss it at home is because peer groups may deceive them and lure them into deviant sexual behaviours such as lesbianism, homosexualism, leading to anal and oral sex. And when a child grows with this unwanted sexual relationship, he will be condemned by the society and such may tarnish the image of the child and his family.
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