Posts Tagged ‘Milk’

Leaking Nipples during Pregnancy – causes and treatment

It is normal for the breasts to leak or spurt milk during the first weeks after having the baby. You can find most leaks in the morning when milk production is at its highest.
Leakage of milk can be uncomfortable and embarrassing at times. But it is actually a good sign that the body can produce a lot of milk for her baby.

- At 12-14 weeks of pregnancy, some women find that their breasts are losing fluid.
- This liquid is colostrum (the fluid that nourishes the baby in the first days after birth before the breasts start making milk).
- Colostrum can go by itself or may leak during breast massage or sexual arousal.
- During early pregnancy, the colostrum is usually thick and yellow. When approaching childbirth, it becomes pale and almost colorless.

The thin yellow fluid called colostrum is rich in milk proteins, which contain immunological active substances, the white blood cells, water, fats and carbohydrates, secreted by the breasts during late pregnancy until a few days after birth, after which the body produces milk matures.

Causes:
The breasts will leak when there is milk overflow, or when something triggers the let-down reflex. Sometimes, leaking can happen if the baby is fed from one breast more often as compared to the other breast. The pregnant body is to ensure that all systems are performing well – including its system of milk production. Colostrum, the first milk the baby will get, contains more protein and less fat and sugar so it is easier to digest for the baby in the first days after birth. In addition, it is full of antibodies that will protect the baby as soon as he or she arrives.

Treatment:
There is no guaranteed way to stop the leaking of the breasts. However, squeezing the milk from the breasts before feeding is helpful.

It may not be able to control the overflow of milk, but you can plan to:
- Use breast pads inside the bra. Remember to change when wet, otherwise nipples can become sore. If you’re out, carry plenty of breast pads with you.
- Try to use washable plastic liners.
- If one breast always leaks, place a cloth or pad inside the bra.
- Use the covers to camouflage the stains of milk. If you’re outside all day, take a spare cover.
- If you feel a tingling disappointment at an unexpected time, cross the arms and press gently against the breasts. This could stop the unwanted flow.

Usually there are only a few drops of colostrums, but if the flow is more then you can use pads inside your bra. The nursing pads are not expensive and they will absorb the clear liquid coming out easily. If the problem continues, consult the doctor.

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If chronic constipation is your problem..here is a solution.Some myths and facts about constipation.

Virtually everyone has dealt with an occasional bout of constipation. Sometimes, short term use of laxative such as milk of magnesia may be needed to get things moving. Some simple tips can be eating adequate fiber, avoiding dehydration and heeding the call of nature may be enough to help keep you on track after your constipation passes. But it is not always like this…For some people constipation is a complex and persistent problem requiring individualized treatment from a doctor.

- It is not correct to think that if you are not having a bowel movement every day, you are constipated. Constipation is a symptom that is generally defined as infrequent or difficult passage of stool. Normal frequency of bowel movements in healthy adults can range from three bowel movements a day to three a week. Signs and symptoms of constipation also include straining, passing lumpy or hard stools, a sensation of incomplete evacuation or a sensation of blockage.

- The myth that the body absorbs toxins from stool if someone is constipated for too long. Some people unnecessarily take laxatives and others try colon cleansing to remove supposed toxins. These habits are not actually helpful and may actually be harmful.

- It is not always that constipation occurs when you don not eat a healthy diet. Actually, a low fiber diet may contribute to constipation. Other causes may be:
=> constipation occurs as a complication of another disease or condition or as a side effect of a drug or supplement.
=> pelvic floor dysfunction in women which is lack of coordination of the complex muscular actions that allow you to have bowel movement.

- It is wrong to say that diagnosis of constipation does not require much more than a description of bowel habits. It can be a part of your diagnostic procedure. The doctor may also perform, a physical exam, discuss medication, x-rays, blood, urine and stool test.

- It is a wrong assumption that the doctor should not prescribe a laxative for long term use. Doctor can prescribe laxative for some form of chronic constipation. Side effects with long term use of laxative may occur so it should only be done under the supervision of doctor. If laxatives are important, doctor first prescribes osmotic laxatives like milk of magnesia, polyethylene glcol or sorbitol. Stimulant laxatives are used when osmotic laxatives are not effective.

Various Benefits of Milk for Human Body…

The benefits of milk to the human body are manifold mainly because it consists of some the most essential nutrients required to the human body. No wonder it is also known as a complete food.
Milk is not only a rich source of calcium; it also contains other minerals like magnesium, Phosphorous, Potassium, selenium and zinc. Apart from these, milk also contains carbohydrates in the form of lactose, proteins in the form of casein, fats and Vitamins A, B, D, E and K.
To better understand the benefits of milk to the human body we will have to understand the function of the various nutrients in milk and the impacts of their deficiency in the human body.
Milk is an easy and rich source of calcium. The most important requirement of calcium is for the development of the teeth and bones. It is not only children who require calcium for the development of their bones during their growing stages but is also required by an adult to help maintain bone density. A proper intake of calcium helps avoid osteoporosis a condition where the density of the bones reduces increasing the risk of fractures. This is commonly seen in women after the menopause due to hormonal changes. Calcium is also indispensable for other metabolic activities in the human body. It s presence allows the timely coagulation of blood to avoid excessive loss of blood from wounds. Recent research has also shown that calcium helps maintaining blood pressure by lowering cholesterol levels. Calcium also plays a vital role in muscle and nerve function in addition to controlling the rate at which the heart beats.
The vitamins present in milk can be divided into two forms based on its solubility: fat soluble and water soluble. Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble while vitamin B is water soluble. The content of the fat soluble vitamins in milk is dependent on the content of fat in it.
Of these, Vitamin D is very essential as it helps in the absorption of Calcium into the bones. Vitamin B helps to maintain the nervous system and also to form Red Blood cells. Its deficiency can lead to anemia and degeneration of the nervous system. This essential vitamin is rich in meat and eggs and for the vegetarians; Milk is the best source for this nutrient.
Vitamin A, also call as retinol, is essential for the good health of the eyes its deficiency can lead to dryness in eyes eventually leading into blindness. Night blindness is another disease caused due to its deficiency. As it is fat soluble skimmed milk may not contain adequate amount of this essential vitamin.
Vitamin E is fat soluble and is often associated with cell membranes. Vitamin E along with Selenium also acts as an antioxidant reducing the peroxides produced in the body. It also helps in preventing the degradation of polyunsaturated fats. Its deficiency can lead to poor fat metabolism in the body.
One of the important benefits of milk in the human body is Vitamin k. vitamin K is fat soluble and is required in the formation of the coagulating components in blood prothombin and factor VII. Its deficiency can lead to increase in the time taken for blood coagulation leading to hemorrhages and excessive loss of blood from wounds. Vitamin k deficiency can also lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
Milk also contains proteins in the form of casein which is essential for the nursing young. It also contains lactose which is a substantial source of energy for the lactating young. It is a disaccharide which can be easily broken to its simpler forms glucose and galactose which can be easily absorbed by the human body to produce energy.
Thus, considering all the benefits of milk to the human body, it can be indeed be considered as a complete food as it not only provides with nourishment but also provides the body with those micronutrients required for the various metabolic activities in the body.