2 Kinds of Pain Girls Experience Due to Menstruation

Pain is the reason why most girls fear their periods. Menstrual cramps is something that almost every woman bears each month. The technical term used for such cramps or pain is “dysmenorrhea”, which is a Greek word meaning “difficult monthly flow”.

Pain is experienced due to the contraction of the uterus, when it sheds its lining during menstruation. It occurs because of a hormone-like substance, called prostaglandins, that our uterus produces. This substance makes the uterus contract. The contracting uterus gives us that uneasy cramping feeling. Prostaglandins levels are high when menstruation starts and gradually decreases as the period progresses.

Two Different Kinds of Period Pains

There are basically two types of pain or cramps that you might experience:

1.      Primary Dysmenorrhea: This commonly occurs in teenage girls, at the beginning of the menstrual cycle and occurs without any underlying medical conditions. The irritable cramping pain can occur due to a contraction of the uterus, in order to shed its lining. It can also be caused by limited supply of blood to the uterus. The pain can extend from the lower part of the abdomen towards the back and further on to the thighs. This is a completely normal experience, causing mild discomfort in women. In case the pain is unbearable, some easy home treatments can make the monthly flow easier, thereby reducing the pain, such as using a hot water bag on the stomach.

2.      Secondary Dysmenorrhea: This pain is not just limited to time of menstruation but can occur at any time during the cycle. It can make the flow heavier and continue for more days than usual. Pain can be experienced during intercourse as well. In certain cases, secondary dysmenorrhea can be due to certain medical conditions, like:

·         Sexually transmitted diseases

·         Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS

·         Pelvic infections

·         Adenomyosis, in which the uterine lining extends into the wall of the uterus

·         Endometriosis, in which the uterus lining thickens and causes pain

·         Non-cancerous tumors or fibroids in the uterus

·         Intrauterine devices (IUDs) made of copper

·         Cervical stenosis, in which the cervix is not big enough for even flow

How to Reduce Menstrual Cramps

Some home remedies that you can try to reduce the pain include:

·         Gently massage the abdomen

·         Use a heating pad on the back or the pelvic area

·         Stay physically active with some simple exercises through the month.

·         Practice yoga and meditation

·         Bathe with warm water or sit in warm water

·         Avoid heavy and oily foods, as well as excessive salt, caffeine and sugar, since they cause bloating and can exacerbate the pain

If none of the above methods work to reduce the period pain, it is advisable to visit a doctor.

Major Reasons for Incontinence in People

Urinary Incontinence or loss of bladder control is an underlying and underdiagnosed medical problem, which has become a silent struggle for a large number of people worldwide. Over 200 million people in this world suffer from this problem, according to statistics released by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Although this condition is more common in people over 40 years of age, even younger people, especially women who have given birth via forceps, can get affected. The magnitude of this disease ranges from leakage of urine during coughing and sneezing loudly to having an irresistible desire to urinate, which ultimately leads to leakage.

The good news is that it can be cured by undergoing medical treatment and simple changes in lifestyle. But to combat this ailment, it is imperative that you are familiar with its types and causes.

Types of UI

Urinary incontinence is classified into three main categories. However, it is not unusual if you experience a mix of all three types.

1.      Stress Incontinence – This type arises when you are involved in certain physical activities, such as exercising, sneezing, coughing, or heavy lifting. The activity puts pressure on the sphincter muscles and causes involuntary leakage.

2.      Urge Incontinence – As the name suggests, when you get a strong and involuntary urge to urinate, loss of bladder control may occur which ultimately leads to leakage. It may occur due to a sudden change in position.

3.      Overflow Incontinence – This type occurs when you urinate but are unable to empty your bladder completely. Later on, you might lose some urine, which is also known as dribbling.

Causes of UI

A few cases are temporary and can get triggered by beverages, such as alcohol, citrus juices, caffeine, carbonated drinks, etc., or heart and blood pressure medications, sedatives, mood enhancers, or even recreational drugs.

·         Damage – If the pelvic floor muscles are damaged in any way, incontinence may occur because these are the muscles that directly control your bladder.

·         Aging – As you grow older, your bladder muscles tend to get weaker, which increases the chances of involuntary urination. 

·         Prostate – In almost every man, the prostate gland expands with age, which in some cases can cause a problem.

·         Other Causes – There are many other causes of this ailment, such as pregnancy, removal of the uterus, complications in surgery, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), etc.

Although this condition is not worrisome, it is highly recommended that you consult a doctor for effective guidance and treatment. You can pay special attention to your diet by avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and acidic drinks.

Just remember, once you acknowledge that you have a problem, only then can you find a solution.

4 Must Know Beauty Hacks for Women

Did you know that Arab woman possesses the youngest and healthiest skin among all races on our planet? They are blessed with voluminous and the most lustrous hair that others can only dream of. They are not only given a second look when they pass by, but also a third and fourth look. To protect this beautiful gift, they take the necessary measures.

Reason for the Beauty of Arab Woman

The traditional veil keeps the skin protected from dust and the harmful rays of the sun while one is outdoors. It also helps that many women avoid going out of the home during the hours when the sun’s rays are at their peak intensity, which preserves the quality of the skin. Arab women also known to eat the most healthy and fresh foods. The traditional Hammams or what Westerners call Saunas include regular massage with essential oils, followed up by steaming the body. This not only helps open up the pores on the skin to absorb all that beneficial oil but the steaming helps get rid of toxins from the skin’s surface, keeping the skin radiant. Women from the Middle East also take special care to groom themselves, including the removal of undesirable body hair. This task has become simpler with the easy availability of cold wax hair removal strips, such as Veet® Wax Strips With Easy Grip™, which is available for different skin types, including sensitive skin.

Tricks to Make Makeup and Skin Care Fun

Arab woman are also experts at makeup and taking care of their skin. Here are some beauty hacks that every woman should know to keep her skin youthful and glowing.

1. Lipstick as Full Makeup

If you're running short of time and lack the essential beauty supplies, like blush and eyeshadow, a small tint of lipstick can be applied on the cheek bones and spread just like blush. You can try the same thing with your eye lids to create the effect of eyeshadow. You can also use lipstick mixed with paraffin wax as lip balm.

2. Cold Wax Hair Removal

This is the most extensively used technique of hair removal at home. It consists of a applying a strip on which wax is already applied in the direction of hair growth. Rub the strip with your palms to warm it a bit so that it sticks perfectly to the hair. Remove the strip in one quick motion, in the direction opposite to the direction of hair growth. You will get long lasting results and softer skin on the arms and legs, since the dead skin cells will also get removed with this method.

3. Straightening Hair Naturally

Tie you hair with an elastic band, pulling tightly from the scalp but avoiding breakage. In the ponytail, again tie another elastic band a bit lower down the strands. Repeat the process till you reach the tip of the ponytail. Leave it overnight and see the results all by yourself.

4. Lemon and Sugar

These simple ingredients found in your kitchen can be used for body exfoliation. A mixture of lemon juice and sugar can be applied as a body scrub. It has no adverse effects on the skin like the other commercial products do. 

What Your Reason for Having a Sore Throat?

A study conducted in 2015 found that potentially deadly bacteria, called Fusobacterium necrophorum, were responsible for one out of five cases of sore throat in young adults. It is very difficult to detect this bacteria, since the patients often get a negative result on the strep test.

Most of the people don't think of throat infections as a big issue and tend to ignore it, but recent developments in the field shown that these infections can have a complex nature. For example, in Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, about 70% of the cases are caused by viruses, rather than by bacteria.

While most of the cases are likely to get better with time and rest, medication is needed in a few cases, and for that, the cause needs to be identified. This brings us to the question: What is your reason for having a sore throat?

Common Cold

Medically known as Pharyngitis, the common cold is caused by a drop in temperature, the body's inability to adapt to the sudden change, consumption of cold beverages and exposure to allergens.

In our day-to-day life, we travel in public transport, meet different people and no matter how many times we wash our hands, there is always a possibility of coming in contact with a virus. While most of the cases of common cold last between three to seven days, if it exceeds this period, visit a doctor.

Strep Throat

Unlike the common cold, strep throat is caused by the streptococcus bacteria and can have more severe symptoms, such as fever and swollen tonsils. It requires proper consultation with a doctor and is reported to lead to about 25% of the cases of sore throat in children and 10% of the cases in adults. 

After a diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics, depending upon the nature and severity of the infection.

Allergies

The name may not sound very scary but allergies can lead to bigger issues, such as nasal stuffiness, problems in breathing, and dry mouth and throat. In some cases, it could lead to postnasal drainage, and there can also be a problem of cough and sore throat.

Most of the times, the symptoms of allergies are similar to the symptoms of a common cold but they can be differentiated by the fact that allergies are caused seasonally and last for weeks. They are also caused by allergens and not by viruses. They could lead to itchiness, watery eyes and rashes.

To get the proper treatment, identify the reasons for your sore throat and treat the cause as soon as possible. 

Everything You Need to Know About Ant Infestation

Saudi Arabia is a desert country that witnesses high temperatures throughout the year. In summer, the temperature can even go above 120^oF. Because of this hot climate, the region also houses a large number of pests and insects that are a menace and cause various types of problems. For example, there were around 6,000 cases of dengue fever reported in Saudi Arabia in 2015, leading to the death of 6 people.

It is not just mosquitoes that are causing a nuisance in the region. Ants are also severe trouble makers. According to an article in ResearchGate, Samsum ants or black ants, which are common in Saudi Arabia, can induce anaphylaxis. This is a serious, life threatening allergic reaction. So, just like mosquitoes, it is important to take an ant infestation seriously as well. Here’s a look at the different types of ant that could infest your home and how to get rid of ants.

Home Infesting Ants

• Black Carpenter Ants: This is among the most common home invader species in the Kingdom. They usually invade homes for food. These ants are nocturnal in nature and come out from their nests at night in search of food. In their natural environment, they help dead and decaying trees by speeding up the process. But when inside a house, they tend to target wooden structure to build their nests, thereby causing structural damage. These ants don't sting but they can manage a sharp bite, which can become irritating, since they tend to inject formic acid when they bite.
• Little Brown Ants: There are many types of small brown ant species that are difficult to tell apart for home owners. They include odorous house ants, Argentine ants, pharaoh ants and so on. One or the other or all of them can infest your home. These ants are organized species, dominated by a queen. They venture into homes to expand their colonies and also in search of food. They can feed on anything and everything in the house, including fats, carbohydrates, oils, etc. These ants generally form colonies under the floor, under cabinets or in cracks in the wall.

Prevention and Elimination

The main thing to keep in mind is that ants infest houses to gather food. Therefore, the way to prevent an infestation is by not leaving any unattended food sources. Also, keep in mind that mind that they can climb to any height, so an open box of cereal kept in a top cupboard would also be sufficient to invite them into your house. Once you are sure about an infestation, the ideal ways of removing them is using insecticidal bait, sprays and ant powders. For thorough cleaning, it is advisable to call in professional pest control. They will not only know how to get rid of ants, they can also advise you on prevention.