Causes, Risk and Symptoms Factors of Autism

Autistic disorder (known also as infantile autism or childhood autism) almost always develops before the age of three and is characterized by impaired verbal and non-verbal communication, social interaction, some form of repetitive and restricted stereotyped interest, ritual, or other behavior.

Children with autism often have extreme difficulty developing normal relationships with others. They tend not to share in the interests their peers have. In many cases these children are not able to interpret non-verbal cues of communication like facial expressions. Most people with autism have some impairment in language and many never speak at all.

About 8.7 of every 10,000 children are autistic, and more than 1 in 300 children have some form of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). PDD means that some, but not all, symptoms of autism are present.

Autism is a lifelong disease that ranges in severity from mild cases in which the autistic person can live independently, to severe forms in which the patient requires social support and medical supervision throughout his or her life.
Causes and Risk Factors of Autism
There are physical bases for autism's development including genetic, infectious, and traumatic factors. Viral infection including rubella during the first trimester of pregnancy, have been studied as possible causes of autism. Children with Fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis have higher rates of autism than the general population.

Autism affects males four times more often than females, and there is a genetic basis for the disease.

Contrary to previous notions, autism is not caused by upbringing.

Symptoms of Autism
The symptoms vary greatly but follow a general pattern. Not all symptoms are present in all autistic children.

Autistic infants may act relatively normal during their first few months of life before becoming less responsive to their parents and other stimuli. They may have difficulty with feeding or toilet training; may not smile in recognition of their parents' faces, and may put up resistance to being cuddled.

As they enter toddlerhood, it becomes increasingly apparent that these children have a world of their own. They do not play with other children or toys in the normal manner, rather they remain aloof and prefer to play alone. Parents often mention that their child is so undemanding that he or she is “too good”.

Verbal and nonverbal communication skills, such as speech and facial expressions, develop peculiarly. Symptoms range from mutism to prolonged use of echoing or stilted language. When language is present, it is often concrete, unimaginative, and immature.

Another symptom of autism is an extreme resistance to change of any kind. Autistic children tend to want to maintain established behavior patterns and a set environment. They develop rituals in play, oppose change (such as moving furniture), and may become obsessed with one particular topic.

Other behavioral abnormalities that may be present are: staring at hands or flapping arms and hands, walking on tiptoe, rocking, tantrums, strange postures, unpredictable behavior and hyperactivity.

An autistic child has poor judgment and is therefore always at risk for danger. For instance, an autistic child may run into a busy street without any sign of fear.

Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

Although there are many ways to build stronger bones, those who are most prone to osteoporosis also must be aware of what behaviors and other factors can contribute to bone loss. The following are some bone robbers that you will want to avoid or limit for the health of your bones.

Alcohol. It's been suggested that small amounts of alcohol, say three to six drinks per week, may actually help your body to retain calcium and prevent osteoporosis by raising estrogen levels. But too much alcohol clearly weakens bones and damages your overall health. And the flip side to the estrogen coin is that the higher estrogen levels that are associated with moderate alcohol intake may be linked to an increased risk for breast cancer. So if you imbibe at all, go easy.

Smoking. Women who smoke tend to reach menopause earlier than nonsmokers, and this may be what increases their risk for osteoporosis. Smoking may also encourage bone loss in other ways that have yet to be identified. Ask your doctor for help in quitting.

Estrogen replacement therapy. After a woman experiences menopause, estrogen therapy can help forestall bone loss. The amount of estrogen required to both prevent bone loss and alleviate the symptoms of menopause is small, actually less than that in a typical birth control pill. Still, there are risks and possible side effects. So be sure to thoroughly discuss the pros and cons of estrogen replacement with your doctor.

Being overweight. This may be one of the few conditions where being overweight actually offer some protection. It's not known exactly why. It could be because the extra weight strengthens bone, or it could be that overweight women produce more estrogen than slender women. Considering the potential negative health effects that are associated with being overweight, such as the increased risks of high blood pressure and diabetes, it is not recommended that you purposely gain excess weight or stay overweight to prevent osteoporosis. However, it certainly highlights one of the many potential negative side effects of the waif-like, model-thin figure that is often glorified in the fashion industry and that is generally attainable only through disordered, unhealthy eating behaviors.

Pregnancy. Your risk of developing osteoporosis is greater if you have never been pregnant. Though being pregnant lowers your risk, it's not known if multiple pregnancies lower your risk further or whether, in fact, they might actually increase it.

Caffeine. Excessive caffeine intake, whether from coffee or other caffeinated drinks, can cause your body to lose calcium, but the effects are not quite as extreme as once thought. The amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee cancels the calcium in only about one tablespoon of milk.Still, it's probably a good idea to keep your daily caffeine intake to no more than about three cups of brewed coffee or four cups of brewed tea. Keep in mind that other food products, including caffeinated soft drinks, can add to your caffeine intake.

Inactivity. It has been proven beyond a doubt that regular physical activity is absolutely crucial to maintaining bone health throughout your life, so being sedentary means you're missing a simple, inexpensive, low-risk way to prevent calcium from leaching out of your bones -- perhaps the simplest way to keep your bones healthy and strong. Indeed, it's like letting calcium simply slip through your fingers.

Protein. In the United States, we generally eat far more protein than we need for good health. And it's believed that a high protein intake causes calcium to be excreted. Over time, this calcium loss, if not compensated for with dietary calcium, will come from the bones.

Long-term use of certain medications. People suffering from asthma or rheumatoid arthritis who take cortisone (a steroid) for long periods may diminish the strength of their bones.

Being Female. Women are several times more likely to develop osteoporosis than are men.

Race. Caucasians are at greater risk for developing osteoporosis than darker-skinned people are. Far fewer black women develop osteoporosis than do whites. People of Asian descent are also at higher risk for osteoporosis.

Bone structure. Small or petite women are at greater risk because of their small bones. If they experience the same rate of bone loss as larger women, they will develop osteoporosis sooner, simply because they have less bone to start with.

Early menopause:The earlier a woman experiences menopause, the greater her risk of osteoporosis. Risk also increases if a woman has a surgical menopause -- a hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus, or a double oophorectomy, or removal of both ovaries -- at an early age and is not put on hormone replacement therapy. If only the uterus is removed but the ovaries are left intact, the woman will likely experience normal menopausal symptoms in her early 50s, on average, and her risk will not be increased.

Family history: Many women with osteoporosis have at least one family member who has the disease. Still, a lack of family history doesn't rule out the possibility that a woman will develop osteoporosis.The fight against osteoporosis is a lifelong one. It is never too early to start the proper behavior that will help protect your bones in the long run. In the next section, we'll provide several home remedies in the form of lifestyle choices that you can make to prevent or hinder osteoporosis.

Treatment/Home Remedies for Swelling of feet during pregnancy

Moderate pain and swelling of ankles and feet and can be easily treated by some of the below mentioned home remedies.

Take one glass of Luke warm water, mix one teaspoon of fresh lime juice in it and drink this liquid everyday. This is an effective home remedy in reducing swelling of feet during pregnancy.

Boil 1-2 glass of water containing half tablespoon molasses and one tablespoon saunf, and boil it down to half. Drink this natural homemade drink everyday for 2-3 times. This will reduce swelling of feet during pregnancy.

Boil 1-2 glass of water containing two teaspoon Dania seeds and boiled it down to half. Drink this one-two time for two-three days.

Do’s

Avoid staying in hot atmospheric condition.

Try to sit in a resting position for long hours by keeping your feet up; this reduces swelling of feet during pregnancy.

Take a good amount of sleep at night; this also reduces swelling of feet during pregnancy. Take proper rest and stay in cool and normal temperature.

Wear soft and comfortable cotton cloth.

Sleeping or resting in one direction of your body (side turn) and keeping your legs raised using soft cushion reduces swelling of feet.

Do some breathing exercises everyday this helps in normal and safe delivery of the baby.

Drink lots of water as it keeps the skin hydrated and disease free.

Avoid tight elastic stockings and shocks.

Do not eat food items having excessive table salt content.

Massage your feet and hand for 5-10 minutes. This relaxes you and reduces swelling of feet during pregnancy.

Light walking and relaxing in the sofa that supports the leg of pregnant women is a good option for reducing the swelling of feet during pregnancy.

Wear comfortable footwear to avoid foot pain.

Relax your feet by keeping it in the Luke warm water for 10-15 minutes. This also reduces swelling.

Don’ts

Avoid tea, coffee, and heavy physical activities during pregnancy as it reduces the swelling of feet and ankles.

Do not smoke or drink alcohol during pregnancy.

Treatment for Swelling of Feet during Pregnancy


Given below are some of the effective and useful home remedies for the treatment of Swelling of Feet during Pregnancy. However, it is not necessary that all these below mentioned remedies will be effective for every Swelling of Feet during Pregnancy patient.


Curd

Make fresh glass of buttermilk from curd and drink 2-3 times a day.

Buttermilk is a healthy drink for Swelling of Feet during Pregnancy patient. It also cleans the toxic substance within the stomach and helps in digestion.

Vitamin E-rich food

It is also found that Vitamin E-rich food is good for patients suffering from Swelling of Feet during Pregnancy. Some of the Vitamin E-rich food is spinach, almond oil, sweet potato, sunflower seeds, and wheat germs.

Bitter gourd Juice

Juice extracted from bitter gourd is an effective home remedy for the treatment of Swelling of Feet during Pregnancy. Patient suffering from Swelling of Feet during Pregnancy should take 1-2 cup of bitter gourd juice in empty stomach in the morning. Continue this for 5-6 months. Patient may add a tablespoon of lime juice, if found
difficult to digest the bitter taste.

Lecithin seeds

Lecithin seeds are another effective home remedy for the treatment of Swelling of Feet during Pregnancy. Take 3-4 tablespoon of lecithin seeds every day for 2-3 month. This has a magical effect and shows great result within 2-3 months.

Sesame seeds

Sesame seeds are good for the treatment of various skin-related diseases. Take 15-20 sesame seeds and soak in a glass of water. Keep it overnight and drink in empty stomach early in the morning.

Other vegetable seeds important for the treatment of Swelling of Feet during Pregnancy are sunflower and pumpkin seeds.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
Never use any home remedy or other self treatment without being advised to do so by a physician.

Swelling of Feet during Pregnancy Causes, Symptoms, Diet and Exercises

Swelling or puffiness of feet is generally seen in the pregnant ladies. This swelling is because of excessive fluid retention in the feet and improper blood circulation.

Causes for Swelling of Feet during Pregnancy

Fluid retention is the main cause of swelling of feet during pregnancy. There is a high production of fluid during pregnancy.

Continuous walking and be in upright position for prolonged period cause swelling of feet during pregnancy.

Hot atmospheric condition also causes swelling of feet during pregnancy.

Enlarging uterus during pregnancy applies high amount of force to the legs and its nerves, and as a result there is improper blood flow which leads to swelling of feet during pregnancy.

Drinking less water, excess coffee, and tea lead to swelling of feet and ankles.

Hormonal actions also cause swelling of feet during pregnancy.

Diet for Swelling of Feet during Pregnancy

Eat food containing good amount of proteins like pulses, milk products, and fish.
Eat green vegetable like palak, beans, and cabbage.
Eat fruits like papaya, apple, and guava.
Eat vitamins, calcium, potassium, and zinc rich foods.

Exercises

Regularly do yoga as it improves blood circulations and reduces swelling of feet during pregnancy. Pranayama is good for body and mind.
Sit on the carpet and stretch your leg in the front, rotate your leg 10-15 times in a clockwise direction and then in the same way rotate in the anti-clock wise direction for 10-15 times. This reduces swelling of feet and improves blood circulation in the feet.
Swelling of feet during pregnancy is very common, you do not need to be frightened from this, and it only needs care and pampering to reduce irritation and pain caused due to swelling.

Symptoms for Swelling of Feet during Pregnancy

Swelling of the face, feet, and neck because of excessive accumulation of serum fluid in tissue, and hormonal changes are seen in the pregnant ladies. Solid blood mass formation because of improper blood circulation, swelling in the both or one leg, headaches, felling that you will fall, high blood pressure, and improper vision are some of the symptoms which need a quick visit to the doctor.