Popular Health Claims That Are Not Backed By Science
While drinking honey lemon water may provide a few benefits, many claims about this drink have no scientific evidence to back them.
- Flushes out toxins: No scientific evidence supports using honey lemon water to rid the body of toxins. Your body effectively detoxifies itself using the skin, intestines, kidneys, liver and respiratory and immune systems.
- Improves acne: Honey is beneficial when applied directly to the skin, but there is no evidence that drinking honey lemon water can help prevent or treat acne. In fact, added sugar intake from honey can make acne worse 00414-8/ rel=nofollow> 40).
- Melts fat: The popular claim that honey lemon water melts fat is false. The best way to lose excess body fat is by eating a healthy, well-rounded diet and increasing the number of calories that you burn.
- Boosts cognitive performance: Some people claim that drinking honey lemon water can improve memory or boost brain function. However, there is no scientific evidence to back such claims.
Summary
There is no scientific evidence to support claims that honey lemon water can improve cognitive performance, boost brain function, melt fat or clear up acne.
The Myth Of Hysteria And Morning Sickness
Unrelenting morning sickness can have a profound effect on your quality of life, preventing you from working, socialising and looking after your other children.Pregnant women enduring morning sickness report higher levels of psychological stress, including anxiety and depression. This prompted the false belief that morning sickness is purely psychosomatic, which means that the womans fears and anxieties trigger her physical discomfort. However, there is no research to support these claims.
Sit Up And Avoid Crunching The Stomach
If your mom ever told you not to lie down after eating, she was on to something. When you lie flat, gastric juices may rise and increase feelings of nausea and overall discomfort, especially if you have acid reflux or GERD.
Crunching your stomach may also worsen nausea since it compresses the area and makes you less comfortable in general. When youre nauseous, try reclining with your upper body elevated, and move around as little as possible.
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Prescription Medications Youre Already Taking
Before pregnancy, you may already be taking prescription medications for thyroid issues, high blood pressure, or other conditions. Speak with your doctor about continuing these medications, especially if youre already pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the near future.
In many cases, you may safely take your medication during pregnancy. Sometimes you may need to either adjust dosages or switch to another medication thats considered safer for you and baby.
What Is Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Hyperemesis gravidarum is simply increased nausea and vomiting in pregnancy due to the normal increase in one of the pregnancy hormones. If you are experiencing these symptoms it is important to tell your obstetric provider because if left alone, it can cause severe dehydration. There are simple things you can do at home to help decrease nausea and vomiting and prevent from becoming dehydrated.
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Foods For Morning Sickness
A pregnancy diet that’s high in protein and complex carbohydrates is not only good for baby, it can also help keep nausea at bay. Think whole grain toast and peanut butter, or hard cheese and crackers. Steer clear of greasy and processed fast foods, which are hard to digest and can make morning sickness worse.
Wondering what to eat for morning sickness? A few of the best foods when youre nauseous and vomiting during pregnancy include:
A few other mealtime tips can help reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy:
What Causes Morning Sickness
The exact cause of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is not clear. Most evidence points to rapid changes in hormone levels. These fluctuations may cause changes in the muscle contraction and relaxation patterns of your stomach and intestines, thus leading to nausea and vomiting.
The hormones that seem to have the most to do with this process include the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin , estrogen, and progesterone. Abnormal levels of thyroid hormones have also been reported in women with severe vomiting, although a cause-and-effect relationship remains unclear. Some studies have shown that nausea is worse when your blood sugar level is low. Some researchers have found that women who are more likely to have nausea from birth control pills, migraines, or motion sickness are at higher risk for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
If you have a family history of hyperemesis gravidarum, you are more likely to have the condition. What causes hyperemesis gravidarum remains unknown despite active research.
The more popular theories fall into three areas:
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Pregnancy And Nausea: Which Medications Are Safe And Effective To Use
It may come as no surprise that up to 80% of women experience nausea during pregnancy, especially in the early stages. Severe nausea and vomiting is a reason for higher rates of pregnancy termination. So, it follows that the early, effective, and safe treatment of nausea is crucial for both the mothers and the infants health. Because medications are prescribed to manage vomiting and nausea in the first trimester , pregnant women and clinicians often have concerns about the potential effects of anti-nausea or antiemetic drugs.
Malformations at birth are exceptionally rare, so finding the cause and effect of a single drug and resulting abnormality is extremely difficult. A recent study of 1.8 million pregnancies showed a direct correlation between the use of specific anti-nausea medications with a risk of birth abnormalities. Due to these concerns, Health Canada recommends NOT to use ondansetron for managing nausea during pregnancy. Pharmacogenetics, the study of how a persons genetics and medications interact, can check whether commonly used anti-nausea drugs will be effective for an individuals metabolism. Drugs such as dolasetron, ondansetron, palonosetron, and tropisetron can have varied effectiveness from person to person based on genetics. Pharmacogenetics may also help to understand the risks associated with these drugs.
References:
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Unsafe Medications For Nausea During Pregnancy
There are several other anti-emetic drugs available that they may not be safe in pregnancy. The ingredients used in these medications may have serious side effects that may affect the foetus and the mother.
These anti-emetic drugs were initially developed to ease nausea and vomiting in patients going through radiation therapy and chemotherapy. When these are prescribed to pregnant women to ease NVP, it may result in serious side effects, such as:
- Chest pain
- Blurred vision or temporary loss of vision
- Fainting
- Stomach pain
- Muscle spasm
Side effects of unsafe drugs for nausea during pregnancy may also result in one of the following birth defects:
- Heart Murmurs
A condition where the structural issues of the heart may result in abnormal blood flow.
- Atrial Septal Defect
A condition where a gap between the upper heart chambers is formed in the heart.
- Ventricular Septal Defect
A condition where a gap between the upper heart chambers is formed in the heart.
- Cleft Lip / Cleft Palate
A condition where the formation of the front of the upper jaw and upper portion of the roof of the mouth is incomplete.
- Musculoskeletal Anomalies
A condition where a malformation or deformity of the musculoskeletal system in the infants is noticed.
- Clubfoot
A condition where one or both feet of the infant is either twisted or turned upside down.
- Jaundice
a condition where bilirubin accumulates and results in the breakdown of the red blood cells and causes severe jaundice.
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When Will Morning Sickness Stop
Most pregnant women will find relief from morning sickness around 14 weeks, right at the beginning of the second trimester. Others may not find relief until the 18th week, a month after the second trimester begins. Few women, unfortunately, will have the symptoms for all nine months of pregnancy.
Keep your chin up! All this trouble youre going through now will be over soon. Try some of these remedies and consult with your health care provider if youd like to try the medications.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.
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Tap Into The Power Of Ginger
Ginger is safe and effective in relieving nausea caused by morning sickness. But it doesnt seem to work for vomiting.
Ginger comes in many forms. Moms- to-be can take ginger supplements three or four times a day, with a total daily dose of about 1 gram. Foods that contain ginger may also help ease nausea. These include ginger ale, ginger lollipops, and ginger tea.
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When Does Pregnancy Nausea Occur
Pregnancy nausea is most likely to occur during the first trimester when HCG levels are highest and rising rapidly. It usually starts around the sixth week of pregnancy and subsides by the 16th .
You Won The Lottery
Although morning sickness can occur at any time of the day, for many women, the nausea is usually the worst during the morning hours because they are waking with an empty stomach.
Nausea tends to be exacerbated by hunger, so after fasting for several hours through the night, it becomes a morning battle to quell the queasiness . And during this time, women may be caught in a Catch-22 of not being able to keep things down yet needing to fill their stomach to cure nausea.
The good news is that, for most women, this pregnancy discomfort usually resolves by the second trimester. However, for about 10 percent of women, nausea persists throughout their entire pregnancy.
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What Do I Do If My Morning Sickness Is Severe
When morning sickness is severe, it is known as hyperemesis gravidarum. A pregnant woman who experiences severe vomiting for an extended period of time may need monitoring and treatment in hospital. An intravenous drip is inserted to replace essential salts and fluids and prevent dehydration. If you are vomiting whenever you eat or drink, consult a health care professional, since early treatment can protect you and your baby from health complications.
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How To Make And Use Honey Lemon Water
Making honey lemon water is simple.
Just mix the juice from half of a lemon and a teaspoon of raw, high-quality honey into a cup of hot or warm water.
This beverage is most commonly consumed hot, but it can also be chilled and enjoyed with a few ice cubes.
You can adjust the amounts of lemon juice or honey to suit your taste. However, remember that honey is a source of calories and added sugar.
Honey lemon water can be enjoyed at any time of the day, including as a relaxing pre-bedtime drink.
Because it contains lemon juice, rinsing your mouth with plain water after drinking this beverage is important to help neutralize the acid and prevent tooth enamel erosion.
Summary
Honey lemon water is easy to prepare and can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
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First Trimester Nausea Remedies
Before I share the first trimester nausea remedies that worked for me, I do want to mention hyperemesis gravidarum, which is characterized by intense and repeated vomiting, sometimes almost constantly. Its a serious condition that requires medical attention. For this reason, its important to let your OB or midwife know that youre dealing with nausea and vomiting.
With that being said, here are the remedies I swore by to help manage nausea while I was pregnant:
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Take A Vitamin B6 Supplement
Taking a B6 supplement is a good alternative if you want to avoid anti-nausea medications while youre pregnant. Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, successfully reduces nausea during pregnancy.
Vitamin B6 supplements are available in the form of a pill that you can typically find at your local store. Doses of vitamin B6 up to 200 mg per day are generally considered safe during pregnancy with practically no side effects.
Eat Whatever You Can Whenever You Can
One of the reasons that morning sickness can be worse in the morning is that having an empty stomach tends to bring it on.
But when all the healthy food is gross, your stomach might be empty a lot.
So dont worry about nutrition, dont worry about calories. If you find something that you can eat, eat it. For weeks I stressed about nutrition. One day I spent half an hour forcing down a protein powder and fruit smoothie. It was SO awful. But I got it down.
And I kept it down for approx 3.5 minutes. Nutrition is extremely important during pregnancy, but surviving the nausea is just as important.
The day I discovered that I could eat potatoes was the best day. Any form of potatoes! And I could eat cold white food. Ice cream, plain yogurt, vanilla milkshakes. Those things were all ok.
I admitted to my doctor that I was eating nothing but potatoes and ice cream, expecting a lecture. I was SO relieved that he just laughed and assured me that my baby was more like a parasite than a pet, and it would take what it needed from me.
You will feel one hundred times less nauseous if you feed yourself SOMETHING. Beyond this wonderfully helpful advice Carly Campbell has lots more great advice for surviving the first trimester even beyond morning sickness.
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Whats Severe Morning Sickness
Severe morning sickness is when nausea and vomiting get so serious that a pregnant woman vomits several times a day, loses weight, and gets dehydrated or is at risk for dehydration.
If this rare pregnancy-related condition isnt treated, it can affect a woman’s health and her baby’s ability to thrive.
The medical term for severe morning sickness is “hyperemesis gravidarum” , which means “excessive vomiting during pregnancy.” It usually follows a similar timeline to normal morning sickness. But it can go longer, sometimes lasting for the whole pregnancy. Often, the symptoms get less severe as the pregnancy continues.
Most cases of hyperemesis gravidarum affect a woman’s first pregnancy. But women who have it in one pregnancy are more likely to have it in future pregnancies.
Medications For Morning Sickness In Pregnancy
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released some updated guidelines regarding the management of morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum in September 2015. Its likely that your obstetric provider has heard of this and may change what he or she is prescribing based on these recommendations.
Various drugs exist to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, but a newer one on the market is a combination of two drugs: vitamin B6 and doxylamine . It is marketed under the brand name Diclegis and is available as a delayed release form where 10mg of each ingredient are in each tablet.
This new drug has actually resurfaced, as it was on the market in the United States from 1958 until it was taken off the market in 1983. During this time, about 30% of all pregnant women took this medication. Research has shown that during this time period, this medication led to a 70% decrease in nausea and vomiting as well as a decrease in morning sickness-related hospitalizations.
Further research has proven that the combination of vitamin B6 and doxylamine is safe in pregnancy over 170,000 exposures have been followed therefore, its now available to American women.
ACOG now states that this drug combination should be the first treatment for morning sickness in pregnancy, if other remedies havent worked . Options for taking this medication include getting a prescription from your doctor or midwife or taking vitamin B6 and pyridoxine separately .
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The Best Foods To Help You To Avoid Nausea During Pregnancy
Pregnancy diet results vary, but there are common themes regarding the best foods for nausea during pregnancy. Here are some of the food choices that seem to help with the reduction of morning sickness symptoms:
Dont stress if your dietary choices are limited in the first trimester. The baby doesnt have significant nutritional needs at this point. If you started the pregnancy with a reasonable body weight, then it means that you likely still have the reserve supply of vitamins and minerals needed for your baby. As your appetite returns, then you will be able to consume the foods that are essential when the baby gets bigger.
Make A Batch Of Pregnancy Popsicles
I ate popsicles like they were being eradicated! says What to Expect community member mrsjmschare. I had popsicles morning, noon and night. It was the only thing I could keep down and really helped me.
This tip makes sense: Popsicles are sweet and hydrating, making them a perfect choice for nauseous moms-to-be. Look for store-bought brands that contain tummy soothers like ginger or mint.
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Heartburn And Acid Reflux
OTC antacids containing alginic acid, aluminum, magnesium, and calcium are generally safe during pregnancy:
- aluminum hydroxide-magnesium hydroxide
- calcium carbonate
- simethicone
- famotidine
For severe heartburn, your doctor may suggest taking H2 blockers, such as:
- ranitidine . Ranitidine, brand name Zantac, is now marketed as Zantac 360, which contains a different active ingredient . Famotidine is in the same class as ranitidine and works the same way but has not been found to contain unacceptable levels of NDMA.
- cimetidine
Lifestyle changes may also help take the edge off heartburn:
- Wear loose-fitting clothing that doesnt put pressure on your abdomen.
- Try keeping a food diary to help identify certain foods that may trigger your reflux.
- Wait three hours to lie down after meals. Avoid late meals right before bedtime.
- Sleep with your head elevated at night.
- Eat small meals throughout the day.
Speak with your doctor if your heartburn becomes severe. In rare cases, it may be a sign of HELLP syndrome. This is a serious pregnancy complication.
