Prevention and Treatment of Children With Eczema

Eczema is a chronic skin disease that affects young children. This bacterial skin infection, unfortunately, creates a lot of problems with the little things. Eczema in children is characterized by skin reddening and itching. According to the doctors, infants who have a family history of allergies, hay fever, or asthma are more vulnerable to eczema. Since children's skin is more vulnerable, they should see a doctor right away.

                              Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

In general, one out of every ten children can have eczema symptoms. Eczema can manifest itself in children at any age, and it can also manifest itself in babies. When your child develops a rash, you may seek medical advice from your family doctor or pediatrician. They can make a diagnosis or refer you to a dermatologist to confirm or make the diagnosis.

Eczema on the forehead and cheeks is common in babies and children under the age of five. Red, inflamed rashes with bumps and broken skin are common symptoms. An itchy, painful itch will occur.

When eczema symptoms escalate to the point of fluid-filled blisters that can break, it is much worse for infants. Not only are these irritating, but they can also become infected if not treated properly, so knowing how to cure eczema in children is crucial.

Eczema often occurs at the hips (knees and elbows), as well as the wrists and ankles, as children get older. Eczema is such an area that is usually marked by round red scaly spots, and you will find your child scratching excessively.

Is it necessary to exclude children with eczema from their peers? No, there is no need. Eczema in children is not infectious, and handling it does not prohibit the child from going to school or participating in other sports.

Below are several guidelines for preventing and treating eczema in kids:

1. Clothing made of natural soft fabrics, such as cotton, can be worn by your kids. Wool and flannel are scratchy fabrics to avoid. Fabrics made of cotton allow the skin to breathe and keep it cool, you can check Scratch Sleeves for infants to young kidswear.
2. Using warm water and soft, unscented soap to bathe your infant (or your older child if he bathes himself). When the skin is already wet, pat dry with a soft towel and apply a moisturizing cream.
3. It's important to keep your child's skin supple by moisturizing it regularly. To keep the skin moisturized and minimize irritability, apply natural skin creams (or ointments prescribed by a doctor) at least twice a day.
4. Hydration can be one of the key answers to keep the baby's skin moisturized and cool.
5. Pet dander can worsen eczema in infants. When you have a pet, you must decide if the pet is aggravating your child's illness.
6. If possible, tell your child to refrain from itching or rubbing their sores. Scratching will aggravate the outbreak and can result in a debilitating flare-up. 
7. Make sure your child's nails are neatly clipped and washed.

As a parent of a child with eczema can be overwhelming and heartbreaking at times. But picture your kid being eczema-free! No longer suffering from a debilitating, burning itch that necessitates excessive rubbing and scratching. The outcome is very likely!

Snus as Compared to Smoking Cigarettes

If you are a cigarette smoker and considering switching using Snus, these are the things you need to know. 

What is Snus? 

Snus pronounced as "snoose" that comes from Sweden, it is smokeless when used, it is a moist powder tobacco pouch that you put on your upper lip. Flavors such as wintergreen and mint are the most common flavors you can find. Doesn't require spitting and it doesn't require burning. 

As a way to preserve tobacco, Snus got its start in Sweden. It is seen as the one that has helped to lower smoking rates in that country. Over half of Sweden's snus consumers are ex-smokers. There are many brands of Snus in the market along with information and Snus brand reviews.

How Snus and different tobacco products differ

For the forms of tobacco used in the mouth may be categorized as: 

• Swedish snus- the one that we described above, sold as loose powder also called loose snus or pouches known as portion snus. "Snus is sometimes mildly flavored with a food-grade aroma of smoke, bergamot, citrus, berry, herbs, and/or floral flavors."
• American snus- the availability if this was since the late '90s, it is similar to the Scandinavian form, but usually has a lower content in moisture and a lower pH, resulting in a lower bioavailability of nicotine than the Scandinavian varieties, which indicates that less is available for absorption.
• Nasal snuff- it is in a form of powder and dry, it is sniffed but not snorted and mostly mentholated in flavor.
• Chewing tobacco- from the word itself "chew", is tobacco in the form of short or long, less commonly of chopped leaves and stems compressed into blocks called plugs. 
• Dipping tobacco- known as dip, spit tobacco, moist, and somewhat finely ground, but less so than snus. Placed between the lower lip or cheek. 
• Chema- Sales within the European Union are legal due to its classification as chewing tobacco. Its safety in comparison to snus has not been studied sufficiently.
• Naswar- can be found mostly in Central Asia.

Snus and nicotine pouches are sold in countries like Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark, but most people around the world have liked this product. 

What do you need to know about nicotine pouches

"Nicotine is a widely used stimulant and potent parasympathomimetic alkaloid that is naturally produced in the nightshade family of plants. It is used for smoking cessation to relieve withdrawal symptoms."

Some studies correlating nicotine to caffeine intake, which can have good or positive effects. It is a stimulant that raises the heart and increases the speed of processing sensory information, quick and sharp mind and releasing tension.

With that being said, have you heard about what nicotine pouches are?

Nicotine pouches are white pre-portioned pouches containing nicotine but no tobacco and are either identified as a tobacco-free form of snus, or similar. There is no combustion required. The user places a pouch between the upper lip and gum and keeps it there while the taste of the nicotine is released. Disposal of the pouch is done in a regular household trash can. 

Tobacco chewing is almost the same as taking nicotine pouches the main difference is that the user does not have to spit as the content remains in the pouch during use. Nicotine pouches don't require refrigeration for storage. Compared to vaping products nicotine pouched requires no battery. 

You can learn more about nicotine pouches by reviews from the users themselves. They can give you an added insight into the experience with the specific brand before trying and which kind of pouch would you need and would be best for your use. 

"Nicotine pouches often contain food-grade fillers, water, salt, flavorings, and nicotine. The nicotine content among nicotine pouch brands differs per pouch. Nicotine pouches are sold in an array of fruit flavors such as black cherry and citrus. Other flavors include peppermint and coffee." 

If you are a smoker and considering to lessen or gradually eliminate the use of a regular cigarette or tobacco- an alternative way is switching to nicotine pouches. 

Ways on how to remedy an itchy throat

From the sudden change of season- to the extreme sunny weather to non-stop rain due to the tropical storm that hit the Asia-Pacific region. This also the sign were we can expect an increase of health cases such as common colds, cough, and even Influenza virus or flu virus, with this I have known numbers of students who come and seek for first-aid intervention a couple of weeks ago since the class started.

Influenza virus is communicable and can be transferred from one patient to another person most especially when the immune system is weak. And, with that, I am one of the unlucky people who was contacted with flu, along with a cough and colds. 

What are the things you need to do to prevent you from getting sick?

• Rest and recuperate- get enough sleep (preferably 7-8 hours)
• Eat more- eat nutritious food, a balanced diet (protein rich source, fiber, vegetables, and fruits)
• Fluids and liquid- hydrate your body with water, juices, and soup
• Daily pill- take your essential vitamins daily (vitamin C, Iron, Calcium) 

A healthy immune system will fight and combat possible sickness when one is in contact. 

If your body cannot defend sudden sickness due to other extra predisposing factors. It is time for you to do some remedy to help your body regain strength and recover fast. 

Influenza virus comes with a cough and colds, along with throbbing headache pain, itchy throat, and hoarseness of voice. These are the symptoms I had for days now. I don't have the fever anymore but the coughing and the itchy throat which made me cough so hard and continuously especially at night. The reason also that my sleep is interrupted in the middle of the night. 

My medications are over the counter drugs such as a mucolytic tablet, an effervescent tablet (Fluimucil) which acts as a cough drug, throat lozenges, and I added more from my usual multi-vitamin intake. I tripled the amount of my fluid intake since I started getting sick. It has been six days now and still, I am dealing with this terrible itchy, non-stop cough.  

When you talk about home remedies there are a lot of ways you can follow and practice. It may sound like a trail and error method but soon one will work out fine just for you. Here are some of my go-to home remedies when I know and feel that the throat starting to itch. 

1 Gargle warm water with salt, especially at night before you sleep. 

2. A concoction of honey and lemon juice in warm water as a drink or eat it just like that. 

3. Eat pure honey.

4. Apple cider vinegar mixed it in warm water, you can add honey in it too. 

5. Preserve and rest your voice, avoid shouting. 

6. You can invest in a good brand of a humidifier. 

7. It is always an advantage to know your allergen so that you can watch out for early signs and you can also avoid what triggers your allergy. 

Also, one product brand that I discovered recently was this lozenges candy called Pei Pa Koa. 

Pei Pa Koa candy is made from natural herbs, Loquat, and honey extracts. It claims that it can relieve discomfort from coughs, colds, sore throat, hoarseness or loss of voice. Contains no artificial flavors and colors or preservatives. 

I bought this at a local drugstore and this pack contains, I guess 12 candies. I forgot to count it when I open the pack. This was sold at P40 ($0.80). 

I am almost done with the whole pack and I am not convinced about the taste and the effect of it. It tasted sweet like a typical hard candy, I was expecting a stronger taste of the herbs but unfortunately none. I guess it was too good to be true. 

Have you tried this candy lozenge before? What was your take on it? 

If you have any other tips or home remedies for itchy and sore throat, please do comment down below. 

Proper food storage in the fridge won't make your family sick

Many of us have the impression that storing our foods in the refrigerator will keep them fresh and safe. But, not having your appliance set at the right temperature can create a breeding ground for harmful bacteria to grow and flourish, which can result in an unsafe environment for food storage for you and your kids.

Improper food storage and sanitation can lead to a high risk of foodborne illnesses, especially this rainy season. Among these diseases is listeriosis, a serious infection caused by eating food with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeriosis can be dangerous to pregnant women, newborns, children, and elderly, and can result to fever, muscle aches, or even gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea.

As such, refrigerating a food contaminated with Listeria can cause it to spread to other food products inside the refrigerator that may be making your child prone to sickness.

The good news, however, is that there are various ways we can do to reduce the risk of listeriosis at home by raising an awareness on proper refrigerator care to help improve the quality of food that you and your kids eat.

Consume use-by date food products immediately

Use-by date refers to the final day by which perishable goods should be consumed. After the recommended date, food quality is likely to go down and the food safety is lessened.

Therefore, it is important to make sure that food products are eaten before their use by date and not after.

You may realize that use-by date products spoil easily. Thus, it is crucial for you to follow storage instructions. However, take note that you should follow the use by dates on unopened ready-to-eat food products and not store food packages after they have been opened. Storing opened food products in the refrigerator can increase the risk of Listeria to grow.

Clean your refrigerator regularly

It is important to wipe food spills immediately to keep Listeria from growing and spreading to other foods. You can clean the inside walls and shelves with hot water and a mild liquid dishwashing detergent then rinse it thoroughly.

Likewise, make sure to throw old and spoiled foods that may cause growth and spread of bacteria. Try moving older foods in the front part of your fridge to make it more visible so that it can be consumed before it gets spoiled.

Keep raw meat, poultry, or fish, which may contain several bacteria, from cooked meals. Also, make sure that raw meats are at the bottom part of the shelf to avoid it from dripping. However, it is still better to have them sealed in a tight container.

Properly sanitizing your refrigerator can avoid different types of bacteria like Coliforms, Vibrio, salmonella, e-Coli, Botulinum, and Pseudomonas—all of which harmful to the human health—from growing on foods such as raw meat, milk, fish, and more.

Keep your refrigerator at the right temperature

Having your refrigerator at the proper temperature can avoid or slow the growth of Listeria. To check if your refrigerator is at the right temperature, put an appliance thermometer inside and make the necessary adjustment in the temperature control. Makes sure that your refrigerator register at 40°F (4°C) or below and your freezer at 0°F (-18°C).

Refrigerating below the recommended 4℃ will significantly slow the growth of bacteria. But as the temperature rises, the bacteria can grow at a faster rate, which can result in spoilage, wastage, and food poisoning.

Your refrigerator plays an important role in keeping your food safe and free from any bacteria that can result in foodborne illnesses. In fact, operating at the wrong temperature can leave room for the bacteria to get the nutrients and temperature it needs to grow inside your refrigerator.

While refrigerators can be a breeding ground for foodborne illnesses, Beko Refrigerator’s Active Ioniser neutralizes the bacteria that cause effluvia to create an antibacterial effect to keep the refrigerator from harmful pathogens such as Listeria. Also, Its Blue Light Technology allows for a continuous process of photosynthesis, allowing fresh produce to maintain their natural flavors and nutritional value for up to 30 days.

On top of that, the Beko Refrigerator’s new age of NeoFrost Technology keeps the humidity of their refrigerator at an optimum level of up to 90 percent in the cooler for longer freshness. It also makes for a more stable and faster cooling for both the cooler and the freezer compartments at A+ energy efficiency level. Moreover, its independent cooling systems also help in preventing odor transfer in between the compartments to keep the quality of the air inside at maximum levels.

To know more about Beko and Beko Philippines, like the Beko Philippines fan page (@BekoPH) or visit the website at www.beko.ph.

ABOUT BEKO

Beko is the global home appliances brand of the Arçelik Group and belongs to the Koç Holding – one of the largest conglomerate in Europe, ranking among the first 250 on the Fortune Global 500 list. Beko set out in 1955 – with one washing machine. And with one goal: Bringing smart products to everyone.

Today, we are the second largest brand within the European white goods sector. It’s because we are always driven by the constant desire to innovate for a better life. Thanks to this approach, we have become one of the leading home appliances companies in the world. And within the last five years, we have been rising as the fastest growing white goods brand in Europe – with 25.000 employees, 14 global production sites and products sold in more than 130 countries.

But no matter where our success stories begin, each and every one of them starts with our inspiration to keep on changing for the better. And the reason why we are always trying for the better is people. They have been shaping our vision, setting our course and helping us to navigate to our goals. Their actions, enthusiasm, and spirit are, in truth, what has been inspiring us today as in yesterday, for more than 60 years.

This belief is our common ground. And together, we can turn this new chapter into another long-term Beko success story – to create smarter ideas and better solutions, now and in the future.

Learn More About Pregnancy Online

Back in my pregnancy days, I acquired pregnancy books as a gift and most are from relatives and friends. Pregnancy books were the only added source an expectant Mom can rely upon when it comes to the stage she's into. Insights from my mother and my grandmother were added to my knowledge of everything about pregnancy. Also, I never disregarded my knowledge I've learned in my maternal and child nursing subject during college. Being a nurse in my profession, it literally gave me that edge to apply what I've learned. Sum it all up, I surpass two pregnancy with a six-year gap, two different kinds of morning sickness, etc. 

As the stages of pregnancy come near each day, there are a lot of changes that can happen both physically and mentally for both parents. It can wear out the couple when the unwanted occurrence of pregnancy side effects. 

In today's generation, expecting Mom and Dad can help themselves to learn more, visually speaking and more studies coming other pregnant mom's through online readings. 


I came across this website Pregged.com that tackles topics that cover everything about pregnancy, getting pregnant, relationship, expecting dads, and most especially getting ready for pregnancy in general. "The site serves an educational purpose not to deviate from medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment, or in replace or therapy, and medical care." 

Food, drugs, environment, mental health and up to guide to products and items needed during the course of pregnancy and after giving birth. 

You can submit your questions online and they guarantee an answer with the help of their expert team of medical professionals. 

For me, learning should never stop no matter what condition you are in right now. Read more and enjoy the whole process of pregnancy. 

When to Start Wearing Prescription Glasses

Visual impairment is one of the most common health problem people are facing today. There are many factors that contribute to visual impairment; the most typical cause can be associated with exposure to radiation such as a computer, laptop, and smartphones- in which majority of the people can get access to. 
Other causes can be related to genetics, physical trauma to the eyes, infection and old age.

In my personal experience, I started noticing blurry vision, tension headache, dizziness, vertigo like symptoms, uneasy feeling and difficulty in reading in front of the computer from the certain distance I was used to. That was the time I considered consulting an ophthalmologist to have my eyes checked, also I already hit the age that was considered as a candidate for wearing eyeglasses. Although I know for a fact that the major contributory factor of my visual problem was due to over-exposure to computer radiation.

When my ophthalmologist detects a slight difference to what is normal, she referred me to an optometrist for prescription glasses, he even explained to me how to measure the eyeglasses PD number. There are choices of remedies for visual impairment that is given to the patient, depending on the need. A patient can wear contact lenses, eyeglasses, and sometimes surgery can be considered as well. 
After non-invasive steps such as- eye-refraction, manual eye inspection, and distance reading in the Snellen's chart. I was prescribed to wear prescription glasses. There were mixed emotions, I was relieved that it has a way for me to see clearly just like before and second was I hope I can get the best-looking eyeglasses frame, which will suit my everyday look. 

Although I was offered with a variety of glasses frames for women, I took a day to check out other stores carry with me my prescription, so that anytime I can choose what looks fashionable and with cute glasses frame I can have it done, instantly! I've also checked some local eyeglasses stores in the city, but for me, they are all the same, the classic traditional styles and some are way pricey. 

A friend of mine suggested to check out stores online which I am very excited to explore, one site that looks promising is these Zeelool prescription eyeglasses online. I love the styles they have, the colors which are unique and shows personality to whoever will wear it. True that eyeglasses can be related to as a fashion accessory. They also offer discount codes and they ship worldwide! Although I already had my prescription glasses done locally, I am considering to get one from this online store as a backup glasses. 

What To Do When You Are Having Dysmenorrhea?

Hi guys! So, how was your Christmas holiday went? Practically most of us who came from a holiday or even a long vacation always has this post-vacation mood, the tired feeling, you just wanted to lay down, slouch and enjoy the day doing nothing, it was difficult to switch back! But, we need to get up and return to our regular programming as they say. Let me share with you guys what I've experienced last night (not fun, or exciting at all, will understand if you will skip reading the rest,;)).

For me, I started my day yesterday slow. Since, it was the middle of the week already I was anticipating the coming weekend again, haha! I had plans last night after dinner, we were supposed to walk around the neighborhood and get some sweats going. But, our body really works mysteriously, I suddenly felt weak and felt a sharp, crushing pain in my lower abdomen. I was having dysmenorrhea! My body couldn't handle the pain, although my pain tolerance is that high. I rarely complain of pain and my family knows that, so when I am in one they know that my pain threshold really shoots down. 

Pain is usually the initial reaction to what is happening inside your body, the unpleasant feeling, emotionally and sensory. Our body usually reacts differently when we are in pain. It is normally described as the initial tail-tell signs of a patient. Facial grimace, touching and massaging the affected area of the body which is painful can be the basis of what part of the body is experiencing tissue damage. Pain can be classified to as a chronic pain which has two types; Nociceptive and Neuropathic pain. Other symptoms of dysmenorrhea; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lightheadedness and general achiness.

Mine was a nociceptive pain, a sharp pain below the abdomen and near the pelvis. This is due to tissue sloughing of the mucosal and endometrial lining of the uterus that is in the combination of blood discharge, called menstruation. 

Although, menstruation is a slow process that normally lasts for seven days in a regular menstrual period. The body reacts differently from one to another, also varies from one cycle period within your body. There are days the menstruation comes like a typical day for a woman, but some periods may be different, just like what I've experienced last night. 

I was trying to divert all the pain to other things at home, I got myself busy in the kitchen cooking dinner, like my typical nights on a regular day. My mood was kinda low, though I am trying to be interesting to people at home, I even opened a Christmas gift from a friend last night, but my pain pulled me down even. I went to take a shower and decided to lay my body to rest, I was moving slowly because I can feel the pain when I move. You may ask, why did I let my body suffer the pain? Because, as a nurse, this is very normal for a woman to experience dysmenorrhea. I wasn't able to sleep well because of the on and off the pain I was having the whole night. There was a time that I was crying for awhile because I was so sleepy and felt the throbbing pain. 

So, what to do when you are having dysmenorrhea?

Like I've said, dysmenorrhea pain varies differently from one body to another, but to relieve your body and mind from pain, you can be ready and prepare yourself once it sets. 

• Know your calendar for your monthly period- this will prepare you emotionally and psychologically.
• Study your pain threshold- you can have a baseline of what to expect when you are in pain.
• Relax your body, don't panic!- control your body from panicking, divert your attention.
• Hot shower and hot water bag or bottle- it relaxes the muscles and will increase blood flow to reduce pain. Applying hot water bottle directly to the lower abdomen. Making sure the bottle and the temperature of the water will not burn your skin.
• Massage- it can help reduce pain and increase blood flow. Massaging the lower abdomen or the back has a positive effect on one's body experiencing dysmenorrhea.
• Medication- anti-spasmodic and analgesic drugs can be helpful too. Both drugs are considered as pain reliever drugs. 
• Support system- people around you should know what you are experiencing at the moment. They need to understand your situation and pain. Like earlier said, pain varies differently. 

For me, taking medication will be my last resort when dealing dysmenorrhea. 

Menstruation or monthly periods is a normal occurrence of a woman's body when one is not pregnant. Counter interacting the normal occurrence of the body using a drug can make you independent (again, this is for my case only). I will be resulting in taking medication when I cannot stand it anymore, or when I a doctor requires me to do so. 

My alarm went off this morning with lesser pain compared to last night. I have my hot bottle compress right now as I am writing this, and having even lesser pain.

What about you ladies, what are your struggles when you have that monthly period pains? How are you dealing with it? Any other tips you can share? 

If you reached this line, thank you for reading the whole post!  💓

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How To Manage Hair With Hair Extensions

Every girl's dream is to have that beautiful, shiny, and easy to manage hair, well, with the generation we have right now, men also become vain about their hair for hairstyles. Every time we see an advertisement for any hair products, we are being attracted to purchase those products they are promoting, thinking that someday we can wake up one morning with that same hair as they have. 

Aside from having a beautiful hair that we can have, achieving the right length and style is a must; to be presentable at all times, go with the fashion, and be in the in-group. 

To be that specific length we wanted will take time, but with the trend of wearing hair extensions and different hairstyles, it's an easy-peasy thing now. 

Check out some human hair bundles that you can get at a very affordable price. And, you can create styles and thickness of what you need.

                                     

What I really like about hair bundles is that I can get the texture I want, this can be worn every day and even for occasions that require adding some style to it like this batch of a kinky straight weave, or you can rely on some cheap human hair bundles when you are on a budget, but still looking and aiming for a quality brand.

How to manage hair with hair extensions?

• Always make sure that before adding and wearing you extension you shampooed your hair and also your extension. Clean hair and adding clean hair extensions will make you look fab.
• Store hair extensions properly. Proper storage will make it last longer.
• Use products that are safe for both natural hair and the extensions.
• Always pick the nearest color of hair extension to your natural hair color, so that it will blend perfectly.
• Wear your extensions like you are not wearing anything. Be confident, because it looks good on you.

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Announcement of New Classification of Blood Pressure Levels 2017

Article posted November 15, 2017, regarding the new classification of blood pressure (BP) levels, through American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) along with their partners- 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults.

The update was from 2013 developed guidelines which decided to discontinue the mentioned. 

Hypertension is the leading risk factor when it comes to cardiovascular diseases, that can lead to death and disability. Factors like genetics, lifestyle, and age are some of the reasons why a person's blood pressure can be considered alarming. With these factors, I am much concerned with the younger generation that for me I get to have the initial statistics. As a nurse and practicing in a College school, one of my implementing assessment for students is to have their blood pressure monitored. From this, I was able to get the numbers and surprisingly identifying some of them with elevated BP. Health teachings, informing the parent's and guardians and completing the 3-5-day BP monitoring before I refer them to the specialist or doctor of their choice. Immediate identification of possible hypertensive patients can help alleviate their numbers. 

Kindly refer below (Table 1) for the categories being implemented in assessing Hypertension in Adults.

The diagnosis of hypertension should be based on an average of ≥2 carefully recorded readings obtained on ≥2 occasions. Out-of-office and self-monitoring of BP measurements are recommended to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension and for titration of BP-lowering medication, in conjunction with clinical interventions and telehealth counseling.

AHA 2017 | Video: Interview on the New High Blood Pressure Guidelines

Press Release: Interesting Facts About Raisins Did you know that green grapes are the ones commonly used for raisins?

Who doesn’t love raisins? These sweet and juicy treats can make everything better, whether embedded in creamy loaves of bread or eaten on their own. But did you know that raisins were actually discovered by accident? History reveals that the first raisins were discovered back in 2000 BC when grapes were accidentally left to dry in the sun. Ever since then, early civilizations have popularized the use of grapes in its dried form. 
Nowadays, raisins are something that is enjoyed by everyone. Especially for people wanting to live a healthy lifestyle, raisins are good sources of nutrients while also being delicious and filling. But there is more to this food than what we think. For example, did you know that the most commonly used grapes for raisins are the Thompson Green Grapes? About Thompson Grapes

Contrary to popular belief that most raisins are made from red grapes, Thompson grapes rank as the most popular variety in the U.S and in North America where it accounts for 95 percent of grapes produced in the continent. 
All dark brown raisins are specifically made from this variety because they are softer and sweeter than other grapes. Though they are popularly used as raisins, Thompson grapes can also be used as a normal table grape because of their sweetness, firmness, and crispness when fresh. 
Thompson Grapes: The benefits Thompson grapes are very high in carbohydrates and low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. Crunchy and rich in vitamins K and C when fresh, this variety is also rich in resveratrol that helps provide antioxidants, dietary fiber, and phytonutrients when dried. The vitamins in Thompson grapes help boost the immune system and improve the body’s blood clotting mechanism. When turned into raisins, resveratrol can assist in reducing the risk of stroke and in strengthening blood vessels. Studies also suggest that resveratrol helps the body get protective action against Alzheimer’s disease, coronary heart disease, and even forms of cancer like melanoma, prostate, and colon cancer. 
Moreover, these dried, sweet bits are also rich in electrolytes, particularly potassium which helps counter hypertension. The health benefits of raisins, especially for people who want to pursue a healthier lifestyle, making them a perfect addition to the diet of health-conscious people. It’s no wonder that raisins made from Thompson Grapes quickly grew in popularity amongst creative food enthusiasts. Many use raisins as ingredients for desserts, even as add-ons to breakfast cereals and other treats. The best pairing so far is raisins on bread. When used together with healthy food like wheat bread, you get a meal that checks all the factors any health buff would have on his or her checklist. Adding raisins or wheat bread adds just the right amount of flavor to make deliciously healthy bread. That is precisely what Gardenia High Fiber Wheat Raisin Loaf provides: all the health benefits of raisins made from Thompson Grapes and the fiber goodness of all-natural cracked wheat. One slice of this variety gives you 29 percent of your daily dietary fiber needs and helps improve digestive health by improving bowel movement. Moreover, soluble fiber also aids in lowering levels of “bad” cholesterol by moving them out of the body before they’re absorbed which helps, of course, to reduce weight around the abdomen. 

Living healthy can be easy, especially if you know the right foods to include in your diet. Gardenia’s High Fiber Wheat Raisin Loaf makes it easy by turning to an eating habit that can help your overall health.SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Look After Your Body After Pregnancy

 

Pregnancy and birth should be an exciting time, but it can also leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.

As well as the emotional impact, there are many physical changes that you will need to adapt to. Many women find that the first few weeks after birth are uncomfortable, especially if they are experiencing incontinence.

Incontinence can be difficult to manage, but with multiple incontinence products suitable for use after pregnancy, managing it on a day-to-day basis is a little easier.

You need to take care of yourself, as well as your newborn, so how can you look after your body post-pregnancy and birth?

#1 Rest and repair…

Your body is an amazing piece of machinery. It produces hormones to protect the growing fetus and when the baby is ready to be born, it sets off a chain of events that can only be marveled at. Providing we listen to our bodies, we can heal quickly after birth.

The greatest factor in healing post-birth is rest. You may not feel tired in the first few days as you ride out a heap of hormones – you will feel on top of the world!  However, you need to be kind to yourself. Rest when you can and when you can take a nap, do so.

Friends and family will be more than willing to help, so if they offer to vacuum, change the beds, clean the bath etc., let them and be grateful for all the help they are offering.

#2 Stay active

Rest is number one on your list but this doesn’t mean hitting the sofa and not moving for weeks.

If you are worried about incontinence or sometimes feel you don’t always make it to the toilet in time, you can do pelvic floor exercises to help your muscles heal.

Pelvic floor clench and release exercises should not hurt – if they do, please speak with your midwife, health visitor or doctor.

Perform around three sets a day of 10 repetitions each time. Clench your pelvic floor muscles, hold for a few seconds (30 at the most) and then release, making a conscious effort to relax the muscle.

Gentle exercise is also an important part of helping your body to heal and recover. Without overdoing it, try to stay active;

• If the weather is kind, why not take a walk out, with your new baby well wrapped up?
• Don’t lift items that are too heavy – pushing and pulling places the abdomen under pressure

#3 Eat well and drink plenty

A healthy lifestyle is essential, and when it comes to helping your body to heal, healthy foods are essential.

If you are breastfeeding, you will need to consider that these flavors will be passed on to your baby in your milk. Heavily spiced foods may not be such a good idea...

Eat little and often, and the same goes for your fluid intake. If you are suffering from post-birth incontinence, you may be reluctant to drink more fluids, assuming this will make the problem worse.

In many cases, increasing fluid intake can help to improve incontinence. It can be a problem caused by an irritated bladder. By not drinking, your urine will be more concentrated and this irritates the bladder even more.

Rather than drinking a lot more in one go, aim to increase your drinking of fluids – water is best – throughout the day. You may find that as you breastfeed, you need to increase your fluid intake. Ask your health visitor or midwife how much more you should be drinking.

Avoid alcohol, which dehydrates you and can make incontinence worse. Caffeine can also be an irritant to your bladder so cut out or decrease your consumption of tea, coffee, hot chocolate and some soft drinks.

#4 Spread out meals and low carb snacks

Your nighttime sleep routine will not be the same and this disrupted sleep can make you feel hungry. Snacking on high sugar and high carb foods can make the problem of hunger worse.

Spread out your meals during the day and if you are snacking in between, opt for healthier snacks such as turkey and cheese, vegetables with guacamole dip or hard-boiled eggs.

With your meals, eat small but often, spacing out your calorie intake over the course of the day. Bear in mind that we can often mistake hunger for thirst so if you feel what you think is hunger, have a small glass of water and wait 10 minutes before you eat anything. You may find the feeling of hunger goes away.

The first days and weeks of being at home with your newborn are exciting but daunting. Eat well, take plenty of rest and enjoy those first few precious days.

HARTMANN Direct are suppliers of incontinence products. With a range of quality products, there is a product for men and women, including a range of products suitable for post-birth incontinence.

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