What types of pads should a Girl use during her periods?

Often, the period may seem like an inconvenience, what with all the blood, the need to change pads regularly, and the physical symptoms such as pain, bloating, and moodiness. However, a regular period is in fact a very good sign that you are healthy, and that your body is ready for pregnancy. This regular occurrence every 21 to 35 days will continue until you reach menopause.

What Happens During the Period?

During your period, your uterus is discarding the mucus membrane that had been used to thicken its walls in preparation for an embryo, along with the unfertilized egg. The period is also a signal to your ovaries to start ovulating once again. This process involves the release of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which is why you may feel symptoms such as increased stress and irritability. While discarding the unused lining, the uterus muscles contract, which may cause some cramping in the lower abdomen and pelvic region. Once your ovaries have released a new egg, it detaches itself and moves down one of the fallopian tubes. At this point, your uterus is ready to receive an embryo. If the sperm fertilizes the egg, then the egg travels to the uterus. If not, the body, specifically the uterus, gets a signal to discard the unfertilized egg and the uterus lining, and your period starts again. You need to use pads in order to protect your clothes from getting stained, and staying clean and dry.

What Pads should you Use?

There are pads available in varying levels of thickness, depending on the volume of your flow and the phase of the period you are in. The start is usually light, and becomes heavier, tapering off towards the end. Your period can last anywhere from three to seven days.

1.       Liners are thin pads that can be used at the start and during the end of your period, when the flow is very light. You can also use the liner in case you experience any bleeding in between.

2.       Ultras are thin towels that can be used by women who have a comparatively light flow. They come in various lengths, with and without wings.

3.       Maxis are thicker than ultras, and can be used by women who have comparatively heavier periods. They also come in various lengths, and with and without wings.

Beach Destinations in Saudi Arabia

The birth place of Islam, Saudi Arabia is a top tourist destination. Traditionally, most visitors were pilgrims, but there has been a shift recently. In 2012, around 12.3 million people visited this Middle Eastern country, making it the 19^th most visited country of the world. Other than the religious and heritage spots, the KSA also offers some of the finest beaches in the world. This is why it is recommended to prepare yourself before visiting the country. Make sure you are all set to beat the heat and hit the beaches with underarm waxing. Along with the finest beaches, the nation also offers a variety of cuisine, making it a perfect place for a family vacation.

Must Visit Beaches in Saudi Arabia

1. Farasan Island Beach: If you are not a big fan of crowds and are genuinely looking for a nice peaceful vacation, this beach is the perfect destination for you. Its sugar-fine sand and clear warm water will leave you awestruck. You can take a free ferry from Jizan to this island. Once you visit this place, you won’t feel like returning home.

2. Half Moon Beach: This beach is located in Al Kobar region of Saudi Arabia. Blessed with clear water and golden sand, it is a top attraction for tourists to the country. It is home to many restaurants that serve a variety of Arabic delicacies. It also has entertainment zones for kids and adults, making it a perfect place for a family vacation.

3. Azizia Beach: Located right at the center of the popular city of Dammam, Azizia is a major attraction for people visiting this Gulf country. Its crystal clear water makes it a perfect place for underwater activities. Diving and swimming are popular here. So, make sure you get rid of all the unwanted body hair with a product that suits your skin type, such as Veet® Wax Strips With Easy Grip™ - Bikini & Underarm – Sensitive Skin. Even underarm waxing will be a breeze with such a product and you can look your best. There are also many barbeque grills around for food lovers.

 

4. Al Nakeel: This is a five star beach property located in Jeddah, offering a luxurious experience for visitors. It is located on the Northern Coast and flanked by the Red Sea. It actually consists of several beaches. Al Nakeel provides a great view of marine life. So get prepared to be amazed here.

5. Durat Al Arous: This is another exciting beach destination in Jeddah. It is located in the village of Durat Al Arous, in the Northern part of the city. Its scenic beauty will definitely tempt you to take a dive into the water. It is a conservative area but there is no restriction on women tourists, although it is advised to dress conservatively. 

Taking Care of Throat Infections

Every year, between the months of June and August, the Saudi Arabian countryside is witness to massive dust storms driven by northern winds. During this period there are at least five serious sandstorms on average and the worst ones can last up to 24 hours. This puts large segments of the population at risk and previous years’ sandstorms have seen up to 400 people being admitted into hospitals with respiratory diseases following a sandstorm. 

Living in such a difficult situation requires careful attention to one’s own health and the health of those around you. Look out for the following throat infection symptoms and avoid falling prey to respiratory problems.

What to Watch Out For

The first sign of a common cold is a sore throat. This usually accompanied with a blocked or running nose. However, a sore throat that is being caused by the common cold rarely lasts over two or three days at the onset of the cold. By the end of two days, you can usually tell if your throat is caused by a cold or something more serious.

If you have a sore throat, chances are that it is either a bacteria or a virus that is causing it. If your infection is viral in origin, you will exhibit other symptoms that are common to influenza or flu-type ailments. These are red eyes, running nose, sneezing and a persistent cough. Along with these cold or flu-type symptoms, you may also experience body ache and a mild fever.

When your sore throat has been caused by the streptococcal bacteria, you will experience inflammation of the mucous membrane in your throat. Strep throat is most common in school-going children and teenagers. Further down the throat, an inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis), adenoids (adenoiditis) or epiglottis (epiglottitis) can also occur. At other times, it might just be your voice box that is infected (laryngitis).

Other minor causes for throat infection symptoms include irritation from dryness in the surrounding air (low humidity), air pollution or allergies. Gastric reflux when the stomach acid climbs up the throat can leave you with a sore throat and is usually accompanied by symptoms of heartburn.

Throat sprays and cough lozenges can really help in soothing your throat. You can try a honey and lemon flavor, which tastes really nice while doing its job of relieving pain, fighting infection and soothing your throat. 

Health Hazards of Fizzy Drinks

According to an article in Al Arabiya, the soft drink industry in Saudi Arabia is the largest in the Middle East, in terms of both volume and value. With the climate of Saudi Arabia remaining hot and humid throughout the year, the demand for “rehydration” drinks has been seeing a constant rise. According to industry estimates, the sales of soft drinks are expected to increase by 52.6% in Saudi Arabia by the end of 2016.

Although these soft drinks, especially the fizzy ones, provide temporary relief from the heat, in the long run they do more damage to your body than good. Here are a few reasons to avoid using fizzy drinks to rehydrate yourself.

Causes Sore Throat

All fizzy drinks are mostly consumed in a cold or chilled state, which is what gives that cooling sensation to the body. But what it does in reality is that it causes congestion of the respiratory mucosa. Respiratory mucus is a defensive layer that covers the respiratory lining and acts as protection against external bacteria and viruses. Causing a congestion here means exposing your respiratory system to possible infections, which eventually leads to a sore throat.

Can Lead to Diabetes

All soft drinks contain added sugar. Consuming large quantities of such beverages will cause the sugar levels in a person's blood to rise, leading the way eventually to type 2 diabetes. Studies conducted between 1990 and 2000 showed that around 1,30,300 cases of the diabetes reported were caused by the increased consumption of soft drinks.

Increased Risk of Heart Disease

Studies conducted by various scientists across the world proved that drinking 3 cans of fizzy drinks a day can increase the risk of heart disease in an individual. Dietary guidelines by the WHO recommend that intake of added sugar should be less than one tenth of the total calorie intake in a day. Consuming 3 cans a day makes up for more than a quarter of the calories, since they are laden with sugar, thereby increasing the risk.

Premature Aging

It has been found that chemicals like phosphates used in these drinks speed up the aging process. Speeding up is not just in terms of wrinkles but also many health ramifications, such as chronic kidney diseases, earlier in life than what most people are likely to experience with the progress of age.

Increased Body Fat

Considering the calories involved, it should come as a surprise that these beverages would add to our body fat. A study found out that people who drink fizzy drinks are bound to experience a waist line that is three times more expanded than the people who do not consume them regularly.

Considering the side effects, it is better to reduce the consumption of such beverages, if not stop completely, given that you might have to deal with much more than just a sore throat.

Common Insects in Saudi Arabian Households & How to Get Rid of Them

Being predominantly a desert, Saudi Arabia sees temperature increases to above 120 degrees in the summer. The Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia recorded 6,000 cases of dengue fever in 2015. It led to the death of as many as six people. It is seen as a more dangerous threat for the country than the Zika virus at present.

The growing number of pests and diseases has given a boost to the pesticide and agro-chemical market in the country. The consumption of insecticides reached over 3,000 tonnes of active ingredients in 2014. This industry is expected to see a compound annual growth of 4.1% by 2020, due to the outperformance of agricultural industry.

If you have small children at home, then things become more difficult to manage. Even the smallest insects, like ants, can cause some harm. The question is, how to get rid of ants or any other insect for that matter? Here are a few insects that are commonly found in households and ways to eliminate them.

Flies

They may not be the most dangerous pests but they are definitely the most annoying ones. They can be found in food scraps, open septic tanks, lawn clippings and dirty benches and tables.

Diseases Caused:

• Salmonellosis
• Trachoma
• Shingellosis

How to Get Rid of Flies?

• Wrap food nice and tight, rather than leaving it open
• Empty all bins on a regular basis and keep them covered
• Clean toilets daily
• Make sure the septic tanks and leach drains are not damaged

Mosquitoes

Out of all the insects found at home, mosquitoes can cause the most harm. They suck blood from people, pets and livestock.

Diseases Caused:

• Dengue Fever
• Malaria
• Yellow Fever

How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes:

• Put a lid on water tanks
• Don't allow dirty water to collect in one place
• Use insect repellents on exposed skin
• Use repellant sprays for the home

The best way to avoid diseases caused by mosquitoes is to make sure that they stay out of your home.

Ants

Ants belong the family of Formicidae and eusocial ants. There are 22,000 species of ants in the world and the only place without indigenous ants is Antarctica.

Damage Caused:

·         Raid stored food

·         Damage indoor structures of houses and buildings

·         Harm agricultural crops

·         Sting bites

How to Get Rid of Ants?

• Insecticidal bait
• Sprays
• Ant Powder

The process, however, differs for different locations and households. Physical, chemical as well as biological methods are used to manage ant populations.