The Best Kept Pregnancy Secret: Postpartum Depression

Having a baby is considered one of life’s happiest, and most indescribable moments. You spend 9 months growing this little treasure inside of you, and then when it is time, the baby makes its way into the world and into your arms. You are full of emotions, you cry, you’re happy, and you’re tired. Everyone talks about the joy of finally having this new baby in your arms, but what most people fail to mention or talk about is the downside of it. The unspoken truth about what happens to roughly 10-20% of women, postpartum depression or PPD.

Everyone always talks about the joys of parenthood, and how wonderful it

pregnant in hospital — *Pregnancy is a joyous time that comes with a lot of bliss. I was not prepared for the range of emotions that followed after.*

is, even when I was pregnant, that was all anyone ever talked about. The overwhelming love and joy they experienced when they brought their kids into the world, the same feeling I was told I would have soon. At first, when I had my beautiful little girl, I was so happy she was here, but also so tired at the same time due to a long, almost 24-hour labor. But not one person ever talked to me about the realities and possibility of postpartum depression. I guess it was too taboo to talk about, as if no one should bring it up, or they would seem like they were a bad mother. I was not prepared for the range of emotions that followed when I went home with my baby.

How Often Does It Occur?

Statistics show that one in seven women go through postpartum depression following the year that they give birth. These numbers are from women who admitted to having postpartum depression, but the numbers are believed to be even higher due to the stigma surrounding PPD. I never confided in my doctor or honestly answered the hospital’s follow up questions, never giving any signs that I was depressed. I felt too ashamed to admit I was hurting mentally after having this blessing. When I spoke to my best friend over video chat, I couldn’t help but break down and cry. I began to tell her how I felt so tired all the time, and that my nipples hurt so much, as if someone lit a match over them every time my daughter would latch on and drink. Then I told her the worst of it, I told her I did not feel connected to my baby, and that I felt like a horrible mother for it.

Do you know what happened next? My best friend consoled me and told me she felt the exact same way with her first baby. She said that it can be a lot to handle dealing with this new little thing that just sleeps, cries, and shows no gratitude towards you. This baby that just constantly demands everything from you, and expects you to constantly know what it wants without any real communication. She told me how she also did not feel connected to her baby for a couple of months, but that the horrible feeling would go away and that I will love my baby so much and will forget how helpless I was feeling eventually.

holding hands with baby — *I did not feel connected with my baby for a while. I felt so ashamed for not bonding with her instantly.*

I connected with other friends of mine who were mothers, and they all confessed in one way or another that they too had postpartum depression. All of these amazingly strong women I knew went through the same thing, and they did not mention it to anyone else while actually going through it because they were also ashamed. This is why I believe the numbers of these statistics would be so much higher if all the women who go through it actually admitted it to their doctors.

Baby Blues Or Postpartum Depression?

Now let’s talk about the difference between “baby blues” and postpartum. About 70-80% of women experience baby blues. Baby blues last within days, or a maximum of 2 weeks after having a baby. The feelings include mood swings, crying spells, feeling sad or anxious, loss of appetite, and trouble sleeping. Postpartum depression symptoms last longer, and are more severe. It usually begins in the first month of having your baby and can last up to a year.

Postpartum depression can take form in different ways. These feelings are all hormonal because your body goes through so many changes when pregnant and after childbirth. Some people, like myself, are just not prepared for this new change in their lives. I was tired all the time, did not talk to my friends as much, did not go out, and was sore.

Symptoms include:

- Feeling sad, hopeless, or overwhelmed. (Check!)

- Crying more often or for no apparent reason. (Check!)

- Feeling irritable, restless, or moody. (Check!)

- Having thoughts of hurting yourself.

- Having thoughts of hurting your baby.

- Eating too much or too little. (Check!)

- Memory problems (Check!)

- Grief about loss of who they were before having the baby, (Check!)

- No longer enjoy the things you used to enjoy. (Check!)

- Not having an interest in the baby, or not feeling connected to your baby. (Check!)

- Withdrawing from friends and family.

- Doubting your ability to care for your baby. (Check!)

Headaches or pains in your stomach, or muscle pain.

After going through all of these feelings for the first 2-3 months of my daughter’s life, one day, which I will never forget, I looked down at her while breastfeeding. She looked into my eyes, I looked into hers, and I just felt this immense feeling of unconditional love. I felt so overwhelmed with love, that I began to cry and I felt so guilty that I had not loved her before. That I had not loved her for the past 2-3 months of her life. That I had missed the chance to love her longer when she deserved it.

Break The Taboo

If you experience some or many of the PPD symptoms, talk about it. If you have thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby, or are too depressed to take care of your baby, then it is important to seek help for both your well being and your baby’s. Whether you might need to seek help, or just want to, it is okay if you can not do it alone. I was able to get over my depression with the help of my husband, but some people need a more experienced hand to help them get through it. It may not be an easy battle, especially on your own. Reach out to a loved one, friends, your community, or a medical professional.

walking with daughter, holding hands — *Talking about what I was going through helped me a lot. It gets better, and it does pass. I was able to connect, love, and fully enjoy every bit of my daughter.*

Women who do need or want to seek professional help, need to speak with their doctor or nurse, and go to counseling so they can freely speak about how they are feeling, and find a solution. Medication is another solution that your doctor might want to discuss with you as antidepressant medication can relieve some symptoms. If postpartum is not resolved within the year, it can have serious consequences. The mother’s health will decline, and the ability to connect with their baby in the future is unlikely. In turn, the baby may have issues with sleeping, eating, and behavior problems as they grow up.

I was able to overcome my postpartum depression without seeking professional help, but it is important to know that you are not alone. Almost every new mom goes through some sort of baby blues, while some go through PPD. Do not be ashamed to talk about it or seek professional help if you need it. I bring it up to all of my pregnant friends and mothers so they are aware of the risks, unlike me with my first child when no one wanted to talk about it. No one ever told me so I never knew that it happened or was normal. I was ashamed of these feelings I had, and I need everyone to know that it is okay to feel this way. It is important to talk about it with your friends, and family. Do not feel ashamed, bottle it all in, or try to go through it alone. It gets better, and this too shall pass.

Forgetful, or Something More? Symptoms of Huntington’s You Might Ignore.

#LetsTalkAboutHD is a social media campaign whose creation was to bring hope and awareness to Huntington’s Disease, HD. The disease affects one out of every 10,000 people a year, which is about 30,000 people in the United States. In order to find effective treatments to slow the disease, the campaign was created in May 2016, which is fitting because May is Huntington’s Disease Awareness month. It hopes to raise funding for more tests by getting families to share their experiences with HD, so the world hears it and takes action. George Huntington was 22 years old when he first discovered the debilitating brain disease. The disease can affect juveniles, but symptoms usually begin when a person is in their 30s and 40s. People of European descent have a higher chance of getting the mutated gene that progresses the disease over time.

Huntington's disease is a brain disorder that kills the brain's nerve cells over time. — *Huntington’s disease is a brain disorder that kills the brain’s nerve cells over time.*

What Exactly Is Huntington’s Disease?

Huntington’s disease is a brain disorder caused by toxin proteins collecting in the brain. The huntingtin (HTT) gene provides instructions for the body to create a protein called “huntingtin”. Huntingtin is an important protein found in tissue and the brain. Mutations in the HTT gene, tells the brain to create extra DNA that leads to the production of longer-than-normal protein. Essentially, the DNA is in a repeating sequence. Damage occurs to the brain’s cells and neurons over time, leading to neurological symptoms, such as impaired posture, abnormal or slow eye movements, and difficulty swallowing and talking. As it progresses, it will eventually cause uncontrolled movements, emotional problems, and cognitive issues. The average adult brain is about 3 pounds, and someone with HD at its final stages will have a brain that weighs about a pound less, that’s 30% less! The disease will have eaten away so much of the brain’s nerve cells, causing bigger openings in the brain.

A less common form of Huntington’s disease is the juvenile form of it. It is diagnosed in about 5-10 percent of all HD cases. It begins in childhood, and can mask itself as normal child-like and teenage behavioral issues such as aggression, depression, and impulsiveness. Because of this, many children and young people get misdiagnosed, until it is too late. Juvenile Huntington’s tends to progress more quickly, which is why people diagnosed with it are in more danger. After symptoms appear, those affected usually only live 10-15 years.

What Are The Symptoms?

The symptoms of Huntington’s are similar to those of ALS, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. It affects your movement, cognitive functions, and mental functions. Symptoms include:

Trouble balancing -many people with Huntington’s die due to imbalance.
Trouble swallowing- in the later stages, the risk of choking is high
Involuntary movements such as twitching and jerking around
Difficulty speaking
Memory issues
Difficulty focusing
Poor impulse control
Depression- one of the early signs of Huntington’s, along with irritability.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder can occur
Bi-polar disorder can occur

For people younger than 20 with Juvenile Huntington’s, symptoms are often behavioral, and emotional. This includes moodiness, aggression, stubbornness, anger, frustration, and depression. Many kids and teens experience this range of emotion, which makes it hard to diagnose. Additional signs include seizures, slow movements, balance

*HD occurs from mutations in the huntingtin gene. It is genetic and passed down from parents who have the disease.*

issues, loss of motor skills, slurred speech, a decline in school performance, and impaired reasoning abilities. Between 30-50% of people with Juvenile Huntington’s disease will have seizures.

Is it Genetic?

Huntington’s disease is an autosomal dominant disorder, meaning that one copy of the altered gene is inherited from a parent. If the mother is the one affected with the disease, then the child will most likely develop it at the same age their mother developed it. If the father is the one affected by it, then developing the disease will potentially happen at an earlier age than when the father developed it. Each child has a 50% chance of inheriting the faulty gene. The disease never skips a generation.

Is There A Cure?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for Huntington’s disease. There is also no treatment that can reverse its progression or slow it down. However, it can be managed. A healthy diet and exercise will contribute to improving the person’s physical and mental health. Medications can help with involuntary movements. Speech therapy can help the person communicate more effectively, physical therapy can help improve muscle strength and flexibility, leading to better balance. Lastly, occupational therapy can help a person create strategies for coping with memory and concentration issues.

*With therapy, HD can be managed, providing the person a better quality of life.*

Diagnosis

Because HD is a genetic disease, family and medical history are important for your doctor to be aware of. This way, the doctor can make judgments on genetic testing to confirm the disease. The doctor can also refer a patient to a neurologist, where they can order a CT or MRI scan to identify changes in the brain structures.

Huntington’s disease is a rare genetic illness that takes a toll on a person’s life. It is important to be aware of your family and medical history, and seek testing to confirm suspicions. This is especially important for children and teens who might have the disease and it gets brushed off as “normal growing behaviors”. People with HD can still live to their full potential. Through a healthy diet, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy, a person with HD can improve their quality of life.

Is The Mediterranean Diet The Secret To Living Forever?

Most people would love the opportunity to live forever, while science hasn’t found a way to live eternally yet, studies are showing there are ways to make sure you live as long as possible with simple diet changes. Olive oil, olives, fish, nuts, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, these foods are just some found in the Mediterranean diet. This diet is considered a super diet. Not only is it delicious, but it saves lives. Well, in a way. The Mediterranean diet has been

*A study conducted in Italy showed that those who ate the Mediterranean diet, reduced their risk of death from all causes by 20%.*

found to help you live longer, no matter what age you begin the diet. The program reduces the risk of death from all causes by 20%! Of course, in order to reduce the risk of death in your life, you have to stick to the diet. So how does this diet work exactly? Well, the foods carry so many vitamins and more that your body needs for healing and better functioning.

The Study

A study conducted by Harvard University and published in the British Journal of Nutrition focused on the health and dietary regimen of over 5,000 individuals aged 65 and older living in Italy. The researchers had participants complete a food questionnaire on their daily diet, with a point system of 0-9 depending on how close their diet was to the Mediterranean diet. Nine meant the person was eating a Mediterranean diet (or very close to it), while 0 meant they were far from the diet.

The Results

After all the data was collected from the participants, it appeared that those whose diet was closest to the Mediterranean had fewer signs of heart disease, and reduced mortality from other causes. The closer a person was to the Mediterranean diet, the lower risk of premature death. Every point counts, which means that even something as small as a greek salad at

*The Mediterranean diet has been found to help you live longer, thanks to all the vitamins and antioxidants it offers.*

dinner helps. Every point that a person received meant that their risk of premature death decreased by 5%.

While there is no exact reason why the dietary program prolongs life, there is one main ingredient the diet has that helps- monounsaturated fats. These fats are good fats which are associated with a longer life, decreased risks of heart disease, chronic disease, lower blood pressure, and improved brain function. These good fats are found in virgin olive oil, and olives- which are staples in the Mediterranean diet. Olives also contain a variety of nutrients such as vitamins A, E, iron, and fiber.

“We all know that the Mediterranean diet is good for health, but there are few studies focusing on the elderly,” stated Marialaura Bonaccio, an epidemiologist at the Mediterranean Neurological Institute, IRCCS Neuromed, and first author of the study. “If you start a good healthy lifestyle when you are young, probably your benefit will be even greater,” said Bonaccio, “But even if you are old and you start having a healthy lifestyle including diet you can (live longer).”

Not only is the Mediterranean diet delicious and super easy to stick to, it also helps you live longer. It doesn’t matter what age you start the diet, as soon as you bring it and keep it up, then you immediately receive the benefits that come with it. It is like a magical diet that can reduce serious health issues. Honestly, it is that easy. Eating healthy can be done, as long as you put in the time. You can start slow by incorporating olive oil when you cook, and then add fresh fish, lean meats, feta cheese (yum), olives, yogurt, nuts, whole grains, and of course vegetables.

Cryogenics & Other Funeral Alternatives

There were some interesting and exotic burials decades ago, such as Egyptian mummification, Indians throwing themselves into a river, and Vikings launched out on ship-made crematoriums. Americans adopted the traditions of

*A traditional burial is typical, but not your only option after death.*

burying someone in the ground, or cremating them, from some of the ancient burial traditions. But getting buried or cremated do not have to be your only options after death. I’m sure you have heard of donating your body to science, and other forms of services. Might sound unusual, but it is true, you can donate your body, freeze it, and even

become a tree in the afterlife! There are so many options to choose from; here’s what they are.

Diamonds Are Forever, And Now You Can Be Too

You can become a diamond, or made into jewelry. A company called Cremation Solutions will turn your cremated ashes into jewelry, and even into a diamond. It can be costly, however, ranging from $3,000 to $30,000. This is my favorite route and the one I chose for myself. What could be better than having your loved one wear you around forever?

Become A Science Experiment

Want to be on display? Donate your body to science. Join the Body Worlds Exhibit, where people can learn about the human anatomy by looking at your transparent body. You can also sign off to send your body to the medical field so they can study your body. Surprisingly, many people have signed up to have their bodies plastinated. What’s plastination? Well, it is the process of preserving the body and organ specimens for medical education. The cost of all of this? Free!

Freeze Yourself

Cryonics is the process of freezing a person’s body, hoping to be brought back to life in the future. The idea is to unfreeze your body after medical science has advanced to do so while keeping your memory and personality intact. You can also choose to just freeze your head in hopes of being transplanted into another body (which is cheaper). If this is the route you want to go, then you better have a large wallet. This process will cost you anywhere from $30,000 to $150,000.

*You can have some of your ashes shot up into outer space!*

Live In Outer Space

Celestis Memorial Spaceflights will shoot your ashes out into space. Some of your ashes will get put into a tube and then put in a rocket that is going to outer space. Over 600 people’s ashes have rocketed from Earth. Some people are just floating out there in space, while others have landed on the moon! The cost? Anywhere from $1,000 to $12,000.

Swim With The Fishes

If you love being in the water, or always wanted to be a mermaid, then you’re in luck, kind of. While you won’t necessarily be a mermaid, you can live in the water and become a reef. Your crushed bones from your remains will be mixed with artificial reef material and placed into the ocean. They will place these orbs where reefs need restoration. Be a part of producing new life under water. Costs range from $3,000 to $7,000.

Green Cemetery Burial

Become one with the earth. Greensprings Natural Cemetery in NY provides green cemetery burials. Your body is buried in a biodegradable coffin, or you can be wrapped in a shroud, without a gravestone. This way you can help preserve the Earth while becoming a part of it. This will cost you less than $1,000, but other companies range from $5,000 to $10,000.

Become A Tree

On the trend of becoming one with the earth, you can grow into a tree in your backyard, or wherever you choose to be. Bio Urn is made of 100% biodegradable materials and has a two-part capsule: the top where you place the growth medium and seed, and the bottom where you place the ashes. The urn is planted into the ground and with some TLC, voila, you are now a tree. Bio Urns are a whopping $145! Win!

Resomation

Resomation is a new kind of cremation but in an eco-friendly way. A funeral home in Florida dissolved tissues and uses both heated water and potassium hydroxide to dissolve the body into a clear, sterile liquid which is then poured down the drain. Once this is done, any implants or fillings are removed and disposed of from the bones. The bones are then cremated and given to the family. This is considered to be more eco-friendly because it uses less power, and the fillings and implants are not burned causing mercury pollution. This will cost you about $3,000.

Being traditionally cremated or buried are not your only options to go. You can become part of the earth, the ocean, or even travel to outer space! Whatever decision you choose, make sure to have the funds for it, because some of these methods can get pricey. The thought of death can be scary, but when you think about your body becoming something useful afterwards, makes it a little less scary. Maybe even exciting?

Food Allergies Are No Longer A Life Sentence, Some Disappear On Their Own!

Allergies are one of the most unpredictable things in anyone’s life. It can happen at any point in your life as well, whether you are born with it, or just develop one young, or old. And to top it off, it can be there one day, and then the next (typically within years), it’s gone! People are unaware of why they suddenly are allergic to something. They are even more unaware that it can disappear, and most never find out because they avoid trying the food they are allergic to for fear of an allergic reaction. It is true. For all of you afraid to go near peanut butter, nuts, etc because it might kill you, just know that it can go away in time. On its own. And then you can hopefully enjoy a Snickers bar, or Reese’s peanut butter cup once again. It is important to never try it on your own! If you have an allergy, you need to get the proper tests done with your doctor. When it is time to check if it is gone, always do so with a medical

*Allergies occur when your body begins to defend your body against a foreign substance. It can begin at any point in your life.*

professional in an office, or hospital. Now let’s find out why an allergy begins, how it can just magically go away, and what tests you NEED to take to make sure you are no longer allergic before testing it out (with a medical professional).

Why Do You Get Allergies?

No one truly knows what causes allergies, but the experts think it is an oversensitive immune system. Your immune system reacts to any harmless substance, such as dust that gets in your eye or throat. Immune systems are designed to defend your body against these substances and if yours is oversensitive, then it reacts to allergens by increased mucus production (which is sneezing, itchy eye effects) or life-threatening ones can shut down many of the bodies vital systems.

Allergies are a tough thing to understand because it differs from person to person. You can have a sneezing attack around one cat, but not another. Allergies can be triggered through age, or with constant exposure to the allergen for your body to decide it’s a threat. That is sometimes why a person will develop an allergy later in life. It can be an environmental cause, such as those nasty pollen grains floating in the air during the spring and summer months. An allergy attack can even be brought on by stress. Stress causes inflammation and releases histamine which can trigger an allergic reaction.

Can You Outgrow Them?

Yes. While it may take a long time, people can outgrow allergies, even the life-threatening ones. Your body can grow used to the allergen, or developed a tolerance, so your body doesn’t see it as a threat anymore. The only person who can officially determine if it is gone is your doctor. Never try to test it out on your own, especially if it is a life-

*Doctors can determine if your allergy is gone with a blood test.*

threatening allergy.

How Can You Test If An Allergy Is Gone?

The way to find out if an allergy has gone away is the same way a doctor confirms that you have an allergy, a simple blood test.t. Blood tests show immunoglobulin (IgE) levels which detect and show the amount of allergen-specific antibodies in your blood. Looking at these tests, doctors can determine a person’s likelihood of outgrowing allergies, especially food ones. The way to test it is by giving the child or person a small amount of food while observing them in the doctor’s office or hospital. Some people who have allergies, even ones as life-threatening as peanut allergies, their entire life have taken the test later in life and learned that the allergy has disappeared. This means no more worrying about being around allergens, no more avoiding foods, they are free to enjoy peanuts, or whatever the allergen may be, like any other person.

Unfortunately, kids who are allergic to peanuts, or tree nuts will most likely carry the allergy into adulthood 80-90% of the time. Some people are lucky, but it is not common. However, it is still worth a try to get your blood work done and test it out. After all, May is National Allergy Awareness Month, and Food Allergy Action Month. Allergies are a pain and can be life-altering, deterring you away from important things and events. Know that it can go away, and get better. Don’t give up. Make sure to never test it at home, and always do it under medical supervision.

The Face Pull – Your Fresh Workout

A New Fitness Workout (That’s not gonna actually pull your face.)

building muscle with weights — *Working out is good for more than just your physique.*

Most of us work out to look good. No? You’re doing it for health reasons? Okay–well, I work out to look good, and this is an easy workout to slip into the regimen that’ll improve more than just “gettin’ you them gunz”. This isn’t just one of the fitness trends.

I know that it’s easier nowadays to just get a personal trainer when it comes to your fitness. Why learn workouts online when someone can teach you? Personal training gets expensive though, but don’t worry. For the most part, as long as you do your research and take caution, you can build workouts yourself. The “Face Pull” workout is recommended as a good ending for every fitness routine whether HIIT(high-intensity interval) classes or indoor cycling because it improves posture, streamlines muscle balance, and prevents injuries.

Why it Works

Weight lifting does so much for your body and health. It’s important to maintain a balance with the muscle groups you work on. The Face Pull is special in this case.

It hits important muscles that don’t normally get trained. With a lot of fitness routines, you’re pushing against a bar or a dumbbell, or you’re pulling, but it’s with the major muscles in your back. These small muscles(the rotator cuffs in your shoulders) need to be trained too so that they can all work together. Your body should be one smooth, well-oiled machine working toward one goal. And that’s some free advice you can take out of the gym.

How to Do It

working out with cables and pulleys — *The cables and pulleys machine uses leverage to build strength.*

Alright, so you know what happens on the inside now. But what to do on the outside? The last thing I want you to do is head to your gym and not know what to do. I hate standing around confused, personally. So, let’s take a look at what equipment you’ll need, the movement you’ll use, and specifically what form to take.

First, you’re going to get yourself into a gym with cables and pulleys set up. If you’re lucky enough to have this (or resistance bands) in your own home, then great! The cables and pulleys machine is the nifty looking apparatus with all the ropes in it. The above picture is of this machine. Most likely, you’ll see some swole dude (or dudette, we’re equal opportunity here) pulling them into his/her chest and grimacing at the mirror. Me one day, hopefully.

Here’s how to perform this exercise:

good posture for good health — *Keeping the right posture is very important for the Face Pull Workout.*

Set one pulley to a higher placement than your face. Your posture for this exercise is the same as the photo to the left.
Insert the dual-ended rope at the end.
Grasp each end firmly (like an airline seat belt), thumbs pointed behind you, and arms stretched out in front.
Pull it backward and rotate your arms out, elbows at a 90-degree angle and below the shoulder. This should feel good and bad at the same time because these muscles aren’t hit a lot.
Make sure your posture is good, and that you can breathe easily while doing this. Two of the most important rules in weight-lifting besides deodorant.

Ten reps should be good. Most personal trainers won’t hit this rotator cuff.

If you’re at home, secure your resistance bands so that you’re in the same position as the cables and pulleys machine. This could be around a pillar, a sturdy bookcase, or your roommate if they’ll hold still long enough. After setup, continue to do the aforementioned movement.

The second part of this set is about the same. You’ll just go straight up overhead with your arms stiff but not locked. Keep your thumbs pointed behind you, where everyone is looking because you’re doing a hip new workout.

Whether taking a yoga class, full body gym workouts, or just light calisthenics in your living room, this workout hits lesser-used muscle groups that you need to function well overall. If aesthetics are your goal, you’ll get better posture. For overall strength, this will build up those weaker muscles, providing more support in the long run. Need a little more? Here’s an instructional video that can help.

Tag: health