Stop mid-sip, and put down the soda for good

 

Soda may be your drink of choice at the movie theater, or perhaps it’s your middle-of-the-day caffeine boost with lunch. But that same sweet, flavorful liquid that tickles your taste buds wreaks havoc on your health. Every time you reach for a soda, you’re putting yourself at risk for a fuller waist, weaker bones and several other health problems — including heart disease. Here are seven reasons to stop mid-sip, and put down the soda for good.

#1: Drinking Soda Leads to Weight Gain and Belly Fat

Soda drinkers are more likely to gain weight and become obese than those who prefer other beverages to quench their thirst. No surprise there: a 12-oz can of pop packs between 140 and 180 calories, and it’s easy to chug down a 16- or 20-oz bottle a day. Calories from soda are essentially “empty calories” — they don’t carry any nutritional value, and won’t satisfy your hunger.

But did you know that reaching for calorie-free diet soda instead may be just as bad for your waistline? In one study that followed 474 people for 10 years, diet soda-drinkers packed on more belly fat than soda abstainers. As a whole, diet-soda drinkers had a 70 percent greater increase in waist circumference than those who didn’t drink any soda; the "heavy drinkers" — people who averaged two or more diet sodas a day — had 500 percent larger increases in waist circumference than people who avoided soda altogether. Belly fat is worse than fat stored elsewhere on your body: it dramatically increases your risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and other health problems.

How do artificial sweeteners lead to weight gain? They increase sweet cravings and appetite for food. When you drink diet soda, the sweetness you taste makes you feel good. This drives you to want more sweets to get the same feel-good sensation you just experienced. However, when you drink diet soda, no sugar reaches the brain. Studies show that sucrose (regular sugar) and artificial sweeteners affect sweet receptors differently in your brain, and the pathways that give you pleasure from eating don’t get fully activated. The result? Your brain is not satisfied, and you will end up eating more sweets to get satiated.

#2: Drinking Soda Can Increase Your Risk of Diabetes

Weight gain and belly fat increase your chances of developing a disease that is becoming all-too common in the U.S.: type 2 diabetes. Being overweight — particularly around your middle — is one of the biggest risk factors for type 2 diabetes. A study of more than 6,000 middle-aged adults found that people who consumed one or more soft drinks a day were over 50 percent more likely to have metabolic syndrome than people who drank soda less than once a week. Metabolic syndrome is a host of symptoms, including large waist circumference, obesity, abnormal lipid level and high blood pressure, that dramatically increases risk for type 2 diabetes.

#3: Drinking Soda Increases Your Risk of Heart Disease

In a study that followed 42,000 men for 22 years, frequent regular soda consumers had elevated levels of triglycerides, C-reactive protein and other inflammatory factors, and lower levels of heart-protective, "good" cholesterol — all signs that soda hurts heart health. Notably, soda drinkers were much more likely to suffer a heart attack over the course of the study: each soda that participants drank on a daily basis increased their chances of heart attack by 19 percent, even after other variables, like diet quality and BMI, were taken into account. These results were limited to people who consumed sodas sweetened with sugar: diet soda drinkers did not have increased chances of cardiovascular disease.

The link between added sugars and cardiovascular disease is serious enough that the American Heart Association suggested limiting intake of added sugars to 100 calories a day for women and 150 calories a day for men. Just one regular 12-ounce soda would push you over that daily limit.

#4: Drinking Soda Can Lead to Weaker Bones

Want to build strong bones? Put down your soda. Colas, like Coke or Pepsi, contain phosphoric acid to give the drink a tangy flavor and to prevent mold and bacteria from growing. However, phosphoric acid has been shown to interfere with calcium absorption, which is needed for strong bones. The Framingham Osteoporosis Study found that women who drank regular, diet or even decaffeinated cola had bone mineral density almost four percent lower than that of women who weren’t soda drinkers. The effect was only observed in soda types that contained phosphoric acid, like cola drinks, but not in clear carbonated sodas. Even though clear sodas didn’t affect bone mineral density, such drinks still pose a risk to bone health when they replace bone-building milk in children's and adolescent's diets.

#5: Drinking Soda Increases Your Risk of Kidney Stones, Kidney Disease and Liver Problems

Phosphoric acid does more than weaken bones: phosphoric-containing beverages change the way kidneys process urine, and can increase your risk of developing kidney stones. After comparing the diets of more than 400 chronic kidney disease patients to the diets of a similar number of healthy individuals, researchers concluded that drinking two or more colas a day doubled the risk for kidney disease. Both regular and diet soda had this disease-promoting effect.

In addition, drinking regular or diet soda might cause fat to accumulate around the liver, a condition known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD affects 30 percent of Americans, and is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. In one study that followed more than 300 patients with NAFLD, 80 percent of those who had it consumed excessive amounts of soft drinks a day, which dumped more than 50 grams of added sugar to their daily diets. 

#6: Drinking Soda Can Weaken Teeth

Both regular and diet soda are acidic and can erode the protective layer of enamel that coats healthy teeth, leaving your teeth more sensitive and susceptible to decay. Additionally, when you drink regular soda, you bathe your teeth in sugar. This feeds bacteria that live on your teeth, which secrete even more enamel-eating acid as they digest the sugar.

And don’t fall for commercials urging you to reach for a can of pop to quench your thirst. When thirsty, you have less saliva, which normally protects enamel by neutralizing the acidity from carbonated beverages and bacteria. As a result, chugging soda when you’re thirsty bombards your teeth with acid and sugar while its defenses are down.

#7: Soda Cans Contain BPA

If the harmful ingredients in soda aren’t enough to make you think twice about your beverage choice, consider this: The soda cans themselves contain a chemical you should avoid. Nearly all soda cans are lined with bisphenol A (BPA) to prevent contamination and extend the shelf life of the product. This chemical mimics the hormone estrogen and is harmful to developing fetuses and infants. Additional evidence links high levels of BPA to a long list of conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, hormonal cancers, decreased sensitivity to chemotherapy, miscarriages and male infertility through damage to the DNA of sperm. When assessing sources of BPA in the American diet, soda is a major one, along with school lunches and fast food and restaurant meals.

Here’s How To Clean The Lungs In Just 3 Days

 

Many people have never tried a cigarette and still have problems with the lungs, while others smoke for 45 years, and even after that long period their lungs are still functioning well … it depends from person to person, and below we will tell you a few tips how you can purify the lungs within three days.Here’s How To Clean The Lungs In Just 3 Days

-Two days before the process of detoxification, it is necessary to eliminate all dairy products from use. The body needs to get rid of toxins from the dairy products before the purification of the lungs.

-Before the first day of the regime, drink a cup of herbal tea before going to bed. It will release the toxins from the intestines. The lungs must not be overloaded with difficult work of any other part of the body during the purification.

-Drain two lemons in 300ml of water before breakfast.

-Drink 300ml of grapefruit juice. If you do not like the taste, you can replace it with pineapple juice. These juices contain natural antioxidants that improve the breathing system.

-Drink 300ml of pure carrot juice between breakfast and lunch. Carrot juice helps you alkalize the blood during the three days of purification.

-You have to drink 400ml of juice rich in potassium during lunch. Potassium acts as a tonic for cleaning. Before going to bed make 400ml of cranberry juice. It will help in the fight against bacteria in the lungs that can cause infections.

-Take care of your body and do exercises.

-A warm bath of 20 minutes each day will allow the body through sweating to lose more toxins.

-Put 5 to 10 drops of eucalyptus in a bowl of boiling water. Stand over the dish and place a clean towel over your head. Inhale the steam until it cools.

Source: HealthyFoodTeam.com

Drink Water Right After You Get Out Of Bed - Benefits

 

The current health trend is drinking water immediately after getting out of bed. Scientist have confirmed the medical value of this to be completely beneficial to our health.

Drinking water when waking has been linked to curing and prevention of certain disease and ailments such as headaches, body aches, arthritis, heart problems, epilepsy, obesity, tuberculosis, meningitis, kidney disease, vomiting, gastritis, diabetes, constipation, uterine disease, ear and throat disease.

The Method:

1. Upon waking, before doing anything else, drink four 6 ounce glasses or water. Remember if there is some reason you cannot hold this much water at one time, start with as much as you can and increase the amount.
2. Brush your teeth and perform your morning oral hygiene routine, and then wait 45 minutes before eating or drinking anything.

After the 45 minutes is up, eat breakfast as usual, and then do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours.

Specific diseases:

If using the above method, the research shows that the number of days the regimen must be followed to cure each disease.

High blood Pressure- 30 days

Gastric Problems- 10 days

Diabetes- 30 days

Constipation- 10 days

Cancer-180 days

Using this treatment method has no side effects other than increased urination at the beginning of the program. Drinking water and staying healthy and active are the ways that will better our lives.

Both the Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals instead of cold water. Cold water slows down the digestive process and solidifies the oily foods you have just eaten. Once these solidified oils react with the stomach acid, it is absorbed more quickly by the intestine and lines the intestinal wall. The long-term accumulation of these digested oils can lead to cancer. Perhaps Western cultures should adopt this practice as there is everything to gain and nothing to lose.

Sources:

http://www.quantumbalancing.com/japanwatercure.htm

http://www.pyroenergen.com/articles/drinkwater.htm

http://humansarefree.com/2013/02/japanese-water-therapy-heal-your-body.html

Top Nutritional Unprocessed Foods to Gain Perfect Fitness

Author Bio

Flora, a passionate blogger who shares her thoughts on various topics she came across. As certified as a Masters in Finance, she frequently analyze the financial aspects which she come across and shares her knowledge in various blogs. Presently she is working for Ni number.

Attaining perfect fitness is becoming a major point of concern in the current generation. The concern is attributed to the rising cases of obesity and unhealthy living standards. Another major cause is the food available off the shelf. Most of the food being sold in groceries and stores is processed. By being processed it means there are some chemical additives introduced to increase the shelf life of the products. These chemicals go a long way into making the food unhealthy and unfit for consumption if you are concerned about your health and fitness. It is important to try as much as possible to consume only food that is unprocessed if you want to achieve perfect fitness. Even after consuming unprocessed foods, it is important to keep exercising to cut down on unnecessary weight gain.

The following are top nutritional unprocessed foods to gain perfect fitness.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fresh fruits and vegetables direct from the farm are unprocessed. If you can acquire them before they reach the grocery you are lucky. Such fruits and vegetables have high nutritional value in that they contain high vitamin and carbohydrates content which is essential in gaining perfect fitness.

Protein

Freshly laid eggs are the best to get proteins. Even the eggs you buy from a local grocery are processed because they have undergone pasteurization. This is a process meant to kill bacteria found in eggs in order to increase the shelf life. Unprocessed proteins is essential in that it contain raw proteins which when taken helps you gain perfect fitness. This is the reason why body builders take raw eggs early in the morning to aid in muscle building.

Dairy

If you want the best unprocessed milk is raw milk directly from the farm. Even the milk you buy out there is processed. Raw milk has to undergo pasteurization in order to prevent it from being contaminated and going bad easily. By undergoing pasteurization, the milk is already processed. Raw dairy have high nutritional content rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals. The proteins help in body building, the vitamins in developing an immune body system while minerals are essential in development of strong bones.

  

Grains

The grains you find at the grocery are already processed in one way or another. The only unprocessed grains are the ones directly from the plantation and have only been dried. Processing of grain is either by cracking flaking or crushing then adding some additives to preserve them for many more days. Unprocessed grains are rich in healthy carbohydrates which is essential in the production of energy in order to attain perfect fitness.

Honey

Honey is the best source of unprocessed sugar. Adding several spoons to your tea ensures you live a healthy life. There is no instant where honey is processed unless it is not natural honey. Honey always exists in natural form even for months without any preservative. The unprocessed sugar is essential in production of healthy glucose which is later converted to energy you need while working out. This goes a long way in ensuring you gain perfect body fitness.

As much as you may try to keep fit by eating healthy unprocessed foods, you might not be as fit as you wanted if you do not try to keep fit, try exercising as much as possible. However, to be on the safe side, one should apply for e111 health insurance to make sure that in case of anything, you can get medical attention at a state owned medical facility.

Mail me for Guest Posts in dilipstechnoblog.com (dilipgeoffrey@gmail.com)

Childbirth: how should women facing labor approach their birth plan?

Preparing for the arrival of a child is an exciting time for potential mothers, but there is a lot to consider. Aside from painting the nursery and learning how to change a diaper, pregnant women and their partners need to make decisions on how they want to bring their child into the world. Whether by natural, drug-assisted or surgical means, there are associated risks and benefits across the board, depending on the circumstances. In this feature, we examine different birthing methods and their outcomes.

In the past, women gave birth naturally in a sitting position, employing a birthing stool.
Image credit: Eucharius Rösslin, 1513 (Arons, 1994)

Birthing practices and ideologies have gone through many changes throughout history. In AD 98, a Roman named Soranus wrote an obstetrics textbook that was widely used until the 16th century. 

During the Middle Ages, the business of childbirth was in the hands of the midwife, which, in Old English, means "with woman." Pregnant women were attended by their female friends, relatives and local women who were experienced in helping with childbirth. 

Depictions of labor during this time usually show women giving birth in an upright sitting position, using a birthing stool that left space in the seat.

 

Other positions during this time typically included half-lying positions or even a crouching position, and of course, there were no anesthetics available. However, midwives typically used oils and unguents to help reduce perineal tearing. 

There was a significant shift in the business of childbirth during the 1700s. Newer technologies played a role, as did male midwives or physicians, who began taking over for the female midwife. In fact, during this time, female midwives lost much of their status and were portrayed as unhygienic and unenlightened, and they were even associated with witchcraft. 

This is the era that heralded the use of certain instruments, such as the forceps and other more destructive tools like the vectis - a lever-type tool for altering the baby's position - and a crochet tool with a hook, used for extracting a dead fetus from the mother's body. 

The 20th century brought childbirth from the home to the hospital, where hi-tech devices and procedures - such as the fetal heart rate monitor, cesarean sections (C-sections) and epidurals - became commonplace. By the late 1970s in the US, home birth rates fell to around 1%.

The rise of the C-section

Fast forward to the present day, and the business of childbirth looks very different from its early origins. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that there were over 3.9 million births registered in the US in 2012. Of these, over 2.6 million were delivered vaginally, and nearly 1.3 million were delivered via C-section. 

Additionally, the vast majority of these births took place in a hospital; only 1.4% of deliveries occurred elsewhere. Of these, over 65% took place at home and 29% occurred in a birthing center. 

In 2009, the total C-section delivery rate reached an all-time high, at 32.9%, which represented a 60% increase from the most recent low in 1996, at 20.7% of all births.

 

Given this significant spike, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued clinical guidelines in February of this year to reduce the occurrence of C-sections that were not medically indicated, as well as labor induction before 39 weeks. These guidelines included initiatives aimed at improving prenatal care, changing hospital policies and educating the public. 

C-sections are deemed medically necessary when circumstances make a vaginal birth risky for the mother or baby. For example, physicians or midwives may recommend one when the fetus is in the breech position - when the baby's buttocks or feet are facing the pelvis rather than the head - or when the placenta is covering the cervix - called placenta previa. 

We recently reported on a study published in August of this year that suggested breech babies have a higher risk of death from vaginal delivery than C-section.

C-section risks

However, some women opt for elective C-sections when there is no medical reason to do so. Speaking with Medical News Today, Dr. Sinéad O'Neill, of the Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research, cautioned that this procedure is a serious abdominal surgery that carries certain risks:

"For the mother, these may include infection, clots, hemorrhage, a longer recovery period, and although rare, an increased risk of uterine rupture in subsequent deliveries. For cesarean section babies, respiratory problems requiring treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit are more common."

She added that women who undergo a C-section may also experience chronic pelvic pain, and some of their babies are at increased risk of developing asthma, diabetes and being overweight. 

In July, Dr. O'Neill and her colleagues published a study in PLOS Medicine that suggested a small but significant increased risk of a subsequent stillbirth or ectopic pregnancy following a C-section in a woman's first birth.

"It must be stressed that a cesarean section is an abdominal surgery, and all surgeries carry risks," said Dr. Sinéad O'Neill.

 

In detail, the team found that women who had a C-section in their first live birth had a 14% increased rate of stillbirth and a 9% increased risk of ectopic pregnancy in their next pregnancy, compared with women who had a vaginal delivery.

 

The researchers concluded their study by noting that their findings "will better inform women of the benefits and risks associated with all modes of delivery and help women and their partners make a more informed decision regarding mode of delivery based on their individual pregnancy circumstances." 

Following on from their study published in July, Dr. O'Neill and colleagues conducted research on effects of C-section and fertility - published in the journal Human Reproduction - which suggested that women with a primary C-section were up to 39% less likely to have a subsequent live birth than women who delivered vaginally. 

However, Dr. O'Neill added that "this is most likely due to maternal choice to delay or avoid subsequent deliveries as evidenced in the decreasing hazard ratios according to type of cesarean section."

In an ACOG report on safe prevention of primary C-section delivery, researchers note that "for most pregnancies, which are low-risk, C-section delivery appears to pose greater risk of maternal morbidity and mortality than vaginal delivery." 

Although the National Institutes of Health note that vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC) are successful 60-80% of the time, Dr. O'Neill says that failed VBACs are associated with an increased risk of uterine rupture, and C-sections become riskier with each subsequent surgery. 

"Ultimately, midwives and obstetricians must be able to discuss with women their options for birth after a cesarean section and whether a normal birth would be possible drawing from the evidence base and knowledge, and taking into account a woman's medical history," she told us.

To drug or not to drug?

Another aspect of childbirth that pregnant women face is how to manage pain. The Bible's Book of Genesis has God condemning Eve to painful childbirth for eating the forbidden fruit ("In pain you shall bring forth children"), but modern medicine has uncovered causal biological mechanisms behind the pressure women experience during labor.

During the active labor stage, contractions begin to get stronger, longer and closer together.

 

There are three stages of labor:

1. Stage 1: early, active labor
2. Stage 2: the birth of the baby
3. Stage 3: delivery of the placenta.

The first stage entails a thinning and opening phase when the cervix dilates and thins out to encourage the baby to move down into the birth canal. This is when women will experience mild contractions in regular intervals that will be less than 5 minutes apart toward the end of early labor. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, for first-time moms, the average length of this early labor is between 6-12 hours, and it typically shortens with subsequent deliveries.

Most women report that early labor is not especially uncomfortable, and some even continue with their daily activities. 

During the active labor portion of the first stage, however, the contractions begin to get stronger, longer and closer together. Cramping and nausea are common complaints, as is increasing back pressure. This is the time when most women head to the place in which they want to give birth - whether it is at a hospital, birthing center or in a designated area at home. 

Active labor can last up to 8 hours, and this is typically when most women who desire an epidural request one. 

Spinal and epidural anesthesia are medicines that numb parts of the body in order to block pain. Administered through a catheter placed in the back or shots in or around the spine, these medicines allow the woman to stay awake during labor.

 

Though these medicines are considered generally safe, they do carry certain risks and complications, such as allergic reactions, bleeding around the spinal column, drop in blood pressure, spinal infections, nerve damage, seizures and severe headache.

Epidural risks

In May of this year, MNT reported on a study conducted by Dr. Robert D'Angelo, of Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina, and colleagues, which examined the serious complications of anesthesia. 

These complications included:

• High neuraxial block - an unexpected high level of anesthesia that develops in the central nervous system
• Respiratory arrest in labor and delivery
• Unrecognized spinal catheter - an undetected infusion of local anesthetic through an accidental puncture of an outer spinal cord membrane.

After examining data on more than 257,000 deliveries between 2004-09, the researchers found that there were only 157 complications reported, 85 of which were anesthesia-related.

They concluded that, given the large sample size, anesthesia complications during childbirth are "very rare." Though an aim of their study was to identify risk factors associated with the complications in order to devise formal practice guidelines, because the complications linked to anesthesia were so rare, there were too few complications in each category to identify the risk factors. 

Dr. D'Angelo told MNT that, following on from their research, the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) and the Anesthesia Quality Institute (AQI) have agreed to work together in developing a national serious complication registry for obstetric anesthesia. 

He added that the SOAP Serious Complication Taskforce have developed a draft listing serious complications linked to anesthesia, and that AQI have incorporated this information into their website, which is undergoing final testing. 

When asked the question of how, in light of other epidural side effects - such as it interfering with the natural birth process or slowing dilation - he would advise women contemplating epidural or natural birth, Dr. D'Angelo told us:

"Unfortunately, childbirth is very painful and no modality relieves labor pain as effectively as epidural analgesia. We do our best to educate patients about the risks and benefits of epidural analgesia, support and encourage natural childbirth when they are considering this option and make ourselves available should they change their minds as labor progresses."

He added that research suggests epidurals only slow the first stage of labor by 45 minutes and the second stage of labor "by about 15 minutes."

What can natural and alternative birthing methods offer?

In the wake of increased C-section rates and women opting for medicine-induced pain relief, there are still women who want to do things the natural way - or as close to it as possible. 

For such women, there are a number of different options that can help to ease the pain of labor naturally and even prevent certain negative outcomes. 

In a study on yoga during pregnancy published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, the researchers note that the stress of labor itself can cause changes in a birthing mother's body:

"Childbirth pain evokes a generalized stress response, which has widespread physiological effects on a woman's parturient and fetus. Maternal catecholamine production increases, which affects the labor process by reducing the strength, duration and coordination of uterine contractions."

By managing this stress response, laboring women "have been able to transcend pain and experience psychological and spiritual comfort," the researchers add.

In their study, they found that an experimental group of women who were randomized to participate in a yoga program during gestation had higher levels of maternal comfort during labor, experienced less labor pain, and had a shorter duration of the first stage of labor as well as the total time of labor, compared with a control group that did not participate in the yoga program.

Hypnosis for pain relief

Another study that investigated the effect of hypnosis on labor and birth outcomes in pregnant adolescents found that the hypnosis group showed better outcomes in terms of complicated deliveries, surgical procedures and length of hospital stay, compared with a control group.

Techniques such as pregnancy yoga during gestation and hypnosis training can reduce anxiety and improve pain tolerance during labor.

 

The researchers from that study - published in the Journal of Family Practice and led by Dr. Paul G. Schauble - note that hypnosis has been used for pain control during labor and delivery for more than a century, but that the introduction of anesthetics during the late 19th century led to its decline. 

"The use of hypnosis in preparing the patient for labor and delivery is based on the premise that such preparation reduces anxiety, improves pain tolerance (lowering the need for medication), reduces birth complications, and promotes a rapid recovery process," they add. 

Through this method, participants gain a sense of active participation and control by learning about the birthing process and alternative ways to produce anesthesia within the body naturally, through the release of endorphins - pain-fighting neurotransmitters.

 

Because water has endorphin-releasing effects on the body, many women also opt to combine their hypnosis method with a water birth, which employs the use of a birthing pool. 

"Research done thus far indicates that the use of hypnosis consistently reduces anesthesia complications and facilitates a reduction in discomfort and medication during the labor and delivery process," Dr. Schauble told MNT. 

He added:


"I would strongly encourage women who were currently developing their birth plans to consider the addition of hypnosis as a means of preparing for the labor delivery process, thus increasing the likelihood of a comfortable and healthy birthing process."

In the UK and the US, a method called HypnoBirthing is taught by practitioners in various areas. 

Though there are a number of different options women can consider for their birth plans, experts from all approaches are in agreement that women should educate themselves and speak with their midwives or physicians in order to determine the course that is best for them.

Postpartum depression: citalopram benefits explained

Scientists claim to have found out precisely why the commonly prescribed drug citalopram is effective in treating postpartum depression. New research suggests that the antidepressant may restore the connections between brain cells that are impeded by the effects of pregnancy-induced stress.

Chronic stress during pregnancy is a predictor of postpartum depression.

The study, conducted by scientists from Ohio State University, examined the brain cells of rats that were chronically stressed during pregnancy. The research was presented at Neuroscience 2014, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. 

The aim of the research was to identify the changes in the brain that may cause the symptoms of postpartum depression, focusing on an area within the brain that controls the reward system, known as the nucleus accumbens. 

"We have a suspicion that stress during pregnancy is somehow altering the reward system in the brain, producing anhedonia and making these depressed mothers less rewarded by their offspring and less motivated to care for them," says senior author Benedetta Leuner. "It's possible that the effects of stress on the brain circuit regulating reward can lead to these symptoms." 

Postpartum depression, whereby new mothers experience a long-lasting form of depression, is a serious health problem that can have consequences for both the new mother and her family. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), an estimated 9-16% of new mothers develop the condition. 

Although the symptoms of postpartum depression are distinct, experts are still uncertain as to what happens in the brain when mothers develop this condition.

The effects of depression on the reward system

Citalopram is a commonly prescribed drug for postpartum depression. It is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of drug that promotes the amount of serotonin in the brain, helping the organ to send and receive neural messages, resulting in better and more stable moods. 

Lead author Achikam Haim says the team found that citalopram was effective in improving the mood of stressed mothers and completely reversed the effects of stress in areas of the brain shown to be altered during pregnancy. 

Dr. Leuner designed a rat model of postpartum depression in order to illustrate the changes that occurred in the brain. Depressive-like symptoms were induced in the rats by subjecting them to chronic stress during their pregnancy - a known predictor of postpartum depression within humans. 

The rats would go on to exhibit symptoms shared by humans with postpartum depression. These included mood changes, deficits in caregiving behaviors and anhedonia - an inability to experience pleasure. 

Within the nucleus accumbens, the researchers found stressed rats had fewer dendritic spines - small protrusions on brain cells that enable communication with other neurons - than unstressed rats. This deficit indicated a state of reduced flexibility or ability to adapt, referred to as reduced plasticity.

 

A similar result was found during research in humans that showed in mothers with postpartum depression; the reward center did not activate in response to hearing the sound of their child crying.

Citalopram found to reverse stress-induced brain changes

"The structural data from our work in rats can at least partially explain that, because neurons with fewer spines, and therefore less input, arguably have lower activation levels," Haim said. 

Citalopram was then administered daily for 3 weeks to the mother rats showing depressive-like symptoms, using mini-pumps implanted under the skin. This treatment led to a reversal in the changes that had been induced by chronic stress, returning the cells to their normal levels of complexity. 

Although the antidepressants were found to be effective, the 3-week treatment timeframe is still problematic; it could be too long a timeframe with regards to a serious symptom of postpartum depression - poor maternal care. 

Neglect that arises as a result of postpartum depression can have a lasting impact on the health of the child, potentially leading to an increased risk of depression and slowed cognitive and social development.

 

As a result, Dr. Leuner says that they the researchers will be looking at other neurochemical systems to target. "Fixing that impaired maternal functioning is really what's critical in moving forward and developing better treatment options."

Follow These Basic Instructions to Proper Dog Grooming

Dog grooming services can be expensive, and you find yourself paying for extra baubles like handkerchiefs. If your dog needs a nice clean and trim, but you want to avoid forking over the dough, these dog grooming instructions are exactly what you need to get the job done.

Gather Your Supplies

It is important to have everything you need in one place before you get started, especially if you are grooming your dog alone. If you have never groomed, it is a great idea to have a partner who can help you keep your dog still and hand you supplies, so grab your spouse or child if you can. Aside from a partner, the supplies you need depend on what sort of grooming you wish to do and what kind of dog you have. Some examples of necessary supplies are: shampoo, trimming shears or scissors, a brush, and nail clippers.

Set Up Your Space

Unless you have a tub for dog grooming in your backyard, it is a good idea to set up your grooming space close to the bathroom, so you have access to the bathtub. If you have a smaller dog, find a table you can move it to once your dog is clean. If you have a larger dog, you can do most of the grooming on the floor. Either way, make sure this space is as close as possible to the tub where you plan to bathe your dog, to keep from dripping all over your home. Once you've chosen a space, make sure it's clean and clear of any hazards to you or your dog. Keep clippers and shears within arms reach, but safely distanced from where you plan to have your dog.

Get Your Dog

Depending on how well-trained your dog is, it may already be hiding from you, because it knows a bath is coming. Have treats on hand and get your dog over to the grooming space.

Thoroughly Brush Your Dog

It will be easier to do everything else if you start with a well-brushed dog. Start at your dog's neck and work your way down its body, getting out any tangles. This will make it much easier to brush and trim the hair once it's wet.

Clip and Cut

If it has been a long time since you've cut your dog's hair, it's a good idea to get the bulk of it out of the way before you start shampooing. You can work on making it neat after the bath. This is also a good time to clip toenails and clean your dog's ears, eyes, and teeth. That way, any residue will wash off in the bath.

Make Sure Your Dog is Secured in the Tub

Each dog has its own needs for this step. Some dogs will sit patiently in the tub or even enjoy the process, while others might try to run away. If you're not sure what your dog will do, it is a good idea to have it on a lead. The more you bathe your dog, the more it will become accustomed to the process. You will also learn more strategies to keep your dog from ending up scared and you from getting all wet.

Wash Your Dog

Start by wetting the dog thoroughly. Go slowly at first in order to keep the water from scaring your dog. Let it get used to it over time. Once your dog is wet, you can start shampooing it, using the same pattern we did for brushing its hair: start at the neck and work down and back. If it has been some time since you have washed your dog, it could be worthwhile to lather and rinse more than once. Do this until any dirt or residue is gone.

Rinse Your Dog

Use the same care you used in originally wetting your dog, to rinse it off. By now, your dog should be more relaxed, but smaller dogs will often stay spooked until the bath is over, so keep a tight grip. Make sure you get all of the shampoo out.

Brush the Wet Hair

Now it is time to brush out your dog's hair once again. It should be easier than it was the first time, but use care so that it's easier to manage when it comes time to trim it.

Trim Carefully

If you got the bulk of your dog's extra hair out of the way earlier, all that's left now is the detailed trimming. It is a good idea to use a "noose lead" or other grooming tool to keep your dog still, that way you don't risk injuring it with your scissors. Once your dog is secured, trim its hair as desired.

Dry and Style

Depending on your dog, you can either pat it down with a towel and let it air-dry, or you may want to blow dry. Always blow dry on the "cool" setting, for the safety of your dog. Now is also a great time to add handkerchiefs, bows, or any other personal styles you like to give your dog.

Reward Your Dog

Being groomed can be stressful. Reward your dog for its good behavior with a treat or some attention.

With some practice, you will come to master these dog grooming instructions and figure out a great routine for you and your dog. There's no need to waste money paying a groomer when you can learn the skills and use them as another opportunity to bond with your dog.

Smelly Spot: Removing Skunk Odor From Your Dog

If your dog has ever been sprayed by a skunk, then you know that it can be a nightmare to get rid of that skunk odor. However, it can be done, and you don't need any fancy commercial deskunking products.

Does using tomato juice or mouthwash remove the skunk odor from your dog?

You may have heard that bathing your dog with tomato juice or mouthwash eliminates the skunk odor. While these products may help, they only mask the odor; they do not eliminate it.

What is an effective method to get the skunk odor out of your dog's fur?

Mix together 1 quart hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 to 2 teaspoons of liquid soap. If you have a larger dog, you can also add some lukewarm water. Using a sponge or rag, apply this solution to your dog's fur, but avoid getting it in his eyes, ears or mouth. After five minutes, rinse it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this procedure several times until the odor is gone.

Can you make this solution ahead of time and store it?

This mixture fizzes due to a chemical reaction and must be used up right away or discarded. If it is stored in a closed container, there is a risk of explosion.

Does it make a difference if the deskunking process is delayed?

It is best to perform this procedure right away. Once the skunk's spray dries, it is more difficult to get rid of the skunk odor.

Are there any precautions to take?

Prior to beginning this procedure, apply a bit of eye lubricant or a couple of drops of mineral oil to the eyes. This protects them in case the solution splashes into the eyes. Do not allow your dog to swallow the solution, and avoid getting it in his ears.

Getting rid of the skunk odor takes some doing. As soon as your malodorous pup appears, put on your old clothes, and get to work. Your efforts are sure to be rewarded when your sweet-smelling dog emerges from the treatment.

How to Trim Your Dog's Nails

Trimming your dog's nails on a regular basis is an important part of the care and grooming process. Unfortunately, it also tends to be the most unpleasant. Most veterinarians will advise you to trim your dog's nails every 3 to 4 weeks; this may vary depending on the breed of your dog. Trimming your dog's nails at home can be a huge money saver and over time could become a bonding experience for you and your dog. Here are a few simple steps that will help you to be better prepared the next time you hear your pooch's nails tapping on the floor.

Prepare for Trimming Your Dog's Nails

Making sure you have all of the supplies needed in order to trim your dog's nails is the most essential step in the trimming process. You'll want to have all of the materials within an arms reach so you don't have to walk away from your dog in the middle of trimming. Important items to have on hand are:
*a) Dog Nail Trimmers
There are two types of nail trimmers that are most common and you should be able to pick these up at any pet supply store. The guillotine trimmer is great for small to medium dogs since they do not normally tend to have incredibly thick nails. It's sturdy and easy to grip, making it perfect if you have a dog that tends to struggle while you're trimming. The other type of trimmer is a scissor style, and this one can be a little bit more difficult to handle. It's best to use this type of trimmer if your dog has straight nails and is normally okay with getting their nails clipped. Its best to examine your dog's nail type and their level of comfort with getting a nail trim before making the purchase for either type of trimmer.
*b) Styptic Powder
Styptic powder is an antihemorrhagic powder you can use to stop any bleeding caused by clipping your dog's nails too close to the quick. If you can't find styptic powder at your local pet supply store, you can substitute using corn starch.
*c) Treats
It's great to keep treats handy to reward your dog for good behavior after you complete trimming each nail. This is positive reinforcement and will set up you for an easier trim the next time around.

Determine the Place

Since you're trimming your dog's nails at home, you'll want to find a comfortable spot where you both have plenty of room. If you have a small dog, it may be easier for you place him on a table or countertop, if not, the floor should work out just as well.

Prepare Your Dog

Once you have a safe spot picked out, make your dog comfortable by laying him on his side, this will also make access to all four paws much easier.

Begin Trimming the Nails

To begin clipping the nails, push back the skin around the nail so the full nail is exposed. If your dog has clear nails, you'll be able to see the quick and determine where to stop, however, if your dog has black nails you'll want to trim in small snips until you see a small dark circle. Once you see that circle, you know you're finished with that nail and can move on. If, by chance, you clip too close and cause bleeding, stop trimming immediately and dip the nail in styptic powder or cornstarch.

Reward Good Behavior

Since having their nails trimmed can be a stressful experience, you'll want to make sure you reward good behavior by giving your dog a treat with each finished nail. This will help to ease anxiety and make the experience much more enjoyable.

By using the steps outlined for trimming your dog's nails, you're making sure the process is safe and stress-free for both you and your dog. Don't feel bad if it doesn't go perfectly the first time, this will take practice and patience, but once you get started you'll wonder why you were ever worried to begin with. Your pooch's perfect pedicure is only a few snips away.

At what age should you take a puppy from its mother?

The sight of a worried mother searching frantically for her missing pup is not one that is likely forgotten so for a first timer, choosing the right time and also the right way in which to take a puppy from its mother can become quite the quandary. Though ensuring a completely stress free process is impossible, with a little thought and planning, it can be simplified- making a smoother transition for everyone involved.

In order to fully understand at what age this can happen it is necessary to first delve a little into the development of the dog's sensory perception and motor skills. Outlined below are what behaviourists consider to be the most vital stages of development for the newborn domestic dog and what each entails.

From birth to two weeks - The Neonatal Period

Puppies are born with immature brains. Their eyes and ears are closed, they cannot walk and the only movement they seem to make is to bobble their heads continuously and 'swim' along the floor. During the neonatal period, the mother will continuously lick the puppies, familiarising them with her smell and also stimulating them to urinate and defecate- as even this, a newborn puppy cannot do on his own.

In 1937, Konrad Lorenz developed his theory of imprinting, where he found that the image of the mother was 'imprinted' in the mind of young goslings. Similar maternal imprinting occurs with dogs and further studies at the Swedish Dog Training Center at Solleftea have indicated that some behaviours, like whining for example, are not genetically predetermined, but rather a result of maternal imprinting. Even the 'head bobble' of a newborn pup boasts an intricate pattern that is in fact designed to aid the process of imprinting. It can be supposed thus, that the impact of what young dogs go through during this time is indeed tremendous. Any thought of separation during the neonatal period is one that should be swiftly dismissed as even in the case of hand raised puppies whose mother's are unable to nurse due to death or physical injury, extreme behavioural problems have been observed as the animals mature.

From two to four weeks- The Transitional Period

During the transitional period, a puppy's sensory abilities begin to expand rapidly. The eyes and ears open, teeth appear and suddenly his world becomes more than just his mother warmth. His litter mates and environment suddenly become interesting. Puppies will wag their tails, move to and from the nest and growl and bark for the first time. The mother's influence is still significant at this point, though she will begin contemplating weaning them. She may try to walk away when they nurse or start regurgitating food to accelerate the weaning process. As unsavoury as we may find it, eating vomit is quite normal in a dog's world, though many years of selective breeding and human intervention in the weaning process has tried to eradicate this behaviour.

But the most important thing that happens to puppies during the transitional period it they begin to notice us, their human counterparts. How we interact with them now will determine how they see people for the rest of their lives and growing up in a sensory rich environment with lots of human handling has been shown to not only ensure a dog that is unafraid of people but also to physically increase brain size, leading to smarter animals at maturity.

From four to eight weeks - The Socialisation Period

The developmental changes that puppies experience during the socialisation period are so significant that this is often referred to as a 'critical period' by canine behaviourists. As the name suggests, this is when puppies begin to interact with other dogs and play with their litter mates . But just like any toddler must be taught manners from a very early age, mother dogs impress upon their young basic social norms. The most important skill that puppies learn at this stage is to play. Dogs are a neotenized species, meaning that they have been selectively bred to retain many of their juvenile characteristics. Thus, dogs will play for most of their lives and it is during this critical period that dogs truly learn to play with each other.

Play has various different functions in a dog's mind. It serves to engage and stimulate, teaches dexterity, exploration and problem solving- and it is during play that hierarchies are established. More importantly it is through play that dogs truly learn to communicate and a dog deprived of play during the socialisation period will likely turn out to have problems getting along with other dogs for the rest of its life.

Making the decision that's right for you

When dealing with animals, there is seldom a cut and dry approach as most often every case is different. Therefore it is necessary to evaluate the temperament of the mother as well as the temperament of the puppies themselves before deciding the right age. it is however, widely acknowledged that before 8 weeks is a big NO.

In countries that are fortunate enough to have little to no street dog populations and well developed canine education and industry, the notion of giving away or selling a puppy prior to eight weeks of age will seem absurd. But sadly, many countries especially those that have rampant street dog populations leading to dogs being regarded as 'pest' or 'food' as opposed to 'Fido' and where no legislation concerning the welfare of the domestic dog is in place, puppies are often given away or sold at as little as four or five weeks of age. This is far too young and puppies should never be bought from breeders at this age, no matter how cute they seem.

The debate however, lies mainly between the ages of eight to twelve weeks, as some believe that eight weeks is even still too early and others that twelve weeks is too late. A good indicator of when the mother is ready is when she begins to walk away from the puppies when they try to nurse or regurgitate food for them to eat. This means that she is starting the weaning process in terms of food. Nursing takes a tremendous amount out of her and it is in her best interest to do it as quickly as possible. Litter size will also play a part here, as dogs with large litters will likely want to wean sooner than those with only one or two pups. Though the exact emotional state of a dog can never truly be known, subtle signs will shed some light, e.g.: if the mother still sleeps with her head on the puppies she still wants their presence felt.

The temperaments of the puppies will also give a clue as to whether they are ready to leave their mother and face the challenges of a new home. Some puppies will nurse for longer than others, usually the weakest ones of the litter and may display signs of taking a longer time to become socialised. These puppies should be kept for at least twelve weeks. But puppies who are confident and take to solid foods easily can be rehomed at nine weeks, provided they have been separated from the mother for short to longer periods beforehand.

Another thing to consider are the vaccinations, as the ones for viruses such as Canine Parvo Virus are only effective for every member of the litter after the final booster is given at twelve weeks of age. Until then, there remains the smallest of chances that your puppy could contract Parvo so it is best to consult with your vet before making a decision.

The truth is there is no right or wrong way to separate a puppy from its mother and there is no age at which the mother will get less stressed or the puppy will feel less scared in a new home. Like for humans, change is hard for dogs too. But unlike us, our canine companions are marvellously adaptable, with a natural curiosity and a knack for living in the moment. So both mother and puppy should be able to bounce back from a carefully planned and well thought out separation, without too many problems.

Do I Actually Need to Hire a Dog Trainer?

I spoke with a deaf dog owner on the phone recently. They told me that they hired a dog trainer for $95 an hour, only to find out that (a) the trainer didn't seem to even like dogs, and (2) the trainer had no clue the dog was deaf.

$95 an hour? Ouch! (Hm...maybe I should consider changing careers!)

Our conversation inspired me to write down a few thoughts about dog training.

There are no standardized training programs for dog trainers yet.

Standardization is in process, but right now, a "dog trainer" can claim to be "certified" by taking an online course and receiving a certificate - without even coming near to or touching a dog. So if you decide to hire a "certified" trainer, do your research and make sure that their certification includes hands-on training of some kind.

If a trainer claims that they can take your dog away from you and turn them into a perfect angel

Run, run away fast! Sure, your dog may learn to respond to commands and behave themselves perfectly in the company of the trainer, but even if the trainer runs down the commands with you after the training session, are you going to remember to practice the commands when you return to your daily life? And is there any guarantee that your dog is going to behave with you like they did with the trainer?

Unless you are present, learning alongside your dog, dog training is basically useless.

Nobody really LEARNS anything unless we DO it. There are probably exceptions to this rule of thumb, but the bottom line is that if YOU are the one who does the research and takes the learning curve, you are going to be more invested in the training process, and as a result, you will be more likely to remember and practice any training techniques that you learn. This includes the day-to-day good house manners that make a dog a delight to have around, but aren't necessarily part of standard training programs.

There is nothing wrong with hiring a dog trainer to teach YOU how to train your dog.

A good trainer can give you feedback on things like body language, cues, or timing that you might not be aware of. A trainer can also be helpful if your dog is exhibiting bizarre or troublesome behaviors that you can't figure out how to correct by yourself.

The bottom line

You're best off doing the research and figuring out how to train your dog yourself. You're the one living with your dog, you know your dog and your lifestyle better than anyone else, and you're going to get more out of the process of researching and trying stuff out yourself than learning by rote or sending your dog away to doggy boot camp. If you aren't getting the results you want, or there is a problem that has you stumped, by all means hire a trainer who will observe you and give you feedback, or who can help you come up with solutions for your issue.

7 Ways to Help Your Dog Stay Safe in the Car

We all buckle up our human passengers whenever we get in the car--even for a short trip--but how do you keep your dog safe in the car? As more dogs join their people on both short and long excursions, it's more important than ever to keep Fido safe in the car and, at the same time, help protect your human passengers!

Does your dog like to run errands with you? Or accompany you on day trips, family visits, and vacations?

Today more and more dog lovers are enjoying traveling with their four-legged family members. While most of those travelers routinely buckle up before ever turning on the ignition, the large majority of those travelers aren't ensuring the safety of their dogs in their vehicles. A safe dog travel study by Kurgo and AAA showed that, while nearly six in 10 people have traveled with their dog in the car at least once a month over the past year, only 16 percent were restraining their dog while in the vehicle.

Before your next trip with your dog, whether that's to the bank drive-through window or a cross-country dream vacation, be sure to check out these tips to make sure your journey is a safe one for your car's two- and four-legged occupants:

1. Don't let your dog ride in the front seat.

Just as children no longer ride in the front seat in their mothers' laps, dogs should never be in the front seat. Along with distracting you, a dog in a lap or in the passenger seat is at risk for injury from an air bag.

2. Buckle Up!

You, your passengers, and your dog are safest when your dog is buckled, whether that's restrained in a dog crate or a booster seat for small dogs or wearing a seat belt. This protects your dog and also ensures that your human passengers won't be struck by a dog in the event of an accident and that a dog won't escape a car into traffic if emergency personnel should have to open the car in the event of an accident.

3. Keep the windows up.

We all have seen joyous photos of dogs with their heads hanging out of the car window as they merrily travel down the highway. But what you don't see in those photos are the dangers: the risk of your dog falling from the car with an unexpected turn, jumping from the car if he suddenly spies another dog (or squirrel!), being decapitated by objects too close to the car, or having an eye put out by flying debris. Crack the window slightly to permit outside air (and interesting odors!) into the car but keep your dog's head in the car where it belongs.

4. Never allow a dog in the back of a pickup.

Allowing your dog to ride in the back of a pickup truck is illegal in some states but it doesn't take legislation to know that this is a recipe for disaster. Please bring your dog into the cab with the rest of the family.

5. Train your dog to an arrival routine.

When you arrive at your destination, be sure your dog exits the car when you are ready for your dog to leave the car, not when the door is suddenly opened. Train your dog to remain in the car until he's safely leashed. When your dog is wearing a harness and buckled in, this is easy to do; when you give your dog a release word like "OK" after safely leashing your dog and checking for traffic, he can then step out of the car.

6. Always have an ID tag on your dog.

Dogs can always slip away on arrival so be sure to have a clearly legible ID tag on your dog with your name (which is more important than your dog's name) and your phone number.

7. Never leave your dog alone in the car.

Research your trip in advance so your dog can accompany you on your stops. Cars can heat up to deadly levels in a matter of minutes and, even during temperate fall weather, your dog is at risk of being stolen if left alone.

Be sure your next getaway with your dog is a safe one by following a few safety precautions and doing a little pre-trip planning!