The Sex Cells in Human Body

Posted on February 15, 2008 by jason

Eggs

The eggs (ova) of all the higher mammals are similar in both size and appearance round with a clear, thin, shell-like capsule as rigid as stiff jelly. The capsule encloses liquid in which hundreds of fat droplets, proteins, and other materials (including the nucleus) are suspended. The egg, the largest cell of the whole body, is approximately V200 of an inch in diameter-about one-fourth the size of the period punctuating the end of this sentence. The eggs of mice, rabbits, gorillas, dogs, pigs, whales, and humans are all about the same size.

Spermatozoa

The spermatozoa of different species can show greater differences in form than the eggs. The human spermatozoon consists of an oval head mostly occupied by the nucleus. With the aid of the additional magnification provided by the electron microscope, it has become evident that the head is covered by a saclike structure. This structure is called the acrosome and provides an outer membrane, the acrosomal membrane. The acrosome is attached by a short neck to a cylindrical middle piece that terminates in a thin tail about ten times as long as the head. The tail, which consists of several hairlike fibers resembling a horse’s tail, is capable of rapid side-to-side lashing movements. These movements propel the spermatozoon.

A spermatozoon can swim an inch in 4 to 16 minutes, depending on whether it is traversing watery uterine or tubal fluid, or relatively thicker cervical mucus. Easily blocked by the slightest obstruction because of its small size, its path is seldom a straight line, and it frequently takes more than the minimum time to progress an inch.

The Sex Cells in Human BodyWhen ejaculated, spermatozoa are suspended in seminal plasma, a thick mucoid fluid produced by the male during sexual orgasm. Semen, which arises from the prostate, the seminal vesicles, and the other accessory reproductive glands, is a homogenous fluid immediately upon ejaculation. Within a few minutes it sets to a gel called coagulum. After about 15 to 20 minutes, this gel is fully re dissolved into a viscous fluid. In some cases this transformation is not complete, then the semen is very viscous and may have tapiocalike lumps.

A fresh drop of semen seen under a microscope suggests the rush of traffic in a crowded city street. Myriad spermatozoa dash here and there, now steering straight ahead, now halted by a speck of dust, now free again to scurry out of the microscopic field.

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Early Symptoms of Pregnancy

Posted on January 31, 2008 by jason

Early Days

Being at home, as the main caretaker of your new baby, can be scary and tiring, especially if you are a first time mom. Figuring out how to bottle or breastfeed, how to get your baby’s arms through a shirt sleeve, or how to give a first bath can be challenging, particularly when you feel exhausted. You may need to ask help with chores, so you can focus on your baby and get some rest.

The First Few Days At Home

Both you and your partner may feel uneasy caring for your baby at first. Your new born may seem fragile and you may worry about doing something wrong. In addition, neither one of you may sleep particularly well because new babies do not sleep through the night. With all these changes in your daily rhythm, you may also wonder how you will manage going back to work in just a few weeks.

Realistic Expectations

It is important to realize that you will probably not have your life under control even several weeks from now. Being a parent is a messy business. Babies are unpredictable and with their arrival in our lives, they introduce an ever present element of surprise. However, living with this unpredictability will become easier with practice. Remember, babies are not as fragile as you might expect. Your baby just underwent a complete change in environment from a dark, cramped place to this bright, open world. With you close by, he or she can handle some parenting bloopers. Rest assured, your baby will enthusiastically inform you when things don’t go exactly the way he or she wants.

Accept that you will not be able to prevent all problems. Most moms worry about protecting their babies from diaper rashes, colic and so on and older moms may feel this even more if they have had a long wait to get pregnant or had a challenging pregnancy and birth. Take comfort in knowing that all parents have felt inadequate at some point. You will quickly learn how to handle things effectively, so don’t feel guilty if you are not an instant baby expert.

Just Baby And You

In the early days, before you become attuned to your baby’s more subtle signals, a lot of your actions may be a reaction to his or her crying. Communication is simple for babies if they are uncomfortable in any way, they cry. Crying can mean hunger a wet diaper, or just plain fussiness. Try not to let your baby’s crying make you resentful. It won’t take long before you get better at deciphering why your baby is crying and fixing the problem quickly. Soon the majority of your baby’s time should be crying free, unless he or she develops colic. Remember that crying is not harmful for your baby. If you feel that you are becoming overwhelmed and angry, it’s best to leave your baby safely in the crib and take a break for 5 minutes or so, then come back when you have calmed down.

Hold Your Baby When He Or She Is Sleeping Or Happy

In an attempt to create at least some time to get chores done in between feedings and diaper changes, it may be tempting to tiptoe out of your baby’s room as soon as he or she is calm enough to let you go. However, it’s important for you to spend some positive time with your baby. Have your new born go to sleep on your chest, listen to music, and take time to savor being a mom.

Soothing A Crying Baby

If your baby cries for more than a few minutes, even after you have changed and fed him or her, pick your baby up. If your baby cries a lot, use a baby carrier to keep him or her with you. Most babies are soothed by being held close to your body (or your partner’s). If this doesn’t work, try taking your baby out for a walk or a drive in the car. Many babies are soothed by music or the sound of household appliances such as washing machines and vacuum cleaners. Don’t worry about over pampering your baby. Calm, secure babies deal better with separation from their moms than anxious, lonely ones.

Dealing With Visitors

Visitors can help you feel supported and loved during the first weeks after the birth of your baby. A good conversation over a relaxing cup of coffee can provide a wonderful escape from diapers and burpings. However, it might be necessary to create some visiting boundaries that secure unstructured, restful time for you, as you get used to caring for your new born while still recovering your self. During the first few days, you may only want to see your closest family and friends. After this, set some visiting hours when your baby usually sleeps, perhaps so you can enjoy the time with your visitors.

How To Beat The Baby Blues

During the first few days and weeks after the birth of their babies, many women experience some emotional liability and crying jags, dubbed the baby blues. Try the following strategies to help. If these strategies don’t help, talk to your care provider. You may be one of the 10-15 percent of women who suffer from postpartum depression, a more serious condition that may require medical treatment.

Invite a friend to visit

Talking to some one who understands and listens can make all the difference.

Create time with your partner

Take the opportunities when they arise (when your baby sleeps, for example) to be alone with your partner.

Get out of the house alone

Ask your partner to baby sit for an hour or two so you can get out and see your own friends or do something you enjoy.

Join a support group

Interacting with others who are in the same situation can make you better.

Pamper yourself

Take a relaxing shower and pamper yourself when you can.

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Causes of Nausea And Vomiting During Pregnancy

Posted on January 5, 2008 by jason

Pregnancy is a healthy state. Yet, pregnant women are more prone to physical discomforts than nonpregnant women. Some of these are caused by pregnancy, others exaggerated by it.One of the most common discomforts in pregnancy is nausea, with or without vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are usually mild and self limited to 6 or 8 weeks. The symptoms can appear anytime from about 5 to 8 weeks of pregnancy. They usually subside after about 13 to 15 weeks of pregnancy. Nevertheless, they can be quite disconcerting and interfere with usual activities. As many as half of all pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting.

Causes of Nausea And Vomiting During PregnancyNobody knows exactly what causes nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Theories suggest that they are due to increased hormone levels, low blood sugar, slowed digestion, an enlarging uterus, and emotions. On the plus side, a few studies have found that nausea and vomiting are related to a good pregnancy outcome, although this, too, is only a theory.

Because nausea and vomiting in pregnancy often occur in the early hours of the day, the condition has been called morning sickness. In fact, nausea and vomiting are by no means limited to the morning. On occasion, the vomiting becomes severe or persists beyond the first trimester. This is called hyperemesis gravidarum. For woman whose nausea and vomiting are annoying rather than pathologic, a number of home remedies can be effective to varying degrees for varying women.

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What is Teeth Whitening?

Posted on January 4, 2008 by jason

Teeth whitening processes are becoming more and more famous among the people as they are getting more and more concerned about their looks in the society. They want to maintain a good smile in front of everyone and hence to maintain it they have to have good white teeth and healthy gums without any bad breath. Teeth whitening processes are best performed by London dentist. Teeth whitening process needs to followed in certain steps in order to get the best results. Without thinking over it and applying it directly can harm the dental health of a person.One of the most common techniques of tooth whitening is bleaching. Bleach is used in teeth whitening to give a temporary whiteness to the teeth. A chemical which contains bleach is embedded onto the teeth which are to be whitened and is removed by a certain amount of time. The time varies from few minutes to a couple of hours depending upon the strength of the stain. But if a person is wearing crowns or braces then that person cannot whiten his teeth. Whitening is highly effective if a person brush his teeth regularly. Teeth whitening can bring a drastic change in a person’s smile and hence his personality.

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About Information of Your Birth Plan

Posted on January 1, 2008 by jason

A Birth Plan is a communication tool that helps you to clarify your preferences for yourself during labor and delivery. It also enlists the cooperation of your partner or support person and your birth attendants in helping make your preferences reality. for a birth plan to become a valuable resource, it needs to be realistic and endorsed by your care provider. It should also be short and easy to read.The first step in creating a usable birth plan is to become informed about the various procedures and options available to birthing moms. It’s also a good idea to become aware of the different approaches to birthing, from home births to scheduled cesarean deliveries, to see where you fit in to the range of options.

Writing Your Birth Plan

To begin with, you may want to make a list of your most important desires for your birth experience. Typically, these include the type of birth you want ranging from home birth to hospital birth and who you would like to be present at your birth, your partner, relatives, friends, and your older children. You can then go on to list your most significant preferences for your birth experience. Discuss your birth plan with your partner or support person and, if appropriate, with your doula. Make sure that they understand your concerns and preferences.

Contingency Plans

You also need to consider situations where birthing does not proceed as expected. You should expect that your care provider will keep you informed about your options and include you in decision making. However, in some cases, he or she will have to act quickly and the counseling and discussion phase may be significant abbreviated. Make sure you are in the hands of a care provider who has a similar approach to birthing as you, some one you can trust to make optimal decisions for you in an emergency.

Discuss Your Birth Plan

Near the beginning of your last trimester, bring your birth plan to one of your checkups and ask your care provider to give you feedback. He or she knows about your individual health and the course of your pregnancy up to this point and can help you make realistic decisions that optimize the chances for a safe birth of your baby. It is important to listen to the responses you receive, although, in some instances, you may want to emphasize specific preferences, especially about episiotomy, so that your care provide understands what is most important to you. After your conference with your care provider, you can prepare the final copy of your birth plan, incorporating all your care provider’s input. It is important to make your birth plan as concise and easy to read as possible ideally.

Make Sure The Right People Receive A Copy

A copy of the final version of your birth plan goes in to your care provider’s file, which should be handed to the staff at your hospital when you go in to labor. Your doula also needs a copy. To ensure that a copy is available if normal information channels fail, it is also a good idea to carry a copy in your birthing bag and to give one to your partner or support person.

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The Ovarian Cycle and Ovulation

Posted on December 28, 2007 by jason

The Follicular Stage

During a girl’s fetal life, the ovaries contain hundreds of thousands of eggs, which are scattered around in the connective tissue of the ovary. Most of these eggs disappear prior to birth. As she grows older some of them are surrounded by specialized cells that eventually form a capsule called the follicle, much like the shell of a hen’s egg. As sexual maturity approaches, the pituitary gland, under the stimulation of GnRH from the hypothalamic part of the brain, begins to secrete follicle stimulating hormone, FSH.

Under the influence of FSH, some of the follicles now develop a fluid, and those that are near the ovarian surface may bulge through the surface. These are called graafian follicles. In an entirely random manner, one or, at most, a few grow far larger than the rest. This growth begins during menstruation, and is called the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle. Follicles that do not grow simply shrivel and disappear. The follicular stage of the ovarian cycle, which takes place simultaneously with the menstrual and proliferative phases of the endometrial cycle, is variable in length.

Ovulation

When a certain level of growth is reached, the graafian follicle falls under the influence of another hormone from the pituitary gland ­ luteinizing hormone or LH. At midcycle there is a surge of LH, which follows the peak of estrogen secretion by about 24 hours-see the graph on page 15. LH stimulates further development of the follicle until, within 12 to 36 hours of the LH surge, it bursts through the surface of the ovary and pops the egg with its surrounding mantle of follicle cells into the waiting folds of the fallopian tubes. This is called ovulation. From the estrogen peak to actual ovulation is considered the ovulatory phase of the ovarian cycle.

In humans, ovulation is totally independent of sexual intercourse, occurring with equal frequency in the sexually developed virginal woman and the sexually active woman. If fertilization does not occur obviously its occurrence is relatively infrequent the tiny unfertilized egg quickly dies and fragments into many pieces, which white blood cells then eat up.

The Luteal Phase

Following ovulation, the follicle walls fall inward and, under the influence of LH, the follicle changes into the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum secretes some estrogen, but more progesterone. This phase of the ovarian cycle is termed the luteal phase. The luteal or progesterone­dominant phase of the ovarian cycle corresponds in its timing to the secretory phase of the endometrial cycle. It is relatively constant in length, varying from 12 to 16 days in all women.

When a woman becomes pregnant, the corpus luteum will remain viable for several months, secreting progesterone necessary to maintain the pregnancy. The corpus luteum is maintained by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). (In medical literature, a lower case “h” is often used to distinguish naturally occurring human hormones from synthetic ones.) Human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone secreted first by the fertilized egg, starting about 6 days after fertilization, and later by the placenta. The chorion is the layer of the embryo from which the placenta and the outer of the two fetal membranes develop.

The Ovarian Cycle and OvulationWhen a woman does not become pregnant-which is true for most of her cycles-the corpus luteum will regress, progesterone levels will then drop, and the menstrual flow will begin.

The elegant interplay and miraculous coordination of multiple mechanisms to make reproduction work successfully is a source of cease­less amazement. Many more eggs are fertilized than babies born. Fertilization, implantation, and early development of the ovum are each so complex that something frequently goes wrong and further growth ceases. If this occurs within the first 10 to 12 days, the menstrual period is not even late. If development of the ovum is arrested, say, around the fifteenth day, the menses are delayed a week or so but no recognizable tissue is passed. However, if pregnancy progresses several weeks before it comes to a halt, a discernible miscarriage occurs. Some experts believe ,hat at least 40 to 50 percent of fertilized eggs never end up as a baby.

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Signs Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Posted on December 24, 2007 by jason

The extra fluid retention of pregnancy can exacerbate a common condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome. Between 25 and 50 percent of pregnant women will notice some symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition occurs because one of the nerves that supply sensation to the hand, the median nerve, has to pass through a very narrow space in the wrist, called the carpal tunnel, where the nerve enters your hand from your arm. During pregnancy, even slight swelling in the hands can cause the nerve to become compressed as it goes through the carpal tunnel. The severity of nerve compression is also related to the amount of weight you gain during pregnancy.

The most common symptoms are pain and numbness in the thumb, index and middle fingers, and weakness in the muscle that moves your thumb. The main treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy is usually limited to simple things like wearing a splint at night to help reduce pressure on the nerve that occurs when the wrist is bent. About 80 percent of women will notice a reduction in symptoms just with splinting. If you develop severe carpal tunnel syndrome, you may be referred to an orthopedic specialist who may recommend steroid injections in to the wrist to reduce swelling and inflammation. Do not take oral anti inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen while pregnant, and try to avoid sleeping on your lower arms and hands. Symptoms usually improve within about 4 weeks of giving birth to your baby.

What to avoid

Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.

Back Pain

Back pain during pregnancy can be a serious problem, and is one of the few problems that often persist after pregnancy. Roughly one half of pregnant women will experience some back pain during pregnancy, and the older you are the more likely you’ll experience back pain. Carrying an extra 201b (9kg) or more around your waist is hard on your back; each pregnancy puts a strain on your back and increases the chance that you will have persistent back pain. The best way to protect your back is by keeping your abdominal muscles in shape before you get pregnant. During pregnancy make sure that if you lift something heavy (like your other children) you use your legs and not your back alone. Listen to your body and stop lifting something if you feel strain in your back.

Make sure your mattress is firm, giving your back good support while you sleep. If you have a soft mattress, consider slipping a firm board between your mattress and your box spring for extra support during pregnancy. If you do strain your back, take up to 650mg of acetaminophen, and try using a hot pack or ice pack on your back for 10 minutes (whichever works for you). If you have back pain that comes and goes, make sure to call your care provider because this can be a symptom of preterm labor. If you’ve had back pain before and during pregnancy there’s a strong.

What’s safe to use

Acetaminophen (650mg), heat or ice packs.

What to avoid

Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.

Sciatica

Sciatica refers to nerve pain that, hoots rapidly from your buttocks down one of your legs, usually ending at your foot. Sciatica is caused either by one of the intervertebral disks (which lie between each vertebra) in your pine pressing on a point where the spinal nerve branches from the spinal cord or by the uterus pressing on your sciatic nerve (which runs from the lowers back down your leg). In addition to pain, you may have other signs of nerve compression, including numbness or a pins and needles sensation in the effected leg. True sciatica is actually quite rare in pregnancy, affecting about 1 percent of pregnancies. If you think you have sciatica, discuss the problem with your care provider.

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Recommended Reading for Pregnant Women

Posted on December 18, 2007 by jason

A good first step in promoting a healthy and satisfying pregnancy is to become as educated as possible. Many books for pregnant women are available besides this on. Some are general information books, similar to this, others cover such specific topics as pregnancy and parenting for the working woman, nutrition and special diets for pregnancy, herbs to use in pregnancy, exercises to prepare for and recover from delivery, and care of the newborn. Many books are devoted entirely to breast-feeding, Some volumes focus on the emotional or spiritual aspects of pregnancy, others on lovemaking during pregnancy. You can find books that describe each of the several approaches to psychological and physical support for the woman in labor: There are books about home birth and books that help you decide how you would like your birth carried out. There are books on midwifery. Books for pregnant women with diabetes and for women who have had cesarean births available. There are books to help women cope with pregnancy loss. Books have been written for expectant fathers and for childrenRecommended Reading for Pregnant Women expecting a sibling. A recently published book provides a guide to pregnancy expressly for African-American women. If you are a reader, you will not be at a loss for material.Besides books, there are several other excellent resources. These include the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the Midwives Alliance of North America, the March of Dimes, La Leche League, the International Childbirth Education Association, and the American Society for Psychoprophylaxis in Obstetrics. Your public library most likely has a special section of books and videos on pregnancy, breast-feeding, and baby care. Your neighborhood video store may be a resource for tapes on childbirth and pregnancy exercise. Childbirth education groups in your community also may be able to supply you with audio and videotapes.

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Relatation between your baby and Contact Lenses

Posted on December 13, 2007 by jason

When caring for your newborn baby, you obviously want the environment around you as clean as possible. You wash your baby clothes several times a week, you boil the baby’s pacifiers, you wipe down the kitchen every day, and you change the bed linen more often. One of the obvious, simple choices for improving hygiene standard that many people forget however, is switching to lenses .

When you think of it, there are virtually no better places for germs to grow, than on your glasses. They are close to your eyes, nose and mouth, they are constantly put on and removed by your hands, they stay warm from your body heat all through the day, and they are hardly ever thoroughly washed and cleaned.

Lenses, on the other hand, are hygienic. You touch your contacts only twice a day (or even as seldom as twice a month), lenses are well protected from germs and you either clean your lenses regularly or replace them with new ones. No more carrying around the last week’s virus on your nose. As a bonus, the modern contact lens is also supremely comfortable and gives you excellent vision. Plus, you get much closer to your baby!

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Protect your Life with the Life Insurance Policies

Posted on December 12, 2007 by jason

In today’s time life insurance policy is a must. You have your own standard of living and similarly your family members are adjusted to a particular way of living. If you want to protect you family members and your loved ones, then you can get a life insurance done for yourself. With the help of the life insurance, you can ensure that your family receives money when they require, even if you are not there to take care of them. After your demise the future of your family and your children can be secured with the help of this valuable life protection scheme. With the help of the life insurance you family members get an income protection that can help them lead a life as they wish. You can get the information on the different insurance companies and there quotes on the internet. Internet can be taken help of for comparing the advantages of the insurance provided by the different companies. You can easily make out the policy or the insurance that would best suit your needs, with the help of the online websites that contain information on them. You should protect your family and your children with this valuable scheme.

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