Dr. Leena Patnankar

Everyone has a different idea of what a mother and baby needs in the first few days after childbirth, but some essentials cannot be skipped out on. With that in mind, here are 10 childcare essential you may need right after the delivery.

1. Nursing pillows: A baby may be small and seem light, but carrying them can put a strain on your arms. Since babies need to be fed very often in their first few weeks, a nursing pillow is a handy thing to have around. This allows you to comfortably support your baby while feeding them.
2. Breast pump: Though only a mother can produce breast milk, other people can feed this milk to the baby. A breast pump will allow you to express milk at a time convenient to you and store it in bottles to be fed to the baby as needed.
3. Bottles and nipples: A set of bottles and nipples are must haves for every baby. In their first few weeks, these bottles may be used to store mother’s milk, but as the baby grows, these bottles can also be used to give the baby water.
4. Pacifiers: A baby who wants to constantly suck on the mother’s nipples may be soothed with a pacifier. This can give the mother some time to rest.
5. Diapers: For over a year, diapers are a must for every baby. Most mothers choose disposable diapers for their convenience though others may choose cotton wash clothes as well. For the first few weeks, a baby tends to go through 10-12 diapers a day so stock up well.
6. Bedding: Whether you choose to share your bed with the infant or have him or her sleep in a crib, you will need at least two sets of crib sheets.
7. Baby bath tub: In their first few days, a baby needs to only be sponged down, but as they grow, regular baths become a necessity. A baby sized bathtub will make it easier to hold the baby while keeping them safe.
8. Sling: Carrying a baby in your arms all the time is not possible and hence it is a good idea to invest in a sling or front pack. This also keeps the baby close to your body and allows him or her to be soothed by your warmth and heartbeat.
9. Stroller: Once a child is three months old, he or she can be made to sit upright in a stroller. This gives the mother a little free time and puts less pressure on her back.
10. Car seat: A car seat if a must have for every baby. You could choose between rear facing car seats of convertible car seats. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Gynaecologist.

Infertility is a medical condition which is characterised by problems in successful conception, even after prolonged and frequent unprotected sex amongst a couple. Infertility may occur due to problems with either the male, the female partner and in many cases both of them. This condition can cause much strife in a relationship not just within the individuals but also be a cause for social embarrassment. The causes of infertility could be-

1. Testicular injury or deformed testis,

2. Irregular menstrual periods,

3. Problems with erections,

4. Uterus is ill-shaped,

5. premature ejaculation,

6. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome,

7. Pelvic inflammatory diseases caused by Sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and Chlamydia,

8. Scanty sperm count,

9. Thyroid disorders,

10. Blockage of the fallopian tube.

Other lifestyle related reasons could be excessive alcohol consumption, aging, diabetes, obesity, high pressure and as a side effect of radiation therapy or other medications.

Ayurveda and Infertility-

According to Ayurvedic scriptures, infertility occurs when there is a deficiency of nutrients in the Shukra Dhatu of an individual. This might occur as a result of indigestion and excessive toxic content in the human body. This could be caused due to excessive consumption of spicy foods or if they have chronic stress or anxiety. The Ayurvedic remedies boost the nutrition of the Shukra Dhatu in order to boost fertility. The most potent Ayurvedic herbs which can cure infertility are as follows:

1. A prescribed consumption of the powder of dried banyan bark along with sugar might help to cure infertility.

2. The inclusion of cumin and turmeric powder in regulated dosages in your daily food might also help to facilitate fertility.

3. A consumption of the root of the herb Ashwagandha for 3 times a day has also been shown to be beneficial.

4. A daily consumption of the powder of Vanari Kalpa in warm milk might help in curing any problems related to the ejaculation of semen.

5. Consuming a mixture of the powder of Vrushya vati in warm milk, it might help to increase the sperm count.

6. The consumption of Ayurvedic preparation of phalasarpi (a mixture of the herbs Kustha, manjistha, Triphala, tagara, haldi etc.) might help to deal with the problems of infertility in women.

7. Yoga also has many effective asanas or poses which help boost both male and female fertility and thus may help in correcting infertility caused due to physical factors such as injuries or deformities.

8. Changes in lifestyle also have to be brought in such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption among others.

Health benefits of Coriander

Skin disorders:

The disinfectant, detoxifying, antiseptic, antifungal and antioxidant properties of coriander are ideal for clearing up skin disorders such as eczema, dryness and fungal infections.

Low cholesterol levels:

 Some of the acids present in coriander, like linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and ascorbic acid (vitamin c) are very effective in reducing the cholesterol levels in the blood. They also reduce the level of bad cholesterol (ldl) deposition along the inner walls of the arteries and veins, which can lead to serious cardiovascular issues like artherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. More importantly, coriander helps to raise the levels of healthy cholesterol (hdl), which works as a preventative line of defense against a number of dangerous conditions.

Mouth ulcers:

Citronelol, a component of essential oils in coriander, is an excellent antiseptic. Additionally, other components have antimicrobial and healing effects which keep wounds and ulcers in the mouth from worsening. They help speed up the healing process of ulcers and also freshen breath. Although not in common use in mainstream products, coriander is often used as an antiseptic component of all-natural toothpastes. In fact, before the invention of toothpaste, people would chew on coriander seeds to reduce bad breath.

Autoimmune Disease Overview:
If a person is suffering from autoimmune disease, the immune system will attack the body mistakenly. Autoimmune disease is a condition in which the body loses the protection from virus and bacteria. The immune system should protect the body from foreign elements. It should produce fighter cells to attack virus and bacteria. The immune system will be able to differentiate the difference between the body’s own cells and foreign cells. When you are affected by the condition, the immune system will mistake the parts of the body such as the skin and joints. By producing autoantibodies, the healthy cells will be attacked.

Causes of  Autoimmune disease:
-  There are different kinds of autoimmune diseases. Some diseases will target only one organ and other diseases will target multiple parts of the human body.

-  Type1 diabetes will target the pancreas

-  Lupus will affect the entire body.

-  The immune system’s misfire is not understood by doctors.

-  The prevalence of the autoimmune disease is more in some people than others.

-  The occurrence of autoimmune disease is on the rise. The environmental factors will increase the chance of infection. The exposure to chemicals and solvents should be avoided.

-  By consuming highly processed food items, the chances of inflammation will increase. In this process, the immune system will be set off. However, this assumption should be proved.

-  By offering vaccines and antiseptics to children, they are not being exposed to germs. If they were exposed to germs, they will build a natural defence system. As they are not exposed to germs, the immune system will overreact to harmful substances.

Symptoms of  Autoimmune disease:
There are about 80 autoimmune diseases. Some of the common diseases and their symptoms are listed below:

-   Type-1 diabetes – The immune system will destroy the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The hormone insulin will be produced in the pancreas and it will regulate the blood sugar levels. If there are high blood sugar levels, there will be damage to blood vessels. There will be damage to various organs such as the kidneys, eyes, heart and nerves.

-    Multiple sclerosis – The myelin sheath will be damaged by multiple sclerosis. The sheath is nothing but the protective coating that surrounds the nerve cells. There will be the impact on the transmission of messages between brain and body. The symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis include imbalance, numbness, weakness and difficulty to walk. About 50% of people suffering from multiple sclerosis will need help while walking.

-   Rheumatoid arthritis – It is an immune disease in which the joints will be attacked. There will be redness or stiffness in the joints. Some people will experience soreness as well.

-   Psoriasis – the skin cells will grow as per the requirement and they will drop when they are no longer required. If a person is suffering from psoriasis, there will be a multiplication of skin cells at a rapid phase. There will be built-up of scaly patches or plaques on the skin.

-   Addison’s disease – There will be an impact on the adrenal glands with the Addison’s disease. The production of hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone will diminish when a person is affected by the Addison’s disease.

-   Inflammatory bowel disease – The condition that leads to the inflammation of the lining of the intestine is called inflammatory bowel disease. Various parts of the gastrointestinal parts will be affected by each type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBS). If there is Crohn’s disease, there will be inflammation of the GI tract. If a person is suffering from ulcerative colitis, the lining of the large intestine and rectum will be affected.

-   Lupus – Lupus will affect the skin in the form of a rash. It will also affect various organs of the body including joints, kidneys, brain and heart. Symptoms of Lupus include joint pain, fatigue, and rash.

-  Grave’s disease – The thyroid gland in the neck will be affected by the Grave’s disease. Hence, the production of hormones will increase. The energy usage in the body and metabolism will be affected by the thyroid hormone. If the production of thyroid hormone increases, there will be nervousness, heat intolerance, and weight loss. 50% of the people suffer from bulging of eyes due to Grave’s disease.

-   Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – The production of thyroid hormone will slow down through the Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The symptoms of the disease include dry eyes, joint pain and dry mouth.

-   Vasculitis – The immune system will attack blood vessels and it will lead to vasculitis. If there is inflammation, it will narrow down the arteries and veins. There will be limited blood flow in this process.

-   Celiac disease – People suffering from the celiac disease should eat gluten-free food. Gluten is a protein present in grain products such as wheat, rye and other products. If there is the presence of gluten in the intestine, it will attack the immune system and it will lead to inflammation. There are many people suffering from gluten sensitivity. However, similar kinds of symptoms are also found in people suffering from diabetes and abdominal pain.

The following are the common symptoms of the autoimmune disease:

The early symptoms include fatigue, achy muscles, swelling & redness, low-grade fever, hair loss and skin rashes.

You should visit the specialist based on the type of symptoms that you are suffering from. If you are suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome, you should consult Rheumatologist. If you are suffering from GI tract, such as celiac and Crohn’s disease, you should visit Gastroenterologist. If you are suffering from conditions of the glands, including Graves’ and Addison’s disease, you should consult an endocrinologist. If you are suffering from skin conditions such as psoriasis, you should consult Dermatologist.

Diagnosis of  Autoimmune disease:
-  Various kinds of tests are performed to figure out the disease. Combinations of tests are conducted and symptoms will be assessed to figure out the disease.

-  If a person is suffering from autoimmune disease, antinuclear antibody test (ANA) is the first test conducted by the doctor.

-  Based on the specific disease, the diagnosis differs from one patient to another patient.

-  If a person is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, it can be diagnosed after a physical examination. Blood test, X-ray, and other tests will be conducted as per the need. It is possible to figure out the type of arthritis and you can find the severity of the disease as well.

-  Some diseases will take many years to diagnose. As symptoms of the autoimmune disease will be similar to other kinds of diseases, it is difficult to differentiate the same. There is a possibility of misdiagnosis for conditions like lupus and celiac disease as these symptoms are similar to other conditions.

-  It is easy to diagnose Hashimoto’s disease and Grave’s disease as they can be diagnosed very easily. By conducting a thyroid test, the thyroid hormone levels can be traced. Other kinds of tests that are specific to the gland functionality will be conducted to figure out the issue.

Treatment of  Autoimmune disease:
-  The treatment is intended to control the overactive immune system. However, there will not be the cure to the autoimmune disease.

-  The treatment will help in bringing down the inflammation.

-  Various kinds of drugs are used to bring down the inflammation which includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Immuno-suppression drugs are also administered to bring down the condition.

-  There are various kinds of treatments to control the symptoms such as pain, swelling, skin rash and fatigue.

-  There will be a great relief from symptoms by taking a well-balanced diet and through the regular exercise.

-  Blood tests are conducted to figure out autoantibodies through which the diagnosis will be made easy.

-  By ordering a complete blood count, the measurement of white blood cells and red blood cells will be done in a very efficient manner. You should understand the fact that there will be a change in the number of white blood cells and the number of red blood cells when your immune system is fighting the infection.

-  If there is unusual inflammation in the body, other tests are recommended by doctors. In most of the patients, inflammation is the common symptom and it indicates the autoimmune disorder.

-  If a person is suffering from Addison’s disease, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) will be suggested.

-  With a gluten-free diet, you can manage the Celiac disease.

-  By undergoing the physical therapy as per the advice of the doctor, it is possible to overcome rheumatoid arthritis. In addition to physical therapy, the doctor will also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications.

Prevention of  Autoimmune disease:
-  Symptoms such as fatigue, swelling, redness and muscle aches are signs of autoimmune disease. In most of the cases, the symptoms will appear and disappear on their own.

-  Autoimmune disease can affect anyone. However, there are certain factors which will increase the risk. You should be aware of the risk factors so that necessary precautions can be taken to overcome the same.

 -  If you have a family history of autoimmune diseases, you are most likely to be affected by the autoimmune disease.

-  The risk in women is higher than among men. The immune system in women in strong and hormones will also play a greater role for risk in women.

-  The autoimmune disease will affect young adults and people in middle age.

-  The risk to native Americans to autoimmune disease is higher than the risk to people living in other parts such as Caucasians.

-  If a genetically predisposed person suffers from a virus or bacteria, the risk of autoimmune disease is very high. Even though the exact reason for this occurrence is not found, previous infections will have a profound impact on the immune system.

-  As soon as you find the symptoms of autoimmune disease, you should consult the physician. Even though the symptoms may not relate to the autoimmune disease, you should get medical attention at the earliest.

Complications of  Autoimmune disease:
- Autoimmune disease is triggered by the changes in the immune system. There will be difficulty in the production of antibodies (the body’s natural defence mechanism) and it will lead to various kinds of complications.

- The people suffering from the autoimmune disease are susceptible to various kinds of diseases. Testing of specific antibodies should be done to figure out the disease.

- As the symptoms of the autoimmune disease will overlap with other kinds of diseases, the doctor should be able to distinguish the autoimmune disease symptoms from other diseases’ symptoms.

- Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease and the inflammation can affect various organs and parts of the body. There will be dryness in eyes and mouth if there is arthritis-related inflammation. If there is dryness of eyes, it will lead to corneal abrasion.

- If there is inflammation of white parts of the eye, it is referred to as scleritis and it can affect the eye in a dangerous manner.

- There will be a pain in the chest if there is rheumatoid inflammation. The pain will increase due to deep breathing, coughing and shortness of breath.

Myths of  Autoimmune disease:
1. Autoimmune disease is common in men – 

The Autoimmune disease is common in both men and women. However, women are more susceptible to autoimmune disease than men. Often, it will run in families.

2. It is easy to diagnose autoimmune disease –

There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases. Hence, it is very difficult to diagnose the disease. The symptoms will overlap and the doctor will prescribe a combination of tests to figure out the issue.

Conclusion
If a person is suffering from immune disorders, there will be a low activity or hyperactivity of the immune system. If there is excess activity, there will be damage to the useful tissue of the body. The immune deficiency will decrease the body’s natural ability to fight invaders and the person is vulnerable to various kinds of infections. There are several kinds of autoimmune diseases and different kinds of treatment options are exercised to overcome the condition. Medication is the main treatment to overcome the autoimmune disease. The overactive immune response will be brought down by the treatment. There will be a great relief from symptoms after initiating the treatment.