As far as babies and children are concerned if they are treated homeopathically they will develop strong immune power and can thereby resist all the diseases. All the acute conditions arising in this age group can be very well treated without any side effects and with immediate results. All the acute diseases like cold and cough, fever, diarrhea, lactose intolerance has best answers in homeopathy.
For cold and cough in new born babies a mixture of biochemic salts viz. Ferrum - phos and Kali - mur in 6x potency given by dissolving 12 tabs each in a cup of water and giving it every 2-3 hours will suffice. Even the above mixture can be used during fever in the initial stages. During this tender age Homeopathy is the best choice for babies. Nothing is suppressed and the immune levels of the baby thus slowly and surely go on increasing. There is a tendency among parents to immediately give medication even for minor problems. I very well understand their anxiety, but, is it advisable to suppress these bodily reactions? Are we giving enough time for the babies' immune system to react against these invasions?
I will narrate some of the most common conditions met in the children who can be best treated with homeopathy.
Late teething - remedies like Calc. Carb and Calc.phos
Late speaking - N.mur,
Late walking - C.carb, C.phos, Silicea,
Late closing of fontanalles - C.carb, C.phos.
Teething with irritability - Chamomilla, mag mur,
Diarrhea during teething - Chamomilla, Calc.phos, M.carb, Podophyllum
Growing pains where the child starts beating his legs during the sleep -
C.phos, R.tox etc.
Lactose intolerance - Ncarb, Lac defloratum, etc.
Rattling cough - Antim tart, N.sulph, Ars,.iod, Ipecac,
Grinding of teeth during sleep - Cina, Tuberculinum.
Erruptive fevers like Measles, Chicken pox - Bry, Puls, and Antim.tart
Coliky pains in babies - chamomilla, colocynth, sulphur
Tendency to eat pencils, mud, clay, etc - C.carb, Nit acid, C.phos.
My experience of treating babies for last 22 years is that - those babies suffering from skin eruptions with a Family History of Asthma if treated with orthodox medicine the skin eruptions become suppressed and these babies' starts suffering from Asthma. Therefore it is usually better to treat these skin infestations during the early childhood days.
For falls and bruises remedies like Arnica, Calendula comes in handy. Arnica has a tremendous anticoagulation property so if given immediately after a fall it will remove the extravasations of blood and also reduce the soreness. These above stated are some of the common condition met in children and babies. Also Epilepsy, bedwetting, night terrors, somnambulism, can be benefited with homeopathy.
:- by Dr. Santosh Kothari .
B.H.M.S. (PUNE); L.C.E.H. (BOM); DIP.I.A.C.H. (GREECE).
Saturday, February 24, 2007
HOMEOPATHY AND CHILD DISEASE
Environmental Entrepreneur,Green Biz.NRN Murthy of Infosys says that we Indians are weak in execution.We need to realize the need and practice of gud project management. Form a group of competent Managers,Give them responsibilities and review the project from day One.
(Homeopathy) nocturnal enuresis in children
nocturnal enuresis in children
The Bed-Wetting Problem
Introduction
Ashima is a 7-year old girl who wakes up each morning only to cry in shame. As usual she seems to have wet her bed once again. It is the very same story each morning. Her father shouts, her mother screams while her Gangu bai grumbles and her little sister snickers. But what can little Ashima do as she does not even feel the urge or remember the sensation of passing urine. If only she could, she certainly would not do it and have to face this filth and embarrassment each and every day.
This has been going on for years and her parents are really worried. They feel that she might never stop. They have shown her to their family doctor who suggested that they take her for counseling to a child guidance clinic.
Bed-wetting is considered a habit disorder
Bed-wetting, also called Enuresis, is one habit disorder that causes trauma, pain and disturbance to all concerned. It is the parents who normally wake up each night to check on the child, maybe even to disturb her sleep to check on whether she wants to go to urinate. And then when she wets her bed, it is the parents and the maid who have to change and wash the sheets and air the room. And what about what the little girl has to go through herself? Can you even begin to imagine her pain and shame at having lost control once again? She feels inadequate and totally at a loss, especially when she is aware of the trouble that she is inadvertently causing to other members in her family.
Delayed Developmental Milestones
Sometimes, when the doctors are not able to pinpoint a physical cause for this problem, the mental capacity of the child must be looked into, as it is quite possible that the child could be mentally deficient. In such cases, as a rule, most of the developmental milestones are generally delayed and toilet training could start much later than usual.
The child guidance clinic is a good place to start investigations as the enuresis could be a case of serious maladjustment. Some children do not want to accept basic responsibilities like tying their own shoelaces or going to the toilet. They want to prolong their infancy and total dependency much longer than is normal. This could even be the result of sibling rivalry or jealousy. Because when a younger child is born, most of the attention gets diverted and the older one does everything possible to get it back, on a conscious or even subconscious level.
New environment
I remember reading about the case of six year old Nitin. An extremely well-adjusted child who had learnt to brush his teeth, change his clothes and tie his shoelaces by the age of five. He performed very well in school and was a well-behaved, intelligent young boy. He displayed absolutely no signs of any sort of behavioral disorder right until his mother was carrying her second child. One evening she sat and explained to him that he would soon have a little baby to play with. And that very night little Nitin wet his bed for the very first time.
All was well until his mother delivered a baby girl. Then the enuresis started once again until the time that she was discharged from the hospital. It seemed to have stopped for awhile as Nitin tried to play and grow fond of his little sister. Then on her first birthday it started once again and did not stop for about three to four months, at the end of which his parents sought professional help.
After studying his case, the counselor realised that Nitin was torn between hate as well as outward displays of love towards his sister. These dual feelings in one so young were what had manifested in the form of this habit disorder. The counselor helped him to feel secure, loved and wanted once again and the enuresis disappeared after about a year of therapy.
Weak Emotional Foundation
Bed-wetting is common in both timid and weak as well as in strong aggressive children. The child has a basically weak emotional foundation and could come from a broken home or any kind of disruptive, unstable atmosphere. Either one of the parents could be physically or psychologically missing and the child could be feeling insecure for some reason. In highly aggravated cases, sometimes the child cannot even control the urge during the day and could embarrass himself in public leading to a further complex. Then it would be difficult to ever send him anywhere, even to school.
In some cases placebo drugs are given to the child to make him feel that he is being physically treated for the problem. But much, much more important is his mental welfare and sense of belonging as most of the time; enuresis has a deep psychological foundation. Therefore it is important that both the parents accompany the child for counseling.
Change in parents' attitude is all that is required
In most cases, a simple change of attitude on the part of the parents is all that is required to solve the problem. If your child feels safe and secure in a home filled with love, most personality disorders get sorted out on there own, if at all they were to arise.
Q: My nephew is six year old. He continues to bed wet at night though he is completely toilet trained during the day. Is this normal? How can we help him get bladder control during the night?
Aditi (Mumbai, India)
A: Please follow the instructions below:
1. No water after 6 PM
2. Make him void urine before going to bed
3. Keep alarm 2 hours after sleep time and wake him up and make him pass urine.
4. Do not make him guilty of his bed wetting by scolding or commenting in front of others.
5. Make him change the wet sheets.
6. Make him keep a dairy in which he will write the date and picture of a sun for dry days and umbrella for wet nights. At the end of 1 month give him a reward for the dry days.
7. In day time encourage him to delay passing urine for as long as possible. This will increase the bladder tone.
8. When he does pass urine after holding ask him to interrupt the stream on command for about 4 to 5 times during the passage.
If all these fail consult a child psychiatrist. But remember it will take about 6 months for this method to be effective
Q: My neice is 14 years old and still wets her bed. She has lost all interest in her studies. Please help.
Anju (Dubai, UAE)
A: Ask your niece to stop drinking water from around 7 p.m. Tell her to make sure she visits the bathroom every night, before going to bed, so her bladder is empty. Make sure you read these articles on our site:
http://www.indiaparenting.com/develop/data/develop07_04.shtml
http://www.indiaparenting.com/raisingchild/data/raisingchild002.shtml
Also, make sure your daughter reads this:
http://www.indiaparenting.com/raisingchild/data/raisingchild002book.shtml
It will help her see that she is not alone ? there are many others suffering from the same problem. It is not life-long, and millions of people wet their bed even at the age of 14. You could also take your child to a child psychiatrist in case you feel the reasons for bedwetting could be emotional or psychological.
Homeopathy drugs---Product Name: Dr. Reckeweg R 74 (Drops for nocturnal enuresis)
Form: Drops
Manufacturer: Dr. Reckeweg & Co. Gmbh
Packing: Bottle of 22ml
Contents:
Calcium phosphoric.D30, Ferrum phosphoricum.D8, Kalium phosphoricum D12, Pulsatilla D12, Sepia D6.
Description:
Nocturnal enuresis, bladder weakness. Many causes may precipitate nocturnal enuresis or bladder complaints and it is advisable therefore to elicit the deeper lying causes to those copmlaints. 'Spina bifida occulta' must be thought of. Inflammatory processes in the urogenital tract: compare R18 to be given in addition to or in alternation with R74. Involvement of the prostate gland: R25.
http://www.homeopathystore.in/buy/dr_reckeweg_r_74_drops_for_nocturnal_enuresisbottle_of_22ml.htm
====================
tryptomer 25 mg for nocturnal enuresis in children
CHILDREN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Use of Amitriptyline hydrochloride is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
The usual dose for adolescents 12 years of age and over is 10 milligrams, 3 times a day, with 20 milligrams taken at bedtime.
The Bed-Wetting Problem
Introduction
Ashima is a 7-year old girl who wakes up each morning only to cry in shame. As usual she seems to have wet her bed once again. It is the very same story each morning. Her father shouts, her mother screams while her Gangu bai grumbles and her little sister snickers. But what can little Ashima do as she does not even feel the urge or remember the sensation of passing urine. If only she could, she certainly would not do it and have to face this filth and embarrassment each and every day.
This has been going on for years and her parents are really worried. They feel that she might never stop. They have shown her to their family doctor who suggested that they take her for counseling to a child guidance clinic.
Bed-wetting is considered a habit disorder
Bed-wetting, also called Enuresis, is one habit disorder that causes trauma, pain and disturbance to all concerned. It is the parents who normally wake up each night to check on the child, maybe even to disturb her sleep to check on whether she wants to go to urinate. And then when she wets her bed, it is the parents and the maid who have to change and wash the sheets and air the room. And what about what the little girl has to go through herself? Can you even begin to imagine her pain and shame at having lost control once again? She feels inadequate and totally at a loss, especially when she is aware of the trouble that she is inadvertently causing to other members in her family.
Delayed Developmental Milestones
Sometimes, when the doctors are not able to pinpoint a physical cause for this problem, the mental capacity of the child must be looked into, as it is quite possible that the child could be mentally deficient. In such cases, as a rule, most of the developmental milestones are generally delayed and toilet training could start much later than usual.
The child guidance clinic is a good place to start investigations as the enuresis could be a case of serious maladjustment. Some children do not want to accept basic responsibilities like tying their own shoelaces or going to the toilet. They want to prolong their infancy and total dependency much longer than is normal. This could even be the result of sibling rivalry or jealousy. Because when a younger child is born, most of the attention gets diverted and the older one does everything possible to get it back, on a conscious or even subconscious level.
New environment
I remember reading about the case of six year old Nitin. An extremely well-adjusted child who had learnt to brush his teeth, change his clothes and tie his shoelaces by the age of five. He performed very well in school and was a well-behaved, intelligent young boy. He displayed absolutely no signs of any sort of behavioral disorder right until his mother was carrying her second child. One evening she sat and explained to him that he would soon have a little baby to play with. And that very night little Nitin wet his bed for the very first time.
All was well until his mother delivered a baby girl. Then the enuresis started once again until the time that she was discharged from the hospital. It seemed to have stopped for awhile as Nitin tried to play and grow fond of his little sister. Then on her first birthday it started once again and did not stop for about three to four months, at the end of which his parents sought professional help.
After studying his case, the counselor realised that Nitin was torn between hate as well as outward displays of love towards his sister. These dual feelings in one so young were what had manifested in the form of this habit disorder. The counselor helped him to feel secure, loved and wanted once again and the enuresis disappeared after about a year of therapy.
Weak Emotional Foundation
Bed-wetting is common in both timid and weak as well as in strong aggressive children. The child has a basically weak emotional foundation and could come from a broken home or any kind of disruptive, unstable atmosphere. Either one of the parents could be physically or psychologically missing and the child could be feeling insecure for some reason. In highly aggravated cases, sometimes the child cannot even control the urge during the day and could embarrass himself in public leading to a further complex. Then it would be difficult to ever send him anywhere, even to school.
In some cases placebo drugs are given to the child to make him feel that he is being physically treated for the problem. But much, much more important is his mental welfare and sense of belonging as most of the time; enuresis has a deep psychological foundation. Therefore it is important that both the parents accompany the child for counseling.
Change in parents' attitude is all that is required
In most cases, a simple change of attitude on the part of the parents is all that is required to solve the problem. If your child feels safe and secure in a home filled with love, most personality disorders get sorted out on there own, if at all they were to arise.
Q: My nephew is six year old. He continues to bed wet at night though he is completely toilet trained during the day. Is this normal? How can we help him get bladder control during the night?
Aditi (Mumbai, India)
A: Please follow the instructions below:
1. No water after 6 PM
2. Make him void urine before going to bed
3. Keep alarm 2 hours after sleep time and wake him up and make him pass urine.
4. Do not make him guilty of his bed wetting by scolding or commenting in front of others.
5. Make him change the wet sheets.
6. Make him keep a dairy in which he will write the date and picture of a sun for dry days and umbrella for wet nights. At the end of 1 month give him a reward for the dry days.
7. In day time encourage him to delay passing urine for as long as possible. This will increase the bladder tone.
8. When he does pass urine after holding ask him to interrupt the stream on command for about 4 to 5 times during the passage.
If all these fail consult a child psychiatrist. But remember it will take about 6 months for this method to be effective
Q: My neice is 14 years old and still wets her bed. She has lost all interest in her studies. Please help.
Anju (Dubai, UAE)
A: Ask your niece to stop drinking water from around 7 p.m. Tell her to make sure she visits the bathroom every night, before going to bed, so her bladder is empty. Make sure you read these articles on our site:
http://www.indiaparenting.com/develop/data/develop07_04.shtml
http://www.indiaparenting.com/raisingchild/data/raisingchild002.shtml
Also, make sure your daughter reads this:
http://www.indiaparenting.com/raisingchild/data/raisingchild002book.shtml
It will help her see that she is not alone ? there are many others suffering from the same problem. It is not life-long, and millions of people wet their bed even at the age of 14. You could also take your child to a child psychiatrist in case you feel the reasons for bedwetting could be emotional or psychological.
Homeopathy drugs---Product Name: Dr. Reckeweg R 74 (Drops for nocturnal enuresis)
Form: Drops
Manufacturer: Dr. Reckeweg & Co. Gmbh
Packing: Bottle of 22ml
Contents:
Calcium phosphoric.D30, Ferrum phosphoricum.D8, Kalium phosphoricum D12, Pulsatilla D12, Sepia D6.
Description:
Nocturnal enuresis, bladder weakness. Many causes may precipitate nocturnal enuresis or bladder complaints and it is advisable therefore to elicit the deeper lying causes to those copmlaints. 'Spina bifida occulta' must be thought of. Inflammatory processes in the urogenital tract: compare R18 to be given in addition to or in alternation with R74. Involvement of the prostate gland: R25.
http://www.homeopathystore.in/buy/dr_reckeweg_r_74_drops_for_nocturnal_enuresisbottle_of_22ml.htm
====================
tryptomer 25 mg for nocturnal enuresis in children
CHILDREN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Use of Amitriptyline hydrochloride is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
The usual dose for adolescents 12 years of age and over is 10 milligrams, 3 times a day, with 20 milligrams taken at bedtime.
Environmental Entrepreneur,Green Biz.NRN Murthy of Infosys says that we Indians are weak in execution.We need to realize the need and practice of gud project management. Form a group of competent Managers,Give them responsibilities and review the project from day One.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Contraceptives: Must-knows about `The Pill'
Contraceptives: Must-knows about `The Pill'
http://www.rediff.com/getahead/2007/feb/19oral.htm
Sheela Nair, a newly wed from Trivandrum, was looking for an effective and easy-to-use form of contraception.
Various forms of contraception are available in the market, today, and Sheela found the choices overwhelming. So, she visited a doctor who prescribed oral contraceptive pills, one of the most effective methods of preventing conception.
Most women, like Sheela however, take "the pill" without proper knowledge of the basics of contraception. In fact, a nationwide survey conducted in the United States revealed that most women were equipped with very little information about oral contraceptive pills. "After 40 years of use, we take for granted that women are fully informed about the Pill, but I find that many of my patients are not," said A George Thomas, clinical associate professor, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City.
In this article, we answer most frequently asked questions about 'The Pill'.
5 signs that you are pregnant
How do oral contraceptive pills work? Do they contain hormones?
To become pregnant, ovulation (the process of the ovary releasing an egg) must be followed by fertilisation of the egg by a sperm. The fertilised ovum must then implant onto the wall of the uterus.
Oral contraceptive pills prevent pregnancy primarily by suppressing ovulation.
Progesterone (hormone involved in the female menstrual cycle) in birth control pills thickens your cervical mucus (a secretion of the cervix which moistens and protects this region of the body). The consistency of cervical mucus changes during a woman's menstrual cycle and can hinder the travel of sperm to the uter, making it hard for sperm to enter the cervix and fertilise the egg, if it is released.
It might also make the coating of the egg thicker and tougher to penetrate. Progesterone also thins the lining of the uterus. This means that even if an egg were to be fertilised, implantation onto the uterine wall would be unlikely.
Is this method foolproof?
If used correctly and consistently, the pill is projected to be about 99.7 to 99.9 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. The failure rate of hormonal methods of contraception, including the pill is usually lower than non-hormonal methods such as condoms and Intrauterine devices.
However, if the pill is not taken as prescribed, the chances that you will get pregnant are higher. More mistakes mean greater risk of failure. Though the pill is one of the most reliable methods of contraception, it is effective only when instructions are followed to the letter.
Certain drugs such as sedatives, antibiotics, antiseizure medications and some herbal medicines can reduce the effectiveness of the pill. If you are taking any of these medications, discuss this with your doctor so that you can switch to another form of birth control.
How to do a home pregnancy test
What kinds of OC pills are available in India?
There are two kinds of pills, combination pills and mini pills. The mini pill is so called because it contains only progesterone (Cerazette). However, 99 per cent of all contraceptive pills are combination pills (Marvelon, Ovral-L, Triquilar, Femilon, Triphasil, Diane-35), which contain both estrogen and progesterone in various forms.
Most women who take oral contraceptives are prescribed combination pills because they are slightly more effective than mini pills.
But mini pills are useful in certain conditions, such as breastfeeding, where estrogen cannot be taken.
Your doctor will prescribe the right type of pill for you.
How are these pills taken?
All combination birth control pills come in packages of 21 or 28 pills. Most doctors recommend you start taking them from the sixth day of your menstrual period.
If the pack has 21 pills, then take the pill each day, at roughly the same time, for 21 days. Then stop taking the pill for sevn days (during which time you will most likely menstruate) and then start again on the next pack of 21 pills.
If the pack contains 28 pills, take a pill a day, at roughly the same time, for 28 days, and then without missing a day, start with the next pack (regardless of your periods). The reason is that the pack of 28 pills contains not only 21 hormone pills, but also 7 'blank' pills with no active contraceptive ingredients.
What if I forget to take a pill?
Good question. If you forget to take a pill, take it as soon as you remember and take the next pill at the usual time.
If you miss two days, take two pills each day for the next two days and then go back to your usual schedule.
However, if you miss three or more pills, discard the pill strip and use another form of birth control until your next menstrual cycle starts. If your period is delayed or you miss a period, you could be pregnant. Visit a doctor or take the home pregnancy test.
Are there any side effects?
Oral contraceptive pills do have a few side effects. These could be:
~ Mild side effects
Nausea, weight gain (about two kgs), water retention in your tissues, breast tenderness, and at times spotting between periods. These side effects are common but usually subside in the first three months.
~ Moderately serious side effects
Some women experience breast pain, mild rashes and jaundice; reduced tolerance to contact lenses; headaches or migraines; nervousness and sometimes depression. These side effects are not very common. If you experience any of these, you must contact your doctor.
~ Serious side effects
One of the major side effects of the pill is formation of blood clots especially in your legs. These clots could sometimes dislodge and travel to other parts of the body. Warning signs are leg tenderness or swelling; sudden chest pain or shortness of breath, partial or complete loss of vision or blackouts; numbness in any part of the body. If any of these symptoms occur, stop taking the pill immediately and consult your doctor. You might have to switch to another form of contraception.
Who should not take the pill?
It is not recommended for women:
~ Over 35 who smoke.
~ With high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, or a family history of heart disease.
~ With past or present breast, uterus or liver cancer.
~ Suspecting a pregnancy. There could be other conditions where the pill is contraindicated. A thorough examination and your detailed family medical history will help the doctor see if the pill if right for you. Visit your gynaecologist before you start taking the pill.
How do I choose the right contraception method for me?
Your choice of contraception would depend on various factors including, how important it is for you to not get pregnant, your general health condition, whether you need protection from Sexually Transmitter Diseases, the cost, how comfortable you are with it and so on.
Click here to get a quick overview of the different methods of contraception and compare them.
Next week: 10 myths about oral contraceptive pills, busted
-- The author has an MBBS from KEM Hospital, Mumbai, with a Masters in Nutrition from the University of Texas at Austin.
1 What is 'the morning after' pill ? Is it not needed to tak
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http://www.rediff.com/getahead/2007/feb/19oral.htm
Sheela Nair, a newly wed from Trivandrum, was looking for an effective and easy-to-use form of contraception.
Various forms of contraception are available in the market, today, and Sheela found the choices overwhelming. So, she visited a doctor who prescribed oral contraceptive pills, one of the most effective methods of preventing conception.
Most women, like Sheela however, take "the pill" without proper knowledge of the basics of contraception. In fact, a nationwide survey conducted in the United States revealed that most women were equipped with very little information about oral contraceptive pills. "After 40 years of use, we take for granted that women are fully informed about the Pill, but I find that many of my patients are not," said A George Thomas, clinical associate professor, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City.
In this article, we answer most frequently asked questions about 'The Pill'.
5 signs that you are pregnant
How do oral contraceptive pills work? Do they contain hormones?
To become pregnant, ovulation (the process of the ovary releasing an egg) must be followed by fertilisation of the egg by a sperm. The fertilised ovum must then implant onto the wall of the uterus.
Oral contraceptive pills prevent pregnancy primarily by suppressing ovulation.
Progesterone (hormone involved in the female menstrual cycle) in birth control pills thickens your cervical mucus (a secretion of the cervix which moistens and protects this region of the body). The consistency of cervical mucus changes during a woman's menstrual cycle and can hinder the travel of sperm to the uter, making it hard for sperm to enter the cervix and fertilise the egg, if it is released.
It might also make the coating of the egg thicker and tougher to penetrate. Progesterone also thins the lining of the uterus. This means that even if an egg were to be fertilised, implantation onto the uterine wall would be unlikely.
Is this method foolproof?
If used correctly and consistently, the pill is projected to be about 99.7 to 99.9 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. The failure rate of hormonal methods of contraception, including the pill is usually lower than non-hormonal methods such as condoms and Intrauterine devices.
However, if the pill is not taken as prescribed, the chances that you will get pregnant are higher. More mistakes mean greater risk of failure. Though the pill is one of the most reliable methods of contraception, it is effective only when instructions are followed to the letter.
Certain drugs such as sedatives, antibiotics, antiseizure medications and some herbal medicines can reduce the effectiveness of the pill. If you are taking any of these medications, discuss this with your doctor so that you can switch to another form of birth control.
How to do a home pregnancy test
What kinds of OC pills are available in India?
There are two kinds of pills, combination pills and mini pills. The mini pill is so called because it contains only progesterone (Cerazette). However, 99 per cent of all contraceptive pills are combination pills (Marvelon, Ovral-L, Triquilar, Femilon, Triphasil, Diane-35), which contain both estrogen and progesterone in various forms.
Most women who take oral contraceptives are prescribed combination pills because they are slightly more effective than mini pills.
But mini pills are useful in certain conditions, such as breastfeeding, where estrogen cannot be taken.
Your doctor will prescribe the right type of pill for you.
How are these pills taken?
All combination birth control pills come in packages of 21 or 28 pills. Most doctors recommend you start taking them from the sixth day of your menstrual period.
If the pack has 21 pills, then take the pill each day, at roughly the same time, for 21 days. Then stop taking the pill for sevn days (during which time you will most likely menstruate) and then start again on the next pack of 21 pills.
If the pack contains 28 pills, take a pill a day, at roughly the same time, for 28 days, and then without missing a day, start with the next pack (regardless of your periods). The reason is that the pack of 28 pills contains not only 21 hormone pills, but also 7 'blank' pills with no active contraceptive ingredients.
What if I forget to take a pill?
Good question. If you forget to take a pill, take it as soon as you remember and take the next pill at the usual time.
If you miss two days, take two pills each day for the next two days and then go back to your usual schedule.
However, if you miss three or more pills, discard the pill strip and use another form of birth control until your next menstrual cycle starts. If your period is delayed or you miss a period, you could be pregnant. Visit a doctor or take the home pregnancy test.
Are there any side effects?
Oral contraceptive pills do have a few side effects. These could be:
~ Mild side effects
Nausea, weight gain (about two kgs), water retention in your tissues, breast tenderness, and at times spotting between periods. These side effects are common but usually subside in the first three months.
~ Moderately serious side effects
Some women experience breast pain, mild rashes and jaundice; reduced tolerance to contact lenses; headaches or migraines; nervousness and sometimes depression. These side effects are not very common. If you experience any of these, you must contact your doctor.
~ Serious side effects
One of the major side effects of the pill is formation of blood clots especially in your legs. These clots could sometimes dislodge and travel to other parts of the body. Warning signs are leg tenderness or swelling; sudden chest pain or shortness of breath, partial or complete loss of vision or blackouts; numbness in any part of the body. If any of these symptoms occur, stop taking the pill immediately and consult your doctor. You might have to switch to another form of contraception.
Who should not take the pill?
It is not recommended for women:
~ Over 35 who smoke.
~ With high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, or a family history of heart disease.
~ With past or present breast, uterus or liver cancer.
~ Suspecting a pregnancy. There could be other conditions where the pill is contraindicated. A thorough examination and your detailed family medical history will help the doctor see if the pill if right for you. Visit your gynaecologist before you start taking the pill.
How do I choose the right contraception method for me?
Your choice of contraception would depend on various factors including, how important it is for you to not get pregnant, your general health condition, whether you need protection from Sexually Transmitter Diseases, the cost, how comfortable you are with it and so on.
Click here to get a quick overview of the different methods of contraception and compare them.
Next week: 10 myths about oral contraceptive pills, busted
-- The author has an MBBS from KEM Hospital, Mumbai, with a Masters in Nutrition from the University of Texas at Austin.
1 What is 'the morning after' pill ? Is it not needed to tak
Asked by Rajesh Nagpal | 9 hour(s) ago | 1 answer(s)
2 please give any informatin about Mirena IUD.
Asked by dev prasad | 10 hour(s) ago
3 when can we have an intercourse without taking any precautio
Asked by Preeti Kapoor | 13 hour(s) ago | 7 answer(s)
4 can u tell abt emergency contraception..pill 72 and its poss
Asked 14 hour(s) ago | 1 answer(s)
5 i'm 41yr of age hve never taken a contraceptive pill earlie
Asked by sunita kikla | 14 hour(s) ago | 4 answer(s)
6 i heard that some women who take pills its hard to conceive
Asked by surabhi padhy | 16 hour(s) ago | 4 answer(s)
7 Please advise whether one can take the pill if one suffers w
Asked 16 hour(s) ago | 2 answer(s)
8 If i am getting married next month when can i start taking t
Asked 16 hour(s) ago | 2 answer(s)
9 Is it safe to take pills when you are still breastfeeding yo
Asked 17 hour(s) ago | 1 answer(s)
10 wow! i know so much about contraception now!! yipee. !! no m
Asked 17 hour(s) ago | 4 answer(s)
11 I am 41 one year old and have a son aged 17 years. My husban
Asked 18 hour(s) ago | 2 answer(s)
12 Can the pill be taken for many years indefinitely?
Asked 19 hour(s) ago | 3 answer(s)
13 I have taken contraceptive pill from June 2006 in each month
Asked 19 hour(s) ago | 2 answer(s)
14 can diabetic patients take this pills?
Asked 19 hour(s) ago | 1 answer(s)
15 Are non steroidal pills like saheli useful?
Asked 20 hour(s) ago | 1 answer(s)
16 Is there any natural method or contraceptive without side-ef
Asked 20 hour(s) ago | 2 answer(s)
17 how to conceive
Asked 20 hour(s) ago | 2 answer(s)
Environmental Entrepreneur,Green Biz.NRN Murthy of Infosys says that we Indians are weak in execution.We need to realize the need and practice of gud project management. Form a group of competent Managers,Give them responsibilities and review the project from day One.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Network online, boost your career
Network online, boost your career
Sunder Ramachandran
Popular networks
There are many online networks you can choose from. Some of the popular ones are:
Rediffconnexions.com
Ryze.com
Orkut.com
Openbc.com
How to get started
You just have to create a user ID and password, just like when you signed up for an e-mail account.
However, the real challenge is how you present yourself in your online profile, which is akin to a resume. Your popularity is based on the ability of people to remember three things:
Who you are
What service you offer
How to get in touch with you
Combine your business along with the benefits of your product or service. "I am an insurance agent, and I help people plan for their future." or "I'm an advertising consultant, and I help companies get the most out of their advertising campaigns."
These explanations are more effective than saying, "I do financial planning," or "I plan advertising campaigns."
Have a catch phrase or statement on your profile. This will act as a hook. Here's one that got my attention on Rediff Connexions: If you want to shoot anybody, call me. I'm a photographer!
Now that you know how to register, the next challenge is to make optimum use of this platform.
Part II: How to network effectively online
Have you networked online? Which are the best networks? Shares your experiences
Sunder works as a trainer with a leading BPO in Delhi.
Sunder Ramachandran
Popular networks
There are many online networks you can choose from. Some of the popular ones are:
Rediffconnexions.com
Ryze.com
Orkut.com
Openbc.com
How to get started
You just have to create a user ID and password, just like when you signed up for an e-mail account.
However, the real challenge is how you present yourself in your online profile, which is akin to a resume. Your popularity is based on the ability of people to remember three things:
Who you are
What service you offer
How to get in touch with you
Combine your business along with the benefits of your product or service. "I am an insurance agent, and I help people plan for their future." or "I'm an advertising consultant, and I help companies get the most out of their advertising campaigns."
These explanations are more effective than saying, "I do financial planning," or "I plan advertising campaigns."
Have a catch phrase or statement on your profile. This will act as a hook. Here's one that got my attention on Rediff Connexions: If you want to shoot anybody, call me. I'm a photographer!
Now that you know how to register, the next challenge is to make optimum use of this platform.
Part II: How to network effectively online
Have you networked online? Which are the best networks? Shares your experiences
Sunder works as a trainer with a leading BPO in Delhi.
Environmental Entrepreneur,Green Biz.NRN Murthy of Infosys says that we Indians are weak in execution.We need to realize the need and practice of gud project management. Form a group of competent Managers,Give them responsibilities and review the project from day One.
Common mistakes while sending a proposal to a client
Common mistakes while sending a proposal to a client
Deeksha Singh
February 01, 2007
I recently spread the word around in my network about the requirement for a technology consultant who can take care of all the backend IT work for my company. I even posted the requirement on a couple of business networking sites.
I received about a dozen responses and was taken aback by the poor quality of some of the business proposals and the sloppy effort in dealing with a prospective client. Being in the consulting business myself, it was truly a lesson in 'what not to do with clients'.
Have a question you want to ask?
Being sluggish in responding to clients
I called and e-mailed three consultants recommended by a close friend. I did not receive any response from them for two days. After sending two of them a reminder mail, I gave up, thinking that if they don't care when I am still a prospect, I am not sure what kind of service will they provide when I am their client.
Lesson -- Always respond to clients immediately. It's best to get back to a client within 24 hours of the request. If you are not available, set up an auto-responder for e-mails or leave a voice message. It's your responsibility to make it easy for your clients to get in touch with you.
Mind your language
I received an e-mail from a consultant with the subject line -- 'purposal as reqested by you'
While he was responsive, his e-mail did not create a great first impression. The e-mail had many spelling errors as well. I am sure he could have easily avoided it by spending a little more time. I lost confidence in him due to his lack of attention to details.
Lesson -- Do a basic spell check and grammar check before sending out a proposal. Ask a colleague to edit your proposal and provide feedback. Bad spelling and grammar send a message that you're sloppy. Keep in mind that you are communicating with a potential client.
How to make clients your allies
Sounding desperate
One consultant called about four times in one day just to check if I need any more inputs or information. While hiring a consultant was an important task for me, it wasn't the only thing that kept me occupied. Often consultants forget that their clients are busy with other key deliverables as well. The worst part was that he did not even do his basic research about our company.
Lesson --Make a follow up call after you have sent your proposal and wait for a response. Provide your contact details in your proposal and guide the prospect to your web site for more details. You don't need an elaborate web site -- just a basic one with the company's background, services offered and contact details.
Not doing your homework
One consultant, who called, asked me "What does your company do"? He was calling me after reading a post of mine on a networking site where I had mentioned about my company's background and our requirement.
Lesson --Learn more about the prospect and do a basic online search about them. You want to be sure whom you are dealing with. Make sure that your proposal is customised to the needs as stated in the advertisement.
6 reasons to thank your clients
Claiming that you're the cheapest
I certainly want great value for my money but at the same time I want quality as well. It's a myth that price is the only decisive factor. I have often paid more when I felt that the value derived would be greater. One consultant kept stressing about his rock bottom prices being his company's key differentiator.
Lesson --You don't want to be bracketed as a low cost, low quality service provider. Focus on other key strengths that will add value to the client. The consultant who kept stressing on low price actually made me think that there was a reason why he is so 'cheap'.
Deeksha Singh heads business development at W.C.H Training Solutions and can be reached at deeksha@wchsolutions.com
Deeksha Singh
February 01, 2007
I recently spread the word around in my network about the requirement for a technology consultant who can take care of all the backend IT work for my company. I even posted the requirement on a couple of business networking sites.
I received about a dozen responses and was taken aback by the poor quality of some of the business proposals and the sloppy effort in dealing with a prospective client. Being in the consulting business myself, it was truly a lesson in 'what not to do with clients'.
Have a question you want to ask?
Being sluggish in responding to clients
I called and e-mailed three consultants recommended by a close friend. I did not receive any response from them for two days. After sending two of them a reminder mail, I gave up, thinking that if they don't care when I am still a prospect, I am not sure what kind of service will they provide when I am their client.
Lesson -- Always respond to clients immediately. It's best to get back to a client within 24 hours of the request. If you are not available, set up an auto-responder for e-mails or leave a voice message. It's your responsibility to make it easy for your clients to get in touch with you.
Mind your language
I received an e-mail from a consultant with the subject line -- 'purposal as reqested by you'
While he was responsive, his e-mail did not create a great first impression. The e-mail had many spelling errors as well. I am sure he could have easily avoided it by spending a little more time. I lost confidence in him due to his lack of attention to details.
Lesson -- Do a basic spell check and grammar check before sending out a proposal. Ask a colleague to edit your proposal and provide feedback. Bad spelling and grammar send a message that you're sloppy. Keep in mind that you are communicating with a potential client.
How to make clients your allies
Sounding desperate
One consultant called about four times in one day just to check if I need any more inputs or information. While hiring a consultant was an important task for me, it wasn't the only thing that kept me occupied. Often consultants forget that their clients are busy with other key deliverables as well. The worst part was that he did not even do his basic research about our company.
Lesson --Make a follow up call after you have sent your proposal and wait for a response. Provide your contact details in your proposal and guide the prospect to your web site for more details. You don't need an elaborate web site -- just a basic one with the company's background, services offered and contact details.
Not doing your homework
One consultant, who called, asked me "What does your company do"? He was calling me after reading a post of mine on a networking site where I had mentioned about my company's background and our requirement.
Lesson --Learn more about the prospect and do a basic online search about them. You want to be sure whom you are dealing with. Make sure that your proposal is customised to the needs as stated in the advertisement.
6 reasons to thank your clients
Claiming that you're the cheapest
I certainly want great value for my money but at the same time I want quality as well. It's a myth that price is the only decisive factor. I have often paid more when I felt that the value derived would be greater. One consultant kept stressing about his rock bottom prices being his company's key differentiator.
Lesson --You don't want to be bracketed as a low cost, low quality service provider. Focus on other key strengths that will add value to the client. The consultant who kept stressing on low price actually made me think that there was a reason why he is so 'cheap'.
Deeksha Singh heads business development at W.C.H Training Solutions and can be reached at deeksha@wchsolutions.com
Environmental Entrepreneur,Green Biz.NRN Murthy of Infosys says that we Indians are weak in execution.We need to realize the need and practice of gud project management. Form a group of competent Managers,Give them responsibilities and review the project from day One.
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