Womens Reproductive Health

What causes BV?
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition of the vagina caused by an overgrowth of various bacteria (germs). It is not just a simple infection caused by one type of bacterium, but the cause is not fully understood.
How do you catch BV?
Not necessarily from having sex, but having intercourse can introduce different types of bacteria into the vagina and so lead to BV. The risk increases if you have anal and vaginal intercourse using the same condom. Douching and excessive hygiene can also cause the condition as it upsets the natural balance of bacteria.
How do you know you’ve got BV?
Not everyone gets symptoms, but if you do it tends to be an excessively fishy smell (espcially after sex), heavy whitish discharge, plus itching, possible swelling and maybe a bit of redness.
How do you treat bacterial vaginosis?
Visit your doctor and get some antibiotics.The bad news is once you’ve had it you’re more likely to get it again, and it puts you at risk of other infections.
How can you protect yourself?
Practise proper, but not over-zealous hygiene, avoid douching and always wipe front to back after urinating.

What causes BV?
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition of the vagina caused by an overgrowth of various bacteria (germs). It is not just a simple infection caused by one type of bacterium, but the cause is not fully understood.
How do you catch BV?
Not necessarily from having sex, but having intercourse can introduce different types of bacteria into the vagina and so lead to BV. The risk increases if you have anal and vaginal intercourse using the same condom. Douching and excessive hygiene can also cause the condition as it upsets the natural balance of bacteria.
How do you know you’ve got BV?
Not everyone gets symptoms, but if you do it tends to be an excessively fishy smell (espcially after sex), heavy whitish discharge, plus itching, possible swelling and maybe a bit of redness.
How do you treat bacterial vaginosis?
Visit your doctor and get some antibiotics.The bad news is once you’ve had it you’re more likely to get it again, and it puts you at risk of other infections.
How can you protect yourself?
Practise proper, but not over-zealous hygiene, avoid douching and always wipe front to back after urinating.

Smokers looking for a way to beat the habit have been using acupuncture for several decades now — but does it actually work?
According to those who endorse it, the technique helps stimulate the release of endorphins and other brain chemicals, blotting out cravings and easing the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. A 2006 survey by the Mayo Clinic found that about 27 percent of smokers looking to quit had tried acupuncture at least once, and many others said they hoped to try it in the future.
Most studies, however, suggest they could just as well try something else. One of the most extensive studies, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, looked at more than a dozen past studies, most comparing acupuncture with sham, or fake, acupuncture and other control conditions. The scientists who led the study found that acupuncture and similar interventions — acupressure and electrostimulation, for example — were better in the short term than no treatment at all, but that over all they were not very effective.
Still, other studies show that more than three-quarters of smokers will relapse a few times no matter what. And because the effects of different techniques vary from one person to the next, most scientists recommend combining interventions, particularly those that involve behavioral modification and nicotine replacement.

Smokers looking for a way to beat the habit have been using acupuncture for several decades now — but does it actually work?
According to those who endorse it, the technique helps stimulate the release of endorphins and other brain chemicals, blotting out cravings and easing the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. A 2006 survey by the Mayo Clinic found that about 27 percent of smokers looking to quit had tried acupuncture at least once, and many others said they hoped to try it in the future.
Most studies, however, suggest they could just as well try something else. One of the most extensive studies, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, looked at more than a dozen past studies, most comparing acupuncture with sham, or fake, acupuncture and other control conditions. The scientists who led the study found that acupuncture and similar interventions — acupressure and electrostimulation, for example — were better in the short term than no treatment at all, but that over all they were not very effective.
Still, other studies show that more than three-quarters of smokers will relapse a few times no matter what. And because the effects of different techniques vary from one person to the next, most scientists recommend combining interventions, particularly those that involve behavioral modification and nicotine replacement.

Eating a Mediterranean diet could help protect children from respiratory allergies and asthma, a study suggests.
UK, Greek and Spanish researchers assessed the diet and health of almost 700 children living in rural areas of Crete, where such conditions are rare.
They found those with a diet rich in fruit and vegetables were protected against both conditions.
UK experts said the study, in Thorax, added to existing evidence that diet could help control asthma symptoms.
More than five million people in the UK currently have asthma, and one in 10 children is affected.

Asthma ‘rare’
The research was carried out by experts from the UK’s National Heart and Lung Institute, the University of Crete, Venezelio General Hospital, in Crete, and the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology, in Barcelona.
The team wanted to examine why children in some parts of Europe, such as the UK, get asthma while others, in places like Crete, do not.
They looked at the incidence of asthma symptoms, such as wheezing, and of allergic rhinitis, caused by dust mite or pet allergies.
Parents of the children, who were aged between seven and 18, were also asked how often they ate 58 foods in nine categories; vegetables, fruits, nuts, fish, cereal, dairy products, meat, poultry and margarines and oils.
The Mediterranean diet is rich in vegetables and fruit and low in saturated fats.
Skin allergies are relatively common in Crete - meaning that, in tests, children react to allergens such as dust mites.
But these do not appear to translate into respiratory allergies, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis.
The research found 80% of the children ate fresh fruit, and over two-thirds of them fresh vegetables, at least twice a day.