Thyroid Cancer Pregnancy:

The Thyroid: The thyroid is an endocrine gland. It is responsible for the synthesis of proteins, regulates the body’s sensitivity to hormones, and controls how quickly the body burns energy. This gland is located in the neck, just below the Adam’s apple, or thyroid cartilage. Thyroid Cancer. Although pregnancy has no connection to thyroid cancer, women are three times more likely to contract thyroid cancer as compared to men. The chances of contracting cancer of the thyroid gland increases as you grow older. Do keep in mind, however, that all nodules on the thyroid gland are not necessarily malignant. In fact 99% of the nodules found on the thyroid gland are benign.

There are four different types of thyroid cancer. The most common type of thyroid cancer is Papillary Thyroid Cancer. Follicular Thyroid Cancer is also quite common. The other types of thyroid cancer are relatively uncommon and include Medullary, and Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Papillary thyroid cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer and the treatment has a success rate of 97%. The treatment involves surgically removing the lobes of the thyroid gland that have been affected by the cancer. Follicular thyroid cancers also have a very large rate of recovery. However, the two most uncommon types of thyroid cancer, medullary and anaplastic, do not enjoy such high success rates in treatment.

Thyroid Cancer and Pregnancy:

Papillary and follicular thyroid cancers grow and spread slowly. Under most circumstances, your physician will advise you to delay surgery until after childbirth. This is because post-surgery, patients are subjected to doses of radioactive iodine to ensure that all the cancer cells are killed. This radioactive iodine may harm your unborn child. You may also be prescribed thyroxine, a thyroid hormone, to control the growth of the cancer. Although there have not been any studies that show that this medication has adverse effects on an unborn child, most doctors advise a patient to not undergo this treatment while pregnant.

If the cancer is aggressive and seems to be spreading rapidly, surgery may have to be performed during pregnancy itself. Under such circumstances, the surgery is usually performed around the second trimester. This timing minimizes the chances of the surgery affecting your unborn child. However, since radioactive iodine cannot be administered during pregnancy, there is always a risk of the cancer cells re-growing and spreading throughout your body. So, it is essential that if you undergo surgery during pregnancy, you follow up with your physician regarding the administration of radioactive iodine after your child is born.

Swimming During Pregnancy:

Swimming is considered to be one of the best exercises that one can do. It not only helps to build strength and stamina but also improves flexibility and appearance. In recent years, swimming has been recognized as a great exercise for pregnant women as well. It is believed to have several therapeutic and health benefits, enabling easy and comfortable delivery.

While there are many advantages to swimming when you are pregnant, it is best to consult your doctor before you begin any kind of physical activity, including swimming. Remember to begin swimming only after your doctor has given you the go-ahead; this is critical for your health as well as your baby’s health.

Benefits of swimming during pregnancy:

Some of the benefits of swimming during pregnancy are as follows. Swimming is the perfect cardiovascular workout for pregnant women. The reason why cardiovascular exercise is so important is because during this phase, developmental activities are being carried out in the womb, and the cardiovascular system should be functioning optimally so as to provide nutrition and oxygen to these areas. Swimming also helps to tone the body so that it is easier to restore your pre-pregnancy figure after delivery. As such, swimming should be included in the exercise routine of pregnant women. Moreover, swimming provides a weightless environment for exercise, which is essential for pregnant women who are prone to injuries on account of increased progesterone levels; this makes the body highly flexible and softens the body tissues. As a result, swimming negates the ill effects of other forms of physical exercise. Swimming also aids in building endurance and endorphin responses; this makes you better equipped to tolerate labor pains. Lastly, swimming has a therapeutic impact on the body as well as the mind, thereby making you feel relaxed and stress free during pregnancy.

Things to keep in mind. Swimming has many benefits, but keep in mind the following things to ensure safety and health. The swimming stroke best suited for pregnant women is the breast stroke; this helps align the chest and back muscles, which are most afflicted during pregnancy. The breast stroke also lengthens the chest muscles and shortens the back muscles, thereby toning the front and the back of the body. Also, make sure you drink a glass of water before swimming; this is important so that you stay hydrated at all times of the day. The physical exertion caused by swimming may cause dehydration. It is recommended that you swim for at least thirty minutes a day, preferably in the morning as this helps in counteracting the sensations of nausea and also energizes you for the rest of the day. Remember, to get a swimsuit specially designed for you; this helps in accommodating your expanding abdomen and preventing shocks and injuries.

Feet Swelling During Pregnancy:

Swelling in the feet is quite common during pregnancy, and it typically subsides after delivery. The swelling may occur only around the ankles or shins, or may affect the entire leg. It is most common in the second trimester, generally in the fifth month of the pregnancy. The most common cause for the swelling is water retention or edema in the feet.

Swollen feet during pregnancy may or may not be painful; however, it is advised that your consult with your doctor for possible causes and treatment.

Remedies for Swollen Feet:

While swelling in the feet is a part and parcel of pregnancy, it can extremely uncomfortable. However, you can take certain precautions to avoid/reduce swelling. Here are some of the things that you can do:

• Drink lots of water. Water helps in flushing out the toxic fluids from the body. While consumption of lots of water may increase the frequency of urination, frequent urination helps in reducing water retention.
• Avoid standing for long periods of time as standing allows the fluids to accumulate in the lower parts of the body.
• Avoid drinking tea and coffee as these drinks may lead to water retention in body (especially the feet).
• Avoid heavy physical activity during pregnancy in order to prevent leg swelling.
• Choose to stay in cool temperatures; hot temperatures may lead to the dehydration of the body, which may increase the content of other body fluids, leading to edema or swelling of feet.
• Check your intake of salt as salt is closely linked to water retention.
• Avoid wearing tight clothing as this may lead to water retention. It is preferable to wear light cotton clothes that are loose and comfortable.
• Make it a point to keep changing your position frequently, especially while sleeping or lying down. Lying in a single position exerts pressure on one side of the body, thereby leading to water retention and swelling.
• Boiling coriander leaves in water and drinking it is a natural remedy for reducing feet swelling . Do this at least thrice a day.
• Avoid exerting pressure on your legs while sitting; do not cross your legs.
• Eat a well-balanced diet that is high in detox foods; this helps in eliminating toxins from of the body.
• Follow an exercising regime as exercise is known to reduce swelling. However, consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise routine.

Home Remedy for Pregnancy Tooth Ache:

A toothache usually results from tooth decay or infection. Improper dental hygiene most often leads to this. It is also possible that pain in other parts of the body may be causing a toothache. This particularly happens when there is an ear infection and pain resulting in the ear radiates to the teeth. Toothache may be caused due to an abscess in the tooth which develops in the centre of the tooth and results from an accumulation of pus due to bacteria. A tooth abscess occurs due to tooth decay, but may also occur due to breaking or chipping of the tooth. The resulting infection causes a swelling and leads to severe toothache. Earache due to accumulation of fluid in the middle ear or infection could also lead to what is called referred pain in the teeth. Injury to the jawbone such as dislocation or fracture may also affect the teeth.

Cavities resulting from tooth decay are characterized by a hole in the enamel of the tooth. If untreated, further erosion of the tooth occurs towards the sensitive pulp and nerves of the tooth. Apart from pain while drinking or eating, there may also be inflammation of the gums and could sometimes lead to loss of the tooth. Tooth decay occurs due to improper dental hygiene such as poor and infrequent brushing, especially after meals. Excessive intake of sweets and carbonated drinks affect the tooth enamel. Worn out and improper dental fillings tend to expose the tender parts of the tooth. The parts of the teeth most susceptible to tooth decay are the pits, surface, areas touching the gum, the parts of the teeth that touch each other and the areas of the teeth used for chewing. The first and most prominent symptom of tooth decay is an ache in the tooth which is experienced after consuming cold or hot beverages or food.

During pregnancy, it is best to avoid too much of medications and if the pain is severe, it is advisable to consult your dentist at the earliest. Clove is the most well known and effective remedy for tooth problems. Application of clove oil helps to attack the bacteria and other infection causing germs in the teeth. Clove seeds may also be placed in the mouth to bring tooth ache relief. You may also add a pinch of pepper powder to the clove oil and apply directly to the cavity to ease the pain and also prevent the germs from spreading. Asafetida with three tablespoons of lime juice may also be applied to the affected tooth with the help of a cotton ball. Chewing on a piece of onion helps to eliminate germs and soothe the pain. A few drops of mustard oil with a bit of salt are also good for the teeth and gums. Holding an ice cube to the affected area will also bring relief.