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Pregnancy and childbirth is one of the most important time in the life of a woman. It is a time to celebrate and yet be cautious as well, so that all goes well and the end of the pregnancy is a beginning of life for a baby. There are numerous ways of monitoring the health of the foetus during pregnancy. The non-stress test is one of the ways. Let us find out more about this: 

Heart rate monitoring: The non-stress test is basically concerned with the monitoring of the heart rate of the foetus. This is a prenatal test that is very commonly used in order to check the overall health and vitals of the baby while it is still in the womb. The test is essentially carried out to check how well the heart rate responds to the other movements carried out by the baby inside the womb. It is called a non-stress test because there is no external stimulation that may put pressure on either the heart rate or the movements of the baby.

Why: This test is usually recommended by the doctor when there is an increased risk of losing the foetus due to complications. This test is usually carried out when the pregnancy is in 26th to 28th week. This test will usually show whether or not the baby needs extra test, monitoring or care. This test is essentially conducted to check the oxygen supply and is a non-invasive procedure that does not pose any serious physical risks or harm.
Fetal Hypoxia: This test will also show whether or not the baby is suffering from fetal hypoxia, which is a condition where the heart beat is disrupted, if the passage of oxygen is blocked due to some reason.

Conditions for non-stress test: The non-stress test may be conducted if the lady in question has lost or had complication in previous pregnancy. Also, if the mother has any other medical condition like diabetes or cardiovascular conditions, then this test is imperative. Decreased movement of the foetus may also prompt the doctors to take action and conduct this test as a cautionary measure.

Procedure: During the procedure, you will be asked to lie down on a reclining chair and two belts with monitors will be attached to your abdomen. The heart rate of the baby, as well as the movements, will then be studied once the monitors are switched on. These monitors are in turn attached to a screen, in order to take the reading. This test will take no more than twenty minutes. However, if there is no movement in the baby, then the test may continue for a little longer until the baby becomes more active.

Anorectal diseases, affect the rectum or the muscles surrounding the analregion. Some of these conditions can be difficult to live with, as the symptoms interfere with everyday life. Here is a look at two of the most common anorectal diseases, their symptoms, and their treatment.

Anal fistula
Anal fistula is an unnatural tunnel formation between the anus and a portion of the surrounding skin. It is usually caused due to an infection or blockage in the anal cavity. Here are some common symptoms associated with anal fistulas-

• Sharp pain originating near the fistula
• Redness of the skin around the affected region
• Anal swelling
• Bleeding
• Pain during bowel movements
• Fever

If you have anal fistula, you need to seek immediate treatment. Here are some forms of treatment used to manage the condition-

1. No medication is able to treat the condition and surgery is the only available option.
2. If the fistula is not too close to the anus, doctors will simply cut open the tunnel formed inside and let the body heal on its own.
3. A plug may be inserted to close off the tunnel
4. In some cases, a tube like instrument is inserted into the fistula tunnel to drain out the waste material prior to the surgical procedure.

Anal fissure
A small tear or cut in the lining of the anus is known as an anal fissure. Often, such a tear causes discomfort and bleeding during bowel movement. Its symptoms include-

1. A tear near the anus, which is visible to the naked eye
2. Sharp pain during bowel movement
3. Burning or itching sensation in the anal region
4. Bright red stools.

Here is a look at the treatment options open to you, if you suffer from anal fissure-

1. Laxatives and stool softeners
2. Changing the diet to include more fibrous foods
3. Submerge your anus and affected region in warm water. This is known as a sitz bath.
4. Nitroglycerin ointment is applied to the tear to increase blood flow to the area.

Consult a surgeon immediately if you notice signs of either of these disorders near your anal region. The doctor will advise you regarding the treatment.

Acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor that occurs in the primary nerve between the brain and the ear. The tumor progresses very slowly and can influence your balance and hearing. In certain cases, if the tumor becomes very large, then it may also impair vital functions of the body.

Symptoms-

The symptoms of acoustic neuroma tend to develop when the tumor starts to press on the nerve and its adjoining branches. The symptoms of this disorder are –

1. You may experience hearing loss on one side which might worsen gradually.

2. You may have problems in balancing yourself.

3. A continuous ringing sound in the ears.

4. Persistent dizziness.

5. If the tumor is large and presses on the nearby nerves, then you may experience numbness of the facial muscles.

6. In some cases, it may impair the vital functions of the body.

This disorder is caused by a malfunctioning gene. There is no documented reason as to why the gene malfunctions.

The treatment options for this disorder are –

1. Constant Monitoring: These tumors tend to grow very slowly but might spurt in some cases. In order to prevent damage to your body, they need to be monitored on a regular basis. Imaging tests are recommended on a periodic basis to determine the growth of the tumor.

2. Radiosurgery: Stereotactic radiosurgery is done to treat acoustic neuroma that is small in size. In this surgery, radiation is directed at the tumor without creating any incision. It is done to limit the growth of the tumor and preserve your hearing.

Surgery: The tumor can be removed by using surgical procedures. It involves administering general anesthesia, followed by removing the tumor through an incision on the skull or the inner ear. Surgery is used to remove the tumor and preserve your hearing abilities.

There are many kinds of conditions and symptoms that require different kinds of surgery for treatment as well as diagnostic management. One such procedure is called a laparoscopy or the laparoscopic surgery.

This is a surgical diagnostic management procedure that is known to be a low risk process with minimal invasion and suitable for various types of ailments. Read on to know everything about laparoscopic surgeries.

• Definition: A laparoscopic surgery is one where small incisions are made and an instrument called a laparoscope is used in order to take a look at the organs in the abdominal region. This tool is a long tube shaped one that comes with its own high intensity light and a high resolution camera that can easily move along the walls of the organs while the camera sends back imagery that will be displayed on a video screen in front of the doctor. This avoids the need for an open surgery and helps the doctors in getting samplesfor a biopsy on an outpatient basis.
• Need for Laparoscopy: This procedure is performed when the patient complains of persistent pain that is also sharp and shooting, in the abdomen region and surrounding areas like the pelvic cavity. This non-invasive method helps in diagnosis where other imaging methods like an ultrasound and CT or MRI scans would have failed to give a conclusive reason for the pain and suffering of the patient. When these tests do not supply enough reason for proper diagnosis, then the doctors usually resort to this kind of procedure.
• The Organs it can be used for: The laparoscopic surgery can be used for many organs including the appendix as well as the gall bladder, the pelvic region and the reproductive organs, the small and large intestines, the spleen, the stomach, the liver and the pancreas.
• What all can it Detect: The laparoscopic surgery can help in detecting a number of issues including any abnormal growth or mass that may be a tumour. It can also point at the presence of any disease in the liver, as well as the proper functioning of certain treatments. Also, it can show the amount of fluid that may or may not be present in the abdominal cavity and the extent of cancer's progression in the body.
• Risks: There are a few side effects or risks of this method including fever, chills, swelling, bleeding or redness of the site where the incision was made for the surgery, and shortness of breath. All these symptoms must be reported to the doctor immediately as they may point at the presence of an infection. Also, there is a risk of organ damage in this procedure.

In case the fertility odds are against your favour, you can undergo a procedure called IVF or in vitro fertilisation. It is a form of fertility treatment in which the sperms and eggs are combined in a laboratory. IVF is a very common fertility treatment procedure, involving modern technology. It is carried out by many women and couples worldwide. When you are facing ovulation problems and issues with the quality of eggs, have blocked fallopian tubes or if your male partner has a low sperm count, a sperm donor’s eggs are used via IVF to become pregnant.

The overall process of IVF involves several methods and steps :

1. Ovarian stimulation - You will have to take a fertility drug called gonadotrophin eight to fourteen days before the beginning of your menstrual cycle. This will help to stimulate your ovaries for the development of multiple, mature eggs for fertilisation. You will also be given synthetic hormones like cetrorelix and leuprolide.
2. Development of follicle - You should be visiting your doctor frequently while having the medicines for a check-up of your blood hormone levels. Your ovaries will also be measured using ultrasound. This will allow the doctor to monitor the follicle development.
3. Trigger shot - You will be given a trigger shot injection when the follicles are prepared. This injection leads to full maturation of the eggs, making them ready for fertilisation. The eggs require a period of 36 hours for retrieval after receiving the trigger shot.
4. Gathering of the eggs - An anesthetic will be given to you and an ultrasound probe will be inserted via your vagina for observation of the ovaries and follicles. A thin needle will be inserted through the vaginal wall with which the eggs are removed from the follicles.
5. Fertilisation - The eggs will be observed one final time before being combined with your partner’s sperm. Then they will be incubated overnight. Fertilisation occurs during this period and the abnormal eggs do not get fertilised. Three days after the egg retrieval, some of the successfully fertilised eggs transform into embryos composed of six to ten cells. Within five days, some of these embryos turn into blastocysts composed of fluid-filled cavities and tissue. This separates into the baby and the placenta. The most viable embryos are placed in your uterus. One to five embryos are placed in your uterus by the insertion of a catheter through the cervix. The embryo implants itself to the uterus walls. Gradually, it develops into the baby. The chances of pregnancy are higher when there are multiple embryos.

Before thinking of undergoing IVF, you must consult a doctor to know about the entire process. You also need to know whether you are fit to undergo IVF as there are several criteria you should satisfy for IVF.

Herpes is known as Visarpa in Ayurveda. It is an infectious disease caused by Nita group (Herpes group) of viruses. It is an extreme form of the viral disease, which, if left untreated, can lead to the death of a person.

Types of Herpesviruses

• Herpes simplex
• Herpes zoster
• Varicella zoster
• Cytomegalovirus

Mode of transmission

Herpes spreads through the following routes:  

1. Via blood (raktha)  
2. Via skin (twacha)
3. Through muscles (snayu)
4. Through vaccination (lasika)

According to ayurveda, these viruses can enter the body by following modes:

• Suppression of natural urges (emotions and physical symptoms)
• Due to wounds fractures
• Crush injuries
• Cutting of immature part

All these factors speedily give rise to a sort of swelling and inflammation. This swelling can extend all over the body.

Clinical features

• Vatika Visarpa Fever, inflammation, twitching, pins and needles, tearing pain, giddiness, pricking pain, malaise, cramps, tremors, fever, bone and joint pain and their dislocation, shivering, anorexia, and indigestion
• Paittika Visarpa Fever, malaise, red pustules, which are rapidly spreading and suppurating
• Kaphaja VisarpaNumbness, stiffness, heaviness, pain in the body, pustules with exudates, deep-seated ulcers over the pustules with a surrounded capillary network and covered with many skin scabs.
• Sannipatika Visarpa
• Granthi vispara

Glandular involvement along with all the symptoms of herpes

1. Agni Visarpa: Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, thirst, dizziness, splitting pain in regional glands, anorexia, pain all over the body, loss of consciousness, sleeplessness, dyspnoea, hiccough, mental confusion, and finally death
2. Kardama Visarpa: Red, yellow and pale yellow color eruptions with dull pain, edema, deep-seated suppuration, and eruptions that are free from exudations

Scope of Ayurveda

It is based on dosha dominance. Herpes from a single dosha involvement is curable. Involvement of double doshas can be alleviated by the habitual use of general therapeutic measures and involvement of triple doshas is incurable because it pervades all the tissue elements.

Management in ayurveda It includes:

1. Langhana therapy for improving immunity and to fight against the virus
2. Herbs are used due to their antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activity, such as Musta, Bala, Guduchi, Yashti, Chandana, Usheera
3. Tikta dravya which pacifies the vitiation of rakta and pitta, which are the main causative factor for herpes
4. An induction of controlled vomiting for infection arising due to pitta dosha
5. Compounds with a bitter taste (tikta rasa pradana) administration to increase the flow of gastric juice and for the virus destruction
6. Administration of herbs (Sneha pana) for purgation
7. Rakta mokshana should be administered if the route of transmission is blood
8. Kasisadi ghruta for external application

Sexual desires of a female vary in accordance with age and life circumstances. High sexual desires and low sexual interest can vary from one individual to another, and some of the factors that could contribute to this variation can be ending relationships, major changes in life such as menopause, pregnancy or any chronic health illness. Those females who tend to suffer from mood disorders also experience low sexual drives.

Let us look at some very interesting facts about the low sexual interest in females that occurs due to female fragility:

1. Those females who experience a loss of interest in sexual activities might be suffering from stress, and this mental health condition is referred to as hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
2. The characteristic symptoms of low sexual interest in females can be related to the loss of interest in any sexual activity such as doing masturbation. Another symptom can be very fewer fantasies related to the intimacy and no intimate thoughts at all. One of the major symptoms that must be observed is whether the person is experiencing any kind of personal distress due to this condition or not.
3. There can be various causes for low libido, but one of the major categories of the causes is hormonal change or variation in the hormonal balance in the female body. There are two critical life situations in females where this hormonal variation is very prominent - pregnancy and breastfeeding, where the changes occur in the body and the pressure of caring for the baby can lead to changes in sexual interest.
4. Another reason could be menopause where there is a significant decrease in the estrogen levels of females and they lose interest in sex due to the painful sensations while having sex.
5. There can be other psychological causes related to the lack of sexual interest in females such as suffering from an anxiety disorder or in a depressive state for a considerable period of time. Also, any stressful situations related to personal life or professional life such as in relationships or at the workplace, lower self-esteem, any past illness or history of sexual assault or sexual abuse, etc can also lead to this problem.
6. The relationship issues can play a very important role in the sexual interest of a female as poor communication with the partner, conflicts among partners, and trust issues.

Therefore, one must always consult a health practitioner regarding this problem as healthy sex life is an important part of everyone's life. So, you should always take care of your sexual health.

Low or reduced libido has been a point of concern for many years and if left neglected it can negatively impact your love life. Read on to know how you can boost your libido with these ornamental tips.

1. Have a positive mental attitude and keep your stress level low: If you feel good and self confident you may feel more sexual and attractive to your partner.
2. Consider, but do not overly rely on supplements that claim to increase your libido.Take a bite out of a forbidden fruit: Figs, bananas and avocados, for example, are considered libido-boosting foods, known as aphrodisiacs. And they are provide certain vitamins smooths the blood flow..
3. Be a poser: Yoga does more than just get you limber, it may boost your libido, too. Yoga may also improve your orgasms by increasing blood flow down there.
4. Indulge in all things chocolate: Throughout history, chocolate has been a symbol of desire. Not just because of its delicious taste, but because of its power to improve sexual pleasure.
5. Find out which scenarios spark magic for you and your partner: You do not need to recreate every detail from those scenes. With a little imagination, improvisational role-playing, you can incorporate one or two key elements from the scene, such as a costume or a prop - and create a scenario that is likely to liven the mood.
6. Take your daily herbs: Ginkgo biloba, an extract derived from the leaf of the Chinese ginkgo tree, is another herb found to treat antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction.
7. Seek the help of a sex therapist, if necessary: If you are experiencing sexual problems that prevent you from desiring, initiating, or enjoying sex, consider whether these issues may be psychological in origin.
8. Be patient: If you have a partner who is being treated for lost interest in and enjoyment in sex, or for issues relating to sexual performance, be patient and realize that treatment can take several months or more to be effective.
9. Take a whiff: Whiffing can also work for you. But the scent of your man postworkout might do just that. Sniffing his sweat can increase your level of the stress hormone cortisol, which may boost arousal.

Chlamydia is a type of STI. STIs are sexually transmitted infections or diseases. It is extremely common due to the ease with which it spreads. Also, the fact that there are often no symptoms associated with chlamydia makes it even harder to diagnose and deal with. As many as 75% of infections in women and 50% of infections in men have no symptoms associated with the chlamydia whatsoever. However, there may be a few observable symptoms such as:

Symptoms in men

1.        There is a little discharge from the penis which tends to be clear or cloudy
2.        Urination becomes painful
3.        The opening of the penis begins to burn and itch
4.        Your testicles begin to swell and pain

Symptoms in women

1.        Similar to men, women have a discharge from the vagina which has a bad odor
2.        Between periods, bleeding may occur
3.        Periods become painful
4.        Fever and abnormal pain 
5.        Sex becomes painful
6.        Similar to men, urinating becomes painful
7.        Around the vagina, there is an itching or burning sensation

Treatment for chlamydia

There are several steps taken for the treatment of chlamydia. The steps are as follows:

1.        Antibiotic prescription
The first step is the prescription of antibiotics to the person with the infection. These antibiotics tend to be oral in nature. Usually, azithromycin or doxycycline is prescribed. 

2.        Checking and treating the partner of the patient
Once the doctor has diagnosed chlamydia, he will immediately check your partner to make sure that he or she is not infected and if he or she is then the doctor will treat your partner as well.

3.        Treatment for severe infections
This infection mostly occurs in women. The treatments given to women with severe infections include intravenous antibiotics, pain medicine and hospitalization. 

4.        Follow up visits
These are usually scheduled three months later to make sure that there is no re-infection or further complication related to sexual infections.