Weight gain and abdominal skin stretching during pregnancy can make toning the abdomen troublesome following childbirth. If you also have undergone tubal ligation -- also known as tying the tubes -- you also will have incisions in the abdomen.
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Babies are naturally curious and often perform unusual activities, including eating their hair. While eating hair could be temporary, babies who do this long-term could experience an underlying condition.
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You are feeding your baby when all of a sudden, a large mucus bubble emits, staining your shirt or burp towel. Mucus spit-up in infants is a common condition that is rarely a cause for concern, but can serve as a messy inconvenience.
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Psyllium husk is a high-fiber laxative you can take to add bulk to your stool. When you take psyllium husk powder -- also simply referred to as psyllium -- the components attract water to your stool, making it easier to pass, according to the University of Michigan Health System.
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Once you take that first bit if food, it goes to your stomach where it is broken down and sent through your digestive system -- traveling into your small and large intestines. Your body absorbs what it needs and eliminates what it doesn't need through your stool.
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Hunger is a powerful sensation created by factors beyond just your stomach being empty. Your hunger can be related to emotional factors, habits and the physical need to eat, which is why dieting or restricting your calorie intake requires willpower to succeed.
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When you’re expecting, some of the foods considered safe for adults can be dangerous to your growing baby. If you have a barbecue coming up, you may wonder if charcoal-cooked foods are on the don’t-eat list. Providing that the foods are thoroughly cooked, you can go ahead and enjoy the grilled goodies.
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One of the common pieces of medical advice is to listen to your body. This can be true for your food cravings. While sometimes you crave salt because you are accustomed to eating a high amount of the mineral, in other instances you may crave salt because you have a potassium deficiency.
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Each macronutrient in your diet breaks down into a smaller component. For example, proteins are broken down into amino acids, while carbohydrates break down into glucose molecules. The single unit for a glucose molecule is called a monosaccharide.
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Although zinc is a mineral found in relatively small amounts in your body, it may have applications in reducing the severity and duration of the common cold.
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Diet sodas, typically prepared with artificial sweeteners such as sucralose or aspartame, give you a low-calorie alternative to traditional sodas made with sugar. Unless you choose a caffeine-free variety, however, you still risk dehydration if you consume the drink in large amounts.
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Water serves several major functions in your body, from providing the fluid for your blood, to cushioning your joints. If you don’t drink enough every day, you can feel fatigued. When you don't get enough water for a long time, dehydration can develop. This is a life-threatening condition.
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As a nervous system stimulant, caffeine in coffee, soft drinks and chocolate can make you feel as if someone pressed a "fast-forward" button on your body. While caffeine has many effects, one that is not common is causing you to feel drowsy.
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Diverticulitis is a painful condition that results from inflammation in your large intestine. Inside your intestine, small pouches called diverticula can become irritated when stool accumulates in them. If you have a diverticulitis flare-up, you may experience painful cramping, nausea and fever.
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Caffeine is considered a stimulant, meaning it causes a reaction in your body that can speed up your central nervous system, making you feel more awake and alert.
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Psyllium is a natural source of fiber derived from the Plantago ovata plant that produces small, gel-coated seeds. This plant is a source of soluble or viscous fiber, which forms a gel-like paste in your stomach, which can help slow digestion, promote steady blood sugar levels and make you feel fuller, longer.
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Your digestive process can be as individual as your personality, and a number of factors depend on how food passes from your mouth to your esophagus, stomach, intestines and outside your body.
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Also known as warfarin, Coumadin is a medication your physician prescribes to prevent life-threatening blood clots from forming. While the medication can help you to stay healthy, it relies on a delicate balance in your blood to prove effective.
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Your body relies on the right balance of salt and fluids to perform at its best. If you do not have enough sodium in your blood, you have a condition known as hyponatremia. This condition can be life-threatening because without sodium, you can lose consciousness due to brain swelling that can lead to death.
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Although zinc is a mineral found in trace amounts in your body, it is involved in several life-sustaining functions. Without enough zinc in your daily diet, you could experience changes in your growth and development, immune system response, brain function and reproductive abilities.
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