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healthyandfitness-diy · 5 years ago

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Lifestyle Habits That Can Make You Infertile

If you are thinking about getting pregnant or have already been trying, it is never too late (or too early) to assess your lifestyle choices. Starting healthy lifestyle habits - or giving up bad ones - can profoundly improve your overall health and some lifestyle changes can improve fertility in both you and your partner. The human body is closely tuned to its environment - especially when it comes to making babies. Our day-to-day habits, what we are exposed to, even what we are born with have an impact on us about our health and well-being. Fertility is one such aspect of our health that is also affected by our various lifestyle habits. Lifestyle habits and decisions have a huge influence on health as well as on fertility. These may have hidden consequences that influence our health without our knowledge. It is well established that factors as diverse as smoking or alcoholism to conditions like obesity or poor nutrition and even advancing age affect fertility.

Hence, awareness of these lifestyle habits that impact fertility is essential for maintaining good reproductive health. Here HEALTHY and FITNESS outlined some practical lifestyle recommendations that can help increase fertility among both men and women.

1. OBESITY

Obesity affects reproductive capacity in both males and females. Obesity has an emotional and psychological effect on the persons suffering from it, affecting their chances of reproduction.

In Women: In the case of female fertility, a woman’s weight can hugely affect her hormone production. Being significant, underweight or overweight can inhibit normal ovulation and can contribute to menstrual irregularities. An obese woman can take longer to achieve pregnancy than a woman of normal weight and obesity increases the chances of miscarriages. Obese women are also more likely to suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which also affects fertility. It is important for women to measured by a body mass index (BMI) calculator and maintains a weight that is considered medically healthy.

In Men: Obese males suffer from decreased testosterone levels and are at greater risk of impaired sperm production and reduced sperm quality. Obesity also decreases sex drive in men.

2. TOBACCO CONSUMPTION

Reasons ranging wide from stress to peer pressure, smoking is a habit that once taken up, it is hard to let go.

In Men: Cigarette smoke contains different components, the most significant of which is nicotine, which is converted into a substance in the body that affects the movement of sperms in men. Cigarette also contains heavy metals like cadmium and lead, which affect sperm density. Cigarette smoke also damages the DNA of sperms, while chewing tobacco affects the structure of sperms. It is proven that smoking cigarettes decrease sperm production.

In Women: Smoking cigarettes ages a woman’s ovaries and depletes her eggs prematurely along with other health problems. Thus, a woman will struggle to become pregnant if she does not have healthy eggs. Smoking is associated with miscarriages, ectopic pregnancy by damaging fallopian tubes (damages its ability to move the fertilized egg towards the uterus) or by causing blockages in fallopian tubes, as a result of which the meeting of egg and sperm is prevented.

3. STRESS

None of us can avoid stress, we need to acknowledge and manage your stress. However, for some couples, trying to get pregnant can cause extra worry or anxiety, especially if one or both of them have concerns about infertility. Too much stress or depression leads to hormonal imbalances that can eventually cause fertility problems. Sustained stress may interfere with the hormones needed for sperm production. Sometimes infertility itself can lead to stress so it is important for couples to find a healthy way to release stress during the time they are trying to conceive. If you feel like stress is affecting your relationship or your health, then consider consulting with a counselor or psychologist who can help you with coping strategies. You may also enjoy trying stress-relieving activities, such as yoga, meditation or massage. Meditation, yoga, and exercise help in a great way to relieve day-to-day stress and anxiety.

4. OLDER AGE

In addition to affecting their chances of conceiving, older women also are more likely to give birth to children who have genetic or other inborn effects. They also suffer from an increased risk of miscarriages. Men and women are most fertile during their 20's and their ability to reproduce decreases drastically in the late '30s and '40s. The 20s are the ideal age for women to reproduce. By the time a woman reaches her mid-30s, the quality, as well as the number of eggs in her, begins to decline. In men, sperm quality decreases with age.

Age, Fertility in Men vs Women!

Looking young, feeling young and being young are all different - when science comes into the picture. Although some women may look young even in their 40's, that does not mean they are as fertile as women are in the 20's. Some men may look well built and fit in their late 30's or 40's, but this cannot explain the high likelihood of birth defects that occur when these older men have children.

Men - Time Trial:

Men can produce sperms throughout their life after the onset of puberty. However, they have their own issues and disadvantages relating to age. As they grow older, the cells (Sertoli and Leydig in the testes) which are responsible for the production and maturation of sperms start to deteriorate in viability and decrease in numbers. Thus, although older men can produce sperms, these may have defects, which may lead to birth abnormalities in children born to them. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition whose prevalence increases with age, causing a problem in sexual functioning leading to infertility.

Women - Inborn Restrictions:

Women possess a finite number of eggs in their ovaries at the time of birth and that is all they have for their lifetime. One of these eggs is released every month as a part of the normal ovulation cycle. Thus, with every month and year that passes, the number of eggs in the ovaries decreases and the chances of them getting pregnant also start decreasing. The ability to reproduce in women is restricted to age because the multiplication of the germ cells (cells that give rise to mature eggs) in an unborn baby stops in around 20 weeks. Thus, women are born with fixed numbers of oocytes (eggs).

CLICK TO KNOW: How Your Saliva Can Help You Get Pregnant? Best Time To Conceive A Baby And Fern Test

5. ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

In Women: Studies have shown that drinking too much alcohol decreases the levels of steroid hormones (which include sex hormones), also resulting in abnormal menstrual cycles in women. When alcohol is consumed, it is converted into substances that cause oxidative damage to DNA and proteins. Ovulation disorders are found to increase with heavy drinking. Women who are trying to get pregnant must completely stop drinking alcohol. Heavy drinking during pregnancy also affects the well-being of the baby.

In Men: Sperm production is also affected by men who are heavy drinkers. More the consumption of alcohol greater is the degradation of the quality of sperm.

6. HORMONE IMBALANCE

Hormonal imbalances occur due to stress, lack of sleep, etc. Hormones are signaling molecules produced in our body that is sensitive to both external and internal stimulus. Their levels can fluctuate based on a wide variety of factors such as the date of the menstrual cycle in women, stress, or even disorders like those of the thyroid. Estrogen and progesterone are essential to sex hormones whose imbalances can affect ovulation and fertility in women. They modulate the ovulation cycle in women and hence hormonal imbalances can be a risk factor for infertility. In men, hormones like prolactin and estrogen influence the production of another hormone called testosterone, while also affecting sperm production by the testes.

7. DO NOT GET OVERHEATED

An elevated temperature, around your scrotum, reduces sperm production. For sperm to mature, the scrotal temperature must be a couple of degrees below normal body temperature that is why the testicles are located outside the main body, in the scrotum. Whenever you spend long hours sitting behind a steering wheel or in front of a computer screen, the temperature of your scrotum and testes may increase by a few degrees. This rise in temperature may drop your sperm production and reduce your fertility. Do not spend excessive time in hot tubs, wearing tight underwear, holding a laptop directly on the lap and other activities that increase the scrotal temperature.

8. POLLUTION

Recent studies have also implicated air pollution to produce a poor quality of egg or sperms and increased miscarriage rates. It is therefore important to increase exposure to a greener and cleaner environment, making sure to avoid exposure to toxins that may be present in the surroundings as these may also contribute negatively to infertility.

Some chemicals can produce an effect of the female hormone in the male body, which can lead to reduced sperm production. Herbicides, pesticides, insecticides and other chemicals can also affect the sperm’s ability to bind to an egg during fertilization.

9. AVOID EXPOSURE TO TOXINS

Exposure to toxins can affect female hormones and the health of eggs/ova in women. A certain profession may result in more exposure to these toxins. For instance, industrial workers are exposed to drugs and chemicals during manufacturing processes and dental assistants are exposed to high levels of nitrous oxide. Further, hair stylists and agricultural workers are some other occupations that may lead to diminished fertility due to toxic exposure.

10. AVOIDING MULTIPLE SEXUAL PARTNERS

Avoiding multiple sexual partners will help reduce the chances of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease. These diseases may impair the reproductive capacity if they are left untreated for long. Effects of STDs can lead to infertility in women specifically chlamydia and gonorrhea. The best way to avoid infection of STDs is to limit the number of sexual partners and practice safe sex. These infections can damage your fallopian tubes and uterus permanently.

11. BE WARY OF VIGOROUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Regular physical exercise is important for not only weight loss and a healthier body it also helps to ease stress. However, the keyword is "moderate", physical activity should be done in moderation. If exercises are carried out to exhaustion, that is, if one exercises to the point where they suffer from severe pain, and if exercises get in the way of getting sufficient sleep or cause injuries, fertility may be negatively affected. Women who undertake frequent, intense exercise can experience ovulation problems. Excessive physical activity may inhibit ovulation and reduce the production of progesterone, which are essential in becoming pregnant. Moderate physical activity, like walking with your partner after dinner, can do wonders for your health and mind. For that reason, many doctors recommend that women who are trying to become pregnant should be limiting vigorous activity to no more than five hours per week.

12. LACK OF SLEEP

Persons who suffer from a lack of sleep have a substantially higher level of the stress hormones adrenocorticotropic and cortisol, both of which are known to inhibit a healthy fertility cycle.

13. AVOID DRUG ABUSE

Aside from contributing to overall poor health, drugs and alcohol can lower the number and quality of a man’s sperm. Steroids specifically can cause testicles to shrink, decreasing sperm production.

14. EAT HEALTHY

A good diet has a double benefit - in addition, to directly benefiting reproductive health, this habit also helps maintain healthy body weight. A good diet can further prevent the development of diseases like diabetes, one of the many complications of which is reproductive problems. Increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants, while consuming caffeine only in moderation, are also beneficial to reproductive health. Do not consume foods that are high in fat and preservatives. Conditions caused due to improper food intake, like celiac disease (gluten sensitivity), can also affect a woman’s fertility.

One rarely lends a thought to the more permanent effect of their habits on their health. Even when such things are considered, people examine other aspects of their health, taking their reproductive health for granted. It is high time that this behavior is changed.

Lifestyle changes alone may not help you get pregnant if you or your partner has a medical condition that affects fertility. If you have tried to get pregnant for more than a year - or if you are a woman over 35 who have tried for more than six months, - you must consider to seeing a doctor for fertility testing.

Children are the light of one's life. Do not let poor choices deprive you of experiencing the joy of their existence!

For any other type of suggestions and questions on this topic, you can connect with us through the comment box below.

Disclaimer: Only generic information is provided in this content and this is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult your own doctor or a specialist for more information. HEALTHY and FITNESS do not claim responsibility for this information.

#14 Lifestyle Habits That Can Make You Infertile https://healthyfit07.blogspot.com/2018/11/lifestyle-

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batsort93-blog · 6 years ago

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15 MS symptoms that women should never, ever ignore

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(video courtesy TODAY)

At first, Selma Blair thought she was just suffering from a pinched nerve-it wasn't until she fell in front of her doctor that she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

However, Blair 46, thinks she's had the disease for much longer. "I have probably had this incurable disease for 15 years at least," she wrote in a recent Instagram post.

Real quick: What is multiple sclerosis again?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system, which affects the brain and spinal cord. MS basically blocks the messages that flow between the brain and the body, often resulting in vision problems, muscle weakness, coordination issues, numbness, and thinking or memory problems, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Selma is just one 2.3 million people worldwide who suffer from MS, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. There's no cure for the disease, though treatments can slow or delay the progression of symptoms.

While 15 years seems like a long time to go undiagnosed, it's entirely possible-that's because MS symptoms can be hard to nail down. "A lot of the symptoms are kind of non-specific," says Jonathan Howard, M.D., a neurologist at NYU Langone's Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center-that means many symptoms aren't only seen in MS patients.

In fact, it's not uncommon for doctors to misdiagnose patients, ultimately delaying their treatment, says Amit Sachdev, M.D., an assistant professor and director of the Division of Neuromuscular Medicine at Michigan State University.

If you're experiencing any of these concerning multiple sclerosis symptoms , check in with your doctor to figure out what's up. (But don't go into defcon-5 just yet; many other health issues could be to blame.)

1. Your foot keeps falling asleep.

Normally, you only get that prickly pins-and-needles feeling when you've put pressure on your leg for too long, temporarily cutting off blood flow. But if you find that your arms, legs, hands, or feet feel numb, burning, or tingly out of nowhere, that can be a sign of MS, Segil says.

2. You're tired, like, all the time.

You’re inevitably going to come across those days when you just can’t even. But sudden spells of severe exhaustion that last for weeks and mess with your ability to function normally on a day-to-day basis might be an indication that MS is destroying the nerves in your spinal column.

“People with MS describe their fatigue as overwhelming, making even simple tasks difficult,” says Costello. “It is often out of proportion with your activity, is not relieved by sleep, and is worsened if you become overheated.”

3. You stop getting your period.

Any illness that affects your immune system, including multiple sclerosis, may cause amenorrhea, or the loss of your period, says Segil. Missing a period every so often is not a big deal-everything from stress to traveling to the flu can temporarily throw your reproductive system out of sync-but if your period is gone for more than three months in a row or your cycle becomes erratic, it's time to talk to a doctor.

4. You have trouble swallowing or speaking sometimes.

Issues with speech and swallowing typically go hand-in-hand (their medical names are actually dysphagia and dysarthrias), per the National MS Society.

As far as speech goes, damaged areas of the brain can affect speech patterns, causing slurring or a more nasal sound to your voice.

Your brain is also largely in control of swallowing (tbh, your brain is in control of pretty much everything)-and yeah, not being able to swallow properly should definitely raise a red flag.

5. You've been especially clumsy lately.

"People often think they just have bad balance but having weakness in one or both of your limbs could be a sign that something is wrong with your motor nerves," Segil says. So if you find yourself tripping, stumbling, feeling unsteady, or falling frequently for no reason, get to a doctor ASAP.

6. You're having trouble multitasking, or you've been really moody.

About 60 percent or more of those diagnosed with MS experience some form of cognitive or emotional distress, according to Kathleen Costello, a nurse practitioner and associate vice president of healthcare access at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Those with MS can suffer from impaired recall, difficulty with depression, irritability, sudden mood swings, and uncontrollable fits of crying or laughter.

7. You're feeling some pretty weird sensations.

Sensory issues are a strange but common sign of multiple sclerosis. "My patients often say that their body just feels different, on a sensory level, from one part to the next," Segil explains. "For example, when they put on their shirt, it feels differently sliding over their chest than it does going over their stomach."

Half of people diagnosed with MS also have chronic pain, which is usually coupled with involuntary spasms, inexplicable weakness, or stiffness in the muscles. “It is often described as heaviness or like the limb is worn out,” says Costello. The legs are usually the first extremity to bear the brunt of the muscular woes, but the back is also a typical problem area.

8. You can't distinguish between colors anymore.

If you previously had a good eye for color, don't brush this off, Segil says. "It's called optic neuritis and it happens because of a loss of insulation around the optic nerves in the brain; it's one of the primary symptoms of multiple sclerosis," he explains.

But it's not just color-related: MS can also manifest as partial blindness, color blindness, blind spots, or blindness only in one eye. “Some people describe this as looking through a smudged contact lens, or looking through a screen or through water,” says Costello. “It may also be associated with pain or a pulling sensation during eye movement."

The onset of MS-related vision problems is usually slow, since the deterioration of the eyes happens over time. Optic neuritis can also happen on its own-without necessarily being associated with multiple sclerosis-as a result of an infection, a vitamin deficiency, or other autoimmune diseases.

9. You're forgetting everything.

If you've forgotten your bestie's birthday, lost your keys five times in one week, and rewashed the same clean laundry twice, you might worry you have early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

The good news is that Alzheimer's is extremely rare in young women. The bad news is that problems with short-term memory or other cognitive issues can be MS symptoms in women.

10. You're always drinking water, but you rarely have to pee.

Being able to hydrate all day without visiting the ladies room may seem like an awesome talent, but it's not a good thing. It's a hallmark of multiple sclerosis, especially if you're stopped up for more than 24 hours, Segil says.

However, any big change in urinary frequency can be an MS symptom in women, and is often how people end up getting diagnosed, he adds. Sometimes it's the opposite, and you have to pee all the time.

“Many people with MS report a sense of ‘gotta-go’ bladder urgency or may need to use the restroom more frequently,” says Costello. “Sometimes they are even awakened during the night by the urge to urinate.” Dysfunctional bathroom habits occur in about 80 percent of people with MS, and the inability to hold in your pee is often accompanied by constipation, diarrhea, and uncontrollable bowel movements as well.

11. You randomly get dizzy or nauseated.

One of the earliest MS symptoms in women is extreme dizziness or vertigo caused by nerve damage that messes with your motor, sensory, and coordination systems, making you feel disoriented, unsteady, dizzy, or even nauseated.

12. You're having trouble texting or typing.

"One of the first things we often see in MS patients is the inability to text, type, use a cellphone or tablet, or do other things that require fine motor control," Segil says. As multiple sclerosis advances, it can cause "lesions," or areas of damage on your nervous system. If you get a lesion on the back region of the brain, it can hurt your manual dexterity, he explains.

13. You're having trouble getting aroused.

Sexual arousal starts in the central nervous system-so your brain actually has to send messages to your sexual organs to get them revved up. But in MS, since the brain-body connection isn't working properly, your body might not get the memo that you're ready for action, according to the National MS Society.

Sexual problems are actually pretty common among women with MS-as many as 72 percent of female patients are affected by sexual issues including reduced sensation in the vaginal or clitoral area (or painfully heightened sensations), along with vaginal dryness.

14. You can't tell if something's hot or cold.

An inability to sense temperature changes with your hands is another symptom of MS-induced nerve damage, Segil says.

15. You've tested negative for every other disease, but you still feel ill.

"Multiple sclerosis is considered one of the 'great masqueraders', along with lupus, because its symptoms are so easily attributed to other causes or illnesses," Segil says. "Because the symptoms depend entirely on which nerves are affected, no two patients will present the same."

For many women, this means that they only get an accurate diagnosis of MS after their doctors have ruled everything else out. Fortunately, an MRI scan can spot the telltale "lesions" of the disease, so don't be afraid to ask about getting tested for it, he adds.

Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/15-ms-symptoms-that-women-should-never-ever-ignore/ar-BBOLHr0?srcref=rss

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poop4u · 5 years ago

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How To Keep Your Dog Safe In Summer: 10 Questions With Dr. Kurt Venator, DVM, PhD

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Summer is officially here! That means barbecues, pool parties, and fun times outdoors are on the way, too. And of course, we want to include our dogs on as many of those activities as possible.

Our dogs are our family members, and they deserve to join us in all the summer fun. However, we also want to keep them safe. It’s our duty as pet parents to know about summer dangers and how to protect our pooches.

DogTime asked veterinarian Dr. Kurt Venator, DVM, PhD from Purina about how to keep dogs safe in summer. Here’s what he had to say!

1. Watch Out For Sunburns

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DOGTIME: What are some ways to protect dogs from sunburn on walks or when they spend a lot of time outside in summer?

DR. KURT: Pets, just like humans, can get sunburned, which can lead to skin cancer. If your pet has light colored fur on the nose or ears, then he or she may be more susceptible to skin cancer due to the light pigmentation of the skin.

If possible, it is recommended to keep pets with light colored noses, ears or eyelids inside during the hottest parts of the day (11am to 4pm).

Pet-approved sunscreens can be applied to a pet’s ears, nose, groin area, and belly if they do go outside, but do not use human sunscreen as it can be toxic to pets. Pet sunscreen needs to be re-applied regularly to maintain effectiveness: check the package directions.

Pet sunscreen is available from your local veterinary clinic and pet specialty stores.

2. Keep The Bugs Away

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DOGTIME: Mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks come out more this time of year. How can we keep mosquitoes and other bugs away from our dogs?

DR: KURT: Two common veterinary-prescribed products are K-9 Advantix® and Vectra 3D®. K-9 Advantix® is a topical application that kills and repels mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks.

Vectra 3D® is a topical application that repels and kills mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, biting and sand flies, lice, and mites (excluding mange mites).

These products are not to be used on cats.

Note from DogTime: Some dog owners rely on natural solutions to repel bugs from their dogs. Whatever you choose, you should discuss prevention with your veterinarian. Too many dangerous diseases are spread by bug bites to go without treatment.

3. Pool Safety

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DOGTIME: Summer is a great time to go for a swim. Any tips for keeping dogs safe around the pool?

DR. KURT: Make sure your dog wants to swim before encouraging or putting him/her in the water. Pet owners often assume their dogs know how to swim because swimming is considered instinctual, but never assume this is the case for your dog.

Believe it or not, you can give your dog swim lessons. Check to see if there is a place to take your pup in your local area. An introductory lesson or two will be a great indicator to see if your pup will be ready to take on the beach or your local pet-friendly pool.

Remember to offer clean, fresh water in a bowl to discourage your pet from drinking directly from the pool, as consumption of chlorinated pool water can potentially cause minor gastrointestinal irritation.

And, of course, never leave your pet unsupervised in the water.

4. Swimming In Natural Bodies Of Water

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DOGTIME: Are there any things pet parents should watch out for if their dog swims in lakes, rivers, ponds, or other natural bodies of water?

DR. KURT: Be mindful of the water quality and permissions to swim. If you wouldn’t swim in that location, your dog should not swim there either.

Ensure that the water is shallow enough and that your dog can easily go and in and come out of the body of water.

Do not let your pet swim in ponds or lakes with blue-green algae, as algal blooms produce toxins that can affect your dog’s liver and gastrointestinal tract.

5. When NOT To Bring Your Dog

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DOGTIME: We love to bring our dogs everywhere, but are there any summer events we should leave our dogs home for?

DR. KURT: Make sure if you’re heading to a pet-friendly bar or restaurant with outdoor seating, the location has plenty of shade, and remember to bring a portable bowl and water to give your pet a drink.

On a day that is over 80 degrees, it could reach over 100 degrees inside a vehicle within minutes. Even with cracked windows, your pet will still get overheated and could become ill or worse. On hot days, leave your pet at home or only go places where he or she is welcome.

Fireworks are a fun and exciting way to celebrate holidays like Independence Day. For dogs, though, those loud booms and flashing lights aren’t so fun. Dogs are often scared of fireworks because they are loud and unpredictable.

The noise and unpredictability of fireworks leads many dogs to perceive them as a threat. This triggers their fight-or-flight response. Your dog may bark at the noises or try to run away and hide.

They may show other signs of anxiety, too, like restlessness, panting, pacing and whining. Therefore, it’s best to keep your dog inside during firework displays.

6. Rules For Summer Guests

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DOGTIME: Sometimes events at our homes with lots of guests can be dangerous for dogs. What rules should we tell our guests about during summer get-togethers to keep our dogs safe?

DR. KURT: Everyone loves a good barbecue, but some of these foods that humans enjoy can be dangerous for dogs. Pancreatitis, a serious and sometimes fatal inflammation of the pancreas, can occur in dogs specifically from eating greasy, fatty foods–which are mainstays at barbecues.

Common BBQ items like bones, meat scraps, corncobs, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap should be properly discarded and kept out of reach as these can lead to digestive upset and intestinal blockage or obstruction.

Advise guests to not feed your pet human food and ask for their help in keeping your pooch away from the snack tables. Have dog treats available so your guests can treat your pooch appropriately. Beggin’ BBQ Kansas City Style Pork Dog Treats could be a great treat so your pet doesn’t feel left out on the delicacies.

7. Be Careful With Summer Food And Heat

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DOGTIME: What is the most common reason dogs end up at the emergency vet in summer? How can we avoid this?

DR. KURT: Two very common reasons pets end up needing emergency pet care in the summer is due to eating something they shouldn’t have or overheating.

Watch guests and your pet so that he or she does not ingest any foods that can upset their stomach. A variety of common foods found at BBQs, such as grapes, garlic, onions, avocado skin and leaves, macadamia nuts, and alcohol can be toxic to pets.

Overheating can be avoided by keeping your pet indoors and hydrated on hot days. Avoid overheating by also knowing the signs in your pet.

Signs may include:

Excessive panting

Difficulty breathing

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Rapid heartbeat

Weakness

Bright red or blue gums and tongue

And keep in mind that some signs of heat-related illnesses can be more subtle, such as your dog being less responsive to normal commands or a loss of coordination.

If you see any of the signs in your pet you should consult your veterinarian.

8. Keep Paws Safe

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DOGTIME: Pavement can get hot fast in the summer. How do you recommend we keep paws safe on walks?

DR. KURT: Before heading outside for a walk or play time, be sure to touch the pavement with your hand to feel its temperature. If it feels way too hot to touch, then it’s way too hot for your pet’s paw pads. Stay in the grass or possibly try booties so his or her paws don’t burn.

On extremely hot and humid days, try to take walks during cooler parts of the day like early morning or late evening, or even avoid pavement and try to stay in the grass. And be sure to bring water for both of you.

9. Summer Diets

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DOGTIME: Should we change our dogs’ diets in summer if they’re more active? Are there any summer human foods we can share with dogs?

DR. KURT: If your dog is on the active side and goes on runs or walks with you, make sure they are staying hydrated and you’re supplying them with plenty of water. On extremely warm days, opt out of bringing them with you as your running buddy and leave them at home in the A/C.

It is important for pet owners to know how to properly nourish a pet who is regularly active, especially those pets who serve as exercise companions or like to keep up with the kids running around the house. Active pets may require more energy-providing nutrition.

Take into consideration how frequently your pet is exercising with you.

If your dog is your running buddy several times a week, a standard dog food should be sufficient. However, if a dog is clocking more miles per day (five to ten), they’ll need more fat and protein than what a standard diet may provide.

Purina Pro Plan Sport, for example, offers 30% protein and 20% fat, which helps fuel metabolic needs and maintain lean muscle in dogs with an active lifestyle.

If you have a less active dog, you should try to feed the right number of calories for your dog’s activity level. If you dog is in ideal body condition and isn’t gaining weight, you’re feeding the right amount.

But if your dog has become less active while their feeding has remained the same and they’re becoming overweight, you can try some of these tips:

Reduce treats or eliminate them completely from their diet.

Feed less of your dog’s regular pet food. Make sure to properly measure the amount of food that you put into your dog’s bowl to prevent overfeeding.

Consider putting your dog’s food in a treat/kibble dispensing toy. This provides both physical activity and mental stimulation for your dog.

Increase your dog’s exercise with additional walks or playtime each day.

Consider switching to a reduced-calorie food such as Purina Dog Chow Healthy Weight formula for adult dog food.

And remember, it’s always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet. Your veterinarian can help tailor a program for your dog, track progress, and help troubleshoot along the way.

Fruits and berries contain vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants and tend to be low in sugar, so when fed properly, they’re healthy for dogs in the same ways they’re healthy for humans.

That’s why Purina includes these healthy ingredients, like blueberries for instance, in our diets such as Beneful Playful Life and Beneful Grain Free formulas.

These fruits and berries are also comprised largely of water, which makes them safe to give and refreshing for your pet.

Strawberries are very low in sugar, despite their sweetness, so you can let your pets indulge in moderation. Leaves should be removed to avoid digestive upsets. Start with two strawberries sliced up to start and monitor your pet.

Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C. If your dog craves them, they can have some in moderation as they are low in calories and sugar, too.

Mangoes contain vitamin A, which is good for eye, skin and immune health. It’s best to peel the mango to remove the skin. And always make sure to keep your pet away from the pit. Fruits with pits are dangerous for dogs because the pit can cause them to choke or obstruct their digestive tract.

10. Dr. Kurt’s Top 3 Summer Safety Tips For Dogs

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DOGTIME: If you could give pet owners your top three bits of advice to keep dogs safe in summer, what would they be?

DR. KURT: First, provide plenty of shade, water, and cool treats.

Don’t leave your pet outside for long periods of time in hot weather. If he or she must be outside, make sure there is plenty of access to shade, preferably from trees, and lots of fresh, cool water. Think about getting a kiddie pool or a sprinkler to help your pet cool off always under supervision in a fun way.

While the family enjoys a cold treat like ice cream or popsicles, try treating your pooch to Purina Frosty Paws®, a cool treat for dogs that is fortified with protein, vitamins and minerals with no added sugar, artificial flavors or colors.

For cats, if they don’t mind their food chilled, consider putting some wet food like Purina Pro Plan®, Fancy Feast®, or Friskies® in the fridge prior to feeding for a cool, refreshing meal. Wet cat food helps keep cats hydrated, which is particularly important on hot days.

Second, watch the exercise.

On extremely hot and humid days, try to take walks during cooler parts of the day like early morning or late evening. And be sure to bring water for both of you.

Third, never leave your pet in the car.

Have A Great, Safe Summer With Your Dog!

DogTime would like to thank Dr. Kurt for his time, expertise, and advice for how to keep our dogs safe during summer.

This season can be one of the most fun for us and our pooches. It can also be dangerous, but so long as we’re responsible and informed, we can make sure our dogs stay in good health and enjoy the warm weather with us.

Do you have any fun summer plans with your dog? Are there any summer safety tips we missed? Let us know in the comments below!

The post How To Keep Your Dog Safe In Summer: 10 Questions With Dr. Kurt Venator, DVM, PhD appeared first on Dogtime.

Poop4U Blog via www.Poop4U.com Dogtime, Khareem Sudlow

#doggo #cute dog #dogs of tumblr #puppy doggo #doglover #doggrooming #my doggo #dogmeme

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yesilovehorses-blog1 · 7 years ago

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Heat Advisory for Horses

New Post has been published on http://lovehorses.net/heat-advisory-for-horses/

Heat Advisory for Horses

Hosing or spraying off your horse is one of the most effective means of lowering body temperature.

Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt/The Horse

The summer months can produce extremely high temperatures, especially in California. Here, University of California, Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital staff members John Madigan, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, ACAW; Gary Magdesian, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, ACVECC; and W. David Wilson, BVMS, MS, MRCVS, offer 10 important tips to prevent heat-related problems in horses:

1. Heat can kill. High environmental temperatures and related heat issues, including dehydration, exhaustion, and heat stroke, can occur in horses and can produce illness and death. This is serious business and you must take steps to ensure your horse is protected when traveling in a trailer or being ridden on trail rides or competition events.

2. Provide water. Help your horse maintain hydration by allowing free access to water at all times. It is a myth that a hot horse drinking water will experience colic or other medical problems. Never let your horse pass up a chance to drink water. Only horses that have been deprived of water for a significant time (many hours or days) need to have water provided in smaller amounts over time. Let your horse drink on the trail or after a class at a show.

Hint: You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. This is true, so offer some hay and your horse will often drink after eating the hay. Soup-consistency bran or pellet mashes are another means of getting extra water into your horse

3. Provide as much shade as possible.

4. Limit what you do with your horse during peak heat. Aim to:

Ride or compete with your horse in the early mornings when it is cooler;

Have the ride or event management consider a change in the program schedule to limit afternoon activities during peak heat;

Shorten your ride;

Go slower and provide frequent breaks for your horse, in shade; and

Encourage your horse to drink whenever they want water.

5. Ventilation is key. Provide open vents and windows in trailers which can open for cross ventilation (however, don't let your horse stick its head out while on the road).

6. Know signs of fatigue and overheating in your horse and stop before more severe signs of heat exhaustion begin. Watch for:

Persistent high respiratory rate that does not come down with rest over 10 to 30 minutes (normal is 20-40 breaths per min);

Change in mentation, decreased energy level, and reluctance to keep going;

Dry mucous membranes (i.e., gums) in the mouth (they should feel “slimy”);

Prolonged capillary refill time (Push on your horse’s gum. They should be pink to start, then it will blanch to white after pressure, and return to pink in approximately one second. Check this at the start of your day and frequently throughout the day. If it is prolonged, your horse is trying to tell you to stop, rest, provide water, and, if other signs of colic or muscle pain occur, you need to stay put and seek veterinary attention); and

Lack of gut sounds. Listen at the start of your day (if you don't have a stethoscope put your ear on your horse’s flank- behind the ribs). You should hear gurgling sounds on both sides of the belly– that is normal and good. Quiet gut sounds are a warning that your horse may be heading for dehydration or exhaustion.

7. Consider using fans. If your horse lives in a barn with limited ventilation, try to arrange more air circulation by carefully placing a fan in front of the stall or in the aisle way. Keep electric cords out of reach of horses.

8. Hose (spray) off your horse or pour water from a bucket over your horse. Cool water is fine, normal temperature (not hot) water is good, too. Evaporation produces cooling and continuous hosing is one of the most effective means of lowering body temperature.

9. Have a water source while traveling. Keep a supply of water available for your horse to drink. Obtain some clean five-gallon cans and fill them up with water before you travel.

10. Electrolytes might be useful if the horse has been sweating excessively. Only use if they can be followed by access to water to drink. Have a plan outlined by your veterinarian if you have not used electrolytes before. Only use electrolytes specifically made for horses.

Tips for Trailering in the Heat

If you need to trailer your horse, do so in the cool early morning or late evening hours when it is cooler. Don’t leave your horse in a parked trailer, especially if there is no shade. Just as with a parked car, temperatures inside a trailer can rapidly reach 140°F and the horse can quickly develop heat stroke. Provide as much ventilation and airflow as safely as possible on the road. Be very careful with hauling foals—they appear to be even more susceptible to heat than adult horses.

About the Author

University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine

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healthyandfitness-diy · 6 years ago

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via HEALTHY AND FITNESS https://ift.tt/2DHMpsA

If you are thinking about getting pregnant or have already been trying, it is never too late (or too early) to assess your lifestyle choices. Starting healthy lifestyle habits - or giving up bad ones - can profoundly improve your overall health and some lifestyle changes can improve the fertility in both you and your partner. Human body is closely tuned to its environment - especially when it comes to making babies. Our day-to-day habits, what we are exposed to, even what we are born with have an impact on us about our health and well-being. Fertility is one such aspect of our health that is also affected by our various lifestyle habits. Lifestyle habits and decisions have a huge influence on health as well as on fertility. These may have hidden consequences that influence our health without our knowledge. It is well established that factors as diverse as smoking or alcoholism to conditions like obesity or poor nutrition and even advancing age affect fertility.

1. OBESITY

Obesity affects reproductive capacity in both males and females. Obesity has an emotional and psychological effect on the persons suffering from it, affecting their chances of reproduction.

In Women: In the case of female fertility, a woman’s weight can hugely affect her hormone production. Being significantly, underweight or overweight can inhibit normal ovulation and can contribute to menstrual irregularities. An obese woman can take longer to achieve pregnancy than a woman of normal weight and obesity increases the chances of miscarriages. Obese women are also more likely to suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which also affects fertility. It is important for women to measured by a body mass index (BMI) calculator and maintain a weight that is considered medically healthy.

In Men: Obese males suffer from decreased testosterone levels and are at greater risk of impaired sperm production and reduced sperm quality. Obesity also decreases sex drive in men.

2. TOBACCO CONSUMPTION

Reasons ranging wide from stress to peer pressure, smoking is a habit that once taken up, is hard to let go.

In Women: Smoking cigarette ages a woman’s ovaries and depletes her eggs prematurely along with other health problems. Thus, a woman will struggle to become pregnant if she does not have healthy eggs. Smoking is associated with miscarriages, ectopic pregnancy by damaging fallopian tubes (damages its ability to move the fertilized egg towards the uterus) or by causing blockages in fallopian tubes, as a result of which the meeting of egg and sperm is prevented.

3. STRESS

4. OLDER AGE

In addition to affecting their chances of conceiving, older women also are more likely to give birth to children who have genetic or other inborn effects. They also suffer from an increased risk of miscarriages. Men and women are most fertile during their 20's and their ability to reproduce decreases drastically in the late 30's and 40's. The 20s are the ideal age for women to reproduce. By the time a woman reaches her mid-30s, the quality, as well as the number of eggs in her, begins to decline. In men, sperm quality decreases with age.

Age, Fertility in Men vs Women!

Looking young, feeling young and being young are all different - when science comes into the picture. Although some women may look young even in their 40's, that does not mean they are as fertile as women are in 20's. Some men may look well built and fit at their late 30's or 40's, but this cannot explain the high likelihood of birth defects that occur when these older men have children.

Men - Time Trial:

Women - Inborn Restrictions:

5. ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

In Women: Studies have shown that drinking too much alcohol decreases the levels of steroid hormones (which includes sex hormones), also resulting in abnormal menstrual cycles in women. When alcohol is consumed, it is converted into substances that cause oxidative damage to DNA and proteins. Ovulation disorders are found to increase with heavy drinking. Women who are trying to get pregnant must completely stop drinking alcohol. Heavy drinking during pregnancy also affects the well-being of the baby.

In Men: Sperm production is also affected in men who are heavy drinkers. More the consumption of alcohol greater is the degradation of the quality of sperm.

6. HORMONE IMBALANCE

7. DO NOT GET OVERHEATED

8. POLLUTION

Recent studies have also implicated air pollution to produce a poor quality of egg or sperms and increased miscarriage rates. It is therefore important to increase exposure to greener and cleaner environment, making sure to avoid exposure to toxins that may be present in the surroundings as these may also contribute negatively on infertility.

Some chemicals can produce an effect of female hormone in the male body, which can lead to reduced sperm production. Herbicides, pesticides, insecticides and other chemicals can also affect the sperm’s ability to bind to an egg during fertilization.

9. AVOID EXPOSURE TO TOXINS

Exposure to toxins can affect female hormones and the health of eggs/ova in women. Certain profession may result in more exposure to these toxins. For instance, industrial workers are exposed to drugs and chemicals during manufacturing processes and dental assistants are exposed to high levels of nitrous oxide. Further, hair stylists and agricultural workers are some other occupations that may lead to diminished fertility due to toxic exposure.

10. AVOIDING MULTIPLE SEXUAL PARTNERS

11. BE WARY OF VIGOROUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Regular physical exercise is important for not only weight loss and a healthier body it also helps to ease stress. However, the key word is "moderate", physical activity should be done in moderation. If exercises are carried out to exhaustion, that is, if one exercises to the point where they suffer from severe pain, and if exercises get in the way of getting sufficient sleep or cause injuries, fertility may be negatively affected. Women who undertake frequent, intense exercise can experience ovulation problems. Excessive physical activity may inhibit ovulation and reduce the production of progesterone, which are essential in becoming pregnant. Moderate physical activity, like walking with your partner after dinner, can do wonders for your health and mind. For that reason, many doctors recommend that women who are trying to become pregnant should be limiting vigorous activity to no more than five hours per week.

12. LACK OF SLEEP

Persons who suffer from a lack of sleep have a substantially higher level of the stress hormones adrenocorticotropic and cortisol, both of which are known to inhibit a healthy fertility cycle.

13. AVOID DRUG ABUSE

14. EAT HEALTHY

Children are the light of one's life. Do not let poor choices deprive you of experiencing the joy of their existence!

#14 Lifestyle Habits That Can Make You Infertile https://healthyfit07.blogspot.com/2018/11/lifestyle-

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