Like chewing gum? Well, you must have come across people who may have warned you not to swallow gum! Yet, some people unintentionally or unknowingly swallow it, and then worry about whether it will stay in the stomach for a long time! Know all about such myths and also health risks you should be aware of.

The New York Times cites a 1998 study published in the Pediatrics Journal described a few instances in which children experienced “intestinal blockages” as a result of swallowing multiple pieces of gum or gum that later solidified to form larger masses with other non-food items. These blockages may result in excruciating discomfort, nausea, and constipation. Although it is a rare condition that eating gum can cause it.

So, should children eat gum?

Children can consume sugar-free gum, but just one piece per day is allowed. Also, it is best to see a physician before giving chewing gum to a child. After chewing the gum, carefully dispose of it.

When should you go to your doctor?

Seek medical attention, if you’ve swallowed a lot of gum and are exhibiting symptoms of intestinal obstruction, such as:

• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Excessive fullness or oedema in the body
• Painful cramps
• Vomiting

Now you know how much it is safe or not to swallow gum. So make sure you eat it in moderation and dispose of it, not swallow it.

Childbirth is a beautiful and miraculous experience for every woman. According to the World Health Organization, every year 140 million women give birth throughout the world. There might be a time when a female can get perplexed by the fear of giving birth and drastic changes post-pregnancy.

Life After Stillbirth: Losing your child is probably the biggest sorrow and shock in this world. No one wants this trouble even for his enemy. 

Reddish urine or blood in urine during pregnancy can be alarming. But why does it happen? Well, usually it indicates Urinary Tract Infections or UTIs, a common phenomenon during pregnancy due to the growing pressure exerted by the fetus on the bladder and urinary tract making it easier for the bacteria to cause an infection. During pregnancy, urine is comparatively less acidic in nature due to higher quantities of proteins, sugars and hormones, which may contribute to UTIs.

3. Pyelonephritis

This condition occurs when bacteria enter the kidneys from the bloodstream or urinary tract resulting in kidney infection. Pyelonephritis is extremely severe and symptoms may include blood or pus in the urine accompanied by fever, pain when urinating, backache and pain in the groin, or abdomen.

Other causes may also include urinary tract stones. Blood in the urine during pregnancy may also occur due to urinary tract stones, bladder stones, ureteral stones, and kidney stones. Pregnant women experiencing urinary tract stones exhibit symptoms of constant pain in the abdomen, backache, and pain while urinating accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Another condition called Glomerulonephritis can cause damage to the glomeruli or tiny filters inside the kidneys. Glomerulonephritis is caused due to infections in the immune system which deteriorates the ability of the kidney in removing waste and fluid from your body.

Is it dangerous to have blood in urine during pregnancy?

Urinating blood during pregnancy is a common phenomenon and may be benign in nature. However, seeking professional advice is important to get accurate information. If the urinary tract infection is severe, it may result in complications such as:

* Preterm labour
* Severe infection
* Adult respiratory distress syndrome, a condition that occurs when fluids build up in the tiny, elastic air sacs or alveoli in your lungs which results in less oxygen reaching the bloodstream.
* Anemia, a condition where there are insufficient healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body’s tissues
* Long-term infection

Also read: UTI: Here’s a pro tip to keep urinary tract infection at bay

How to treat UTI during pregnancy

It is advised to consult a doctor and get medical help if you are experiencing symptoms of UTI. Along with the medical treatment suggested by the doctor, pregnant women experiencing UTI may also try these measures to speed up the recovery process-

Mirroring the story of the much talked about Hindi film Badhaai Do, 23-year-old Arya Parvathi shared a post on a social media platform on finding out about her 40+ years parents’ second pregnancy.

“Life’s never made more sense. I can’t wait for her to call me ‘Didi!’ I mean, people find it weird that we have such a huge age gap, but does that even matter? It’s funny that for the longest time, we didn’t know she was going to come into our lives and now that she has, we can’t seem to stay away from her!”

So, is it possible to conceive even after no periods, uterus complications?
Menopause usually happens around 45 to 55 years when ovaries stop producing eggs, and less oestrogen (a female hormone) is made in your body. This triggers menopausal symptoms in women.

While it is possible to become pregnant without a period, it is unlikely, said Dr Shalini Vijay, senior consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Lullanagar. “In fact, if you aren’t receiving your periods, you should see your gynecologist. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including nursing, drugs, being underweight, birth control, and others,” she mentioned.

Dr Shobha Gupta, medical director and infertility specialist from Mother’s Lap IVF Centre, New Delhi and Vrindavan, confirmed this and said that one can get pregnant even after having no periods because sometimes there is a hormonal imbalance and sometimes there is a premature ovarian failure. “You haven’t officially reached menopause until you’ve gone a whole year without a period,” shared Dr Gupta.

According to the expert, while fertility naturally declines with age, suggesting that one is less likely to become pregnant on growing older, until one has gone through menopause, it is very important to continue to use birth control if one is sexually active and does not wish to get pregnant.

Furthermore, women who have experienced issues with their uterus may also be able to conceive, said Dr Prasannalatha, senior obstetrician and gynecologist, Kamineni Hospitals, Hyderabad.  “Uterine abnormalities can include a septate uterus, where the uterus is divided by a wall, or an arcuate uterus, where there is a small dip in the top of the uterus. These issues can make it more challenging for a fertilized egg to implant and grow, but it is not impossible,” Dr Prasannalatha noted.

Menstrual hygiene is vital for a woman’s body and even more important for her health where it will be imperative for you to avoid allergies and infections. It is essential that everyone knows the best practices for menstrual hygiene as there are many myths surrounding it and knowing menstrual hygiene basics will help you not only feel fresh and confident during your period but healthy too!

· Wash from front to back without fail. When one wipes from back to front, she exposes the vagina to harmful anal bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections and yeast infections.

According to numerous studies, including yogurt in your diet on a regular basis can boost your body’s ability to burn fat, speed up your metabolism, and help you lose weight. 

Doctors in China’s Shanghai removed an “unborn twin” from the brain of a one-year-old girl, according to a study published in Neurology, a peer-reviewed journal.

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], March 10 (ANI/NewsVoir): Health and wellness knowledge platform, Happiest Health, hosted the ‘Future of Medicine 2023’, the first annual summit that shared insights from leading minds in medicine, research, and technology, to foster innovation in the healthcare industry.