Archive for February 2011
Infertility is the inability or reduced ability to produce offspring after 12 months of trying and can affect both men and women. There are many physical causes of infertility for men and women. As a midwife FAQ, I wanted to write a blog to address the obstacle of infertility.
Female
-Abnormal or immature reproductive system
-Uterine prolapse
-Failure to ovulate
-Low iron levels
-Dry vagina
-Low protein diets; nutritional deficiency
-Toxicity
Male
-Immature or abnormal reproductive system
-Impaired sperm count
-Heavy metal poisoning
-Prolonged drug use
-Impotence
-Reduced sperm motility or viability
A person who thinks they might be infertile should undergo a complete diagnostic evaluation if conception does not occur within 2-3 years. Once the problem has been diagnosed treatment can begin. There are many natural treatment options that can be helpful and beneficial. Exercise can be especially helpful for women. Swimming is a great pelvic exercise that is encouraged. It is also a good idea to consider nutritional changes. Stimulant drugs such as tobacco or coffee should be discontinued. A diet of wholesome foods should be consumed as much as possible with an emphasis on vegetarian protein and fish, foods high in essential fatty acids (EFAs), vitamins (especially vitamins A, B, B6 and folate, B12, C and E) as well as minerals like Zinc, Magnesium and Iron.
Men with low sperm count have often benefited from taking Panax ginseng. Research has found the men who took the Panax ginseng experienced improved sperm count, total testosterone, free testosterone, and sperm motility over a 3 month period.
Individual case histories will vary. Each person who has a fertility problem should seek the guidance of a trained physician or midwife for help with more specific nutrients and treatments individualized to meet their needs.
When the pancreas becomes inflamed it is called pancreatitis. This condition can be considered acute or chronic and the symptoms can range from mild to severe. In the United States, the common cause for pancreatitis is biliary tract disease, followed by alcohol abuse. Other possible causes of pancreatitis include trauma, pregnancy, drug use and infectious agents.
Acute pancreatitis is often caused from the damage within the pancreas. This damage results when acinar cells become damaged and inflammation occurs. In most instances, people with acute pancreatitis suffer with the following symptoms: epigastric pain, abdominal distension secondary to the ileus, hypoxia, fever and malaise. Nausea and vomiting are also common. Fortunately, this type of pancreatitis usually only lasts for a short while and eventually resolves itself. Treatment for this type of pancreatitis may not be needed. However, in some instances total parenteral nutrition may be necessary for 3 to 6 weeks so that the pancreas will be able to heal without having to process food.
Chronic pancreatitis is caused from frequent recurring acute pancreatitis. The constant damage to the acinar cells within the pancreas and the recurring inflammation can cause the pancreas to eventually fail. More than half of the cases of chronic pancreatitis are associated with alcoholism. It seems that men are more likely to have both acute and chronic pancreatitis. Patients with chronic pancreatitis have been found to have complications such as diabetes and splenic vein thrombosis.
Treatment for chronic pancreatitis usually includes dietary changes, the use of pancreatic enzyme replacement medications, pain control medication, and possibly surgery.
Approximately 5% of deliveries result in postpartum hemorrhaging making it the most common obstetric emergency to occur. Postpartum hemorrhaging can be life-threatening and results from a considerable loss of blood volume. In many instances, blood transfusions are necessary. Mothers who experience this type of emergency will need extra help from their families and Nurse Midwife, once their condition has been stabilized.
Breastfeeding will be a more challenging task for mothers who have hemorrhaged because she will likely be exhausted. She will need assistance from nurses, a lactation consultant or family members to help position her baby for breastfeeding. It may take between 6 weeks and 12 weeks before her body will be able to replace her red blood cells and improve her energy. During this time she will need extra help with her baby’s care and family members should be advised on her condition and limitations. Depending on the type of drugs administered and the length of time they are administered the mother’s milk supply may be affected. She may have a difficult time producing breast milk.
Severe postpartum hemorrhaging and hypotension can result in a condition known as Sheehan syndrome. This condition is often associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation. The pituitary gland is affected because of a decrease of blood flow which commonly leads to an infarction and necrosis. Other complications can develop and in most cases lactation can become suppressed. Should this occur, milk supplementation may be necessary until the mother’s milk production increases. Several drugs are available to treat this condition.
There are several hypertensive disorders that can develop during pregnancy. The most common are preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome.
Preeclampsia is usually diagnosed after 20 weeks of gestation. This pregnancy induced hypertension is often accompanied by proteinuria, edema, or both. This condition can affect about 3% – 5% of normal pregnancies and is especially common in women who have a history of chronic renal vascular diseases such as diabetes, collagen vascular disease, or chronic hypertension. Physicians will usually recommend preterm delivery in order to decrease the possibility of infant morbidity and to help improve the mother’s health. Severe cases of preeclampsia have high blood pressure, protein in the urine, decreased urine output, visual changes, severe headaches, epigastric pain, pulmonary edema, or cyanosis.
Eclampsia can occur following preeclampsia if the baby is not delivered early or if the mother’s condition pregresses. This condition usually occurs after 32 weeks gestation and causes convulsions that are not caused by neurologic disease. Women who are diagnosed with this condition are usually hospitalized for the remainder of their pregnancy and given antihypertensive and anticonvulsive medications. The seizures can occur even after the baby is born. Breastfeeding can help the mother to reduce stress and seizure episodes but should only be considered if the mother and baby are in good physical condition.
HELLP syndrome stands for H (intravascular hemolysis), EL (elevated liver enzymes) and LP (low platelets). Only a very small percentage of women who have been diagnosed with preeclampsia develop HELLP syndrome, which typically occurs during the third trimester of pregnancy. Women who are diagnosed with HELLP syndrome may be treated with corticosteroids. This treatment is associated with higher risks of stillbirth and with maternal hematologic disorders.
