Swobidu Health

Archive for the ‘ovulation Kits’ Category

Today, a themed post! I have tried quite a few in the 14 months that I have been TTC! I have used countless websites and predictors, charted my BBT, used a saliva microscope, and have tried charting my cervical mucus and position. when I first started TTC, I tried the cheaper options, like BBT first. a few dollars bought me the thermometer. I tried for several months, but I’m sort of a light sleeper and my temperature was a little all over the place. I never quite go the hang of charting CM and CP and my saliva microscope never gave me very obvious results. although I still pay attention to these things, I rely most heavily on.

What I like most: the best thing about OPKs is that it truly gives me a date to work from! Since a positive OPK tells you that you will ovulate in the next 24-28 hours, it gives me a pretty good idea that not only is it time to kick up the “baby-dancing”, but it also helps me predict when my period is likely to show! I am a bit (HA!) of a control freak, so I like to know these things! it also gives me a countdown to when I can take a home pregnancy test!

How it helps me: before I started using OPKs, I really had no clue when I ovulated! I didn’t have much confidence when I was tracking my BBT, because I always figured there was a margin for human error!

What it has taught me about my cycle: Once I used OPKs for a few months, I started to really see a pretty good pattern to my cycles. I found out that typically, I ovulated later in the month, somewhere between CD 18 and CD 23. the average woman ovulates around CD 14. I also learned that my luteal phase (the number of days between ovulation and period) was a little shorter than most, around 11-12 days, assuming I actually ovulated the day I got a positive OPK. a LP of at least 10 is very important, because anything shorter may not allow a fertilized egg enough time to implant.

Since I began taking Clomid, my cycle has changed. I got a positive OPK this month on CD 15. last month, my LP was 14 days (which is average). OPKs are essential while I’m on Clomid, because I have to have my progesterone checked about 7 days after my positive OPK. If my progesterone level isn’t high enough, the doctor can give me supplements so that my body can support a pregnancy. So the bottom line for me that OPKs are essential during my cycle!

Tips/Advice:when using OPKs, it can take a few months to figure your cycles out. I usually start taking OPKs on CD 10 and I continue taking them until a few days after the test goes back to negative, just to be sure that my surge is over. most OPKs are not meant to use with first morning urine (FMU). If you want to test twice per day to be sure you don’t have a very short surge, try testing at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. try to avoid drinking much for at least 2 hours before testing. the test line on an OPK must be as dark or darker than the control line. Your test line may get close and then get paler. Keep watching for it to get truly as dark as the control line.

Average cost per cycle:the price of OPK varies depending on the test brand and the number of tests you buy. There are digital OPKs, which are the most expensive, around $20 for a pack of 7. Some store brands sell for about $12 for a pack of 7. I have been buying mine on Amazon.com. the last pack I bought cost about $18 with shipping and included 50 OPKs and 20 HPTs (home pregnancy tests). If I use about 10 OPKs a month, that amounts to about $3.60 in OPKs, not a bad deal. That breaks down to about $.36 per OPK, if you don’t count the HPTs! Pretty nice savings compared to about $2.85 per digital or $1.71 per store brand.

Farmingdale, NJ (PRWEB) May 9, 2005

Health Care Software, Inc. (HCS) is pleased to announce that Gulf States Health Services, Inc. (GSHS), a leading healthcare provider throughout the southern Gulf Coast region, has selected INTERACTANT as its primary healthcare information system to support its long-term acute and rehabilitation hospitals throughout Louisiana.

GSHS will centralize its data and applications through the use of HCSs enterprise-wide solution, INTERACTANT. INTERACTANT is fully integrated with a built-in workflow management function that streamlines access to information. GSHS will be installing registration, billing, medical records, general ledger, accounts payable and executive information systems.

“We are a diverse company that provides a variety of healthcare services across multiple locations, states Cheryl Wallace, Chief Financial Officer of GSHS. We were looking for an information system partner that would allow us to standardize financial operations across all of our facilities with one system. INTERACTANTs functionality and flexibility will provide a strong foundation for revenue cycle management, financial systems and reporting.

Thomas Fahey, HCS VP of Sales and Marketing, states, Specialty healthcare providers like GSHS offer greater efficiencies and cost savings when compared to the traditional acute care model. This is a healthcare arena that we are focused on supporting and expanding. GSHS sees the benefits of INTERACTANTs centralized information system approach which will give them a better grasp of their operations and allow them to continue to focus on offering an increased level of care throughout its growing number of facilities. We look forward to a strong partnership with GSHS.

About GSHS GSHS has been in business since 2001, and is a leading provider of rehabilitation and long-term acute care in the Gulf South region. In late 2004, GSHS earned the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval by demonstrating compliance with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization's national standards for healthcare quality and safety.

About HCS – HCS has been exclusively dedicated to information technology for healthcare providers since 1969. The HCS product, INTERACTANT, is a series of integrated clinical and financial applications meeting the needs of facilities across the continuum of care, including long-term care, acute, subacute, rehabilitation, and behavioral healthcare providers.

For additional information on this project or to learn more about HCS INTERACTANT, visit: http://www.hcsinteractant.com or call (800) 524-1038.

Nutri-Med Logic says Scientists at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) of National Institutes of Health (NIH) together with researchers at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda, Md., analyzed data from active U.S. military personnel (2002-2008) and found that all the service members, who inflected self-harm, had low omega-3 levels, specifically, Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA ), in the brain.

Miami, Florida (PRWEB) August 27, 2011

Nutri-Med Logic Corp: “Proper nutrients” do contribute to the homeostasis of mental health and that is the suggestion by the newly concluded study by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHA).

According to Joseph R. Hibbeln, M.D., acting chief, Section of Nutritional Neurosciences, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), a previously placebo-controlled trial demonstrated that 2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day reduced depression and anxiety scores among individuals with recurrent self-harm, by 45%.

However, the new findings points to a fundamental role for “DHA of omega-3″ in mental health protection.

According to the NIAAA researchers, while American Psychiatric Association has been recommending Omega-3 as an adjunctive therapy for mood disorders, they are suggesting new research to establish a definitive role for its use in the “stand alone treatment” of depression.

The NIAAA study is seeking to incorporate Omega-3 into the diet of the U.S. military, especially those in deployment situation, in our opinion, confirming the role of DHA of Omega-3 for moderation of stress.

Stress, be it psychological or physiological (age-related) produces a hormone called cortisol. Clinical studies have shown, going back to 1966, that cortisol increases the activity of an enzyme called “tryptophan pyrrolase”, which degrades tryptophan. (1)

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, which is the raw material for the mood hormone (Serotonin). Lack of Serotonin has been implicated in Depression, bipolarity and anxiety. (2,3,4)

While, the relationship between the low levels of DHA of Omega-3 and high levels of stress is well established, but stress is not the only cause for the degradation of tryptophan and the NIAAA study did not analyze the inflammation biomarkers in the older generation of the active service members. Obviously, the younger generation would rarely have problem with inflammation, and as support thereof, we cite disease state such as Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Obesity, etc., which generally surface with age.

Inflammation also plays a role in degradation of tryptophan, which is mostly seen noted by age.

Pro-inflammatory agents such as IL-1 or TNF-Alpha increase the activity of the enzyme Indoleamine Dioxygenase (IDO), which degrades tryptophan. (5)

The EPA of Omega-3 is the precursor to Resolvin E1, a potent anti-inflammatory. Roslvin E1 was discovered in 2006 by a team of researchers of Harvard Medical School.

While the DHA of Omega-3 is equally important for all generations, young and old, the EPA of Omega-3 is highly important with the aging.

The human body is incapable of producing Omega-3. It must be supplemented by the diet. Omega-3 is mainly found in cold-water fishes.

In conclusion, Nutri-Med Logic Corp agrees with the NIAAA new findings, however, this study was conducted in younger segment of the population. The older segment is a potential candidate for chronic inflammation and because both stress and inflammation play an equal role in the older segments of our population, a Balanced Omega-3, having 50% EPA, 50% DHA, without a doubt, should be the Omega-3 of choice.

Nutri-Med Logic Corp is a producer of dietary supplements, including a Concentrated and Balanced Omega-3: having the same concentration of EPA and DHA, 50% – 50%.

DHA of Omega-3, also, offers beneficial properties mainly for the brain, nervous system and EPA of Omega-3, additionally, offers beneficial properties in cardiovascular system.

Nutri-Med Logic’s products are Formulated Based on Nutritional Logic, made from the highest quality raw materials that are manufactured in pharmaceutical facilities, encapsulated in pharmaceutical facilities and, also, packaged in pharmaceutical facilities.

It must be noted that the studies, sources or statements, above and below, have not been evaluated by The FDA and, thus, one should not relate the cause of any diseases, stated herein, to lack of Omega-3 dietary supplementation; nor equate its supplementation to prevention, treatment or cure.

1. Biochemical Journal. 1972 November; 130(2): 74P.

2. Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2011 Aug 24

3. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2011 Aug 16.

4. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2009 Jan;112(1-3):267-72.

5. Biological Chemistry Hoppe-Seyler. 1987 Oct; 368(10):1407-12.

# # #

H.R. Zadeh
Nutri-Med Logic Corp
305 267 0225
Email Information

(Vocus) June 20, 2008

Berkeley College is pleased to announce it has received approval from the New Jersey Presidents Council to offer a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Health Services Management. The new degree will be offered at the Garret Mountain, Paramus, Newark and Middlesex locations as well as through Berkeley College Online.

According to the United States Department of Labors Occupational Outlook Handbook (2008-2009) the health services industry is one of the largest employment fields. The Department of Labor projects a 16 percent growth in employment opportunities for medical and health service managers through 2016. A 19 percent increase is projected for New Jersey.

Offering a Bachelors degree in Health Services Management at Berkeleys New Jersey campuses is consistent with the Colleges mission and long-standing commitment to provide quality, student-centered, professional education, especially in a field that is experiencing a shortage of personnel and is continuing to grow, said Berkeley College Vice President Academic Affairs, New Jersey Campuses, Dr. Marianne Vakalis. This program will produce graduates who have acquired broad-based business knowledge and technology skills to effectively and efficiently serve this increasingly complex field. Graduates will also be qualified for admission to graduate degree programs in Health Services Management or a related field.

The Health Services Management curriculum includes required courses in Introduction to Health Services; Medical Terminology I and II; Ethical and Legal Aspects of Health Services; Management I and II; Computer Applications for Health Services; Research Methods for Health Services; Health Services Finance; Issues in Contemporary Health Services Management; and an Internship. Graduates with a BS degree in Health Services Management will be prepared to take on management roles in a variety of healthcare industries including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, as well as in private practices.

A leader in business education for 77 years, Berkeley College currently maintains an enrollment of over 6,000 students, with more than 600 international students in its Baccalaureate and Associate degree programs. The College has four New Jersey campuses located in West Paterson, Paramus, Woodbridge, and Newark; two New York campuses in Midtown Manhattan and White Plains; and an Extension Center in Lower Manhattan in the Wall Street area. In addition, the College offers Berkeley College Online and its Corporate Learning Partnership program. All campuses are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Colleges website address is http://www.BerkeleyCollege.edu.

Children with Chronic Health Conditions: Caring for Sick Children .
Pediatrics. Caring for Sick Children and Their Families. Children with Chronic Health Conditions. Effects on the children

ccachc.org ccachc
The Council for Children with Chronic Health Conditions wants to recognize and honor a few young people who have a

Disabilities & Chronic Health Conditions: Health: Disability.gov
The Disabilities & Chronic Health Conditions section provides information and resources about specific disabilities and

Chronic health conditions increasing in children, study finds – Los .
Feb 17, 2010 More than a quarter of all U.S. children have a chronic health condition, new research suggests,

Chronic Health Conditions | Jigsaw Health
Do you have ongoing or chronic health problems? Do you feel frustrated searching for answers and unsatisfied with

WHO | Chronic diseases and health promotion
Chronic diseases and health promotion. WHO/Marko Kokic. Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer,

Uninsured Americans with Chronic Health Conditions:
impact of selected chronic health conditions among the uninsured.1 Using the most recent data from the National

Thank you to everyone who participated in the fertility and high-risk pregnancy web chat. Our experts have taken the time to respond to all questions that they were not able to get to during the original chat session. see below for the answers to your most pressing questions, or visit the chat page to read the complete list of answers, along with the transcript of the live chat.

Q. Adriane – I’m 42 and not sure if I can still have a child. Do I see a gynecologist or go to fertility specialist right away? also what test do I need to ask for? my periods are starting to be irregular.

A. Dr. Lee – see your gynecologist for a preliminary evaluation and then the two of you can decide what the next step is.

Q. Cathleen – I’ve gotten pregnant twice with Clomid and IUI – I had two miscarriages. I’m 41 and I can get pregnant; I just can’t stay pregnant. Are there other options than IVF?

A. Dr. Mann – Believe it or not, two miscarriages are still within normal population statistics. However, given your tender age, it might be worth doing a little investigating to see if there is anything preventing you from carrying outside of the first trimester. first, be reassured that most miscarriages are abnormal pregnancies and usually due to abnormal chromosome make up. A risk for chromosomes problems increases with age but in 5 percent of couples, one partner may carry a rearrangement that can predispose to recurrent miscarriage so it may be worth having your chromosomes checked. Sometimes miscarriages are related to abnormalities in the shape of the uterus. It might be worth having a study of your uterus performed. There are some uncommon medical conditions that can be screened for as well. I would recommend that you seek an evaluation with a fertility specialist given that IVF is in your line of thinking. they can complete the work up and assess your ovarian reserve as well as time is of the essence. Hope this helps!

Q. Donna – my husband and I are very sexually active and his sperm count is high, but I can’t get pregnant. Are there any positions which allow the sperm to travel faster? my vagina usually swells after intercourse; is that a bad sign?

A. Dr. Lee – How old are you and how long have you been trying to get pregnant? Having intercourse every other night instead of every night may increase your chances of pregnancy. Position should not be a problem with normal sperm motility. Slight swelling of the vagina should not be a problem.

Q. Erica – When going to a reproductive specialist following testing and treatment from the gynecologist (blood work and HSG), will the reproductive specialist redo all of the testing before starting treatment? my insurance does not cover infertility treatments so I’m worried it can get a little costly. The testing by the gynecologist showed that I wasn’t ovulating but my tubes and ovarian reserve were all fine. I’ve ovulated twice with Clomid, but still haven’t conceived.

A. Dr. Lee – If the tests have been done recently, they should not have to be repeated. A third cycle of Clomid is reasonable, but if you’re not pregnant within three to four cycles, it may be time to move on to other options.

Q. Guest – at 29 with no kids, what can I ask my doctor to look for?

A. Dr. Lee – Are you trying to get pregnant now? at age 29, I would give it a year of trying before I did any testing.

Q. Guest – Do you need prescription prenatal vitamins or is there an over-the-counter product? I’m 41 and have never been pregnant.

A. Dr. Lee – Over-the-counter prenatal vitamins have slightly less folic acid than their prescription counterparts, but are fine to take.

Q. Guest – hi, I am 42 years old and I still want a child. Is it too late to have a baby? I still have my menstruation regularly. who do I need to see to find out if I have good eggs and what type of test should I ask for?

A. Dr. Lee – Many 42-year-olds can still get pregnant. Testing of ovarian reserve may help answer some of your questions. This can be done with a blood test. Remember that 40 percent of infertility is male factor, 40 percent is female factor, and 20 percent is a combination of male and female factors.

Q. Guest – I am 26 years old and my husband and I have been trying for five months. Many of our friends got pregnant within the first month of trying and I’m feeling disappointed as I have been charting and making sure we have intercourse during the fertile days of my cycle. my charts show that I am ovulating, but we’ve had no luck yet. Is there anything else I can do to help my chances? We’ve also been using pre-seed lubricant that is supposed to support sperm, not harm it like other lubes.

A. Dr. Lee – Only 50 percent of couples are pregnant after six months of trying. Eighty-five percent will be pregnant at one year. we don’t usually start testing until about a year at your age. It is very frustrating not to get pregnant when you start trying. Remember it’s either the people who get pregnant the first month or the people who can’t get pregnant that you hear about. The rest are quiet.

Q. Jennifer – my husband and I have been trying to conceive for two years now. The doctor says he has slow-moving sperm; he has a good count though. I believe my irregularity is a problem also. He has been taking vitamins for men and I have been taking prenatal vitamins. Are there any herbal vitamins you can suggest since we are tight on money at this time?

A. Dr. Lee – A prenatal vitamin would be my recommendation for you. Talk with your doctor about your irregular cycles to make sure you are ovulating. Q. Jennifer H. – my husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for a year now. I have had several false-positive home pregnancy tests, what could cause this?

A. Dr. Lee – Home pregnancy tests can be falsely positive when your LH levels are high. I recommend you wait to take a home pregnancy test until you are at least five days late for your period. This helps prevent the false-positives and the falsely raised hopes.

Q. Katie – Every time I ovulate, I get an intense pressure feeling on my right side that can last up to a day. It is not cramping though. can this be harmful? Or is it natural to have this? I know some people get cramping when they ovulate, but this is different. could it be related to cysts?

A. Dr. Lee – Many women experience this kind of discomfort at ovulation. It may vary from side to side or always be on the same side.

Q. Kim – I have had an endometrial ablation performed. However, I desire to conceive. can this be done?

A. Dr. Lee – There have been successful pregnancies after endometrial ablation. Talk with your doctor about this.

Q. Kim – I’m thinking about getting pregnant, yet I had my tubes tied. can I have this reversed?

A. Dr. Lee – It is possible to have a tubal ligation reversed, but the success rate depends on the procedure and the amount of tube damaged by the ligation. IVF can also be done to avoid the tubes.

Q. Lisa – I am 32 and have delivered one child at term by c-section due to pelvic disproportion in 1999. since then, I have had three miscarriages and have been diagnosed with an incompetent cervix that they think was cause by a LEEP and cone biopsy that I had in 1999 and 2000. The last miscarriage I had, a cervical cerclage was placed and the miscarriage was due to an infection. after the last miscarriage I was treated with Lupron for endometriosis. I have been trying to get pregnant for about two years without any luck. would a fertility specialist be who I need to see in regards to the Lupron and how it affected my fertility? also is there a doctor that I can see before I got pregnant that would be able to address the incompetent cervix?

A. Dr. Mann – Lupron will prevent you from becoming pregnant, so if you’re looking to become pregnant, you must discontinue the Lupron as soon as possible. A pre-conceptional consultation with a perinatologist or a maternal fetal medicine specialist would be wise with respect to the incompetent cervix issue. you should bring your medical records from each of your prior pregnancies; that way a plan of care can be established before undertaking your next pregnancy. Good luck!

Q. Lucie – I have had three miscarriages in the past. my doctors think I had a condition where my body forms blood clots and my progesterone is always real low when I first get pregnant. my doctors asked me to lose weight, which I have, and my husband’s sperm count is fine, but now we can’t seem to get pregnant. What do you suggest we try?

A. Dr. Mann – If achieving pregnancy is the issue, I would seek care with a fertility specialist. they can also evaluate you for other possible causes of recurrent pregnancy loss. The more modern thinking about low progesterone is that it is the sign of a failing pregnancy and not the cause of pregnancy failure. Nevertheless supplemental progesterone won’t hurt but it can delay an inevitable miscarriage. Additionally, most true clotting disorders are associated with pregnancy loss after 10 weeks. but a specialist would need to review your records to specifically advise you on what was found in your case.

Q. Martha – I am 36 years old and am currently 29 weeks pregnant with my first child. my husband and I would like to have at least three children and my question is after this baby comes in early December, when will my body be ready to start trying for baby number two? It took us a year to get pregnant with this baby and though I have never miscarried, I know the risk of miscarriage increases as I get older. Thank you in advance for your response!

A. Dr. Mann – first of all, you are young! Given that most of my patients are over 40, you are swimming in the shallower end of the age pool. we strongly recommend that you wait at least 12 months from your last delivery to your next conception. Data shows that shorter pregnancy intervals that this increase the risk for pre-term birth, small babies and adverse neurologic outcomes such as CP and learning disabilities. so enjoy your new baby for a while!

Q. Missy – I’m a 35-year-old woman with two miscarriages and one myomectomy surgery behind me. I recently found out I am pregnant and live in constant fear of another miscarriage. What are my chances of delivering a live full-term baby?

A. Dr. Mann – It depends on how many weeks you are now. If you are over 12 weeks, 96-97 percent.

Q. Nia – I have fibroids and a cyst on my ovary, can I still get pregnant?

A. Dr. Lee – you can still get pregnant, but carrying the pregnancy to term may be a problem if the fibroids are pushing into the uterine cavity.

Q. Rachel – I’m 27 years old and about 16 weeks along with twins. What are the chances of me carrying the twins to full term without bed rest? What can I do now to avoid bed rest?

A. Dr. Mann – The only predictor of your ability of carrying twins to term is having had a prior term delivery of a single baby. Fifty percent of women carrying twins do experience pre-term labor. However, prophylactic bed rest has not proven to be of any benefit. The best thing you can do is be vigilant in your care with your obstetrician or perinatologist. they will review with you signs and symptoms of possible pre-term labor and monitor the behavior of your cervix. Best of luck!

Q. Rebecca – can my diet affect fertility? If so what could I eat more of to improve it?

A. Dr. Lee – A well-balanced diet will help you be in the best shape for pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins with folic acid will decrease the risk of birth defects and should be started once pregnancy is planned.

Q. Rebecca – How can I deal with the depression of being unable to conceive?

A. Dr. Lee – This is not uncommon. A group called Resolve through Sharing may help you find other women in the same situation you can talk with. There are also therapists who help women deal with infertility issues.

Q. Shelly – we have been trying for five months and I have been off the pill for eight months. I have been charting and it shows I have been ovulating and we have been having intercourse during my fertile window and using pre-seed. Is there anything else I can do?

A. Dr. Lee – Give yourself some time. Only 50 percent of couples are pregnant at six months of trying. If you are under 35, you can wait another six months before beginning testing.

Q. Shon – I am turning 36 in a couple of months and I’m in a monogamous relationship. I just found out that I have fibroids. could the fibroids in any way affect my fertility for when I am ready to have a baby?

A. Dr. Lee – The location and size of the fibroids will determine whether they will be a problem. Talk with your doctor about whether treatment is needed or whether observation is all that is needed at this time. Remember that your fertility declines as you get older and pregnancy may not happen if you wait too long.

Q. Tammy – I am 42. Is this too old to try and have a baby?

A. Dr. Mann – It depends on your ovarian reserve. Your ovarian reserve as measured by your AMH, which can be assessed by your gynecologist or fertility specialist, can be predictive of your ability to become pregnant. If you are fertile, being 42 at delivery carries some genetic risks for the fetus, as well as maternal risks but if you are in good health, you have excellent chances for a healthy outcome.

Q. Tasha – hi. I am 27 and cannot seem to get pregnant. I have been having unprotected sex with my spouse for years and nothing has happened.

A. HealthWatchMD – It is time to see a fertility expert after that many years of trying.

Q. Tina – What is Clomid?

A. HealthWatchMD – Clomid is a drug that helps with ovulation.

Q. TJ – The hub and I have been trying for 2.5 years and I feel hopeless. There is no specific diagnosis other than “unexplained infertility.” after being sent to a specialist, we decided that it was all just not affordable. Just want to say appreciate this chat because it’s nice to be heard. This is a lonely journey sometimes.

A. HealthWatchMD – The journey can be very lonely. Resolve through Sharing is a group that can give you a place to talk about this with others in the same predicament.

Q. Tracey – I am five days past having a D&C. How soon is too soon to try for another baby?

A. Dr. Mann – you need to wait two to three cycles. The lining of the uterus needs to repair and regenerate itself so that another pregnancy implantation can be successful. Rushing may result in another miscarriage. be patient!

Q. Tracey – I am having emotional mood swings after having a D&C. my doctor has sent me home with estrogen patches. Is this safe? I desperately want to conceive again.

A. Dr. Lee – Mood swings are common after pregnancy loss. The patches are safe to use if your hormones are out of balance.

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