Education Archives - Page 5 of 17

Amniocentesis and CVS – What’s the Difference?

November 20, 2018 by admin

As our understanding of genetic disorders and the technology necessary to detect them early progresses, the care offered to pregnant women is also changing. Today women undergo much more testing during pregnancy than ever before. This commonly includes non-invasive prenatal testing, which only requires a blood sample from the mother and informs parents of the likelihood that their child could be born with certain genetic disorders.

If you have received an inconclusive or positive result from an initial prenatal blood test, you may be scared and confused. It’s important to remember that a prenatal blood test does not indicate a certainty. Your doctor will likely recommend additional tests to confirm and diagnose your unborn child’s condition. Two of the most commonly recommended prenatal diagnostic tests are amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS). What is the difference between the two?

Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis is a prenatal diagnostic test that is usually performed between the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy. This procedure involves using an ultrasound to guide a thin, hollow needle through the abdomen of the mother and into the amniotic sac. The needle will then remove just enough amniotic fluid necessary to test for abnormalities.

Discomfort during and after amniocentesis is minimal. Some women elect for a local anesthetic, but many do not. After the procedure, you may experience very mild pains that can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication, as recommended by your doctor. Plan to rest and avoid any strenuous physical activity for at least 48 hours after the test. If you experience any severe abdominal pain, bleeding, fever or other serious symptoms following the procedure, you should alert your doctor as soon as possible. There is a very slight risk of miscarriage associated with an amniocentesis (less than 1%), but the results can have a significant impact on planning for future healthcare for your baby if they have a diagnosis requiring special medical attention.

The results of amniocentesis should be available within four weeks of the procedure. This test is usually around 99.4% accurate in detecting chromosomal abnormalities in utero. You will likely be required to meet with a genetic counselor to go over the results. They will be able to give you a better idea of how likely it is that your child will be born with a particular disorder, how the results will impact your care during the remainder of the pregnancy, and if the result is positive, what you can do to prepare for the future medical care of your baby.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

Chorionic villus sampling is a test that is usually performed between the 10th and 14th weeks of pregnancy. This procedure involves taking cells from a pregnant woman’s placenta (chorionic villus) to test for potential genetic abnormalities in the fetus. There are two ways that this sample can be taken: transcervically (through the cervix), or transabdominally (through the vagina). Before the procedure, the mother will undergo an ultrasound to verify the age of the fetus and the positioning of the placenta for the procedure. During the procedure, a hollow needle will be inserted into the uterus (via the abdomen or through the cervix, via the vagina) to remove chorionic villus cells from the placenta to send for testing.

Your doctor may use a local anesthetic to numb the area prior to sampling. Following the procedure, you may experience light vaginal bleeding and cramping, but any other more serious side effects should be reported immediately to your doctor. Chorionic villus sampling has a slightly higher risk of miscarriage, but it’s still quite low (around 0.22% chance of miscarriage). The results of the test should be available within a week of the study, and are generally 98-99% accurate. There is a possibility that you receive a false positive or need additional testing after CVS. Your doctor or genetic counselor will be able to better advise what course of action to take following testing.

Speak with Your Doctor

If you have additional questions about prenatal testing, or are looking for guidance after receiving your results, speak with your doctor or make an appointment with a genetic counselor. They will be able to answer your questions, make recommendations, and help you to coordinate the necessary future care for your child.

SOURCES:

Yummy Fall Foods

November 10, 2018 by admin

The appearance of fall brings about more than just cooler weather and foliage. With fall come seasonal foods that we all enjoy. Here are a few of the foods that make great fall dishes.

Apples

It is true that apples are available all year round, but they are more connected to the fall season. On a chilly day, a great way to warm yourself is with a serving of warm apple cider. One sip of this yummy beverage and you will instantly warm up. In addition to being the main ingredient of a tasty beverage, apples can also be turned into a topping for homemade biscuits. Apple butter is a delicious spread that can be applied to toast or warm, homemade biscuits.

Apples not only help to make tasteful treats, they also can be used in Halloween games. Bobbing for apples is a game that is played by filling a large tub with water and adding apples to it. The apples will float in the water and allow players to catch them with the teeth. The person that catches the most apples with their teeth wins the game.

Pears

Apples are not the only fruit associated with fall; pears are also considered to be autumn’s fruit. These delicious fruits can be eaten raw or prepared with other ingredients. Pears are great for making preserves and canning them for the colder months.

Pumpkins

Pumpkins are deeply connected to the fall weather thanks to Halloween and Thanksgiving. During Halloween, pumpkins are gutted and carved into Jack-O-lanterns. Creating Jack-O-Lanterns are a great way to release your creativity and to spend time with the family. Once the Jack-O-Lantern is created, a light is placed in the inside and the world will be able to see your creation.

Some people throw away the pulp and seeds inside of pumpkins while making a jack-o-lantern, while others save the pulp and seeds in order to create delish treats. The seeds of the pumpkins can be roasted and turned into on-the-go snacks. In addition to roasted pumpkin seeds being a favorite treat, these snacks are packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins which also allow them to be a healthy snack.

The pulp of the pumpkin can be used to make pumpkin pies. Just add a couple of ingredients such as all-purpose flour, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg and you will have created a tasty treat.

The meat of the pumpkin can also be used to create fall drinks. A pumpkin spice latte is a tasty drink that can help to wake you up in the morning. You can also get Spiced pumpkin puree to make a delicious fall beverage.

Sweet Potatoes

Pumpkin pie is not a Thanksgiving favorite for everyone. Some people enjoy the taste of sweet potatoes over pumpkins. Sweet potato pies are also a tradition for Thanksgiving and the fall season. Sweet potatoes have their own sweetness so you can bake them and enjoy them as a healthy snack. Sweet potatoes are full of vitamin A and C, calcium, and potassium. Other items can be added to the sweet potato in order add more flavor to them. Nutmeg can add a more distinct taste to your sweet potato, just sprinkle some on the baked snack and enjoy.

Cauliflower

The season of fall is not just associated with fruits, but vegetables as well. Cauliflower is a vegetable that is mostly associated with the fall season. These white vegetables are usually looked over because people view them as being plain and lacking taste. Cauliflower can be a healthy alternative to mashed potatoes. You can mash cauliflower until it reaches almost the same consistency of mashed potatoes. Mashed cauliflowers are healthier than mashed potatoes because they have fewer calories and they are a great source of vitamin C.

Brussel sprouts

Another vegetable that is connected to the fall season is Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts have gotten a horrible reputation in the past. Brussels sprouts are often given the description of a distasteful vegetable. You can steam or roast them and add salt, pepper, or other spices to the vegetable. If you prefer a sweeter taste from the Brussels sprouts, try roasting them and adding olive oil, salt, and pepper to them. This method of preparing Brussels sprouts can help to release the natural sweetness of the vegetable. Brussels sprouts are not only a tasty dish, but they also help to protect your body against vitamin A and iron deficiency.

Top 4 Educational Benefits of Cartoons

October 31, 2018 by admin

Cartoons are synonymous to kid entertainment. The little ones are extremely fond of the animated stuff and the funny shenanigans of the adorable characters the famous cartoon films come up with. While we all are aware of the entertainment value of cartoons, do you know there are some educational benefits too? Well, sounds surprising, right? You bet.

The post below entails the top 4 educational benefits that carton brings to your home.

Improvement of IQ and general knowledge

A lot of studies have shown brain function & architecture in little children are modified through exposure to different audio visual presentations. It creates a profound and positive influence on little minds and leaves great impacts in the behavioral and mental outcomes of children. You will be glad to know, children who watch cartoon are higher in IQ and general knowledge.

Enhances creativity

It should also be mentioned here that cartoon programs have shown to enhance creativity in kids. These programs show a fun-filled out-of-the-box world which instills the seeds of imagination and creativity in little minds. They learn to think beyond what they sees around and consequently tend to do things differently.

Learns vocabulary

Cartoon programs also help to enhance the vocabulary skills in children. A child gets to meet a lot of characters in a cartoon program and each of them talks in his/her own unique way. This way, the child gets to experience various speaking styles and new words over the course of time. Moreover, cartoon is also great to improve language skills in children. For example, children from non-English speaking countries will be able to polish up their conversational English by watching English cartoons.

Boosts attention & concentration

Studies have also shown that cartoon shows helps to amp up attention and concentration levels in children. The cartoon programs are generally streamed on TV in series of episodes. It means a child has to remember the previous day’s episode to enjoy the current one. As a result, the child is always inspired to watch each of the episodes with strong attention. And that eventually, boosts his attention and concentration levels.

You will find a wide range of popular cartoons online which you can play on your mobile to show your toddler. However, it’s to mention here that not all cartoon files available online will be suitable for your smartphone- especially the M2TS files. In that case, you have to Convert M2TS to MP4 file with the help of a reliable video converter software. Movavi Video Converter will be a great suggestion here as it’s one of the most advanced yet easy to use converters today.

Now, it’s to stress here parents have to maintain their due diligence while allowing the little ones for cartoon. While we have got some of the most cartoons out there, there are some that don’t always extend the right message. So, it’s the parents’ duty to keep check on the cartoons to ensure their munchkins are in the exposure of a positive environment only.

How to Help a Loved One with a Mental Illness

October 18, 2018 by admin

It can be difficult to watch a loved one struggle with a mental illness. However, with your help and support, they might be able to overcome the issues that are plaguing their everyday lives. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to help a loved one living with a mental health condition because they might not be willing to seek help or even admit they have a problem. If you want to protect your parent, child, relative or friend, find out how to help a loved one with a mental illness today to truly make a difference.

Research the Illness

It might be beneficial to learn as much as possible about the person’s mental illness, so you can identify the best ways to support your loved one. For example, it is common for some people living with depression or PTSD to turn to drugs as a coping mechanism. As a result, you could look for signs of misuse or addiction and potentially enter a loved one into a drug detox center.

Of course, if a friend or relative is in psychiatric distress, you might have no other choice but to enter him or her into hospital involuntarily. While it can be a tough decision to make, it could potentially save your loved one’s life and help them to overcome their mental health condition. By seeking help from professionals who are trained to deal with such conditions, you can hopefully help your loved one move forward into recovery.

Talk to Your Loved One

It is crucial to sit down with a loved one to talk about their mental health. Even if they do not believe they are living with a condition, you should sit down and listen to them. Don’t attempt to change their mind, and simply focus on building their trust. By doing so, they will be more likely to open up about how they are feeling, so you will understand exactly what is going on in their mind.

Additionally, it is important your loved one feels both loved and supported during this difficult period in their life. Rather than making assumptions about how you can help, ask him or her if there is anything you can do to make their life easier. For example, they might appreciate your support when attending medical appointments or could need you to pick up their children from school.

Seek Counseling for Yourself

While helping a loved one overcome a mental illness will most likely be a top priority, this doesn’t mean you should disregard your own mental health. If you want to truly be there for your friend or family member every step of the way, you must start caring for yourself.

It might be helpful to speak to a qualified therapist to discuss your emotions. You can openly discuss your stresses and concerns in a non-judgemental setting, and they could possibly provide clarity, solutions and objectivity regarding your problems. Talking really can help, so don’t keep your feelings bottled up inside and speak to a therapist to effectively handle your emotions.

Eight Reasons to Consider Switching to Vaping

August 31, 2018 by admin

From bad odors to deadly toxins, there are many reasons that you might be considering making the switch from tobacco to vaping. Whether you’re worried about your own health or that of your family, are tired of paying so much money to fund what could become a fatal, unhealthy habit, or are simply ready to make some healthier lifestyle changes, switching to vaping could be a kick-start in the right direction.

Recently, scientists in the UK have found that vaping is 95% less harmful than traditional tobacco cigarettes, with several studies held worldwide that back this result up. If you’re feeling ready to eliminate cigarettes from your life, read on for some of the best reasons to consider swapping to an electronic cigarette.

#1. Quit on Your Own Terms:

Quitting smoking is difficult because the majority of smokers are addicted to the nicotine found in traditional cigarettes. However, whilst nicotine itself is relatively low risk, the other chemicals and toxins inhaled when you smoke are what cause health risks and problems over time. If you’ve ever tried to go ‘cold turkey’, you’ll know just how difficult giving up nicotine all at once can be. Vaping allows you to gradually overcome your addiction by controlling your nicotine level. You can start off with a higher concentration of nicotine in the juice, and eventually cut it down until you’re on a very low level or even using none at all.

#2. Improve Your Health:

In addition to getting in control of your nicotine addiction, making the switch to vaping can bring about several improvements to your health. Many vapers who once smoked report that they get out of breath less often, allowing them to enjoy things that they may have put off in the past such as working out at the gym or even playing with their kids. Vapor does not contain tobacco, so you’ll also be decreasing your risk of several smoking-related health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.

#3. Improve Your Appearance:

It’s well-known that smoking cigarettes doesn’t just have a bad effect on your health – it can also take its toll on your appearance. Long-term smokers tend to find that their teeth discolor and their skin changes for the worst, often long before it should. Making the switch might not undo all of the damage completely, but it’ll make it easier to improve your appearance and keep it that way. Your skin can improve dramatically with the right diet, skincare products, and getting rid of tobacco from your life. You can also have your teeth professionally whitened and keep them that way when you switch to vaping.

#4. Be Kinder to the Environment:

In addition to often being tested on animals, cigarettes are also one of the major causes of toxic waste worldwide. From packaging to ashes to cigarette butts, they are not biodegradable, and it’s estimated that around 1.70 billion pounds of cigarette ends are thrown in the trash every single year. This ends up as toxic waste, creating long-term problems for the environment. On the contrary, vaping doesn’t produce any of this waste since e-cigarettes mostly rely on rechargeable batteries. If you’re worried about your waste contribution and personal impact on the environment, this is one of the best ways to start making a huge change.

#5. Ingest Fewer Chemicals:

It’s well-known now that cigarettes contain thousands of chemicals, many of which are extremely harmful to your body, those around you, and the environment in which you smoke. Almost seventy of the chemicals found in traditional cigarettes are known to cause cancer. Some of the most dangerous include carbon monoxide, tar, benzene, and the radioactive element polonium 210. On the other hand, a good-quality vape juice will only contain vegetable glycerin (VG), propylene glycol (PC), nicotine, and water.

#6. Save Money:

Anybody who smokes will know that it’s an expensive habit to have; over the years, the cost of cigarettes has steadily risen, with more price increases expected for the future. Higher prices on cigarette ingredients, paired with increasing taxes, has driven the price of a standard pack of cigarettes from anything between $5-12, depending on the state, related taxes, and the brand. In contrast, vaping tends to be much more affordable, with many vapers saving at least 50% with long lasting vape pens compared to traditional smokers. It’s also easier to make adjustments to fit your budget, with a wide range of kits and liquids available to suit all price ranges.

#7. Explore a New World of Taste:

After a while, smoking cigarettes can become fairly boring, with only plain old tobacco, and sometimes menthol options, to choose from. If you’re considering making the switch but are worried that you’ll miss the taste of tobacco, however, don’t worry. There are several tobacco e-liquid flavors to choose from to help you make the initial switch. Once you’re feeling more confident when it comes to vaping, there’s a massive flavor profile to start exploring until you find one that suits you. From traditional dessert flavors to your favorite fruits or minty boosts, you can easily find it on the market. And, there’s no need to stick to the same flavor either, with new ones being rolled out all the time.

#8. Eliminate Secondhand Smoke:

Many smokers are not only worried about their own health, but that of others around them. Even if you take steps to only smoke out of the way of your family, the odor and toxins left on your clothing, skin and hair can affect them in some way. Secondhand smoke also contains several dangerous chemicals and is known to lead to cancer in people who have never smoked a cigarette firsthand themselves. This is particularly concerning for smokers who have children; the last thing that you want is for your habit to put your innocent little ones at risk. Since vaping does not burn or produce any smoke, you can eliminate the risks of secondhand smoke to others by making the switch.

Whether you’re determined to smoke your last cigarette or simply want to be more informed on the vaping lifestyle, understanding the many benefits is a smart first step.

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