Understanding the Process of STD Testing

What Are the Symptoms of Pregnancy? The early signs and symptoms of pregnancy can vary wildly from person to person. It is essential to be aware of the common symptoms and the possible and rare symptoms. So, what are the symptoms of pregnancy? We will dive into the specifics. Common Symptoms of Pregnancy 1. Missed Period Missing your period is most often the first sign of pregnancy. Your body recognizes the conception and stops making the hormone that sheds the lining of your womb. Your menstrual cycle is essentially paused, and you won’t have another period until after the baby is born. 2. Morning Sickness Contrary to what is shown on TV, morning sickness can also happen at noon and night. Feeling nauseous and vomiting is a normal part of early pregnancy. It is most common in the morning, and this is what coined the term. 3. Overtiredness or Fatigue You know the feeling when you sleep well but still feel tired? That is fatigue, and it is common in early pregnancy. Experts say this is due to the rise of hormone levels. This feeling tends to improve over time. 4. Frequent Urination Are you going to the bathroom every 10 minutes? This is another sign of pregnancy. Your body’s blood supply increases to support the new life, which means your kidneys must work harder. More waste plus more urine equals extra trips to the bathroom. 5. Aching Breasts Your breasts may start to feel sore and tender. You may have felt this before during your period, or it could be a completely new experience. This feeling is due to your fluctuating hormone levels and should fade with time. Some people describe this as an aching or tingling feeling. You might also experience a slight enlargement of your breasts. 6. Mild Cramps and Spotting Don’t panic if you see you have light spotting or cramping in the first few weeks. Spotting can indicate that the embryo has implanted in the lining of your womb. Implantation usually takes place a few days after you conceive and can cause blood spots or brown discharge. This symptom is crucial to know about, as it causes many people to believe they are not pregnant. If you are concerned or the bleeding persists, speak to your doctor without delay. 7. Headaches Persistent headaches can be a sign of so many things. That is why people don’t recognize them as a sign of pregnancy. If you are experiencing frequent headaches, there may be more to it than you think. Make sure you find a headache treatment option that safe for you. 8. Metallic Taste in Mouth Some people experience a metallic, coppery taste during early pregnancy. It can happen when eating or at seemingly random times throughout the day. Again, people do not consistently recognize the taste as a possibility of pregnancy. 9. Changes in Food Preferences This symptom varies from person to person, and some don’t experience it at all! You may crave certain foods; you may feel sick after certain foods; you can have a complete aversion to food altogether. Nutrition during pregnancy is important, and you should discuss this symptom with your doctor. [youmaylike] Rare Symptoms of Pregnancy Other symptoms that are rare but could affect you are: Heightened sense of smell. Heart palpitations. Increased saliva production (more drool). Nosebleeds. Swollen gums or tooth problems. More pimples or acne. Hot sweats. Are At-Home Pregnancy Tests Reliable? The sure-fire way to know if you are pregnant is to take an at-home test. These tests are reliable, and though false positives occur, it is rare. Always check the label, as different brands show different symbols to indicate pregnancy. The tests generally take a few minutes to develop, and digital tests can even display the word pregnant. When Should You Talk to a Doctor If You Think You’re Pregnant? If you suspect that you are pregnant, have a positive test result or are currently trying to get pregnant, the next step is to talk to your doctor. Your doctor will want to take a complete medical history, and if you are already pregnant, they may prescribe prenatal medication. The doctor can guide you on the steps throughout the pregnancy and lend an ear if you have any questions. It is vital to discuss everything with a medical professional. Your doctor is the gateway to an informed and happy pregnancy.

Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy Pregnancy can be an exciting and life-changing event in a person’s life. However, it also comes with many risks and challenges. So, while focusing on the positive aspects of the process is important, you need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of possible complications, such as the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, an ectopic pregnancy should be considered an emergency and is one of the leading causes of maternal death in the first trimester. Though the occurrence can be difficult to measure, the March of Dimes estimates that 1 in 50 pregnancies in the U.S. is ectopic. Considering that just under 4 million babies are born in the U.S. each year, this is a significant number of people suffering from it. Though this is something no one wants to think about, recognizing the signs of an ectopic pregnancy can mean the difference between life and death. What is an Ectopic Pregnancy? The word ectopic means “out of place.” Therefore, an ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg forms in the wrong place — in other words, outside of the womb. Most ectopic pregnancies are defined as “tubular” because more than 90% of ectopic cases happen in the fallopian tubes. In a normal pregnancy, the sperm and egg meet, become fertilized and travel down to attach to the lining of your womb. This is where your baby will grow for nine months. In a tubular pregnancy, the fertilized egg attaches to the fallopian tube before it manages to reach the womb. It is also possible for an ectopic pregnancy to occur in the ovary, cervix or even somewhere else in your belly. The problem is that these areas don’t have space or the environment to promote your baby’s growth. As a result, an ectopic pregnancy can cause heavy bleeding or a burst fallopian tube, which is potentially fatal to the mother. The unfortunate truth is that all ectopic pregnancies are non-viable and end in the loss of the pregnancy. 8 Signs of an Ectopic Pregnancy In some cases of ectopic pregnancy, the mother may not be aware that they are pregnant. However, signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy can start the same as signs of a normal pregnancy, so it is vital to be aware of them. Signs and symptoms include: Abnormal vaginal bleeding. Sudden pain in the abdomen or pelvis. Cramping pains in the pelvis. Lower back pain. Tender breasts. Nausea and vomiting. Dizziness and fainting spells. Shoulder pain. [youmaylike] Causes and Risk Factors It is still not known why some people suffer from ectopic pregnancies and others don’t. However, there are many risk factors known to increase your chances of having an ectopic pregnancy. Risk factors: Aged 35 years or older. Smoker. Previous ectopic pregnancy. Fertility treatments, such as IVF. Pelvic inflammatory disease. Scarring from prior pelvic surgery. Fertility drugs to treat infertility. Pregnancy while using an intrauterine device (IUD). Treatments Options There are two main approaches to the treatment of an ectopic pregnancy. Medication This form of treatment is less common and can only be done in certain situations. However, as an ectopic pregnancy is potentially fatal, it often requires rapid and comprehensive treatment. Medication can be effective if it is caught before the pregnancy is too far along. Your doctor will also ensure that there has been no rupture or immediate risk of a rupture. The primary medication used to treat ectopic pregnancies is methotrexate. This drug works by stopping the cells from growing. Your body will absorb the pregnancy over the course of a few weeks, and it does not require any surgery if it is successful. Surgery More often than not, emergency surgery is required. For example, in the event that your tube has ruptured, you will be required to undergo immediate surgery. This type of surgery is usually done laparoscopically, which is another word for keyhole surgery. The ectopic pregnancy is removed during surgery. In some cases, it may also be necessary to remove the ruptured fallopian tube. How to Seek Medical Help The main takeaway from this is that an ectopic pregnancy is an emergency, life-threatening situation. All of the symptoms listed above are cause for concern. If you experience severe, sudden abdominal pain accompanied by vaginal bleeding, dizziness or shoulder pain, you should seek help immediately. Likewise, if you suspect you may have an ectopic pregnancy, you should go to the emergency room without delay.

Treatment for Nail Fungus Nail fungus, in the simplest of terms, is a fungal infection that impacts your toenails. You can also get nail fungus on your fingernails, although it is uncommon. While not serious, nail fungus can lead to brittle nails which may eventually fall off. So, what can you do about it? In this article, we’re going to examine what nail fungus is and treatment for nail fungus. What is Nail Fungus? Nail fungus, as mentioned above, is an infection that often appears as a yellow spot under the nail. When this infection spreads, the nail may fall off. Additionally, if the fungus impacts the skin, it is known as “athlete’s foot.” Some common symptoms of nail fungus include: Thickening nail. Yellow, brown, or white discharge. Distorted nail. Brittle or “crumbling” nail. A foul smell. The main cause of nail fungus is dermatophyte fungi. While you can get fungus at any age, it is more common to happen in people later in age. It’s theorized that reduced blood flow and weakened immunity may play a role in the development of nail fungus. Additionally, heavy sweating is associated with the development of fungus. 5 Treatments for Nail Fungus It’s important to treat nail fungus to avoid it from getting worse. Most cases also won’t resolve on their own. Here are a few medical and home remedies you may want to consider: 1. Tea Tree Oil Tea tree oil has many uses. And if you’re into the all-natural realm of things, this might be the route you want to take to treat your nail fungus. Some research, via small clinical studies, demonstrates that tea tree oil could potentially treat nail fungus. Apply tea tree oil to the nail twice daily, using cotton swabs or something similar. 2. Snakeroot Extract Snakeroot extract is used medicinally for a variety of reasons, including high blood pressure and mental illness. It’s also shown great promise in treating nail fungus due to its potent anti-fungal effects. In fact, research even shows how snakeroot extract might be more effective than the commonly prescribed ciclopirox. 3. Vicks VapoRub This one might come as a bit of a surprise! However, Vicks VapoRub, which includes eucalyptus and camphor, may have a positive effect on nail fungus, and studies even back this up. Like other remedies, applying this once or twice a day directly to the nail can help your fungus disappear. 4. Oral Anti-Fungal Drugs If you book a visit to your doctor, they may prescribe you medication that targets the fungi, such as terbinafine and itraconazole. These oral drugs help a healthy nail grow in after the fungus-infected part of the nail grows out. [youmaylike] Unfortunately, these medications must be taken for about 6–12 weeks for them to be effective. In some cases, it may even take four months for the fungus to disappear with oral medication. Additionally, you want to be cautious using these medications since they can have various side effects including liver damage and skin rashes. For those with skin conditions and liver diseases, your doctor probably won’t recommend these drugs and may opt for more all-natural remedies. 5. Medicated Nail Polish or Nail Cream Ciclopirox is one of the most common prescriptions for nail fungus. Like nail polish, you simply paint it on your nail once each day. You do this for a week, before wiping it off with alcohol and starting the process over again. For severe cases, an individual may have to do this for a year or more. Then, there are nail creams that are antifungal. These are usually applied after you’ve briefly soaked the nail. For this option, you can get over the counter or prescription creams. Preventing Nail Fungus While treatment can help you combat a current fungus infection, what can you do to prevent a future one? Here are a few tips: Make sure to wash both your feet and hands regularly. Trim your nails and file them down regularly. If you sweat excessively, change your socks. Wear shoes that allow your feet air to breathe. Wear flip-flops or swim shoes in changerooms and shared pools. Avoid nail polish and fake nails. In severe cases of nail fungus, surgery may be required to remove the nail and apply the topical medication directly to the affected area. Additionally, removal of the nail may be necessary if your pain becomes debilitating.