The past week has been difficult for liberally-minded individuals in the United States. Through a series of Supreme Court rulings, citizens lost several fundamental rights. Miranda rights, mandating that those arrested are informed of their rights, and Roe v Wade, giving women freedom in their reproductive health choices, were both repealed. The latter is particularly troubling for me as a physician, given the substantial evidence of harm when women’s bodies are under the state’s control rather than a woman’s (read a detailed statement by the Journal of the American Medical Association here). Why would someone ignore clear evidence that something can overall improve the lives of citizens?

These next few years will see an increase in women dying from complications of forced pregnancies and poverty. Pregnancy can be hazardous for some women, such as those at risk of blood clots. Being prevented from having an abortion can leave a woman (and her fetus) vulnerable to permanent disability from a stroke and blood clot, even if put on anticoagulants. Women with chronic conditions could be required to stop their medications if they accidentally become pregnant due to known toxicity against the fetus, exacerbating health crises that could harm both the woman and her fetus. Finally, women without the financial resources to support the medical appointments required for a healthy pregnancy, not to mention helping a born child and subsequently affording pediatrician appointments, will often have to take on debt, limiting their and their child’s lifetime achievement. Why restrict family planning methods while at the same time opposing funding towards supporting those with less financial resources?

This article is not about showcasing this decision placing discriminatory burdens overwhelmingly on the poor and people of colour. It is about finding peace today, so together, we can maintain a state of mind needed to ensure women regain the rights they lost and gain even more, given that women were not treated as equals to men even before this decision. Read on to learn how you can find peace in our more troubled world.

There are many ways that one can respond to life stressors. In psychiatry, they are classified as mature and immature ego defences, briefly summarized by Psychology Today here. Mature defences typically lead to more lasting relief of suffering, whereas immature ones can propagate it. Examples of mature defences include using humour, converting one’s suffering into doing good (altruism), and converting one’s suffering into a passion for one’s work or hobbies. Examples of immature defences include passive aggression that can harm one’s interpersonal relationships, acting out where one may seek peace through purchasing copious amounts of financial goods or excess consumption of alcohol, or denial where one cannot acknowledge the reality of a given situation.

Fortunately, through mindfulness and practice, one can learn to replace immature ego defences with mature ones, as I have done throughout my adult life. While it took effort, feeling at greater peace with myself and my life choices affords me more energy to invest in others and my hobbies. It has helped me pursue advocacy work with global health and challenge COVID-19 misinformation. But how does one foster these mature ego defences?

Altruism:

Altruism is where one challenges their suffering by doing kind things for others. So when one is perhaps facing guilt over harmful comments said to a romantic partner or friend during a disagreement, one could challenge this by doing something nice for them or simply apologizing. In another scenario, when one is worried about their parents getting older or an illness in the family, one could pursue volunteer work at their local hospital or homeless shelter. Lastly, if one is feeling hopeless, given the recent Supreme Court rulings, one could become an advocate for those seeking to exercise autonomy over their reproductive choices. There is much one could do towards this principle, with one simply needing to feel like they are improving another person’s life. Tell me in a comment the ways you like to help others.

Humour:

Humour is when one can attempt to make light of difficult situations to ease the felt burden. For students or working professionals, one could make jokes about how a pressing deadline was good for their skin because they did not have much time for showering. However, one should be careful about humour because it can be easy to tell a “joke” that hurts someone’s feelings or propagates harmful ideas, which could lead to a disagreement and more suffering. Making jokes about your boss due to an increased workload or being required to work on weekends could easily strain that relationship, potentially leading to one becoming unemployed. Suggesting calls for violence are “jokes” can make others feel unsafe, causing others to suffer and fear for their lives. Such logic was used by individuals who stormed the Capital on January 6, 2021.

Sublimation and Suppression:

Sublimation is where one converts the energy or suffering from an “unacceptable action” into an action that is more acceptable. So instead of shouting at a driver who cut you off in traffic, you put those feelings on hold (suppression) and bring all that energy out in your video game or gym/sports session later that day. Rather than sending a passive-aggressive message to a friend who you feel did not return your call or text message fast enough, you can take care of chores in your apartment or house instead. Rather than telling people on the internet who do not share your views that they and their opinions are worthless, regardless of the topic, one can volunteer with organizations that advance the issue you care about. Clearly, these mature defences can overlap.

Sometimes it can feel like the world is collapsing around us. There is a certain amount of truth to this as the status quo seemingly continues with the rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer, and inequality becoming more of a norm than the exception. Like Siddhartha Gautama, I too find it startling, for example, that wealth can be juxtaposed on the same street with poverty. In Montreal, I see beggars looking for donations on the side of the road as Ferraris drive by. That suggests that something is not right with our society as it stands. Feeling frustration is a perfectly acceptable reaction. What is important is what we do with those feelings. We can react to our world in a way that harms us and others, or we can face our challenges in a way that motivates equality and prosperity. We can wallow in fear and misery, or we can take those feelings and make something better of them. It is not always easy to do the latter. We can get stuck with the former. What is important is that we ultimately find the strength inside ourselves to overcome our limitations and create a more equal world collectively.

The post Medical Buddhism appeared first on Medika Life.

Blood clots (also called deep vein thrombosis most often occur in people who can’t move around well or who have had recent surgery or an injury.

Causes of Blood Clots

Blood clots can form if you don’t move around a lot. You may also get a blood clot if you:

• Have had recent surgery.
• Are 65 or older.
• Take hormones, especially for birth control. (Ask your doctor about this).
• Have had cancer or are being treated for it.
• Have broken a bone (hip, pelvis, or leg).
• Have a bad bump or bruise.
• Are obese.
• Are confined to bed or a chair much of the time.
• Have had a stroke or are paralyzed.
• Have a special port the doctor put in your body to give you medicine.
• Have varicose or bad veins.
• Have heart trouble.
• Have had a blood clot before.
• Have a family member who has had a blood clot.
• Have taken a long trip (more than an hour) in a car, airplane, bus, or train.

Symptoms of a Blood Clot

You may have a blood clot if you see or feel:

• New swelling in your arm or leg.
• Skin redness.
• Soreness or pain in your arm or leg.
• A warm spot on your leg.

Blood clots can be dangerous. Blood clots that form in the veins in your legs, arms, and groin can break loose and move to other parts of your body, including your lungs. A blood clot in your lungs is called a pulmonary embolism. If this happens, your life can be in danger. Go to the emergency room or call 911.

A blood clot may have gone to your lungs if you suddenly have:

• A hard time breathing.
• Chest pain.
• A fast heartbeat.
• Fainting spells.
• A mild fever.
• A cough, with or without blood.

Preventing Blood Clots

You can help prevent blood clots if you:

• Wear loose-fitting clothes, socks, or stockings.
• Raise your legs 6 inches above your heart from time to time.
• Wear special stockings (called compression stockings) if your doctor prescribes them. If you are over the age of 65 these are recommended for long flights and trips where you are stationary for long periods.
• Do exercises your doctor gives you.
• Change your position often, especially during a long trip.
• Do not stand or sit for more than 1 hour at a time.
• Eat less salt.
• Try not to bump or hurt your legs and try not to cross them.
• Do not use pillows under your knees.
• Raise the bottom of your bed 4 to 6 inches with blocks or books.
• Take all medicines the doctor prescribes you.

Treatment for Blood Clots

If you have been told you have a blood clot, your doctor may give you medicine to treat it. This type of medicine is called a blood thinner (also called an anticoagulant). In most cases, your doctor will tell you to follow this treatment plan:

• For the first week you will receive medicine called heparin that works quickly.
• This medicine is injected under the skin. You will learn how to give yourself these shots, or a family member or friend may do it for you.
• You will also start taking Coumadin® (generic name: warfarin) pills by mouth. After about a week of taking both the shots and the pills, you will stop taking the shots. You will continue to take the Coumadin®/warfarin pills for about 3 to 6 months or longer.

Side Effects of Blood Thinners

Blood thinners can cause side effects. Bleeding is the most common problem. Your doctor will watch you closely. If you notice something wrong that you think may be caused by your medication, call your doctor.

The post A Guide to the Prevention and Treatment of Blood Clots appeared first on Medika Life.

Menstruation is a woman’s monthly bleeding, often called your “period.” When you menstruate, your body discards the monthly buildup of the lining of your uterus (womb). Menstrual blood and tissue flow from your uterus through the small opening in your cervix and pass out of your body through your vagina.

During the monthly menstrual cycle, the uterus lining builds up to prepare for pregnancy. If you do not get pregnant, estrogen and progesterone hormone levels begin falling. Very low levels of estrogen and progesterone tell your body to begin menstruation.

What is the menstrual cycle?

The menstrual cycle is the monthly hormonal cycle a female’s body goes through to prepare for pregnancy. Your menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of your period up to the first day of your next period. Your hormone levels (estrogen and progesterone) usually change throughout the menstrual cycle and can cause menstrual symptoms.

How long is a typical menstrual cycle?

The typical menstrual cycle is 28 days long, but each woman is different.² Also, a woman’s menstrual cycle length might be different from month-to-month. Your periods are still “regular” if they usually come every 24 to 38 days.³ This means that the time from the first day of your last period up to the start of your next period is at least 24 days but not more than 38 days.

Some women’s periods are so regular that they can predict the day and time that their periods will start. Other women are regular but can only predict the start of their period within a few days. 

What is ovulation?

Ovulation is when the ovary releases an egg so it can be fertilized by a sperm in order to make a baby. A woman is most likely to get pregnant if she has sex without birth control in the three days before and up to the day of ovulation (since the sperm are already in place and ready to fertilize the egg as soon as it is released). A man’s sperm can live for 3 to 5 days in a woman’s reproductive organs, but a woman’s egg lives for just 12 to 24 hours after ovulation.

Each woman’s cycle length may be different, and the time between ovulation and when the next period starts can be anywhere from one week (7 days) to more than 2 weeks (19 days). Use this ovulation calculator as an aid to determining your ovulation dates .

At different times in a woman’s life, ovulation may or may not happen:

• Women who are pregnant do not ovulate.
• Women who are breastfeeding may or may not ovulate. Women who are breastfeeding should talk to their doctor about birth control methods if they do not want to get pregnant.
• During perimenopause, the transition to menopause, you may not ovulate every month.
• After menopause you do not ovulate.
   

How do I know if I’m ovulating?

A few days before you ovulate, your vaginal mucus or discharge changes and becomes more slippery and clear. This type of mucus helps sperm move up into your uterus and into the fallopian tubes where it can fertilize an egg. Some women feel minor cramping on one side of their pelvic area when they ovulate. Some women have other signs of ovulation.

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a hormone released by your brain that tells the ovary to release an egg (called ovulation). LH levels begin to surge upward about 36 hours before ovulation, so some women and their doctors test for LH levels. LH levels peak about 12 hours before ovulation.¹ Women who are tracking ovulation to become pregnant will notice a slight rise in their basal temperature (your temperature after sleeping before you get out of bed) around ovulation. 

How does my menstrual cycle change as I get older?

Your cycles may change in different ways as you get older. Often, periods are heavier when you are younger (in your teens) and usually get lighter in your 20s and 30s. This is normal.

• For a few years after your first period, menstrual cycles longer than 38 days are common. Girls usually get more regular cycles within three years of starting their periods. If longer or irregular cycles last beyond that, see your doctor or nurse to rule out a health problem, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• In your 20s and 30s, your cycles are usually regular and can last anywhere from 24 to 38 days.
• In your 40s, as your body starts the transition to menopause, your cycles might become irregular. Your menstrual periods might stop for a month or a few months and then start again. They also might be shorter or last longer than usual, or be lighter or heavier than normal.

Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have menstrual cycles that are longer than 38 days or shorter than 24 days, or if you are worried about your menstrual cycle.

Why should I keep track of my menstrual cycle?

If your periods are regular, tracking them will help you know when you ovulate, when you are most likely to get pregnant, and when to expect your next period to start.

If your periods are not regular, tracking them can help you share any problems with your doctor or nurse.

If you have period pain or bleeding that causes you to miss school or work, tracking these period symptoms will help you and your doctor or nurse find treatments that work for you. Severe pain or bleeding that causes you to miss regular activities is not normal and can be treated.

How can I keep track of my menstrual cycle?

You can keep track of your menstrual cycle by marking the day you start your period on a calendar. After a few months, you can begin to see if your periods are regular or if your cycles are different each month.

You may want to track:

• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms: Did you have cramping, headaches, moodiness, forgetfulness, bloating, or breast tenderness?
• When your bleeding begins: Was it earlier or later than expected?
• How heavy the bleeding was on your heaviest days: Was the bleeding heavier or lighter than usual? How many pads or tampons did you use?
• Period symptoms: Did you have pain or bleeding on any days that caused you to miss work or school?
• How many days your period lasted: Was your period shorter or longer than the month before?

You can also download apps (sometimes for free) for your phone to track your periods. Some include features to track your PMS symptoms, energy and activity levels, and more.

When does a girl usually get her first period?

The average age for a girl in the United States to get her first period is 12.This does not mean that all girls start at the same age.

A girl may start her period anytime between 8 and 15. The first period normally starts about two years after breasts first start to develop and pubic hair begins to grow. The age at which a girl’s mother started her period can help predict when a girl may start her period.

A girl should see her doctor if:

• She starts her period before age 8.
• She has not had her first period by age 15.
• She has not had her first period within three years of breast growth.

How long does a woman usually have periods?

On average, women get a period for about 40 years of their life. Most women have regular periods until perimenopause, the time when your body begins the change to menopause. Perimenopause, or transition to menopause, may take a few years. During this time, your period may not come regularly. Menopause happens when you have not had a period for 12 months in a row. For most women, this happens between the ages of 45 and 55. The average age of menopause in the United States is 52.

Periods also stop during pregnancy and may not come back right away if you breastfeed.

But if you don’t have a period for 90 days (three months), and you are not pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor or nurse. Your doctor will check for pregnancy or a health problem that can cause periods to stop or become irregular.

What is a normal amount of bleeding during my period?

The average woman loses about two to three tablespoons of blood during her period. Your periods may be lighter or heavier than the average amount. What is normal for you may not be the same for someone else. Also, the flow may be lighter or heavier from month to month.

Your periods may also change as you get older. Some women have heavy bleeding during perimenopause, the transition to menopause. Symptoms of heavy menstrual bleeding may include:

• Bleeding through one or more pads or tampons every one to two hours
• Passing blood clots larger than the size of quarters
• Bleeding that often lasts longer than eight days

How often should I change my pad, tampon, menstrual cup, sponge, or period panties?

Follow the instructions that came with your period product. Try to change or rinse your feminine hygiene product before it becomes soaked through or full.

• Most women change their pads every few hours.
• A tampon should not be worn for more than 8 hours because of the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
• Menstrual cups and sponges may only need to be rinsed once or twice a day.
• Period panties (underwear with washable menstrual pads sewn in) can usually last about a day, depending on the style and your flow.

Use a product appropriate in size and absorbency for your menstrual bleeding. The amount of menstrual blood usually changes during a period. Some women use different products on different days of their period, depending on how heavy or light the bleeding is.  

What is toxic shock syndrome?

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but sometimes deadly condition caused by bacteria that make toxins or poisons. In 1980, 63 women died from TSS. A certain brand of super absorbency tampons was said to be the cause. These tampons were taken off the market.

Today, most cases of TSS are not caused by using tampons. But, you could be at risk for TSS if you use more absorbent tampons than you need for your bleeding or if you do not change your tampon often enough (at least every four to eight hours). Menstrual cups, cervical caps, sponges, or diaphragms (anything inserted into your vagina) may also increase your risk for TSS if they are left in place for too long (usually 24 hours). Remove sponges within 30 hours and cervical caps within 48 hours.

If you have any symptoms of TSS, take out the tampon, menstrual cup, sponge, or diaphragm, and call 911 or go to the hospital right away.

Symptoms of TSS include:

• Sudden high fever
• Muscle aches
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Rash
• Kidney or other organ failure

How does the menstrual cycle affect other health problems?

The changing hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle can also affect other health problems:

• Depression and anxiety disorders. These conditions often overlap with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Depression and anxiety symptoms are similar to PMS and may get worse before or during your period.
• Asthma. Your asthma symptoms may be worse during some parts of your cycle.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS causes cramping, bloating, and gas. Your IBS symptoms may get worse right before your period.
• Bladder pain syndrome. Women with bladder pain syndrome are more likely to have painful cramps during PMS.

The post Menstruation explained. Everything You Need to Know About the Menstrual Cycle appeared first on Medika Life.