Oral Ecstasy ~ The G-spot

What is a G-Spot?

The “G” spot, so named after Dr. Ernest Grafenberg who wrote in 1950 an article about his discovery of this area of the female body, is a bean shaped mass of nerve tissue behind the clitoris located just the other side of the pubic bone on the upper wall of the vagina. The size and development of the urethral sponge can vary from woman to woman and can be anywhere from the size of a dime to a silver dollar, hence no two women will respond to G-spot stimulation in exactly the same way. G-spot once stimulated gives a woman immense pleasure and is a focal point of sexual arousal.

How to locate G-spot?

To locate G-spot either you can do it yourself or take the help of your partner. Locating G-spot together is not only fun by it will help you reach the peak of sexual satisfaction. You must be able to guide your partner and should be open as to what feels good and how your partner should stimulate your G-spot.

Positions that help locate and stimulate G-spot?

So, start out by kissing and stroking, caressing and teasing each other until you two can’t stand it any more and penetration is necessary. Vaginal stimulation may be unpleasant if the vagina is not well lubricated. Production of vaginal lubrication varies dramatically from female to female. Hence if vaginal dryness is a concern, make sure to use a water-based lubricant during your exploration.

The exact location of the G-Spot varies slightly from woman to woman. It is normally found about two inches in from the opening of the vagina, on the anterior wall (toward the stomach). Place two fingers into her vagina. Using your index finger, touch the anterior wall. It generally feels best if you keep consistent, firm pressure along the entire length of the fingers against the vaginal walls. Stop rotating and rest your fingertips on the (often slightly ridged) area of the vagina just behind the pubic bone and exert pressure upwards, towards her belly. This is direct G-spot stimulation, and it usually feels best if you move the fingers in small, slow circles, or point the fingers more sharply upwards and rock them forwards and back.

The G-Spot is easily located with the help of a partner while the women is lying on her belly with her hips slightly elevated. When in this position, one’s partner should apply light pressure to the vaginal wall with two or three fingertips while pressing down (towards the bed).

If a woman chooses to lie on her back, she or her partner can insert a couple of fingers curved upwards and then press upward with the tip of the fingers until you are pressing the G-Spot.

If engaging in intercourse, many women find the woman-on-top or the sitting position the best arrangement for providing stimulation to the G-Spot.

Why Men Cheat?

New Research On The Real Reasons A Guy May Stray And What You Can Do To Protect Your Relationship.

Marriage Councellor M.Gary Neuman dug through past research on male infidelity and found that most answers came from the wife’s point of view.Wouldn’t it make more sense to ask the guys? he tought.So Neuman surveyed 200 cheating and noncheating husbands to get at the real reasons behind men’s infidelity including what cheating men say could have prevented them from straying.

Here,some of his finding:-

1) 48% of Men rated emotional dissatisfaction as the primary reason they cheat.

So much for the myth that for men, cheating is all about sex: Only 8% of men said that sexual dissatisfaction was the main factor in their infidelity. “Our culture tells us that all men need to be happy is sex” Neuman says. “But men are emotionally driven beings too.They want their wife to show them that they’re appreciated, and they want their women to understand how hard they’re trying to get things right”.

The problem is that men are less likely than women to express these feelings, so you won’t always know when your guy is in need of a little affirmation. “Most men consider it unmanly to ask for a pat on the back, which is why their emotional needs are often overlooked” Neuman says. “But you can create a marital culture of appreciation and thoughtfulness, and once you set the tone, he’s likely to match it.

2) 66% of cheating men report feeling guilt during the affair.

The implication are a little scary, it isn’t just uncaring jerks who cheat. In fact, 68% of cheaters never dreamed they’d be unfaithful, and almost all of them wished they hadn’t done it. Clearly, guilt isn’t enough to stop a man from cheating. Men are good at compartmentalising feelings. They can hold on to their emotions and deal with them later. So even if your husband swears he would never cheat, don’t assume it can’t happen. It’s important for both of you to take steps toward creating the marriage you want.

3) 77% of cheating men have good friend who cheated.

Hanging around friends who stray makes cheating seem normal and legitimises it as a possibility. The message he’s subconsciously telling himself, my friend is a good guy who happens to be cheating on his wife. I guess even the best of us do it. You can’t simply ban you husband from hanging out with Mr.Wandering Eyes, but you can request that they spend their time together in an environment that offers less temptation, like at a sporting event or a restaurant for lunch rather than at a bar or club. Another strategy is, build your social circle around happily married couples that share your values, it’ll create an environment that supports marriage.

4) 40% of cheating men met the other woman at work.

Oftentime the woman he cheats with at the office is someone who praises him, looks up to him and compliments his efforts. That’s another reason why it’s so critical that he feel valued at home. Luckily, there’s a clear warning sign that your husband is getting a little too cozy with a colleague: Iif he praises or mentions the name of a female co-worker more than he would a male counterpart, your antennae should go up – and it’s time for the two of you to set boundaries about what is and isn’t okay at work. It is acceptable for him to work late if it’s only him and her?. Can they travel together to conferences? Have dinners out to discuss a project?. Ask him what he’d feel comportable with you doing with a male colleague.

5) Only 12% of cheating men said their mistress was more physically attractive than their wife.

In other words, a man doesn’t stray because he thinks he get better sex with a better-looking body. In most cases, he cheating to fill an emotional void. He feels a connection with the other woman, and sex comes along for the ride. If you’re worried about infidelity, focus on making your relationship more loving and connected, not on getting your body just right or mastering new sexual positions. But know that sex does matter – it’s one of the key ways your guy expresses his love and feels close to you, so be sure to keep it a priority.

6) Only 6% of cheating men had sex with a woman after meeting her that same day or night.

Actually, 73% of men got to know the other woman for more than a month before they cheated. This means that you may have time to see the warning signs before infidelity occurs, you might even see it coming before he does. Keep an eye out for these common signals: 

       a.  He spends more time away from home, 

       b.  Stops asking for sex,

       c.  Picks fights more frequently, or

       d.  Avoids your calls.

Your gut reaction may be to confront him, but most men will deny even thinking about cheating, especially if nothing physical has occured yet.

Instead, take charge of what you can control – you own behaviour – and take the lead in bringing your marriage to better place. Don’t hesitate to show your appreciation for him, prioritise time together, and initiate sex more.

Give him a reason to keep you at the front of his mind. And be open about how you feel about what’s going on between the two of you without mentioning any third parties. Try, ” I think we’ve started to lose something important in our marriage, and I don’t want it to disappear. In the meantime, commit to keeping tabs on your relationship and doing what it takes to keep it working for you.

Sexual health

THERE are different interpretations when the term sexual health is used. Be that as it may, one should remember the definition by a technical committee of the World Health Organisation (WHO): “Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.”

This has to be distinguished from sexuality which has been defined by the WHO group as “a central aspect of being human throughout life and encompasses sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction.

Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviour, practices, roles and relationships.

While sexuality can include all of these dimensions, not all of them are always experienced or expressed. Sexuality is influenced by the interaction of biological, psychological, social, economic, political, cultural, ethical, legal, historical, religious and spiritual factors.”

Sexual health has always been intertwined with reproductive health, especially after the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, in 1994, when it was defined as a component of reproductive health, which usually covers the period from 15 to 45 years of a woman’s age.

However, it is now recognised that sexual health is more encompassing than reproductive health. It is a pre-requisite for reproductive health and is relevant throughout a woman’s life span and not just confined to the reproductive years.

Sexual health issues

There are several components of and issues in sexual health and they include, among others, the following:

·sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS, and reproductive tract infections (RTIs), with its social stigma and discrimination;

·unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion, which can have devastating effects on health and socio-economic opportunities and are often associated with sexual coercion and lack of access to information and services;

·infertility, which is often a consequence of untreated or inadequately treated STIs, unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion;

·sexual well-being (including sexual satisfaction, pleasure and dysfunction);

·violence related to gender and sexuality;

·certain aspects of mental health;

·the impact of physical disabilities and chronic illnesses on sexual health;

·female genital mutilation.

Some of the sexual health issues such as unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion, sexual well-being, sexual violence, the impact of physical disabilities and chronic illnesses on sexual health and female genital mutilation, are often ignored and come to public cognisance only when untoward events occur, usually to the detriment of females.

Complex causes

Many of the fundamental causes of sexual health issues are beyond the scope of the health sector. One of the most momentous developments recently has been the recognition that complex social, economic and political factors impact significantly on sexual health. The addressing of poverty, gender power imbalances and unequal access to health, and education are essential in the efforts to improve the population’s sexual health.

Poverty directly impacts on sexual health especially on the access to health care services and education opportunities. It also has indirect impacts – some women are put into situations that affect their sexual health like commercial sex.

A report Measuring and Monitoring Gender Equality published in 2007 by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme noted that notwithstanding “the significant progress in reducing gender inequalities, this level of gender inequality is still high compared to some of the high human development countries.”

There is still much room to improve gender power balances. Because of these imbalances, girls and women are still disadvantaged in access to resources, decision-making, choices and opportunities, all of which impact directly on sexual health. There may be pressure of early marriage, choice of spouse, immediate childbearing and engagement in sexual activity as a marital obligation.

Submission to male authority increases the vulnerability to poor sexual health. In particular, the refusal of many men to use condoms has resulted in numerous STIs, including HIV/AIDS, and unintended pregnancies. Reports of the increasing heterosexual transmission of HIV/AIDS certainly warrant greater sexual health promotion.

Sexist statements by members of parliament and the intrusion into the private privacy of public figures provide an idea of the chauvinistic attitudes and gender power imbalances prevalent among some influential members of the community.

Violence has negative impacts on the sexual and reproductive health of women, which may be long lasting. The violence against women can be physical, sexual and emotional in nature, and is inflicted at any time, including during pregnancy.

The majority of those who inflict the violence are the spouse or sexual partner. There were more than 3,000 reported cases of rape annually in the past few years. This, together with that of sexual assaul,t are but the tip of the iceberg, because it is well known that for every reported case, there are many unreported cases, as the stigma is unacceptable to many victims. Violence against women result in sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion, infertility, chronic pelvic pain and mental conditions.

Education provides girls with literacy and decision making skills. It leads to better employment opportunities and with it, economic autonomy.

Sexuality education, if implemented well, have been reported to be effective in delaying onset of sexual activity, increasing usage of contraception, delaying early marriage and child bearing and decreasing the incidence of sexually transmitted infections, all of which enhance sexual health.

WHO advocates that a comprehensive approach be taken in the promotion of sexual health involving the health, education, political, economic and legal sectors.

Education has a critical role to play as it is a major pillar for the promotion of sexual health.

Whilst sexuality education has been introduced in our schools, there is no published data on assessments of its quality and outcomes.

Everyone has a right to sexual health. There are many components of sexual health, with complex multiple causes for the various issues.

The promotion of sexual health is multi-sectoral and is underpinned by comprehensive sexuality education which, if implemented well, is effective in enhancing everyone’s sexual health.

Source: Dr Milton Lum

Scare stories vs the truth – H1N1 in Malaysia

Getting a grip on what the A (H1N1) pandemic is all about is key to devising a proper approach to handle the disease.

Sometimes we get frightened to death and paralysed by stories of a pandemic from diseases overseas and ignore the real danger literally lurking and killing in our very own backyards.

The Influenza A (H1N1), known in some parts of the world as swine flu, has been classified as Phase 6, the highest, in the World Health Organisation classification of pandemics, sparking off a panic of sorts, especially among Asian countries which have had to deal with SARS and avian flu among others.

While one should not underestimate the need to be careful and proactive with the outbreak, there is a need to be very circumspect about what Influenza A (H1N1) – the WHO-given name for this strain of the flu – is.

First, what is a pandemic? According to the WHO, a disease epidemic occurs when there are more cases of that disease than normal. A pandemic is a worldwide epidemic of a disease.

An influenza pandemic may occur when a new influenza virus appears, against which the human population has no immunity.

And what does Phase 6 mean?  Phase 6, the pandemic phase, is characterised by community-level outbreaks in at least one other country in a different WHO region in addition to the criteria defined in Phase 5, the WHO says. Designation of this phase will indicate that a global pandemic is under way.

Phase 5 is characterised by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent.

The WHO cautions that with the increase in global transport, as well as urbanisation and overcrowded conditions in some areas, epidemics due to a new influenza virus are likely to take hold around the world and become pandemics faster than before.

What this basically establishes is that the latest flu strain is very contagious and is spreading very rapidly throughout the world. That is only to be expected from any new strain of flu and the WHO is only doing its duty when it points this out. But the alert level does not relate to danger.

As the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says: “A Phase 6 pandemic declaration is based on the sustained worldwide spread of Influenza A (H1N1), not the severity of illness caused by the virus.”

The rapidity with which the virus is spreading is very evident in Malaysia, too. On May 15, Malaysia reported its first case, a student back home from the US. A month later, it reported the first case of a Malaysian catching the flu from another infected Malaysian.

Two days ago, it reported 38 new cases, the biggest one-day jump in cases, bringing the total to 196. But there has been no death yet. From here on, one has to expect that the cases will jump and we will find records being broken daily. (There were 48 cases yesterday.)

But what one must remember is that this strain of the flu is not as deadly as some of the infections that we have had before, such as SARS or avian flu. Worldwide, some 77,201 cases have been reported with 332 deaths, a fatality rate of 0.43% or less than one in 200 people infected.

That’s less dangerous than most other strains of flu. Some say the common cold may be killing more people than A (H1N1)! The people who are most likely to succumb to the disease are those with pre-existing conditions where their systems have already been weakened.

The question we must ask ourselves is whether we are overreacting given that it is not a severe illness. That in no way implies that we drop our state of alertness and preparedness, but that our response should be commensurate with the severity of the disease.

Take dengue for instance. Up to June 13 this year, there had been 23,056 cases with 57 deaths. Certainly more can be done to curb this backyard killer, which is carried by mosquitoes.

Cool heads must prevail to find appropriate solutions to the Influenza A (H1N1) problem. We need to look at what can be reasonably done.

Some countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, are already taking a different approach and dealing with the disease directly instead of trying to test for all suspected cases, which takes up a lot of resources.

There is no one-size solution that will fit all countries, but it is perhaps high time we try out some other outfits and let our lives return to normalcy. Undue fear about Influenza  A (H1N1) can be rather disruptive for business – and leisure.

Fetal development: What happens during the first trimester?

Fetal development begins before you even know you’re pregnant. Here’s a weekly calendar of events for the first trimester of pregnancy.

You’re pregnant. Congratulations! You’ll undoubtedly spend the months ahead wondering how your baby is growing and developing. What does your baby look like? How big is he or she? When will you hear the heartbeat?

Fetal development typically follows a predictable course. To help answer some of these questions, check out this weekly calendar of events for your baby’s first three months in the womb.

Week 1: Getting ready

It may seem strange, but you’re not actually pregnant the first week or two of the time allotted to your pregnancy. Yes, you read that correctly!

Conception typically occurs about two weeks after your period begins. To calculate your due date, your health care provider will count ahead 40 weeks from the start of your last period. This means your period is counted as part of your pregnancy — even though you weren’t pregnant at the time.

Week 2: Fertilization

The sperm and egg unite in one of your fallopian tubes to form a one-celled entity called a zygote. If more than one egg is released and fertilized, you may have multiple zygotes.

The zygote has 46 chromosomes — 23 from you and 23 from your partner. These chromosomes contain genetic material that will determine your baby’s sex and traits such as eye color, hair color, height, facial features and — at least to some extent — intelligence and personality.

Soon after fertilization, the zygote travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus. At the same time, it will begin dividing rapidly to form a cluster of cells resembling a tiny raspberry. The inner group of cells will become the embryo. The outer group of cells will become the membranes that nourish and protect it.

Week 3: Implantation

The zygote — by this time made up of about 500 cells — is now known as a blastocyst. When it reaches your uterus, the blastocyst will burrow into the uterine wall for nourishment. The placenta, which will nourish your baby throughout the pregnancy, also begins to form.

By the end of this week, you may be celebrating a positive pregnancy test.

Week 4: The embryonic period begins

The fourth week marks the beginning of the embryonic period, when the baby’s brain, spinal cord, heart and other organs begin to form. Your baby is now 1/25 of an inch long.

The embryo is now made of three layers. The top layer — the ectoderm — will give rise to a groove along the midline of your baby’s body. This will become the neural tube, where your baby’s brain, spinal cord, spinal nerves and backbone will develop.

Your baby’s heart and a primitive circulatory system will form in the middle layer of cells — the mesoderm. This layer of cells will also serve as the foundation for your baby’s bones, muscles, kidneys and much of the reproductive system.

The inner layer of cells — the endoderm — will become a simple tube lined with mucous membranes. Your baby’s lungs, intestines and bladder will develop here.

Week 5: Baby’s heart begins to beat

Your baby at week five (three weeks after conception)

week five, your baby is 1/17 of an inch long — about the size of the tip of a pen.

This week, your baby’s heart and circulatory system are taking shape. Your baby’s blood vessels will complete a circuit, and his or her heart will begin to beat. Although you won’t be able to hear it yet, the motion of your baby’s beating heart may be detected with an ultrasound exam.

With these changes, blood circulation begins — making the circulatory system the first functioning organ system.

Week 6: The neural tube closes

Your baby at week six (four weeks after conception)

Growth is rapid this week. Just four weeks after conception, your baby is about 1/8 of an inch long. The neural tube along your baby’s back is now closed, and your baby’s heart is beating with a regular rhythm.

Basic facial features will begin to appear, including an opening for the mouth and passageways that will make up the inner ear. The digestive and respiratory systems begin to form as well.

Small blocks of tissue that will form your baby’s connective tissue, ribs and muscles are developing along your baby’s midline. Small buds will soon grow into arms and legs.

Week 7: The umbilical cord appears

Your baby at week seven (five weeks after conception)

Seven weeks into your pregnancy, your baby is 1/3 of an inch long — a little bigger than the top of a pencil eraser. He or she weighs less than an aspirin tablet.

The umbilical cord — the link between your baby and the placenta — is now clearly visible. The cavities and passages needed to circulate spinal fluid in your baby’s brain have formed, but your baby’s skull is still transparent.

The arm bud that sprouted last week now resembles a tiny paddle. Your baby’s face takes on more definition this week, as a mouth perforation, tiny nostrils and ear indentations become visible.

Week 8: Baby’s fingers and toes form

Eight weeks into your pregnancy, your baby is just over 1/2 of an inch long.

Your baby will develop webbed fingers and toes this week. Wrists, elbows and ankles are clearly visible, and your baby’s eyelids are beginning to form. The ears, upper lip and tip of the nose also become recognizable.

As your baby’s heart becomes more fully developed, it will pump at 150 beats a minute — about twice the usual adult rate.

Week 9: Movement begins

Your baby at week nine (seven weeks after conception)

Your baby is now nearly 1 inch long and weighs a bit less than 1/8 of an ounce. The embryonic tail at the bottom of your baby’s spinal cord is shrinking, helping him or her look less like a tadpole and more like a developing person.

Your baby’s head — which is nearly half the size of his or her entire body — is now tucked down onto the chest. Nipples and hair follicles begin to form. Your baby’s pancreas, bile ducts, gallbladder and anus are in place. The internal reproductive organs, such as testes or ovaries, start to develop.

Your baby may begin moving this week, but you won’t be able to feel it for quite a while yet.

Week 10: Neurons multiply

Your baby at week 10 (eight weeks after conception)

By now, your baby’s vital organs have a solid foundation. The embryonic tail has disappeared completely, and your baby has fully separated fingers and toes. The bones of your baby’s skeleton begin to form.

This week, your baby’s brain will produce almost 250,000 new neurons every minute.

Your baby’s eyelids are no longer transparent. The outer ears are starting to assume their final form, and tooth buds are forming as well. If your baby is a boy, his testes will start producing the male hormone testosterone.

Week 11: Baby’s sex may be apparent

Your baby at week 11 (nine weeks after conception)

From now until your 20th week of pregnancy — the halfway mark — your baby will increase his or her weight 30 times and will about triple in length. To make sure your baby gets enough nutrients, the blood vessels in the placenta are growing larger and multiplying.

Your baby is now officially described as a fetus. Your baby’s ears are moving up and to the side of the head this week. By the end of the week, your baby’s external genitalia will develop into a recognizable penis or clitoris and labia majora.

Week 12: Baby’s fingernails and toenails appear

Twelve weeks into your pregnancy, your baby is nearly 3 inches long and weighs about 4/5 of an ounce. Your baby’s head is nearly half the size of his or her entire body.

This week marks the arrival of fingernails and toenails. Your baby’s chin and nose will become more refined as well.

Taking care of your baby

Healthy lifestyle choices — beginning even before conception — can support your baby’s development. Consider these simple do’s and don’ts:

Do:

• Take a prenatal vitamin
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly, with your health care provider’s OK
• Eat healthy foods
• Manage stress and any chronic health conditions
• See your health care provider for regular prenatal checkups
• Talk to your health care provider about any medications you’re taking

Don’t:

• Smoke
• Drink alcohol
• Use illicit drugs

Your baby is growing and changing every day. To give your baby the best start, take good care of yourself.

Source: Mayoclinic

Prenatal care: What to expect during the first trimester

Pregnancy and prenatal care go hand in hand. During the first trimester, prenatal care includes blood tests, a physical exam, conversations about lifestyle and more.

Prenatal care is an important part of a healthy pregnancy. Whether you choose a family physician, obstetrician or nurse-midwife, prenatal care is the key to monitoring your health — and your baby’s health — throughout your pregnancy. Here’s what to expect at the first few prenatal appointments.

Prenatal care: The first visit

As soon as you think you’re pregnant, schedule your first prenatal appointment. Set aside ample time for the visit. You and your health care provider have plenty to discuss! You might want to include your partner in the appointment as well.

Here are the basics:

• Medical history. Your health care provider will ask many questions — including details about your menstrual cycle, use of contraceptives, past pregnancies, and allergies or other medical conditions. Bring a list of any prescription or over-the-counter medications you’re taking. Share any family history of congenital abnormalities or genetic diseases.

  Be sure to mention even sensitive issues, such as abortion or past drug use. Remember, the information you share will help your health care provider take the best care of you — and your baby. If there’s any part of your medical history that you don’t want to share with your partner or other loved ones, mention it to your health care provider privately.

• Due date. Establishing your due date early in pregnancy allows your health care provider to monitor your baby’s growth as accurately as possible. To estimate your due date, your health care provider will count ahead 40 weeks from the start of your last period. If there’s any question about your due date, your health care provider may use an early ultrasound to help confirm the date.
• Physical exam. Your health care provider will check your weight, height and blood pressure. He or she will listen to your heart and assess your overall health.
• Pelvic exam. Your health care provider will examine your vagina and the opening to your uterus (cervix) for any infections or abnormalities. You may need a Pap test to screen for cervical cancer. Changes in the cervix and in the size of your uterus can help confirm the stage of your pregnancy.
• Blood tests. Your health care provider will do blood tests to determine your blood type, including Rh factor — a specific protein on the surface of red blood cells. Blood tests also can reveal whether you’ve been exposed to syphilis, measles, mumps, rubella or hepatitis B. You may be offered a test for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Tests for chickenpox and toxoplasmosis immunity may sometimes be done as well.
• Urine tests. Analysis of your urine can reveal a bladder or kidney infection. The presence of too much sugar or protein in your urine may suggest diabetes or kidney disease.
• Lifestyle issues. Your health care provider will discuss the importance of nutrition, prenatal vitamins, exercise and other lifestyle issues. You’ll also discuss your work environment. If you smoke, ask your health care provider for suggestions to help you quit.
• Screening tests for fetal abnormalities. Prenatal tests can give you valuable information about your baby’s health. Your health care provider may recommend ultrasound, blood tests or other screening tests to detect fetal abnormalities.

Prenatal care: Other first-trimester visits

Subsequent prenatal visits — often scheduled every four to six weeks during the first trimester — will probably be shorter than the first. Your health care provider will check your weight and blood pressure, and you’ll discuss your signs and symptoms. You probably won’t need another pelvic exam until later in your pregnancy. Near the end of the first trimester, you may be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat with a small device that bounces sound waves off your baby’s heart.

Remember, your health care provider is there to support you throughout your pregnancy. Your prenatal appointments are an ideal time to discuss any questions or concerns — including things that may be uncomfortable or embarrassing. Also find out how to reach your health care provider between appointments. Knowing help is available when you need it can offer precious peace of mind.

Source: Mayoclinic

First trimester pregnancy: What to expect

First trimester pregnancy can be overwhelming. Understand the changes you may experience and how to take care of yourself during this exciting time.

First trimester pregnancy is marked by an invisible — yet amazing — transformation. Knowing what first trimester pregnancy changes to expect can help you face the months ahead with confidence.

Your body

Within two weeks of conception, hormones trigger your body to begin nourishing the baby — even before tests and a physical exam can confirm the pregnancy. Here are some common physical changes you may notice during first trimester pregnancy.

• Tender breasts. Increased hormone production may make your breasts unusually sensitive. Your breasts will probably feel fuller and heavier. Wearing a more supportive bra or a sports bra may help.
• Bouts of nausea. Many women have queasiness, nausea or vomiting in early pregnancy — probably due to normal hormonal changes. Nausea tends to be worse in the morning, but it can last all day. To help relieve this first trimester pregnancy symptom, eat small, frequent meals throughout the day. Choose foods that are low in fat and easy to digest. It’s also helpful to drink plenty of fluids. Avoid foods or smells that make your nausea worse. Try drinking ginger ale. For some women, motion sickness bands are helpful. For others, alternative therapies such as acupuncture or hypnosis offer relief. If you’re considering an alternative therapy, get the OK from your health care provider first.

  Contact your health care provider if the nausea is severe, you’re passing only a small amount of urine or it’s dark in color, you can’t keep down liquids, you feel dizzy or faint when standing up, your heart is racing, or you vomit blood.

• Unusual fatigue. You may feel tired as your body prepares to support the pregnancy. Your heart will pump faster and harder, and your pulse will quicken. To combat fatigue, rest as much as you can. Make sure you’re getting enough iron and protein. Include physical activity, such as a brisk walk, in your daily routine.
• Increased urination. You may need to urinate more often as your enlarging uterus presses on your bladder. The same pressure may cause you to leak urine when sneezing, coughing or laughing. To help prevent urinary tract infections, urinate whenever you feel the urge. If you’re losing sleep due to middle-of-the-night bathroom trips, drink less in the evening — especially fluids containing caffeine, which can make you urinate more. If you’re worried about leaking urine, panty liners may offer a sense of security.
• Heartburn and constipation. During first trimester pregnancy, the movements that push swallowed food from your esophagus into your stomach are slower. Your stomach also takes longer to empty. This slowdown gives nutrients more time to be absorbed into your bloodstream and reach your baby. Unfortunately, it may also lead to heartburn and constipation. To prevent heartburn, eat small, frequent meals and avoid fried foods, carbonated drinks, citrus fruits or juices, and spicy foods. To prevent or relieve constipation, include plenty of fiber in your diet and drink lots of fluids. Regular physical activity also may help.
• Dizziness. Normal circulatory changes in early pregnancy may leave you feeling a little dizzy. Stress, fatigue and hunger also may play a role. To prevent mild, occasional dizziness, avoid prolonged standing. Rise slowly after lying or sitting down. If you start to feel dizzy while you’re driving, pull over. If you’re standing when dizziness hits, sit or lie down.

  Seek prompt care if the dizziness is severe and occurs with abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding. This may indicate an ectopic pregnancy — a condition in which the fertilized egg implants itself outside the uterus. To prevent life-threatening complications, the ectopic tissue must be removed.

Your emotions

Pregnancy may leave you feeling delighted, anxious, exhilarated and exhausted — sometimes all at once. Even if you’re thrilled about being pregnant, a new baby adds emotional stress to your life.

It’s natural to worry about your baby’s health, your adjustment to motherhood and the financial demands of raising a child. You may wonder how the baby will affect your relationship with your partner or what type of parent you’ll be. If you’re working, you may worry about your productivity on the job and how to balance the competing demands of family and career.

You may also experience misgivings and bouts of weepiness or mood swings. To cope with these emotions, remind yourself that what you’re feeling is normal. Take good care of yourself, and look to your partner and other loved ones for understanding and encouragement. If the mood changes become severe or intense, consult your health care provider for additional support.

Your relationship with your partner

Becoming a mother takes time away from other roles and relationships. You may lose some of your psychological identity as a partner and lover — but good communication can help you keep intimacy alive.

• Be honest. Let your partner know that you need support and tenderness — sometimes without sexual overtones. Identify the stress points in your relationship before they become problematic.
• Be patient. Occasional misunderstandings and conflicts are inevitable. Consider both sides. If your partner dives into work, for example, you may feel hurt and rejected because it appears as a withdrawal from your relationship. Your partner, on the other hand, may simply be trying to provide more security for your family.
• Be supportive. Encourage your partner to identify any doubts or worries. Do the same yourself. Discussing your feelings honestly and openly will strengthen your relationship and help you begin preparing a home for your baby.

Appointments with your health care provider

Whether you choose a family physician, obstetrician or nurse-midwife, your health care provider will treat, educate and reassure you throughout your pregnancy. He or she is there to help you celebrate the miracle of birth.

Your first visit will focus mainly on assessing your overall health, identifying any risk factors and determining your baby’s gestational age. Your health care provider will ask detailed questions about your health history. Be honest. The answers you provide will help you and your baby receive the best care. If you’re uncomfortable discussing your health history in front of your partner, schedule a private consultation with your health care provider.

After the first visit, you may be asked to schedule checkups every four to six weeks until the last month of your pregnancy, when you may need checkups every week or two. During these appointments, raise any concerns or fears you may have about pregnancy, childbirth or life with a newborn. It may help to write down your questions so that you remember to discuss them. No question is silly or unimportant — and the answers can help you take the best care of yourself and your baby.

Source: Mayoclinic

Getting some sleep

 

Restful: Normal adults need six to 10 hours of sleep.

A look at ways to manage insomnia.

 

THE body rests and recovers from previous activities during sleep. Normal sleep comprises cycles of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM). NREM sleep is followed by REM sleep, which occurs four to five times during the usual eight-hour sleep period.

The first REM period of the night may be last less than 10 minutes, while the last may exceed an hour. The NREM and REM cycles vary in length from 70 to 100 minutes initially, to 90 to 120 minutes later in the night.

During the first third of the night, deep NREM sleep predominates, while REM sleep predominates in the last third of the night. REM sleep takes up 20% to 25% of total sleep time.

Insomnia

Insomnia refers to the disturbance of a normal sleep pattern. The different types of insomnia are:

·Difficulty getting to sleep (sleep onset insomnia) which is most common in young people.

·Waking up in the night which is most common in older people.

·Waking up early in the morning, which is least common.

·Not feeling refreshed after sleeping, leading to irritability, tiredness and difficulty concentrating during the day.

·Waking up due to disturbances such as noise or pain.

The duration of insomnia varies. It may be:

·Transient, lasting two to three days

·Short-term, lasting more than a few days, but less than three weeks

·Chronic, that is, it occurs on most nights for three weeks or more.

Everyone has experienced insomnia. It is generally accepted that about one-third of the population has insomnia.

 

ZZzzzzz

How much sleep?

 

The need for sleep varies with age. A newborn may sleep 16 to 20 hours, and an infant 12 to 14 hours. Toddlers may sleep 10 hours or more. Primary schoolchildren need nine to 10 hours of sleep, while normal adults need six to 10 hours of sleep.

It takes an adult about 10 to 20 minutes to fall asleep. Most of those who have less than five to six hours of sleep are probably not getting enough sleep.

After a good sleep, a person would feel refreshed on waking and can stay alert throughout the day, without the need for naps or sleeping in on weekends.

Symptoms and causes

The symptoms of insomnia vary. They include lying awake for a long period at night prior to sleeping, waking up several times at night, waking up early in the morning and not being able to go back to sleep, feeling tired and not refreshed, inability to function properly during the day, and feeling irritable.

The causes of insomnia:

·Physiological: working at night, light, noise, snoring, partner’s movements, and jet lag.

·Medical: pain or discomfort caused by arthritis, headaches, back pain, menopausal hot flushes, gastrointestinal disorders and pruritus (excessive itching).

·Psychological and psychiatric: examination stress, work worries, relationship problems, anxiety, depression, bereavement and dementia.

·Sleep disorders: sleep apnoea and sleep walking.

·Medicines: antidepressants, appetite suppressants, beta-blockers, corticosteroids and decongestants.

·Alcohol.

Management

Consult a doctor. He will look into the history of your condition and conduct a physical examination. The doctor will enquire about your sleeping routines, previous and current medical conditions, psychological or psychiatric conditions, if any, consumption of caffeine, medicines and alcohol, substance abuse including narcotic drugs, diet and exercise. The cause may be detected through this approach in many instances.

If the cause is not obvious, the doctor will ask for a sleep diary to be kept. This involves recording the time when one goes to sleep, when one wakes up in the morning and when one wakes up at night.

A referral to a specialist may be necessary if the cause is still not obvious. Laboratory tests and polysomnography may be carried out. The latter is used in the diagnosis of sleep apnoea and sleep disorders. This involves recording many parameters when one is asleep, including brain electrical activity; movements of the eye, jaw and leg muscles; and heart and lung functions. The doctor will discuss with the patient prior to any videotaping which may be considered necessary.

Once a diagnosis of the underlying condition has been made, the cause will be treated. For example, if the cause is anxiety or depression, the problem will go away once it is treated.

General measures which do not involve the use of medicines are preferred. It may involve counselling if the insomnia is due to stress or bereavement. Cognitive behavioural therapy which involves changes in thinking and behavioural patterns is useful. Measures like limiting caffeine or alcohol intake, exercise and keeping to a regular sleep routine are helpful.

Sleeping pills may be considered by the doctor for severe or short-term insomnia if general measures do not work. Doctors are usually reluctant to prescribe sleeping pills as they relieve the symptoms but do not address the underlying cause. An individual can also become dependent on sleeping pills, which are not without side effects.

Many of the sleeping pills available belong to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines which require a doctor’s prescription. Benzodiazepines are anxiolytics and hypnotics, that is, they reduce anxiety and promote calmness and sleep. Benzodiazepines can lead to dependence and side effects like a hangover and drowsiness during the day. This can lead to accidents when driving. Examples of benzodiazepines include lormetazepam and temazepam.

The short-acting “Z-pills” that is, zopiclone and zolpidem, act on the same receptors as benzodiazepines but are not classified as such because their molecular structures are different. They were initially thought to be less addictive and habit forming than benzodiazepines but this view has changed with reports of addiction in the past few years. The side effects are similar to benzodiazepines.

The lowest possible dose of sleeping pills should be taken for the shortest possible time. One should only take them under medical supervision. There is no place for self-medication. Do not stop intake abruptly as this may cause withdrawal effects. The doctor’s advice is crucial here.

Melatonin is a hormone that is involved in the regulation of the sleep cycle or circadian rhythm. It is a short-term medicine for insomnia and cannot be consumed for more than three weeks. Although side effects are uncommon, they include dizziness, migraines, irritability, constipation and abdominal discomfort.

Getting good sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep is vital. This can be achieved by various means:

·Having a routine facilitates sound sleep. This means going to bed and getting up at about the same time every day. It is important to relax before getting into bed as activity just before bedtime may keep one awake.

·Having an early dinner helps. The digestive system goes to sleep at about 7 o’clock. A light dinner is helpful.

·Avoid caffeine after lunch as caffeine keeps one awake.

·Avoid alcohol as its breakdown produces chemicals that stimulate the individual. It also increases the likelihood of snoring as it relaxes the muscles. This leads to lighter and less refreshing sleep.

·Avoid naps. The afternoon nap may keep one awake at night.

·Avoid light. This is because melatonin, the hormone that helps a person sleep, is produced in the dark.

Source: Dr Milton Lum

Doc: Mental health problems on the rise in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: More Malaysian students are suffering from mental health problems now, with nearly half of them showing emotional and aggressive symptoms.

Malaysian Psychiatric Associa-tion vice-president Dr Abdul Kadir Abu Bakar said one of the main factors affecting students were bullying.

“Victims of bullying tend to have serious mental problems as they grow up, if there is no proper counselling.

“The number of mental health patients aged 18 and below has also increased from 13.7% in 1996 to almost 20% in 2006,” he said at the 14th Malaysian Conference on Psychological Medicine here yesterday (19/6/2009).

He urged parents and teachers to pay more attention to the changes in their children’s behaviour.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said 400,227 mental patients sought treatment at the government hospitals last year, an increase of 15.6% compared with 346,196 people in 2007.

“The increase in stress levels and complex social responsibilities are among factors causing more people to develop mental disorders,” he said, adding that more women than men tend to suffer from mental disorders.

Among the mental problems, anxiety is most common in the country, followed by depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Liow said suicide had also become a serious public health problem worldwide, with one death every 40 seconds.

“In Malaysia, the suicide rate now is between 9 and 12 cases per 100,000 people,” he said, adding the rate among Indians was alarming at between 30 and 35 cases per 100,000 people.

“Mental patients must be rehabilitated and integrated into the community,” he said in his speech read by the ministry’s Medical Development Division director Datuk Dr Azmi Shapie.

A clinical practice guidelines on the Management of Schizophrenia in Adults was also launched at the event.

Dr Azmi said family members played an important role in the recovery process of mental patients.

“Medication can only control their illness as they need the support from family and friends to help them recover and return to society,” he said.

Source: The Star Online

Material Girls

Does love still matter in the 21st century? Why is it when a good-looking woman marries a rich man, we always assume she is marrying him for his net worth?

While tall, dark and handsome was once the criteria for a dream man, the new breed of women today will tell you she will settle for short and ugly … as long as he comes with cold hard cash.

It really seems like some women are more interested in how much moolah a man has in his checking account than how much love he has in his heart.

Gad Elmaleh and Audrey Tautou Star in Priceless. A young gold digger(Tautou)mistakenly woos a mild- mannered bartender (Elmaleh)thinking he’s a wealthy suitor.

So just who are this new breed of women? There is a name for them – gold diggers.

We constantly see them fictionalised on the big screen; an upcoming Malaysian movie Pisau Cukur tells of two gold diggers who pursue rich men on a cruise ship.

In the French movie Priceless, Audrey Tautou is cast as a beautiful woman who selects her beaus based on the size of their wallets and there are also real-life celebrities who have been labelled that by the media. Remember the late Anna-Nicole Smith and her old but rich husband?.

More recently, Heather Mills was accused of being a gold digger when she married Paul McCartney despite proclaiming her love forthe Beatle. Of course, her divorce settlement of £24.3mil (RM170mil) did not do well to support her case.

I’m sure many of us know of a friend who is in a relationship with with someone completely wrong for her but so perfect for her Gucci and Prada penchant.

Here are a few of those kinds of stories …

For love or money?

Self-confessed gold digger Sasha, 28, shares her thoughts: “I want to be financially stable and everyone knows that one of the fastest ways to do this is to marry a rich man. Is there anything wrong with wanting to live a good life, even if it means having love come second?”

Heather Mills

Sasha’s view is not uncommon. Years ago, families eagerly married off their young daughters to the most sought-after bachelors who most often hailed from well-to-do families.

The only difference is, back then women had to be coquettish to attract a man. Today, she literally has to put herself out there in her best skimpy black dress!

Examples of successful pursuits in would include the achievements of soccer wives Coleen McLoughlin and Cheryl Tweedy – women who are known for whom they marry rather than their own successes.

Still, there’s nothing wrong with that. If you think about it, even Cinderella did everything she could to nab her Prince Charming.

But it seems the act of gold digging is getting more attention today and shamelessly aiming for the richest is accepted and even highly advocated. In fact, there are online sites – sugardaddies.com, seekingmillionaire.com – to help gold diggers snag themselves a champion.

Psychologist Dr Sheila Keegan agrees, “People want an instant route to fame, wealth and success. Greed is no longer perceived as a bad thing, and women are admired for being smart, but not necessarily clever. It’s seen as a question of who’s using whom. Anna Nicole Smith may have got millions, but J Howard Marshall got to share his bed with a beautiful busty blonde while he was in his 80s.”

With divorce rates on theup, some may even see marrying rich as a safety net should anything go wrong. Think of it as a business transaction.

She compromises on good looks and a great sense of humour for a secure future and comfortable life. And should the marriage end, Miss Gold Digger still gets to walk away with a hefty settlement.

“Relationships are about compromise, aren’t they?” says Tasmina Perry, the author of Daddy’s Girl, a book which examines the subject. “Gold diggers are just prepared to compromise that little bit more than most.”

Anna Nicole Smith

Can money really buy love? Apparently so, if you go by the trend. As righteous as a woman may want to be, how many can actually say they are not tempted by the thought of being showered with gifts, diamonds, luxurious holidays and an easy comfortable life?

Even after earning her own money (and lots of it as well), sometimes a woman just wants to be pampered. Besides, after the love is gone, which is more enticing – a mortgage and loans, or a charming penthouse suite and an unlimited supplementary charge card?

Sugardaddie.com director Paul Homewood defends the gold digger.

“There is an opinion that women on this site are just after the men for their money. But in fact, most of them are here for the quality of the men,” he says. “They are looking for men who have ambition, who want to get on in life. The men on here are professional men, city bankers, doctors and so on. Why shouldn’t that be attractive to women?”

Bye-bye feminism

Does this spell the death of feminism and equality? Have all that women fought so hard for come to this: the size of his pay check and the car he drives?

And what happens when Mr Millionaire decides to go for a younger and more attractive gold digger?

“I’ve dated men after men, all of whom have bought me gifts, wined and dined me at the most expensive restaurants,” says Lina. “Yes, sometimes I get dumped for another taller, prettier, sexier woman. It happens. But I am sure one day I will find my man, and he will be able to provide me with not only love and a good life for me and our children.”

It is not difficult to see why more and more men are complaining about how hard it is to meet women who are sincere. “Unsuitable” men are brushed off simply for not wearing the right suit or living at the ideal address. i

If he has a lot, he wins; if he barely makes enough, then he’ll spend Valentine’s Day all aloneuntil he does.

For better or for worst, for richer or for poorer? Forget about it – in the gold digger’s world, it is all about the money.

Like Madonna sang in Material Girl, “They can beg and they can please. But they can’t see the light, that’s right. Cause the boy with the cold hard cash is always mister right.”

Subjects’ names have been changed to protect their privacy. Some quotes were sourced from www.dailymail.co.uk and www.independent.co.uk.

How to spot a gold digger

• She wants to marry. Now. A gold digger for push for marriage fast so that she won’t lose out on the opportunity with Mr. Rich. 
• She gives love. Quickly. Want to snag him now? Miss Gold Digger will quickly dish out good old loving for her target to snare him. 
• She plays the role of a good wife. Too soon. She cooks, cleans and washes. She doesn’t nag him when he goes out with the guys. Why? So she can show him exactly what a great partner she will be.
• She makes him pay for everything. Always. Pay for her dinner. Buy her the latest designer bag. Help out with her credit card bill. A gold digger will have no qualms asking him for financial favours. That’s what he is for anyway, right.

Source: CloveTwo.com

A Healthy Snooze / Sleep.

Sleep is needed for the body to rest and repair.

SLEEP is something none of us can do without. However, the reason why everyone needs sleep is not well-elucidated. During sleep, the brain is more responsive to internal stimuli than external stimuli like sound and light. The metabolic demand of the brain is also reduced and this is reflected in a general decrease in the blood flow to the brain.

Most of the knowledge about sleep has come from sleep deprivation experiments. It is generally accepted that good sleep is crucial for optimal intellectual performance and helps in realising a person’s mental potential.

Sweet dreams are made of these: REM sleep, which is also known as ‘dream sleep’, has tonic and phasic components.

Normal sleep comprises of cycles of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. NREM sleep consists of progressively deeper stages of sleep. As NREM sleep progresses, stronger stimuli are needed for awakening. REM sleep, which is also known as “dream sleep”, has tonic and phasic components.

There are no rapid eye movements in the former. There are rapid eye movements, muscle twitches, pupil dilatation, increased heart rate variability and increased breathing rate in the latter. The muscle tone is decreased throughout REM sleep. The length of REM sleep and the intensity of the eye movements increase throughout the sleep cycle.

NREM sleep is followed by REM sleep, which occurs four to five times during the usual eight hour sleep period. The first REM period of the night may be last less than 10 minutes, while the last may exceed an hour. The NREM and REM cycles vary in length from 70 to 100 minutes initially to 90 to 120 minutes later in the night.

During the first third of the night, deep NREM sleep is present more whereas REM sleep predominates in the last third of the night. REM sleep takes up 20 to 25% of total sleep time. Light NREM sleep is the transition between sleep and awakening.

Infants sleep more than any other age group. The newborn baby can sleep 14 to 16 hours in a day. As the baby grows, the sleep time decreases so that by about six months of age, there is usually an overnight sleep period with at least a nap during the day. There is more REM sleep in an infant.

Senior citizens take a longer time to fall asleep and have more frequent awakenings. This sleep fragmentation may be aggravated by medical problems. There is less deep sleep and the total time in bed may increase leading to complaints of insomnia.

How much sleep?

The need for sleep varies with age. A newborn may sleep 16 to 20 hours throughout a day and an infant 12 to 14 hours with most of the sleep at night. Toddlers may sleep 10 hours or more. Primary school children need nine to 10 hours of sleep. Normal adults need six to 10 hours of sleep. It usually takes an adult about 10 to 20 minutes to fall asleep. Most of those who have less than five to six hours of sleep are probably not getting enough sleep.

After a good sleep, a person would feel refreshed on waking and is able to be alert throughout the day, without the need for naps or sleeping in on weekends.

The body has a “biological clock” called the circadian rhythm which is set by the hypothalamus in the brain. It is set at about 24.2 hours and the body is used to a regular routine of light and darkness at certain times. Light is called zeitgeber, a German word meaning time-giver, because it sets the clock in the hypothalamus.

A practical explanation for the circadian rhythm is that the brain is analogous to a battery charging during sleep and discharging during the time a person is awake.

It is believed there is a downswing in the circadian rhythm from evening till it reaches the lowest point (nadir) in the early morning.This makes it possible for a person to remain asleep overnight by preventing premature awakening, which is facilitated by the morning upswing. The upswing peaks in the early evening after which there is a downswing. This explains the stable cognitive function during the time a person is awake.

The body temperature is controlled by the hypothalamus. It is increased during the daylight hours and decreased at night, thus mirroring the sleep rhythm. Melatonin, prolactin, testosterone and growth hormone also have a circadian rhythm with maximal secretion during the night.

Sleep deprivation

Much knowledge about sleep has come from sleep deprivation experiments. Studies of individuals deprived of sleep for more than 24 hours have shown that there is a decrease in the brain’s metabolic activity by up to 6% for the whole brain and 11% for specific areas in the brain. There is also a decrease in body temperature, release of growth hormone and immunity as well as an increase in heart rate variability.

As sleep has a restorative function, deprivation leads to short and long term serious consequences. There are significant effects of sleep deprivation on brain functions like memory, concentration and mood.

Higher order cognitive function like language and numerical skills is affected early and disproportionately. There may be memory lapses, blurring of vision, slurring of speech, disorientation and poor co-ordination of body movements. Mood changes like depression are common.

Short term sleep deprivation has been reported to contribute to obesity and poor control of type II diabetes. Chronic partial sleep deprivation is the commonest cause of daytime sleepiness, which can impair performance at school or work and increases the risk of accidents especially when driving or operating machinery.

Long term sleep deprivation decreases the quality of life and leads to increased morbidity and mortality. There are effects on cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine function. Coronary events have been found to be more common in those who have less than seven hours sleep compared to those with eight hours or more.

The subtle cognitive changes with small amounts of sleep loss (less than an hour each night for many nights) may not be recognised by the affected individual. Sleep loss for a week leads to marked cognitive deficits which may also be unrecognised by the affected individual. Research and education is ongoing to address this lack of recognition of the effects of sleep deprivation.

Sleeping well

Getting a good night’s sleep is vital for everyone. There are several ways of achieving this and they include: 

• Having a routine facilitates sound sleep. This means going to bed and getting up at about the same time every day.  
• Having an early dinner is helpful. The digestive system goes to sleep at about 7pm. A light dinner is helpful.  
• Avoiding caffeine after lunch is helpful as caffeine keeps one awake.  
• Avoiding alcohol is helpful as its breakdown produces chemicals that stimulate the individual. It also increases the likelihood of snoring as it relaxes the muscles. This leads to lighter and less refreshing sleep.  
• Avoiding naps. The afternoon nap may be what keeps one awake at night.  
• Avoiding light can be helpful. Not going to bed immediately after turning off the television. This is because melatonin, which is the hormone that helps a person sleep, is produced in the dark.

Source: Dr Milton Lum

WHO declares first 21st century flu pandemic

GENEVA (Reuters) – The World Health Organization declared an influenza pandemic on Thursday and advised governments to prepare for a long-term battle against an unstoppable new flu virus.

The United Nations agency raised its pandemic flu alert to phase 6 on a six-point scale, indicating the first influenza pandemic since 1968 is under way.

WHO Alert System

“With today’s announcement, WHO moves from an emergency to a longer-term response. Based on past experience, this pandemic will be with us for some months, if not years, to come,” WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan said in a letter to staff, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters.

People aged 30-50, pregnant women or people suffering from chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes or obesity are at highest risk, Chan told a news conference.

The virus has killed 109 people in Mexico, where it was first detected in April before spreading to the rest of the world, prompting the Mexican government to temporarily shut schools and businesses in an effort to slow its spread.

Countries from Australia to Chile to the United States are reporting that the new swine flu virus is “crowding out” seasonal flu, becoming the predominant influenza strain, she said.

For now the virus was “pretty stable,” but Chan warned that it could still change into a more deadly form, perhaps mixing with the H5N1 bird flu virus circulating widely in poultry.

“So it is incumbent on WHO and all members to stay vigilant and alert for the next year or two or even beyond,” she said.

Mexican health minister Jose Angel Cordova said on Thursday the virus was under control in Mexico but warned there could be a new spike in cases later this year.

There is also a risk the swine flu could mix with its seasonal H1N1 cousin, which has developed resistance to the main antiviral flu drug Tamiflu, made by Roche AG and Gilead Sciences Inc, Dr. Anne Schuchat of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told a briefing.

The United States has been operating on pandemic status for weeks, with hundreds of thousands of cases and at least 1,000 hospitalizations, Schuchat said.

GUARDING AGAINST ‘RASH’ ACTIONS

The virus disproportionately makes younger people sick. Some 57 percent of U.S. cases were among people aged 5 to 24, and 41 percent of those hospitalized were in this younger age group.

The World Health Organisation has declared the influenza A (H1N1) a pandemic, raising the alert level to the highest at Phase Six. This means that the flu has spread from human to human in more than one region in the world.

H1N1 is active in all 50 states and there are so many cases now that in some areas, patients with specific flu-like symptoms — a fever above 104 degrees F (40 degrees C), cough or other respiratory symptoms — are presumed to have the new virus.

WHO reiterated its advice to its 193 member countries not to close borders or impose travel restrictions to halt the movement of people, goods and services, a call echoed by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

“We must guard against rash and discriminatory actions such as travel bans or trade restrictions,” Ban told a news conference at U.N. headquarters.

The move to phase 6 reflects the fact that the disease, widely known as swine flu, is spreading geographically, but does not indicate how virulent it is.

Widespread transmission of the virus in Australia, signaling that it is entrenched in another region besides North America, was one of the key triggers for moving to phase 6.

“We are satisfied that this virus is spreading to a number of countries and it is not stoppable,” Chan said.

“Moving to pandemic phase 6 level does not imply we will see an increase in the number of deaths or very severe cases. Quite on the contrary. Many people are having mild disease, they recover without medicines in some cases and it is good news,” she said.

“Although the pandemic appears to have moderate severity in comparatively well-off countries, it is prudent to anticipate a bleaker picture as the virus spreads to areas with limited resources, poor health care, and a high prevalence of underlying medical problems,” she added.

Canadian health officials said they were concerned about reports of more severe symptoms in some aboriginal communities, but said it was too soon to say for sure.

“To make conclusions based on a couple of communities that this is somehow a disease that is worse in a particular ethnic group. It’s much too early to make any of those kinds of conclusions or presumptions,” said Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada’s chief public health officer.

VACCINE DEVELOPMENT UNDERWAY

Chan said WHO would start distributing a further donation of 5.65 million courses of Tamiflu from Roche.

WHO recommended drugmakers stay on track to complete production of seasonal influenza vaccine for the Northern Hemisphere’s next winter. Each year, normal flu kills up to 500,000 people and infects millions.

Work on developing an H1N1 vaccine is already under way at leading companies, whose factories will be ready to switch to making a pandemic shot in around two weeks’ time, when normal season flu vaccine production is complete.

Seasonal flu affects mainly the elderly and causes severe illness in millions, so a premature switch in vaccine production to cope with the new strain could put many people at risk.

“So our recommendation is they need to finish the seasonal vaccine and then move over,” Chan said.

Chan said the Geneva-based agency would work with regulatory authorities to help fast-track approval of new pandemic vaccines that are safe and effective so that they can be made available as soon as possible.

In any case, the first doses would only be available in September, she added.

A pandemic could cause enormous disruption to business as workers stay home because they are sick or to look after family members and authorities restrict gatherings of large numbers of people or movement of people or goods.

World markets shrugged off the pandemic, as investors focused on possible global economic recovery.

The strain has spread widely, with 28,774 infections confirmed in 74 countries to date, including 144 deaths, according to WHO’s latest tally of laboratory-confirmed cases. The United States has said tests only turn up a fraction of the true number of cases.

Source: Reuters / The Star Online.

6 Sex Mistakes Men Make

Experts’ sex tips for men who have sex with women.

Hey guys, think you know everything there is to know about having sex with women? That erotic encyclopedia you carry around in your head may contain a lot of basic errors and omissions about women’s sexuality — errors that can lead to sex mistakes.

That’s because — after learning the facts of life — most of us are left to figure out sex for ourselves. Guys tend to take a lot of cues from adult movies, and we all know how true-to-life those are. Experience may help, but many women can be shy when talking about what they like.

To help us with some sex tips, WebMD asked two acclaimed sex educators, Tristan Taormino and Lou Paget, to tell us what they think are the most common sex mistakes men make with women.

Taormino is a prolific author, lecturer, and video producer. Her latest project is the Expert Guide educational video series from Vivid Ed.

Paget is author of The Great Lover Playbook and other sex manuals, and she gives seminars nationwide.

Sex Mistake No.1: You Know What She Wants

Men often make assumptions about what a woman wants based upon what they’ve done with other women. But women aren’t all the same.

“You develop a repertoire as you mature sexually, but you should never assume that what worked for the last person is going to work for this person,” Taormino says.

That applies not only to sexual predilections, but also to relationships, she says. “There are women who can have no-strings-attached sex, and women who can get attached very easily, and then everyone in between.”

Sex Mistake No. 2: You Have All She Needs

Some women can’t have an orgasm with less than 3,000 rpm. No human tongue or fingers can generate that kind of vibration. But men typically think something is wrong if a woman needs a vibrator.

“If the only way that a woman can achieve orgasm is with a vibrator, she’s not broken,” Taormino says.

Think of a vibrator as your assistant, not your substitute. Many couples use vibrators together. “While you’re doing one thing, or two things, the vibrator can be doing something else,” Taormino says.

Sex Mistake No. 3: Sex Feels the Same for Men and Women

Paget says there tends to be a “huge disconnect” between men and women in the ways that sex feels good.

“When a man has intercourse with a woman, and his penis goes into her body, that sensation is so off the charts for most men, they cannot imagine that it isn’t feeling the same way for her,” Paget says. “It couldn’t be further from the truth.”

The inside of the vagina is probably less sensitive than the outer parts for most women. Also, deep thrusting may not feel so nice on the receiving end. If the penis is too long, “it feels like you’re getting punched in the stomach,” Paget says. “It makes you feel nauseous.”

Sex Mistake No. 4: You Know Your Way Around a Woman’s Anatomy

Most guys know generally what a clitoris is and where to find it. That’s not to say that they really understand it.

More than 30 years ago, at the start of the “sexual revolution,” a best-selling book called the Joy of Sex got Americans hip to the orgasmic importance of the clitoris. But the belief that women must be able to orgasm from vaginal penetration stubbornly persists.

“I still get letters from people who say things like, my wife can’t [orgasm] from intercourse unless she has clitoral stimulation — please help,” Taormino says. “I want to write back and say, ‘OK, what’s the problem?’”

“For the majority of women, it’s not going to happen that way,” Paget says.

Men also lack information about how to touch it and how sensitive it is, Taormino says.

A touch that’s bliss for one woman may feel like nothing special, or may even be painful for someone else. Some prefer indirect stimulation.

How can you find out how she likes to be touched? Try asking her.

Sex Mistake No. 5: Wet = Turned On

Guys sometimes get hung up if a woman doesn’t get slippery enough for easy penetration. Don’t worry about it.

“I think there’s a myth that if you’re turned on, you’re wet,” Taormino says. Not necessarily.

Some women tend to get wetter than others, and how much natural lubrication a woman has can change from day to day. It varies by the phase of her menstrual cycle, and it’s subject to influences like stress and medications.

Sex Mistake No. 6: Silence Is Golden

A lot of guys think they should be silent during sex, but unless you speak up, your partner has to guess what’s doing it for you and what isn’t.

If you’re respectful about it, a woman who wants to please you will probably appreciate some directions.

“I’m not saying push her head in your lap,” Taormino says. “I think that, ‘this is how I like it,’ is a very useful conversation to have.”