Dealing with vaginal discharge

The amount of normal discharge varies from woman to woman, and with the menstrual cycle. Many women notice that, during the week following a period, there is hardly any discharge, and what there is, has a thick consistency. Towards the middle the cycle (about 2 weeks after the start of the period) the amount increases and it becomes thin, slippery and clear, like uncooked egg white. There may also be a feeling of moistness and stickiness. Normal discharge does not smell, and does not cause any irritation or itching.

What’s not normal
1. A discharge is likely to be abnormal if:

2. It smells fishy.

3. It is thick and white, like cottage cheese.

4. It is greenish and smells foul.

5. There is blood in it (except when you have a period)

6. It is itchy

7. You have any genital sores or ulcers

8. You have abnormal pain or pain on intercourse

9. It started soon after you had unprotected sex with someone you suspect could have a sexually transmitted infection/ disease. (STD)

What to do if you have vaginal discharge
1. For any vaginal problem, you must take care to avoid substances that may cause more irritation.

2. During a period, change tampons or sanitary pads frequently (at least two or three times a day).

3. Talk to your partner. Ask if he has any discharge from the urethra (the opening at the end of the penis) or any soreness or irritation of the penis. If his answer is ‘yes’, or if there is any reason to think that he might have a sexually transmitted infection, he should go to a doctor for a check-up. Do not have sex until the problem has been sorted out.

4. If your discharge is thick and white and itchy, it may be thrust, so you could try an anti-thrush cream or tablet from a pharmacist. Do not persist with an anti-thrust cream from the pharmacist if the problem does not resolve within a day or two. Make an appointment to see your family doctor and have the problem cleared up.

Source: Health care booklet from Guardian pharmacy

Perilous Printer?

The source of this article is from Reader’s Digest, December 2007, written by Patricia Curtis.

Maybe the content of it explains why there is high percentage people nowadays are suffers from cancer disease. In my opinion, it has got to do with the modern living environment from one’s home and office.

If you are working in the office environment and sits near to laser printer, laser facsimile, digital copier and other office automation equipments that consume toner, you may already expose yourself to the risk that caused health problem.

Suggestions:
Put some potted plants around the printers.
Keep distance between the printers with workstations.
Instead of owning laser facsimile, printer and copier, get the all-in-one multi function printer, for example Canon MF4150, MF4270 (network ready), etc.

Article: Perilous Printer

I thought paper jams were a pain, but your printer may actually affect your health: An Australian study looked at 62 office laser printers in constant use and found that 17 emitted high levels of ultra fine particles into the air. Long documents and dense photos are the worst offenders. The particles are the same size as those from cigarette smoke and car exhaust and can get into your lungs, says coauthor Lidia Morawska, PhD.

But don’t panic, says Rich Sextro, PhD, of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. “Candles and cooking also produce similar particles, but we really don’t understand the health effects of ultra fine particle inhalation.” If anything, the flecks have been linked to respiratory problems, but we don’t know if it’s the composition of the particles, the amount or something else that causes problems. “Would I throw away my laser printer? I think the answer is no. Would I make sure I didn’t have one that got used a lot in a small room without much ventilation? Yes, I’d probably pay attention to that. But more research is needed, so it’s way to early to worry.”

In any case, printers emit particles only when they spit out pages. To be safe, move yours to a ventilated area.

Belly dancing to fitness

There is something exotic and sensual about belly dancing. Considered one of the oldest forms of social dance in the world, it is now one of the fun ways to get good workout.

Belly dancing provides you a good cardiovascular workout. You can increase your body’s flexibility and strengthen the ‘core muscles’, which is the torso.

Belly dance also emphasizes muscular ‘isolations’: you gain ability to move various muscles independently. Apart from the torso, you can build strength in your legs from the movements you make and also work the arms, shoulders and fingers while you sway.

As a form of exercise, belly dancing can burn as many calories as jogging, swimming or riding a bike. You also have fun doing it especially when there is exotic music playing in the background.

Belly dancing is less strenuous on the body and definitely more entertaining as compared to lifting weights or sitting on a bike.

If you seriously follow the proper techniques and practice belly dance, you will gain really toned muscles, especially in the tummy area. It will give you great hips, protect your inner organs and slim down the gut and tummy.