Pregnancy is a challenging period in a woman’s life, nothing less than a roller coaster ride.

You are often unsure if you will survive this with the excruciating backache and unending nausea. But the excitement of becoming a mother, holding your baby, and touching their tiny, beautiful face is overpowering. This anticipation and excitement keep you going, motivating you to hold on for a little longer.

But are you aware that there are ways that can make your pregnancy easier?

These ways ensure that you and your baby remain healthy during the pregnancy. Read on to learn about it.

• Get regular prenatal care

Now that you are pregnant, you must be very careful about your health.

Talk to your doctor about everything you might have in your mind. Talking about issues such as how to maintain a healthy weight, the schedule of prenatal visits, and the diet you should take must be your priority. Many doctors don’t book an appointment until you are already eight weeks pregnant.

Don’t forget to discuss the risk of birth injuries and what you should do to prevent them. Talking about birth injuries is essential because you can take all the precautions for a safe pregnancy. And if, after precautions, something goes wrong, you can hold the doctor responsible.

You can get all the legal details related to birth injuries from the Birth Injury Justice Center and get all the support. The more careful you are, the more you can drive out the chances of something terrible happening to your baby.

• Quit smoking

Smoking is not good for anyone, but its effects are much more severe for pregnant women and their unborn babies. Smoking during pregnancy exposes your child to health problems that can cause lifelong impairment.

Smoking increases your chances of miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight baby, underdeveloped baby, cleft lip, premature labor, and the like.

The more you smoke, the more you put your baby in harm’s way. But cutting down the number of cigarettes you smoke does not reduce the risk of smoking-related harm to your baby. The only option is to quit smoking completely at the start or before pregnancy. This will keep you and your baby safe.

• Eat healthy food

The food of an unborn baby is tied to what the mother eats. So, you are not just eating for yourself, but for your baby too.

Don’t eat anything that harms your baby. For instance, pregnant women are advised to avoid eating mercury-containing fish such as sharks, swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, etc. But, just to be safe, you should be careful with all types of fish. Instead of fish, you can opt for other risk-free, healthy options.

Include the following food in your diet during pregnancy.

• Lean meats
• Fruits
• Whole-grain bread
• Vegetables
• Low-fat dairy products

A diet consisting of healthier portions of the above-mentioned food element ensures you and your baby are well-fed and have no chance of receiving any harm.

• Supplements and vitamins

Eating a healthy diet is necessary, but often, your food does not fully satisfy your nutritional requirements. Therefore, doctors prescribe additional supplements to make up for the deficiency.

The essential nutrients you need during pregnancy include iron, calcium, and folic acid. If your doctor does not prescribe any prenatal vitamins, ask about them yourself.

But taking vitamins and supplements doesn’t compensate for eating a healthy diet. Or you should not assume that since you are taking supplements, you are allowed to eat unhealthy food lacking in nutrients.

Whether your doctor prescribes any vitamins or not, eating a healthy diet is a must. Always remember, prenatal vitamins are given to make up for a deficiency and not replace the nutrients you get from food.

• Cut your caffeine intake

High caffeine intake during pregnancy is linked to miscarriages. It reduces blood supply to the fetus and constricts growth. So, it is better to reduce your caffeine intake or reduce it totally to eliminate even the slightest risk.

If you find it hard to cut out your coffee intake cold turkey, here is what you can do.

• If you take multiple cups of coffee every day, cut it down to one or two
• Gradually reduce the intake by replacing it with decaffeinated coffee
• Finally, transition to decaffeinated coffee and cut out the regular one completely

Also, remember that caffeine is not related to coffee only. It is present in many types of teas, colas, etc. So, when you buy something from a store, read the nutritional label and ingredients to know what is going inside you.

Conclusion

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy ensures that you and your baby are safe. Even the slightest carelessness, such as not entirely quitting smoking, drinking a few drinks here and there, or taking medicines without your doctor’s approval, can be harmful to you and your baby’s health. Therefore, it is important to consider your baby and make it a priority while making any health-related decisions.

 

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating the reward system in the brain by making us feel pleasure. The smell of cookies baking in the oven or spending time shopping can trigger a dopamine rush.

This neurotransmitter plays a role in reinforcement as well. That’s why, after trying something that triggers dopamine release, we are compelled to try it again. The biggest downside to dopamine is the possibility of addiction, especially to substances like heroin and cocaine.

The production of dopamine can be excessive or deficient, which can lead to mental health conditions. An overload of stimuli can result in these disorders, leading to addictions to certain substances and activities.

The body naturally produces dopamine, a chemical messenger that influences many physical and behavioral functions. These include our learning ability, our motivation, our sleep patterns, mood swings, and even our attention span. Therefore, it is important to keep our dopamine levels balanced.

Below are thirteen natural ways to balance your dopamine levels:

• Detoxification

Dopamine plays a prominent role in addiction and pleasure. When dopamine is over-activated, people with substance usage may become addicted to it.

Drugs, sex, and sugary food are all addictions caused by dopamine. When addictive substances overload the brain with dopamine, its receptors become desensitized. Then more and more dopamine is required to produce the same feeling. Withholding the addictive substance completely may result in withdrawal symptoms.

To balance your dopamine levels, a dopamine detox is necessary. During it, a person refrains from doing anything that triggers dopamine — for up to several days. People often need medical and professional assistance during this process. Enrolling in rehab facilities, such as Delphi Health Group, will help them reset their brain’s dopamine levels.

• Listen to music

Another way to curb overactive dopamine is to listen to music. Numerous studies have shown that listening to music triggers the release of dopamine in a person’s brain.

• Nutrition

Diet plays an important role in mental health as well. A cup of coffee boosts dopamine and serotonin levels, lasting for several hours. However, if you quit coffee, you will experience withdrawal symptoms. Because of the high levels of neurotransmitters in your brain, your brain will act as if there is a shortage. Caffeine-free diets can take up to 12 days to restore the brain’s normal function.

The omega-3 fatty acids boost serotonin production without triggering withdrawal symptoms. Their function is to activate nerve cell receptors so that serotonin can travel more easily. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce depression symptoms in numerous studies. Salmon is a cold-water fish that contains omega-3s.

Eating turkey does not increase the level of serotonin in the brain, as rumored on the internet. People often believe that tryptophan-rich foods can enhance moods since the brain produces serotonin from tryptophan. However, tryptophan has to compete against many other amino acids to reach the brain. The body usually rejects it because it is not a priority.

However, tryptophan should be part of your diet. You will experience a drop in serotonin levels if you don’t have enough. Tryptophan can be obtained from starchy foods such as potatoes, corn, and brown bread.

• Essential Oils

Essential oils are derived from plants. Therefore, many of these oils are medicinal in nature. According to one study, lavender, lemon, and bergamot essential oils provide therapeutic properties. By stimulating your sense of smell, they trigger the release of serotonin and dopamine in your brain.

However, you must adhere to the bottle label’s instructions. Even though essential oils are “organic,” if misused, some can be hazardous. It is recommended to keep essential oils out of the reach of children.

• Goal Achievement

Our brain releases dopamine when we accomplish one of our goals. There is a great deal of satisfaction in the brain when it experiences this dopamine rush. Thus, the body seeks out more dopamine by focusing on another task.

The more difficult the goal, the more dopamine is released. Nevertheless, you will have a better chance of success if you start with smaller goals. In the long run, short-term goals can add up to a bigger reward. This pattern promotes a steady level of dopamine release in the brain.

• Therapy

The brain can synthesize serotonin differently if your mood changes. Hence, mood and serotonin synthesis are mutually influenced. The benefit of psychotherapy is that it often improves a person’s mood. Therapy may also increase the level of serotonin in the brain.

• Novelty

Dopamine is released by the brain in response to novel experiences. The more new experiences you have, the more dopamine you will produce. It doesn’t matter what kind of experience you have. It can be as simple as taking up a new hobby or discovering a new recipe. It’s also possible to try something more extravagant, such as skydiving. Dopamine is more likely to be released when you are less familiar with the activity.

• Happy Memories

According to researchers, memory and mood are interconnected. Their study focused on the part of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex, which is associated with attention. The study concluded that when people relive sad memories, their serotonin levels drop. On the contrary, when people dwelled on happy memories, they produced more serotonin.

• Gratitude

There is scientific evidence that gratitude affects the brain’s reward system. Serotonin and dopamine are released in correlation with it. An increase in happiness can be directly attributed to gratitude.

The “three blessings exercise” has been studied extensively. Write three things you are grateful for every night for a week. The exercise tends to lead to greater happiness and fewer feelings of depression in people who complete it. It can take up to six months for your mood to improve.

• Meditation

Meditation involves contemplation that is relaxed and focused. And breathing exercises are often performed in conjunction with it. Several studies have suggested that during meditation, dopamine is released more readily because it reduces stress and creates inner peace.

• Spend Time in Nature

Depression was less common in previous generations because they spent most of their time outside. Nowadays, most people work indoors under artificial lighting, sitting at a desk. Researchers have found that spending just five minutes out in nature can elevate mood, increase motivation, and boost self-esteem.

Serotonin and dopamine synthesis are correlated with sunlight exposure. Walking in the park for even a short period of time can boost your mental health.

• Exercise

It is beneficial to exercise for 30 minutes a day to improve one’s mood. The brain produces more serotonin when it engages in sustained cardiovascular exercise. In addition to reducing hostility, serotonin can also alleviate depression symptoms. Additionally, it makes you more agreeable.

• Sleep

Keeping your dopamine levels healthy requires enough sleep each night. Dopamine levels rise temporarily after one night without sleep. However, prolonged sleep deprivation can make the dopamine receptors less responsive, affecting a person’s ability to stay awake.

Conclusion

Spending time in the sun, exercising, hearing music, meditating, and getting enough sleep can boost dopamine levels. The best way to boost your body’s natural dopamine production and improve your brain function is to maintain a balanced diet and lifestyle.

 

Every parent wants a healthy child and will do anything in their power to facilitate their child.

The child’s health depends on the parent’s lifestyle. There are many factors that can affect a kid, and some might not be noticeable at first glance but have significant implications for their long-term development in life!

Some childhood diseases can also be classified according to geographical areas. For instance, some diseases like kwashiorkor may be the most common childhood disease in some countries, while in others, there may not be a single reported case of the disease.

It is difficult to differentiate between disease and disability, but they are two separate terms. A disease is a pathological state of the body which causes pain or discomfort. The disease may be acute or chronic. Disability is the state

There are many causes of childhood disabilities. These disabilities can be due to prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal reasons.

Prenatal or before birth causes of disabilities include genetic disorders, sex chromosomal disabilities, infirmity of mother, the advanced age of mother, injury to the mother, and drug abuse during pregnancy.

Perinatal causes may include low birth weight, fetal distress, and preterm birth. Postnatal causes include bacterial meningitis, brain hemorrhage, and injury to the head and other body parts.

Most Common Childhood Disabilities:

Parents should have a basic knowledge of the risks that can cause disabilities in their children. Here are some of the most common childhood disabilities in the world.

Cerebral Palsy:

Cerebral Palsy is a cluster of diseases that affects the mobility of various body parts. It can affect the gait and posture of the person and the tone and movement of muscles.

Palsy means paralysis, and cerebral means related to the cerebrum. This part of the brain controls the motor functions of the body.

There are many cerebral palsy types, which can affect children in many ways and be devastating for both the child and the parents.

ADHD:

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder.

It begins in early childhood and can last till adulthood. The child who has ADHD has difficulty focusing and paying attention.

The child may lose his belongings, talk a lot, daydream, and make careless mistakes and decisions.

There is no definitive cure for ADHD, but behavior therapy and medications can help mage ADHD symptoms.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):

ASD, more commonly known as Autism, is a disorder that affects the child’s communication skills, behavior, and social attitude. ASD is sometimes the result of genetic abnormalities, but mostly its causes are idiopathic (not known). Research is going on to find out the exact cause.

ASD manifests itself before the age of 3 years and continues till adulthood. When autistic children grow up to be adults, they find it hard to maintain relationships. Currently, the treatment provides symptomatic relief.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs):

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are a group of disorders caused by exposure of the fetus to alcohol. The alcoholic contents in the mother’s blood pass through the placenta and reach the fetus’s blood.

It can affect the physical and behavioral health of the baby. The baby will have low birth weight, hyperactive behavior, and disabilities in learning and memorizing. The IQ level of the child may be low, and visual and hearing abnormalities may also be present.

There is no known cure for FASDs. However, behavior therapy and medications can help.

The treatment options differ from individual to individual.

Fragile X Syndrome:

It is a genetic disorder that affects the Fragile Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene that encodes the FMRP- a protein involved in brain development. The male-to-female ratio for FXS is 1:1. The child may not achieve the developmental milestones at the time. The child will also have learning difficulties and communal and behavioral issues.

A DNA test diagnoses the disease. There is no known cure for this disease, but the treatment can treat symptoms.

Hemophilia:

Hemophilia is an inherited disorder. The patients have either a complete absence or loss of function of a blood clotting factor.

Hemophilia A is due to the loss of or reduced Factor VIII. In contrast, Hemophilia B is due to the absence of or decreased Factor IX. It is an X-linked recessive disorder.

The disease manifests itself as increased and spontaneous bleeding. Positive family history is an essential factor in diagnosis. Infusion of the missing clotting factors in the body is the treatment of choice.

Muscular Dystrophies:

It is a group of muscular diseases caused by genetic mutations. There are several types of muscular dystrophies depending on the type and groups of muscles they affect. Duchenne/ Becker, myotonic, limb-girdle, congenital, and distal muscular dystrophies are some types of MDs.

The disease can be familial or sporadic, and the symptoms vary from person to person.

Jaundice and Kernicterus:

Jaundice is the yellow skin discoloration resulting from raised levels of bilirubin in the body.

Bilirubin is a breakdown product of hemoglobin. During pregnancy, the mother’s liver removes the excessive bilirubin from the baby’s body. After birth, the baby’s liver should remove bilirubin. If for some reason, the baby’s liver fails to remove bilirubin from its body, the eyes and mucous membranes become yellow.

If jaundice in the baby remains untreated, it can progress to Kernicterus. It can cause brain damage. It can also result in visual and hearing loss and sometimes cognitive abilities.

Phototherapy is the treatment of choice for neonatal jaundice.

Conclusion:

Children are prone to a lot of diseases and disorders. There are many different causes of childhood disabilities. According to a survey conducted in 2019, almost three million children suffer from disabilities in the US alone. There can be genetic and acquired causes of these disabilities. As a parent, you should keep a close eye on your child. If you observe any change in behavior, health, or behavior, you should take your child to the neonatologist or pediatrician. If your child gets diagnosed with any disability, discuss all treatment options with your doctor.