5 Simple Do-Anywhere Exercises That Can Really Make a Difference

Tweet

Exercise and movement, in general, are essential to good health. There are many studies that show regular exercise can help to prevent the onset of a variety of age-related diseases, such as heart disease, strokes, and even diabetes.

But, it can be hard to exercise regularly. After all, most people lead busy lives, finding the time to exercise can be extremely difficult.

However, the sooner you start exercising the easier it will be to incorporate it into your daily schedule. Of course, for some people exercise becomes mandatory after an accident, although you’ll probably have the assistance of a professional such as this physiotherapy in Mascot.

The good news is that it isn’t as difficult as you think to start exercising, the following five exercises can be done anywhere and will make a huge difference to your health and your mobility.

Walking

You don’t need anything to start walking, although you can get a dog if you wish! You can walk anywhere, around your home, around your office, or even park your car further away from work or the shops than normal.

It’s often not seen as exercise but the simple act of walking is extremely beneficial. There’s a good chance you already do this every day, just do a little more.

Planks

This exercise is extremely easy to do. Simply lie on the floor and lift yourself up onto the tips of your toes. You can even have your hands under your shoulders and push up until your arms are straight, or you can rest your forearms on the ground and push up. Hold the plank for 30-60 seconds.

You can even try a wide variety of plank alternatives.

It will build core strength, improve your balance, and it’s harder than it sounds but you can do it anywhere.

Lunges

The classic lunge stretches your legs, toning the leg muscles and improving flexibility. Simply stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.

Move one leg forward so that your foot is flat on the floor and your leg is bent at 90°. Push the other leg diagonally behind you. Hold for a few seconds and return to your starting position before repeating on the other leg.

Squats

These are also great for your legs but they also tone your butt and your core.

Again stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and then lower yourself down as though sitting down, without using your hands.

You can lean against the wall to help at first.

Push-Ups

Instead of the classic push-up try laying on your front on the floor. Then place your hands just in front of your shoulders and push upwards. You want to get your arms straight without your waist leaving the floor.

It’s great for your back and general flexibility. In fact, this is one exercise that most physiotherapists recommend to help deal with a bad back. Over time your back will get stronger and less prone to pain.

Read More »

The Pros and Cons of Prescription Drugs

Tweet

Like it or not, prescription drugs have their place in our medically advanced society. Many diseases and conditions would run rampant if it weren't for the use of prescription drug protocols to treat maladies.

Unfortunately, the use of prescription drugs has its drawbacks as well. Misuse, dependency, and powerful addiction result from too many drugs being prescribed casually and without regard for the health of the user. While your doctor may be encouraging you to take prescription drugs for one or more conditions that you have, you must carefully weigh the pros and cons of their use before deciding whether to incorporate them.

photo source: Thinkstock

Pros of prescription drug use

1. When used correctly, prescription drugs benefit the user in wonderful ways. They are often the answer for the management of life-threatening conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, unchecked cholesterol or even cancer. Prescription drugs help to stimulate and mimic a well-functioning body; many lives are saved with the use of these powerful substances. Without their use, people suffer a lower quality of life and even death.

2. Another benefit of using prescription drugs is that they make life easier when dealing with uncomfortable symptoms. For strep throat, pericoronitis, and other bacterial infections, antibiotics can alleviate symptoms by destroying the pathogens at the source. For more serious types of conditions and illnesses, responsible prescription drug use helps to reduce discomfort and make life more bearable, despite the fact that these conditions cannot necessarily be cured.

3. Prescription drugs can also prevent certain conditions from forming; protecting people and preventing illness is a major factor in their development and the reason that they continue to be used to manage outbreaks. Vaccines, for instance, are intended to protect large portions of the population by helping to boost immunity and diminish the effects of certain communicable diseases.

Cons of prescription drug use

1. Some people who begin prescription drug protocols with good intentions quickly find themselves becoming dependent on the drug to feel "normal". Length of time, dosage, and the type of drug all contribute to the potential for a patient to form an addiction to a substance. Prescription opioids, in particular, are the most dangerous types of prescribed drugs. Those who become addicted to prescription opioids almost always end up requiring treatment through a facility like Hotel California by the Sea Cincinnati in order to get clean. As demonstrated by the growing number of opioid-related deaths in the U.S. and elsewhere, the consequences of not getting help can be tragic.

2. Prescription drugs are subject to misuse and abuse by those who were never intended to use the drug. Teens and adults take prescription drugs for their side effects, not necessarily to treat a certain condition, and may steal these drugs from family members who need them. Easy access to these substances via the family medicine cabinet poses a greater risk for family members who wish to dabble in their recreational use.

3. Side effects of prescription drugs can have serious, if not deadly, consequences. In some cases, the potential list of side effects is much larger than the actual beneficial effects that a drug can have on a person. In these situations, a patient must weigh the benefits vs. the consequences to determine if it is worth taking in the first place. Talking to your doctor about the potential risks of a drug will help you determine if it is safe for you to do so.

While the intent behind prescription drug development and implementation is to benefit people and improve health, we must commit to responsible administration and responsible use to gain their full beneficial effects. Talking to your doctor if you have any questions about prescribed drugs is a smart choice; being informed about potential risks and side effects will allow you to gain its benefits while minimizing risks.

Read More »

Surrogate Embryo Transfer: Subtleties

Tweet

Photo Source

Indications for surrogacy in Ukraine are regulated by Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 787 from 09.09.2013.

Indications for surrogacy in Ukraine are regulated by Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 787 from 09.09.2013. The order lists the reasons for the procedure for a childless couple. These include all sorts of pathologies of the female genital organs, physiology, health status, as well as more than 4 failed IVF attempts. In any case, whatever the diagnosis, the family’s unsatisfied desire to have a child is a great tragedy. And only a woman who knows the joy of motherhood can understand this. Therefore, compassion is the main motive making Ukrainians participate in programs of surrogate embryo transfer offered by international IVF clinics in Europe.

It will be legal if a surrogate mother becomes a citizen of both Ukraine and another state. In this case, she just needs to present additional documents translated into Ukrainian and notarized. Often, foreigners use this right, since the laws in Ukraine are much more protective for surrogate mothers than in any other country, including Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan and other popular surrogacy destinations.

What Cannot Be Done after Embryo Transfer?

The surrogate embryo transfer procedure is the final stage of such a crucial path as an IVF international protocol. Embryo transfer to surrogate mother implies that in 4 days it will be implanted in the uterine and continue to develop there (in case of blastocyst implantation – in 2 days). That is why it is recommended for a surrogate mother to remain at bed rest during the first few days after the procedure to give the embryo the opportunity to gain a foothold in the uterus. However, starting from the fourth day the surrogate mother can return to her usual way of life, with the exception of some things that she can’t do:

• lift something heavier than 2 kg (otherwise, there is a high risk of miscarriage)
• run and jump
• have sex before the expected date of her next menstruation
• go to a steam bath or take hot baths
• spend a long time in hot or cold rooms
• take medication without her doctor permission
• expose herself to stress and serious emotional experiences

Embryo Transfer Results

Within 2 weeks of the transfer, an hCG test will show whether the woman is pregnant or not. A positive result means that the embryo is fixed, and the pregnancy is developing. However, in any case, she will need to come for an ultrasound scan within 3 weeks after the transfer (one week after the test). The ultrasound investigation will reveal the location of the fetus to exclude an ectopic pregnancy.

Even if hCG is low, the woman needs to repeat the test in a few days to know for sure. If the attempt was unsuccessful, she can repeat it after 3 menstrual cycles. 

Read More »