Whether a woman has missed her menstrual period or simply “feels pregnant,” home pregnancy tests offer the convenience of testing without having to make a doctor appointment. Home tests sense the hormone hCG, which is produced by the chorion (part of what will become the placenta) of a developing embryo.
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Many women are surprised to learn that even very early in pregnancy, it’s possible to feel -- and look -- several months pregnant. This is due to abdominal bloating, which begins as early as the first few days after conception and can last well into the first trimester.
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Most women know that the use of alcohol during pregnancy can damage the baby, causing low birth weight, diminished ability to thrive, and a set of symptoms collectively called fetal alcohol syndrome. The government recommends that women who are pregnant avoid all alcohol.
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Whether a woman is trying to conceive, trying desperately not to conceive, or merely curious as to why she's missed a period, at some point she’s likely to turn to a home pregnancy test for answers.
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The menstrual cycle has several discreet events, the most noticeable of which is the menstrual period. Some women also experience minor discomfort around the time of ovulation, or release of the egg, but for many this event goes entirely unnoticed.
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Whether a couple is trying to conceive or hoping to avoid pregnancy, the two-week wait between ovulation and a positive or negative pregnancy test can be emotionally stressful.
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Carbonated beverages contain an acidic molecule called carbonic acid that decomposes when you open a bottle or can of a fizzy drink. The decomposition of carbonic acid produces the characteristic soda fizz. Despite its acidic properties, there's no evidence to suggest that carbonic acid in beverages does you any harm.
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Apple cider vinegar is among the supplements touted by some practitioners of alternative medicine as a way to treat a variety of ailments, from warts to digestive difficulty. However, there's no scientific evidence to support the majority of claims regarding the substance.
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If you're put on antibiotics for a bacterial infection, your doctor might advise you to curtail your caffeine use while you're on the medication. Some chemicals -- caffeine included -- can interact with antibiotics.
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Protein is one of the nutrients you need to stay healthy, and it helps provide for the needs of your developing fetus during pregnancy. The 2004 "Journal of Nutrition"
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Scabies infestations are very uncomfortable, due to the intense itching that results from the activation of the immune system in response to mites, mite eggs and mite waste. If you're looking for a natural treatment for scabies, you may wonder whether coconut oil will do the trick.
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For many women, the early stages of pregnancy can feel similar to having a stomach virus, but some unlucky women actually get stomach viruses during pregnancy. Symptoms such as nausea and vomiting make it difficult for pregnant women to get adequate nutrition, and dehydration is dangerous to a growing fetus.
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You might have heard that omega-3 fatty acids are a very healthy component of diet, especially during pregnancy. Not only are they anti-inflammatory, meaning that they can help reduce your risk of heart disease and other inflammatory conditions, but they also foster fetal brain development.
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The pH of water is a measure of its acidity, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains strict standards for appropriate pH levels in drinking water.
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Diarrhea is uncomfortable and aggravating, and if it goes on too long, can actually lead to dehydration and fluid imbalance. There are many causes of loose stool, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. These include infection by parasites or viruses and irritated, inflamed intestinal linings.
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H2O2, also called hydrogen peroxide, is a strong chemical oxidizing agent. It's very useful in many common household applications, but it's also a poison, and can be quite harmful if swallowed.
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Unlike overdoses of many substances, sugar "overdoses" don't lead to toxicity reactions--though in extreme cases, they can cause dehydration, which has its own set of side effects. Instead, a sugar overdose leads to two separate problems: high blood sugar, and over-consumption of calories.
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Sodium carbonate is a household chemical with a variety of different uses. Its chemical formula, Na2CO3, is similar to that of baking soda, NaHCO3. But baking soda is a nontoxic chemical commonly used in food preparation, while sodium carbonate is toxic and should not be consumed.
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Fructose, which is commonly called fruit sugar, is a monosaccharide. This is a biochemical term for a single sugar ring composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Fructose is closely related to glucose, and like glucose, it is a component of table sugar.
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Sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite are two food preservatives with very similar chemical formulas, but different properties in the body. Sodium nitrate, with the formula NaNO3, helps prevent bacterial colonization of foods. Sodium nitrite, with the formula NaNO2, is a strong oxidizing agent used as a meat preservative.
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