There are a lot of women who don’t look forward to their monthly period. Although some over-the-counter painkillers can help alleviate the pain, they don’t completely eliminate the discomfort of the experience. This is why some girls choose to skip work or school. So what causes menstrual cramps and how do you eliminate the pain?

What causes the pain?
Dysmenorrhea is the name for painful or difficult periods. There are two types, primary and secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea is the most common form which affects the lower back and lower belly. Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by medical conditions such as pelvic diseases and endometriosis.

The pain is caused by the contractions of the uterus. The uterus is a muscle which contracts to discharge the lining of the uterus or endometrium that has built up but not used. The compounds called prostaglandins are released to make the uterus contract. Strong contractions disrupt blood flow in the endometrium so that it breaks down and is squeezed through the cervix. That’s when you feel the pain. These contractions are affected by the level of the prostaglandins. It can cause nausea, vomiting, light-headedness, diarrhea or constipation, and bloating.

What are the tests done?
If the pain lasts for more than three day or there are other symptoms besides those listed above or if the pain is persistent, the physician will do several tests to determine the cause.
The areas including your abdomen, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes and vagina will be examined. The tests include an ultrasound, MRI, CT scan, laparoscopy, and hysteroscopy. These tests will determine if you have any of the following: ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical stenosis, adenomyosis, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ectopic pregnancy, or adhesions.

Is there a relief for dysmenorrhea?
If you have painful menstruation, you should visit the doctor to eliminate other possible causes. The doctor will also recommend medication to relieve the pain. Most over-the-counter medications with ibuprofen or naproxen sodium will work as anti-prostaglandins. The pain reliever should be taken as soon as the pain starts because there are times that you won’t feel its effects if taken too late. Some women are prescribed to take birth control pills too which sometimes work to lessen the pain before the period.

You should rest at home if the cramps are bad. Lie down and place a heating pad on your lower belly. Others also find relief in taking short warm baths, massage or exercise. Don’t wear tight clothes because you might also feel pain around the hips, inner thighs and lower back. Avoid eating or drinking anything with high salt or caffeine content. Avoid alcohol and smoking too.

Sometimes having a regular exercise routine before your period can reduce the pain. Besides those mentioned above, alternative treatments to painful menstruation may also be recommended such as yoga and acupuncture.

Last year was only one of the hottest the world has ever experienced so it’ll be wise to brace up for this coming summer as well. It doesn’t matter if it’s going to be just as hot this year or not. What matters is we don’t let the hot weather melt away all our summer fun. A lot of people in Singapore may skip outdoor activities because of the sweltering heat. This can be a wise option but you don’t need to keep yourself limited with indoor summer activities.

Consider these tips on how to beat this summer’s heat so you can still have fun:

The secret is in the chili

There’s something in chili peppers that sweat us up but also help our bodies deal with heat better. So go on and indulge in hot and spicy summer food. Sweating and eating at the same time can be a good secret to keeping fit and sexy while still giving in to your spicy food indulgencies.

Go footloose and lose your shoes

Summer is the best time to shelve away those closed shoes for some cool flip flops. Putting on breathable slippers will make us feel comfortable. This also allows our bodies – or feet rather – to have a cooler sensation instead of the heat that summer brings.

It’s all in the mind

How about creating the illusion that it’s not really hot? Re-design your room in such a way that it gives off a cool and light atmosphere. Indulge in cold food, watch winter movies, read stories that feature a lot of snow and cold temperature. Forget that it’s actually hot.

Keep yourself hydrated

Sweating may dehydrate us so it’s important to drink as much water as you can. You can also take food that are good for keeping you hydrated such as fruit smoothies. Speaking of fruit, you might as well make watermelon your favorite food in summertime. Also, be wise enough to avoid dehydrating fluids like alcohol and coffee.

Eat summer food

Choose the right food this summer. There’s a reason why fruits are symbolic of the summer season. Fruits and vegetables are light enough and our tummy’s best friends as they are easiest to digest. On the other hand, some food like hamburger – fast food’s staple – is harder to digest and would only make us feel worse. Keep it easy on your tummy, too, and give it a summer break. How about some watermelon?

Despite being stubborn and moody, she’s usually always right; and every once in a while, it would benefit you to notice. These four healthy practices your girlfriend swears by can also be life-changing for you. Steal these practices from her and see how much change it can bring to your health.

1. Washing Your Face Before Going to Bed

Women religiously wash their face before hitting the sack to remove oil, dirt, and makeup, and let the skin breathe and repair itself for another day. Although you don’t wear that much makeup, you’re skin is no exempted from zit-causing oil and dirt. Washing your face saves you from pimples and clogged pores, making your skin look healthy and young.

2. Going Out With Friends

Apart from clubbing, where you have to shout to communicate, daytime hangouts and talking with your best buds can do your health a big favour. A study shows that since women have been taught to express their feelings, they stay healthier than men. Researcher even found that those with more friends live seven years longer than those with only a few.

3. Having Group Exercises

No, you don’t have to take jazzercise or zumba classes, but hitting the gym in groups boost your odds of sticking with this healthier lifestyle. Plus, if you always go out for a morning jog, lifting some weights with your buds or going to yoga classes with your colleagues help mix things up a bit.

4. Carrying a Bottle of Hand Sanitizer

Somewhere within your girlfriend’s purse sits a little bottle of hand sanitizer. And not because she’s a germaphobe, but because she’s always prepared. Diseases-causing bacteria lurk everywhere and just waiting for a chance to attack, but proper hygiene can prevent these germs from infecting you. Carrying a bottle of sanitizer and using it every now and then is a simple yet a very effective way to keep your hands free from germs and yourself healthy.

Women do their own wellness routine to keep their skin and overall health in best condition. Since we also want to stay healthy and look young, why not give your sweetheart’s health and beauty regimen a chance and reap the same benefits she’s enjoying?

Not all people are gracious enough to help other neighbours let alone understand or endure their shortcomings. For those with neighbours, friends or family members with mental conditions (those who are enduring and suffering depression, schizophrenia and dementia), they should be gracious enough to look out for them. People suffering from mental conditions are struggling enough it will not do them good if we judge them and discriminate.

Let us all make a difference by making the lives of mentally ill neighbours easier and forget about stigmas that are usually associated with mental illness. As a neighbour or a concerned citizen, it is important to overcome the stigmas associated with mental illness.

Stigma means someone is judging someone basing on his/her personal traits. Stigma can either be subtle or obvious depending on the person judging and how the mentally ill takes it. If you understand the mentally ill, there will not be problem. Apart from overcoming stigmas, here are some things that you can do for your mentally ill neighbours:

Accept

The basic thing that you can do is accept the person. There is no use looking back to the person he/she was once. Senile dementia or mental deterioration for example is related to old age. You cannot just wish that he/she will get younger so you can restore your likeness to him/her. Accepting them and living with that will help a lot.

Take Them seriously

Sometimes, mentally ill people do things out of the ordinary. It is important that you do not laugh at him/her or make fun of him/her. They have feelings too you know. It can reduce their self confidence and self worth. You should take him/her seriously.

Separate the Disorder from the Person

Think that the disorder and the person are different, that they are not the same. For example, if your neighbour or loved one was once happy and cheerful, you should still see them like that despite the illness that they have.