Introduction

In recent years, heart problems have become a leading cause of death all across the globe. The sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy food habits, and negligence of symptoms that show an unhealthy heart are all reasons that have made it a life-threatening issue. Cardio-vascular diseases occur when blood flow to the heart is partially cut off due to blocked arteries. Handy believes that it is important to understand the state of your heart and take some preventive and necessary steps to avoid any mishaps.

The Signs

Here are some warning signs that indicate that your heart is not healthy:

1. Aching in the shoulder and chest – Chest pains are an indicator of a potential impending heart attack. Sometimes, tightness and strain on the heart make its way to the shoulder area which is called angina. This happens due to irregular and interrupted flow of blood to the heart. So, if you have a slow and gradual building of pain in the shoulder area, it is time to get alert and seek medical help.
2. Sore gums and jaw – Gum diseases like gingivitis are an indicator that there may be something wrong with your heart. Jaw pain is also a symptom of a heart attack, although it is not always a matter of concern. Gum diseases and heart issues are related, and if this persists then it is best to consult your doctor. Such issues should be looked after by seeking medical help.
3. Puffy legs and feet – Often, swelling in legs and feet happen because of the improper flow of blood to the heart. If you happen to notice swelling in your legs or ankle later in the day that happens due to an increase in the pressure of blood in the lower limbs, it is best to get medical assistance. As blood isn’t flowing back or flowing into the heart properly, it causes blood to clot and leads to cardiac arrest.
4. Dizziness or lightheadedness – When blood flow to the brain is restricted because of the improper functioning of the heart, the patient might experience lightheadedness or even fainting. Dizziness, especially when standing up too quickly is an extremely common symptom for people with heart failure.
5. Fatigue and shortness of breath – Although these are very common among people who have just recovered from an illness or are not keeping good health, it could also be an indicator of heart disease. If you experience breathlessness during activity, rest, or while sleeping, it is a matter of grave concern. This often results in difficulty breathing while lying flat. It happens as blood vessels can get blocked up and it spreads to the lungs causing shortness of breath.

Conclusion

Some other symptoms like snoring or sleeping problems and random bouts of cold sweats may also be an indicator of an unhealthy heart. Handy feels that it is best to practice healthy ways of life to revert any untouched medical conditions pertaining to your heart. Implementing an active lifestyle and monitoring your regular check-ups can help you live a long and healthy life.

Having a child is one of the best gifts that you will ever receive in your life. There is this common interpretation that pregnancy is associated with a glowing face and clear complexion. Well, if that is what you are thinking, you will be in for a rude shock after the hormone imbalance, which will leave your skin covered with breakouts, and after the delivery, which will show stretch marks left by the carriage of the baby.

Now, there is nothing wrong with this. You have literally pushed out a living human being out of you so, you don’t need to worry about your skin too much. However, if you do want to take preventive caution, we are more than happy to help you. In this article, we have compiled a list of the different problems that women may face after pregnancy and what they can do to curb it.

Melasma

Melasma, also known as “the mask of pregnancy“ is a borderline serious pigmentation condition that is one of the more common skin issues that women face after giving birth. In this case, brownish patches start surfacing on different parts of your skin.

The main cause of melasma is the increased production of melanin in the skin cells which is brought about by a combination of hormonal and genetic reasons. Of course, if you spend a lot of time soaking in the sun while being then it is possible as well. The affected areas generally include temples, cheeks, upper lips, forehead, the bridge of the nose, and jawline.

The best way to reduce the appearance of the brown spots is by ensuring the regular use of sunscreen and lightening topicals like creams and lotions. In case the problem still persists, you can schedule an appointment with a dermatologist or doctor to opt for other treatments such as light therapy, laser therapy, or chemical peeling. Always inform the doctor in case you are breastfeeding since a few prescribed topical agents may contain ingredients that should be avoided by a breastfeeding mum like hydroquinone and tretinoin.

Acne

The main cause of acne is the expedited secretion of oil and sebum in our skin cells. Now, since pregnancy is mostly characterized by hormonal changes, acne can become quite a norm. In fact, women who have always enjoyed spot-free and blemish-free skin may start breaking out once they have had their baby.

The good news is that the acne should clear after the pregnancy within a few weeks. The bad news is that you might be left with scarred tissue if you’re not careful enough to get it treated.

You can use various acne products that can be purchased over the counter and by applying the products diligently, you will find a considerable reduction in its appearance within a short span of time.

Although most of the over-the-counter products are safe for breastfeeding, it will be better if you get a doctor’s opinion before you start applying anything.

Stretch Marks

A whopping 90 percent of pregnant women develop stretch marks on their stomachs, breasts, and thighs after becoming pregnant. Stretch marks are basically scarred issues that look reddish in color initially when they are fresh but they may start looking white or gray after delivery.

It’s important that you start using a stretch mark cream as soon as you start showing and even continue the application after you give birth. The stretch marks may not go completely, but they will most certainly become less prominent.

There might be cases where the stretch marks are severe due to which dermatologists may prescribe tretinoin cream that can be applied postpartum but not when you’re still breastfeeding.

Eczema

Also known as dermatitis, eczema is in a non-infectious skin condition so you don’t have to worry about it spreading to your baby. The main cause of this skin condition is when the underlying sensitive issue with your skin becomes suddenly aggravated.

The best way to control eczema would be to use a moisturizer or lotion that has been specially formulated to provide relief to itchy and inflamed skin. You can make use of topical like steroid creams in these cases as well. Another tip that we would like to give you is to refrain from frequent hand washing. Yet, if you can’t help it make sure to keep moisturizing your hands.

Skin Tags

Skin tags are the extra growth that, although harmless, can be a bit frustrating. They resemble small and loose pieces of skin. Skin tags can literally grow any part of your body, including the face, neck, and stomach. But, the more common places include the areas under your arms after pregnancy.

Now, there isn’t really anything that you can do to prevent skin tag growth. But yes, you can easily remove it after pregnancy by opting for cosmetic removal.

PUPPP

PUPPP, standing for pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy, is a type of pregnancy – that is a bit itchy with a reddish appearance. These rashes mostly appear on the areas around your stretch marks, especially on your arms, legs, and buttocks.

Again, PUPPP is a harmless condition that still quite annoying. You can use a steroid cream that will provide itching relief while simultaneously curbing its spread to the other parts of your body.

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium refers to the condition in which your hair starts falling about three months after giving birth to your baby. Even though it is a self-limiting condition, many women can get distressed seeing an increased rate of hair fall. Even then, you can recover fully within six months easily.

If you do feel that your condition is a bit more serious, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as you can. The main reason for a bit most severe case of telogen effluvium is when your iron levels are low. Your doctor might prescribe you topical medications that you can use if you are not breastfeeding.

Resources — Thomson Medical, UT Southwestern