Day: March 25, 2023

Miscarriage – Causes and Symptoms

A miscarriage (also called a spontaneous abortion) is the unexpected ending of a pregnancy in the first 20 weeks of gestation. Just because it’s called a “miscarriage” doesn’t mean you did something wrong in carrying the pregnancy. Most miscarriages are beyond your control and occur because the fetus stops growing.

Types of miscarriage

Your pregnancy care provider may diagnose you with the following types of miscarriage:

1. Missed miscarriage: You’ve lost the pregnancy but are unaware it’s happened. There are no symptoms of miscarriage, but an ultrasound confirms the fetus has no heartbeat.


2. Complete miscarriage: You’ve lost the pregnancy and your uterus is empty. You’ve experienced bleeding and passed fetal tissue. Your provider can confirm a complete miscarriage with an ultrasound.

3.Recurrent miscarriage: Three consecutive miscarriages. It affects about 1% of couples.

4. Threatened miscarriage: Your cervix stays closed, but you’re bleeding and experiencing pelvic cramping. The pregnancy typically continues with no further issues. Your pregnancy care provider may monitor you more closely for the rest of your pregnancy.

5. Inevitable miscarriage: You’re bleeding, cramping and your cervix has started to open (dilate). You may leak amniotic fluid. A complete miscarriage is likely.

How do I know if I’m having a miscarriage?

You may not be aware you’re having a miscarriage. In people who have symptoms of a miscarriage, the most common signs are:

1. Bleeding that progresses from light to heavy. You may also pass grayish tissue or blood clots.
2. Cramps and abdominal pain (usually worse than menstrual cramps).
3. Low back ache that may range from mild to severe.
4. A decrease in pregnancy symptoms.

What causes miscarriage?

Chromosomal abnormalities cause about 50% of all miscarriages in the first trimester (up to 13 weeks) of pregnancy. Chromosomes are tiny structures inside the cells of your body that carry your genes. Genes determine all of a person’s physical attributes, such as assigned sex, hair and eye color and blood type.

During fertilization, when the egg and sperm join, two sets of chromosomes come together. If an egg or sperm has more or fewer chromosomes than normal, the fetus will have an abnormal number. As a fertilized egg grows into a fetus, its cells divide and multiply several times. Abnormalities during this process also leads to miscarriage.

Most chromosomal problems occur by chance. It’s not completely known why this happens.

Several factors may cause miscarriage:

Infection.
Exposure to TORCH diseases.
Hormonal imbalances.
Improper implantation of fertilized egg in your uterine lining.
How old you are.
Uterine abnormalities.
Incompetent cervix (your cervix begins to open too early in pregnancy).
Lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol or using recreational drugs.
Disorders of the immune system like lupus.
Severe kidney disease.
Congenital heart disease.
Diabetes that isn’t managed.
Thyroid disease.
Radiation.
Certain medicines, such as the acne drug isotretinoin.
Severe malnutrition.

There is no scientific proof that stress, exercise, sexual activity or prolonged use of birth control pills cause miscarriage. Whatever your situation is, it’s important to not blame yourself for having a miscarriage. Most miscarriages have nothing to do with something you did or didn’t do.

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Importance of Yoga in a Student’s Life

The present-day lifestyle among students’ calls for the need for yoga and meditation, and these two should indeed be placed on an upper pedestal, in order to achieve the overall development of a student. As these two play an important role, they should be inculcated in the student curriculum. Meditation and yoga can contribute directly to improve mental focus and concentration among students. It involves long, deep, slow breathing, as well as the coordination of mental concentration. Yoga combines strength and flexibility exercises with relaxation and meditation. Studies have revealed that yoga has helped cure a wide range of mental and physical health problems, mainly among teens and children. If the present trend of lifestyle as mentioned above is again taken into consideration, it can be said that, in contrary to the olden times, Children these days, rarely involve themselves in sports and other similar aspects and are rather busy with smartphones, videogames and other static entertainment. Hence, Yoga and Meditation becomes a matter of Paramount importance in student life.

What is Yoga? Yoga in simple terms can be defined as a spiritual science of self-realization. The origin of Yoga dates back to over five thousand years in the Indian subcontinent. The Indian Sage ‘Patanjali’ defined Yoga as the process of Spiritual Development. In addition to this, he even came up with the different Postures, known as asanas and various Breathing Exercises, which are known as pranayama. He also defined the four limbs of meditative stages, as follows

Control of Sense – Pratyahara
Concentration – Dharana
Meditation – Dhyana
Enlightenment – Samadhi
If the present day situation is taken into account, it can be said that the concept of yoga has gained popularity in the western world due to the increasing awarness among peopel around the world and a need for balanced lifestyle. Another vital phenomenon to be taken into consideration is hatha yoga; hatha yoga has become quite popular among the westerns, it seeks to promote health and well-being through physical exercise. The regular practice of asanas and breathing exercises (pranayama) makes the body strong, supple and healthy.

Meditation can be defined as a practice where an individual uses a technique, such as focusing their mind on a particular object, thought or activity, to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state, it basically means transforming the mind. Even the origin of meditation has a thing with India, as the sages here were profoundly known for their meditating skills. Various Hindu religions like Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism give significance to yoga and follow it as a part of their religious practice. It encourages developing concentration, clarity, emotional positivity, and a calm seeing of the true nature of things. By engaging with a particular meditation practice you learn the patterns and habits of your mind, and the practice offers a means to cultivate new, more positive ways of being.

Yoga and meditation if practised regularly may yield very good results among the student community, which can be fighting depression, anxiety etc. which would prove to be beneficial to the students in a long run. Yoga improves physical as well as mental health of an individual while meditation provides peace of mind and control over the body.

1. Improved concentration– It leads to better grades, balanced blood pressure, decreased absenteeism and tardiness, improved interpersonal relations, and enhanced confidence level, sleep, relief from a headache, improved calmness and a sharper mind.
2. Weight management– There are lots of problems like obesity and uneasiness in breathing that are related to weight and very common among students. Such children are usually the targets of bullying. Practising yoga daily can help in weight management.
3. Flexibility– Yet another advantage of practising yoga regularly is the flexibility of the body. Stretching the muscles through yoga poses releases the lactic acid that builds up within your body preventing stiffness, pain, fatigue and tension that can really be painful at times. Stretching increases joint lubrication and stretches the soft tissues of your body. For students playing sports, yoga can decrease the risk of injury through increased range of motion and less fatigue.
4. Strength– Strength and endurance are very important, especially for young people who have to toggle between various activities all through the week. It increases muscle strength and endurance if practised regularly. It also tends to give a great deal of strength and calmness of mind.
5. Concentration and sharpness– Meditation and yoga have proved to be of great importance in increasing concentration and sharpness of the brain. Balanced blood pressure, arthritis and asthma can also be controlled through yoga.

The concept of sound of silence was originally put forth by Buddha, by the way of introduction of the concept of ‘divine eye theory’. It was stated by Buddha that it is always easier to hear the sound during the night time when the surrounding is calm. Once, the person identifies the sound, he is required to give his complete attention to the sound and should continuously listen to it by giving all his concentration to the sound and keep his awareness there and he should further keep going into the sound.

Beginner friendly Yoga for everyone!

It’s time to roll out your yoga mat and discover the combination of physical and mental exercises that for thousands of years have hooked yoga practitioners around the globe. The beauty of yoga is that you don’t have to be a yogi or yogini to reap the benefits. Whether you are young or old, overweight or fit, yoga has the power to calm the mind and strengthen the body. Don’t be intimidated by yoga terminology, fancy yoga studios and complicated poses. Yoga is for everyone.

The building blocks of yoga are poses. These are good ones to learn as you build a regular yoga practice.

These poses are a complete yoga workout. Move slowly through each pose, remembering to breathe as you move. Pause after any pose you find challenging, especially if you are short of breath, and start again when your breathing returns to normal. The idea is to hold each pose for a few, slow breaths before moving on to the next one.

1. Child’s Pose

This calming pose is a good default pause position. You can use child’s pose to rest and refocus before continuing to your next pose. It gently stretches your lower back, hips, thighs, knees and ankles and relaxes your spine, shoulders and neck.
Do it: When you want to get a nice gentle stretch through your neck spine and hips.
Skip it: If you have knee injuries or ankle problems. Avoid also if you have high blood pressure or are pregnant.
Modify: You can rest your head on a cushion or block. You can place a rolled towel under your ankles if they are uncomfortable.
Be mindful: Focus on relaxing the muscles of the spine and lower back as you breathe.

2. Downward Facing Dog

Downward-facing dog strengthens the arms, shoulders and back while stretching the hamstrings, calves and arches of your feet. It can also help relieve back pain.

Do it: To help relieve back pain.
Skip it: This pose is not recommended if you have carpal tunnel syndrome or other wrist problems, have high blood pressure or are in the late stages of pregnancy.
Modify: You can do the pose with your elbows on the ground, which takes the weight off your wrists. You can also use blocks under your hands, which may feel more comfortable.
Be mindful: Focus on distributing the weight evenly through your palms and lifting your hips up and back, away from your shoulders.

3. Plank Pose

A commonly seen exercise, plank helps build strength in the core, shoulders, arms and legs.

Do it: Plank pose is good if you are looking to tone your abs and build strength in your upper body.
Skip it: Avoid plank pose if you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. It can be hard on your wrists. You might also skip it or modify if you have low back pain.
Modify: You can modify it by placing your knees on the floor.
Be mindful: As you do a plank, imagine the back of your neck and spine lengthening.

4. Four- limbed Staff Pose

This push-up variation follows plank pose in a common yoga sequence known as the sun salutation. It is a good pose to learn if you want to eventually work on more advanced poses, such as arm balances or inversions.

Do it: Like plank, this pose strengthens arms and wrists and tones the abdomen.
Skip it: If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back pain, a shoulder injury or are pregnant.
Modify: It’s a good idea for beginners to modify the pose by keeping your knees on the floor.
Be mindful: Press your palms evenly into the floor and lift your shoulders away from the floor as you hold this pose.

5. Cobra Pose

This back-bending pose can help strengthen the back muscles, increase spinal flexibility and stretches the chest, shoulders and abdomen.

Do it: This post is great for strengthening the back.
Skip it: If you have arthritis in your spine or neck, a low-back injury or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Modify: Just lift up a few inches, and don’t try to straighten your arms.
Be mindful: Try to keep your navel drawing up away from the floor as you hold this pose.

6. Tree Pose

Beyond helping improve your balance, it can also strengthen your core, ankles, calves, thighs and spine.

Do it: Great for working on your balance and posture.
Skip it: You many want to skip this pose if you have low blood pressure or any medical conditions that affect your balance.
Modify: Place one of your hands on a wall for support.
Be mindful: Focus on your breath in and out as you hold this pose.

7. Triangle Pose

Triangle, which is a part of many yoga sequences helps build strength in the legs and stretches the hips, spine, chest, shoulders, groins, hamstrings and calves. It can also help increase mobility in the hips and neck.

Do it: This pose is great for building strength and endurance.
Skip it: Avoid this pose if you have a headache or low blood pressure.
Modify: If you have high blood pressure, turn your head to gaze downward in the final pose. If you have neck problems, don’t turn your head to look upward; look straight ahead and keep both sides of the neck long.
Be mindful: Keep lifting your raised arm toward the ceiling. It helps keep the pose buoyant.

8. Corpse Pose

Like life, yoga classes typically end with this pose. It allows for a moment of relaxation, but some people find it difficult to stay still in this pose. However, the more you try this pose, the easier it is to sink into a relaxing, meditative state.

Do it: Always!
Skip it: If you don’t want to have a moment’s peace.
Modify: Place a blanket under your head, if that feels more comfortable. You can also roll up a blanket and place that under your knees, if your lower back is sensitive or bothering you.
Be mindful: Feel the weight of your body sinking into your mat one part at a time.