Immunization is the process of one’s immune system fortifying itself against attacks by foreign antibodies. When we sniff dust, we sneeze. Same is with the way the immune system functions. When the body senses any agents of a foreign nature, it responds with a solution to get rid of the agents. When it finds the right formula, it stores that information for when there is a need to find a solution again, but this time around much quicker than the last. This is called immunological memory. Thus, when you expose one to a strand of virus or foreign agent in controlled conditions, the body quickly learns to adapt and defend itself from future attacks. This is called active immunization.
Because of advances in medical science, your child can be protected against more diseases than ever before. Some diseases that once killed thousands of children, have been eradicated completely and others are close to extinction– primarily due to safe and effective vaccines. Eradication of Polio is one example of the great impact that vaccines have shown in India.
Parents want to do everything possible to make sure their children are healthy and protected from preventable diseases. Vaccination is the best way to do that.
Vaccination protects children from illness and complications of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, mumps, and cough, which are still a threat when it comes to disease progression.
Vaccines are only given to children after a long and careful review by scientists, doctors, and healthcare professionals. Vaccines will involve some discomfort and may cause pain, redness, or tenderness at the site of injection but this is minimal compared to the pain and discomfort of the diseases these vaccines prevent.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that licensed vaccines are currently available to prevent or contribute to the prevention and control of twenty-five infections.
The various types of Vaccines are: –
Vaccines
These vaccines must be given to all newborns immediately after birth before they can go home.
What is Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Autism is a complex developmental disorder affecting social, language and behavioral skills. It usually appears in the first 3 years of life.
Symptoms of Autism
The symptom visibility ranges from medium to severe. Early signs of autism in children include:
Here’s a brief description of early signs in infants –
People with ASD also have aspects of other conditions, such as:
Autism has emerged as the leading cause of child mortality worldwide. Currently 10 million children are Autistic and 6 children out of every 1000 have Autism in India. Also 1 to 1.5 per cent autistic children are between age two and nine in India. The prevalence rate of autism in India is 1 in 250. Autism accounts for higher incidences in males: One in 4,000 boys to one in 6,000 girls. Up to 20 per cent of boys with autism have the condition. Till date Autism has no cure, and there is an increase in number of cases year on year.
Cord Blood Stem Cells offer the ray of hope
Infusion of umbilical cord blood stem cells can stimulate repair of nervous system to improve language and behavior skills. FDA Approved Phase I Clinical Trial at Duke University, US involves infusing patients diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder with their own cord blood stem cells. 25 children of age 2-4 years have already been successfully treated using their own cord blood stem cells
On an average 2 people in India are diagnosed with cancer every minute!
On this World Cancer Day let’s all come together and strive to spread awareness about the disease.
Let’s educate people on how umbilical cord blood cells can help curing 70+ blood disorders causing cancer. Here are some stats on the prevalence of the disease and how Stem Cells give us new hope to fight it!
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness month and to acknowledge this month, we want to spread awareness on how Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells might have a potential cure for this disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. The first signs of Alzheimer’s often include lapses in memory or struggling to find the right words. Over time, symptoms such as confusion, mood swings or memory loss develop and become increasingly severe.
Scientists have been actively engaged in research on stem cell transplants for Alzheimer’s disease patients and studies have shown some benefits. It was discovered that low doses of umbilical stem cells infused into a sample brain reduced the inflammation caused due to the plaque.
This brings us to the cessation that human umbilical cord MSCs (Mesenchymal stem cells) can bring a relief to an Alzheimer’s patient with its therapeutic components.
Here’s an info-graph that will give you insights on the current state of the disease.
You’ve experienced 9 months of pregnancy, made it through the excitement of labour and delivery and now you’re ready to embark upon a new life with your little sweetheart. You bring your little bundle of joy home and finally get some peaceful time with your baby and only one thought crosses your mind – “You are my new world from now on, I will do anything and everything to take care of you!”.
Taking care of your newborn is one of the most special and rewarding experiences of your life. You may initially feel anxious about what to do in order to give your child constant attention and care.
There is so much information to take in when you become a parent. Sometimes when we look at the bigger picture of family planning, we miss out on small and simple things that a newborn would need from a parent.
Here are some tips that will help first-time parents feel confident about caring for a new-born in no time.
You will have to feed your baby at least 8 to 12 times per day during the initial weeks. You may want to wake your baby if he/she has not been fed for more than 4 hours. In the beginning, mothers may want to try feeding 10-15 minutes on each breast and then adjust the time as needed. Breastfeeding should be ‘on demand’ (when your baby is hungry), which is generally every 1-3 hours. The right time to feed your baby milk and solid foods is when he/she is sitting upright and can hold his/her head up straight
The skin of your newborn is very sensitive and is prone to rashes. Don’t panic if you see red rashes on your baby’s body in the first few months. Keep your baby’s skin hydrated by bathing in warm water for only three to five minutes.
Avoid letting your baby sit or play or soak for long in soapy water. Apply baby lotion or moisturizer immediately after bath while the skin is still wet, and then pat dry instead of rubbing.
Baby’s Learning ProcessBabies in this age spend more time awake and become more curious about their parents and about objects that they see. They have a special skill called imagination!
Design the nursery full of colours with lots of space to give them an outlet to express their creativity. Give them a room that has alphabets, games, toys and plain canvas space so that they can channelize their imagination and discover themselves. A child’s imagination runs wild, and parents must encourage them to express it!
Dads, grab the chance to bond with your little bunny. A newborn gets used to being soothed by the mother when they are sulking. If Dads take the responsibility to rock their babies to sleep and soothe their tears, they will start bonding with their babies in no time!
Besides pacifying your baby, you can also be the fun parent. Get involved with the baby by playing games and teaching them how to walk. Let your baby come closer to you with these fond gestures.
It takes a few months for your little one to adjust to his/her sleeping cycles. Give them some time to understand the difference between dawn and sunset.
When the baby is awake during the day, interact and play with him/her as much as you can. Keep the house and his room light and bright. At night keep the lights and noise level low, and don’t spend too much time talking to him/her. An infant’s sleep pattern settles down between the 3-6 months’ mark.
Being a mother is a beautiful experience, but it comes with a lot of responsibility- not only towards your child, but towards your own health.
Your baby’s health depends on your breast milk and its nutrients. However, every woman’s breast milk is composed differently to suit her child, hence it is important for every woman to pay special attention to her diet. Here are some tips you could use when you are pregnant.
Maintaining a well-balanced diet
Enough nutrition during pregnancy is necessary for your baby to grow and develop. Vomiting and nausea are pretty common during the first few months of pregnancy, and can make this difficult. Try to have a well-balanced diet and take prenatal vitamins to assist with this.
Lactating mothers feel hungrier, which makes sense since your body is working extra to produce milk for your baby. Consuming small meals along with healthy snacks in between is an excellent way to keep your hunger pangs at bay and your energy levels on the higher side.
Stop counting the number of calories!
Mothers who are Breastfeeding require 500 calories more than regular moms. That is 2,000 to 2,500 calories per day.
You should listen to your body and eat what it demands. That is usually all the calories your body actually needs. Counting calories does not help unless you are trying to watch your weight. Too much dieting can decrease the milk supply to the milk ducts. However, if you are well planned and diet sensibly, it should not pose any problems.
Go for slow and steady weight loss
Many new moms discover that the weight they gain is very hard to lose; while others feel that it is easily lost. But the truth about weight loss remains that it depends largely on your body’s metabolism rate, how much physical activity you are getting in a day and the type of food you prefer to eat. Therefore one must always remember to lose the pregnancy weight very gradually. Ideally, take a year to get back to your pre-pregnancy self.
Never try to lose weight by dieting until at least two months after your baby is born. A reduced calorie intake in these first couple of months could leave you feeling a loss of energy and can possibly reduce/ diminish your milk supply.
But if you are way above your average/ideal weight, you could start shedding those extra pounds earlier. Remember to take your doctor’s advice before starting the weight loss process; and remember to drink plenty of water, to always stay hydrated!
Avoid alcohol
In general alcohol should not be consumed while a mother is breastfeeding as it enters the milk and alters its composition. Having a small amount of alcohol will also affect your milk letdown reflex.
Stay hydrated and cut down on your caffeine
16 cups of fluid is required by your body when you are breastfeeding and this includes the fluid from the food you consume. But there’s no need for you to keep track of the amount of water you consume a day. Your urine colour is also an indicator of how well hydrated your body is (light yellow or clear urine is a good sign).
It’s totally fine to have your morning cup of tea/ coffee but remember not to overdo it. Small traces of this caffeine will end up in your breast milk and your baby’s body is not fully equipped to break it down and expel it out.
Missed your period? Is it a hormonal change or pregnancy?
Find out with these 7 simple signs!
Do you wake up in the morning feeling nauseous? This could be one of the occurring symptoms of pregnancy. This condition affects pregnant women mostly during the first trimester, about six weeks after conception. If a feeling of queasiness follows you throughout the day, it might be a good idea to see your gynaecologist as soon as you can.
2. Tickling nipples
A sudden increase in the blood supply especially in the breast area results into irritation around your nipples. One of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy, this may start within a week of fertilization
3. Faint bleeding or spotting
You may experience slight stains on your panties. They may be red, brown or even pink. Don?t be alarmed when you get it. It?s a common sign of early pregnancy.
Tender breasts and swelling around that area is also one of signs that you shouldn?t neglect. You may also experience blue veins popping out around your breasts. These changes are brought about by hormones which may make your?breasts?feel?swollen.
From one person you are developing into two. ?It goes without saying that you require more food, more energy and more rest. When your body starts providing extra support and nutrition for your baby it often takes a toll on itself making you uneasy and tired all the time.
You may realize you are peeing almost every 10 seconds. Why is that happening? The hormones are to be blamed again. Soon after you conceive, the amount of blood in your body and its flow rises. This causes extra fluid to be processed through your kidneys and then gets collected straight into your bladder.
A missed period is one of the definite signs of pregnancy. But this too depends from cycle to cycle. If you are always regular, and you miss a period, chances are more. However if you suffer from PCOS or have irregular periods you cannot be sure until you see a doctor.
Still a bundle of nerves? A pregnancy test will solve all your worries! 