Vitamin D Consumption in Infants Linked to Increased Muscle-Mass & Decreased Body-Fat

By Sysy Morales

vitamin d consumption in infantsA recent study published in Pediatric Obesity found that an adequate amount of vitamin D in a child’s first year of life may increase muscle mass and decrease body fat in toddlers. Scientists in Quebec, Canada assessed data involving 132 infants who were given a vitamin D3 supplement between the ages of one month and 12 months. The infants were given one of four possible dosages in order to find out if more or less vitamin D3 made a difference on bone health and muscle and fat quantities. Hope Weiler, director of the Mary Emily Clinical Nutrition Research Unit at McGill University in Canada and researcher on the case said of the results, “We were very intrigued by the higher lean mass, the possibility that vitamin D can help infants to not only grow healthy skeletons but also healthy amounts of muscle and less fat,” The researchers used body scans to measure the children’s muscle and fast mass as well as take a look at their bone density. They found that children with more vitamin D stores in their body had an average 450 grams less body fat by age three. Vitamin D Supplementation Recommended for Babies Parents of infants are generally recommended to supplement vitamin D to their infant during the first year. Scientists conducting this study confirmed the recommendations of 400 iu per day during a baby’s first year for strong bone development, which include the teeth. Doses beyond 400 iu per day did not show any extra bone development advantages or improvement. Scientists noted only one other factor which made a major difference in the body fat of the children and that was their level of physical activity. Vitamin D Correlated with More than Healthy Bones In this study, researchers have found that while vitamin D is important for healthy bone development it is also important in children for healthy muscle mass and body fat. In addition, other recent studies have shown that Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to children with type 1 diabetes and that adequate vitamin D might also help with fighting off insulin resistance. Calcium is known to be crucial for healthy bones but without sufficient vitamin D, calcium is not properly absorbed by the body. The National Institutes of Health states that vitamin D is also necessary for “modulation of cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and reduction of inflammation [1,3,4].” Also, “many genes encoding proteins that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis are modulated in part by vitamin D [1].” Children Low on Vitamin D, Too The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons states several reasons why children today may suffer from vitamin D inefficiency through less sunlight and dietary exposure: Children today spend hours in front of a computer or a television, rather than playing outdoors. Few children walk to school on a regular basis. Many popular sports, such as basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics, are indoor sports. Milk intake by children has steadily decreased in favor of soda or juice. There are many supplements that can provide vitamin D in different forms; however the one most recommended by experts is vitamin D3 which is best absorbed by the body. Vitamin D3 was also the form used in the study with the infants.

15 Surprising Uses for Eggshells and Egg Cartons

By caminknews, Courtesy for Health & Nature

Eggs have become a staple in the contemporary kitchen. They can be cooked a ton of different ways for breakfast, they can be boiled, they’re mixed into baked goods, and they’re essential to numerous recipes. There are undoubtedly a lot of uses for eggs, but who is to say that those uses have to stop at the yolk and egg white? Actually, who is to say the uses have to even stop at the physical egg? Before you go throwing out all of your eggshells you might want to consider giving this article a look-over. It turns out the uses for eggs aren’t restricted to culinary measures. As a matter of fact, there are a surprising amount of ways that you can use the shells of your eggs to improve your daily life. On top of that, the cartons that eggs come can be quite useful as well. It seems far fetched, but it’s actually a really simple and interesting concept. Eggshells are a compact concentration of calcium carbonate. Their mineral makeup is the main reason they can be used in many facets of life other than cooking. The following natural life hacks are great ways to live an efficient life and becoming an ally of mother nature with the concepts of reduce, reuse and recycle. 9 Uses for Eggshells We’ll start off with eggshells. It probably goes without saying that you’ll want to rinse your shells with warm water and it’s best to boil them for a few minutes to get rid of pathogens, before you use any of these tricks. Composting – Eggshells breakdown very easily and are ideal for compost piles. Their high concentration of minerals add an extra healthy boost to soil and actually make for some pretty effective composting. Pest Control – Pests come in different shapes and sizes, but they share a similar interest to destroy the hard work of a gardener. Breaking up fragments of eggshell and scattering them around your garden will keep slugs and cutworms out of your garden without having to use toxic pesticides. You can also find other natural ways to make your own natural garden pesticides. Sidewalk Chalk – This is a pretty fun and easy craft and fun to make with kids. First you grind the eggshells into a very fine powder and mix a teaspoon each of flour and hot water in a cup. Mix the egg shells into the resulting paste and mix it well. Here you can add food coloring or leave the chalk white. When everything is mixed well, roll the mixture into a stick shape and wrap it up in a paper towel. Let it dry about three days and you’ll have a perfect piece of chalk. Laundry Whitener – This interesting little hack requires you to mix broken eggshells with lemon slices in a small cheesecloth bag. When you put the bag in the wash with your clothes, it should help preserve the whiteness and keep your clothes from becoming grey. Great Tasting Coffee – Have you ever taken a sip of coffee just to realize the whole batch is going to have an unpleasant, bitter taste? Placing an eggshell in your drip coffee filter with the coffee grounds can actually keep coffee from having that bitter bite without sacrificing flavor. It’s advised that you use approximately one eggshell for every four to five cups of coffee. Drain Cleaner – Usually putting food waste in the drain is a nightmare for clogging up a sink, but with eggshells it’s a completely different story. They help capture large particles of food waste and break down over time. As the eggshell fragments get smaller they travel through the pipes and clean them. Calcium Supplement – Many people use ground up eggshells to add several thousand milligrams of calcium to their daily intake. You can rinse off the shells, boil them in a pot of water, spread them on a baking sheet and place them in an oven at 200 degrees for about ten minutes, and then finally pulverize the eggs in a coffee grinder or similar appliance until they are a fine powder. This powder can be consumed daily with water for a healthy calcium boost. There should be a limit of about one teaspoon per day for optimal benefits. Some people also let eggshells dissolve in vinegar for about six weeks. The result is a healthy vinegar loaded with calcium. Facial Mask – No need for expensive spa treatments when you have leftover egg shells. Mixing up a finely ground eggshell with an egg white, pestle, and mortar makes for a tightening mask with some great cosmetic benefits. You can also try other natural face masks such as honey face mask and turmeric face mask. Itchy Skin – If you dissolve egg shells in apple cider vinegar like mentioned above, it also makes an anti-itch treatment. Applying the mixture to your skin can help relieve irritation or itching sensations. 6 Uses for Egg Cartons Seedling Base – If you’re interested in maintaining small plants like flowers, egg cartons are a great and efficient way to bloom your seedlings. Simply fill each section up with your fertilizer and plant the seed. You’ll have a dozen small plants neatly organized in their early stages of life. Crafts – There are countless ways people use leftover egg cartons for crafts. They have been turned into Christmas ornaments, room lights, and Christmas wreaths, with a bit of imagination you could do basically anything! Paint Cups – Building on the idea of crafting, you can also use cartons as a palette for your paint. They conveniently store all your colors right next to each other. Fire-starters – Mixing wax and sawdust in small egg cartons can make a dozen shockingly effective fire-starters. These work great for those who love to hang out by a fire without the hassle of getting it all started. Mancala – Why not turn your carton into a timeless game? Mancala boards have 12 small indents, so all you need to do is add a small container on each end of carton, perhaps another chunk of egg carton, and you’ll have a game board. Use whatever small materials you can fit into the cartons for game pieces (I’ve seen tic tacs, pieces of gum and beans used). Organizers – Cartons can be useful for basically any type of hobby or work that has a lot of small pieces. Some carpenters use them to organize screws while more artsy people keep their bracelet beads in them. Do you have other uses for eggshells or egg cartons? We would love to hear about them!

Best Tricks to Get Rid of Hiccups Fast

By camlinknews Courtesy of Health & Natural World

Fortunately, hiccups are not a life-threatening condition and they will usually stop by themselves after a period of time. However, depending on where you are and what company you are in, you may want to get rid of hiccups fast, especially if you are trying to make an important speech or you have an important meeting. The reasons why we experience hiccups vary from person to person. Just as there are many triggers for hiccups, so there are also many methods for ‘curing hiccups’ but not all of them will work for everyone. This article will explore the many tried and tested methods that can help you to stop hiccups naturally. What are Hiccups? The medical term for hiccups is singultus and they are sometimes called hiccoughs. They occur when a trigger causes your diaphragm to unexpectedly contract and at the same time your larynx contracts. These two actions together cause the ‘hic’ sound and it is usually impossible to feel when they come, and they just seem to come ‘out of the blue.’ More often than not, hiccups will settle down by themselves and you can soon carry on your normal activities without that annoying ‘hic.’ However, hiccups can sometimes last longer than a few minutes and that is when they become a real nuisance. For example, imagine the frustration if you had a job that required you to speak publicly every day and you couldn’t get rid of hiccups! Hiccups can also affect your sleep and everyday activities and as a result a lot of people are looking for ways to stop hiccups. Hiccups can be divided into 3 types: • Bout of hiccups. These can last for a few minutes up to 48 hours. • Persistent hiccups. These last for more than 48 hours but no more than a few days. • Intractable hiccups. These last for longer period of time and can be a sign of more serious underlying health issues. Causes of Hiccups There are many different reasons why we experience hiccups from time to time. Doctors agree that hiccups are gastrointestinal and involve the vagal and phrenic nerves. The vagal nerve is connected with our cough reflex and the phrenic nerve passes information to the diaphragm. Hiccups can be caused by a number of factors, like: • Eating food too fast • Eating spicy foods • Soda drinks • Alcohol • Strong emotions like fear or excitement • Sudden temperature changes • Medications • Certain diseases How to Prevent Hiccups The best way to prevent hiccups is to avoid the things that cause hiccups and which could over-stimulate the intestinal system. So, avoid eating too fast because then you gulp down air, which can result in hiccups. Also, avoid drinking too much alcohol, which can also bring on hiccups. If sodas drinks cause you to hiccup, then avoid them (you actually want to avoid them anyway as it is a well established fact that drinking sugary carbonated drinks is not good for you). Spicy food may be actually beneficial for your health and may even help you lose weight but you may want to limit its consumption if it is causing you hiccups. But, if you already have a bout of hiccups, then how can you stop your hiccups and make them go away? How to Get Rid of Hiccups The Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology says that to cure hiccups, measures should be taken to disrupt a person’s breathing rhythm or stimulate the back of the throat and nasal passages.1 Many of the methods mentioned below for stopping hiccups are based on one or both of those two principles – to disrupt breathing pattern (for example, holding your breath) or to stimulate the throat muscles (for example, drinking liquids with your head at different angles). Here are some of the best methods to get rid of hiccups: Drink a Glass of Water Through a Straw This seems to be one of the most popular methods to get rid of hiccups. To do this, you will need a glass filled with water and a straw. Then plug your ears tightly. You should make sure that there air is not getting into your ears. Gulp down the water. It seems that this works to affect your throat muscles and disrupt the hiccup reflex. The British Medical Journal published one doctor’s comments where he described this as being a ‘miracle cure’ for hiccough. He didn’t use the straw method but plugged his patient’s ears with his own fingers while they gulped down the water.2 The doctor said that the method was “nearly infallible when applied correctly.” Other Drinking Methods for Stopping Hiccups There are other methods of drinking water which may work for some people: Drink without using your hands – sit on a chair and have a cup of water on a chair in front of you. Bend towards the cup and drink as much as you can from it without touching or holding the glass. Be careful that you don’t tilt the cup so much that it falls over. Drink upside down – Fill a glass of water half full then bend at your waist and take a few gulps of water. Stand up, and if the hiccups are still there, try again. Eat Something Sweet If drinking water didn’t cure your hiccups and you have a sweet tooth, then you can try eating something sweet. Take a spoon of sugar in your mouth and hold for 5 seconds before swallowing. Alternatively, you can try some soothing raw honey, which has much more nutritional and health benefits than sugar. The sweetness can affect the nerves in your mouth and reduce your hiccup reflex. Alternatively, you can take a large spoon of peanut butter or natural hazelnut chocolate spread (but avoid Nutella) and hold it in your mouth for 5-10 seconds. Then gently swallow it. There is actually medical research which seems to back up the fact that very sweet things can help to stop hiccups. For example, research was published in 2012 that showed that sweet taste in the mouth can increase cough reflex thresholds.3 It also mentioned previous research that sugar had been used to help to treat hiccups. Breathing and Swallowing Disrupting your breathing patterns is another way that many people use to get rid of hiccups naturally. Swallowing with a closed mouth – to try this, breathe in as much as you can. When you can’t breathe in anymore, swallow with your mouth still closed. Keep inhaling and swallowing until you can no longer do that. When you can’t continue, let out your breath slowly.

6 Super Liver Cleansing Foods

By Michelle Schoffro Cook

Next to your brain, your liver may be the most overworked organ in your body. This powerful organ, sitting just under the ribs on the right side of your body, has approximately 500 functions— from filtering toxic substances out of our blood, to reducing excess stress hormones and cholesterol, ensuring strong digestion and even filtering over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Because it works so tirelessly, it also needs plenty of nutrients and liver-supporting foods to keep it functioning optimally. Here are some of the best foods to give your liver a boost:

Avocado—Exciting research published in the medical journal Hepatobiliary Surgery and Nutrition found that a group of compounds found in many fruits and vegetables known as carotenoids can help protect and treat non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD has been linked with obesity, type 2 diabetes and other serious health conditions. While avocado contains a small amount of carotenoids, it has been shown in research to boost the absorption of carotenoids 2 to 6 times when eaten alongside rich sources of the nutrients, such as tomatoes, carrots, squash, pumpkins and many other orange and dark green fruits and vegetables. The healthy fat found in avocados also reduces inflammation in the body—a condition that has been linked to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and many other serious conditions. Use avocado in place of butter on bread or sandwiches. Add it to wraps, on top of salad or as a creamy salad dressing or dip base. Beets—These nutritional powerhouses contain a substance known as betaine which is essential to healthy digestion, one of the liver’s many functions. They are powerful liver-cleansers and rebuilders. Enjoy raw grated beets in salads or on sandwiches. Steam or roast beets and use in soups, stews and atop salads. Dandelion Greens—Perhaps dandelion greens are the most overlooked liver-cleansing foods. They contain numerous bitter compounds that help cleanse the liver and boost its functioning. Choose young dandelion greens as they are more palatable than more mature ones. Also, pick dandelion greens away from high-traffic areas or areas that have been sprayed with chemical pesticides. Steam, saute or juice the greens. I love them sautéed with minced garlic, olive oil and topped with some fresh lemon juice and a dash of sea salt. Flax Seeds and Flax Seed Oil—Flax binds to hormone receptor sites, preventing excess hormones (including synthetic xenoestrogens—chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body—from plastics and other sources) from floating around your bloodstream. One of the liver’s 500 jobs is to filter excess hormones. Flax seeds and flax seed oil can help improve the liver’s efficiency in this regard. Sprinkle flax seeds on cereal, toast, salads or blended into smoothies. Use flax seed oil as a base for homemade salad dressings, along with some lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Lemons—The compound limonene found in lemon can boost your body’s production of glutathione, a critical nutrient in liver detoxification that helps ensure toxins are neutralized before they can damage the body’s cells. Add fresh lemon to your water, atop salads, over vegetables or to soups. Keep in mind that the limonene is primarily found in lemon peels, so buy organic lemons and grate a small amount of the rind and add to your salad dressings, soups and baked goods. Turmeric—This super spice is potent medicine for the liver. It is the highest known source of beta carotene, which helps protect the liver from free radical damage. In the medical journal Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, researchers found that curcumin, a naturally-present compound found in turmeric, could protect the liver against alcohol-induced injury. Curcumin is also a potent anti-inflammatory. When it comes to boosting liver health, food truly is the best medicine. Dr. Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, DNM is a board-certified doctor of natural medicine and international best-selling and 19-time published book author whose works include: Be Your Own Herbalist: Essential Herbs for Health, Beauty, and Cooking (New World Library, 2016).

Herb that Repels Insects as Effectively as DEET

By Michelle Schoffro Cook

Most humans love the fragrant scent of lavender wafting in the air. But research shows that some insects can’t stand the smell of this purple flower, which is good news if you’re trying to send them in the opposite direction. In a study comparing the effects of lavender essential oil to the chemical DEET-based tick repellents, lavender showed results that were comparable to the DEET sprays at repelling ticks. At a 5 percent concentration, the insect-repelling results of the lavender oil lasted for 40 minutes while at a 10 percent concentration, the results lasted for 2 hours. Another study in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that lavender oil used in a 30 percent dilution was 100 percent effective against ticks. That’s great news for anyone trying to steer clear of DEET-based repellents, which should be everyone. A study by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and published in the Journal of Neurochemistry found that DEET-based mosquito repellents interfere with proper nerve signalling in humans, disrupt the hormone dopamine needed for healthy brain function and contribute to chemical mechanisms associated with neurological disorders and nerve degeneration. Other research in the journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior found that DEET may be linked to motor function impairment and brain and nervous system damage. It’s no surprise that insects head the other direction…while they still can. Perhaps we should follow their lead and leave the DEET repellents behind in favor of natural options like lavender. While I am unfamiliar with any studies specifically testing lavender essential oil against mosquitoes, I can attest to its effectiveness in this regard. I am a natural-born mosquito repellent…for anyone who stands near me at least. That’s because the mosquitoes seem to head straight for me, leaving friends and family members in my company unscathed. But I’ve found that lavender oil works well to keep the little pests away from me too. Adding 10 drops of lavender oil to your favorite unscented cream or oil and applying before heading outdoors will help to keep ticks at bay. Like the chemical sprays, you’ll need to periodically reapply the lavender oil. Of course, you should conduct a 48-hour skin test using diluted lavender oil (one drop of lavender essential oil to 10 drops of a carrier oil like sweet almond or apricot kernel oil) to the inside of your wrist before using it all over your body and face. What’s more is that lavender helps to alleviate anxiety and depression, aids sleep and PMS symptoms and even helps with skin conditions and burns. Dr. Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, DNM is an international best-selling and 19-time published book author whose works include: Be Your Own Herbalist: Essential Herbs for Health, Beauty, and Cooking (New World Library, 2016).

Herb that Shows Promise against Heart Disease

By Michelle Schoffro Cook

Few people give their heart and vascular system much consideration until something goes wrong. But the circulatory system, which comprises the heart, lungs, arteries and veins, keeps hormones, nutrients, oxygen and other gases flowing throughout the body. Essentially, it is the delivery system for the body, without which we could not live. However, with our modern high stress lifestyle with its stresses, fast food and insufficient activity, we can become prone to the leading cause of death—heart disease. When we think of natural solutions for the condition, we probably think of a plant-based diet high in Omega 3 fatty acids and low in trans fats, saturated fats and Omega 6 fatty acids, not to mention exercise. And, we’d certainly be right in doing so since all of these lifestyle improvements can help prevent or reverse heart disease. But exciting research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that adding the herb rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) to your diet can also help treat heart disease. The researchers found that compounds naturally found in rosemary have significant anti-inflammatory effects, which is an underlying factor in the condition. A growing body of research links heart disease to low-grade inflammation throughout the blood vessels. Our dietary choices of trans fats and other harmful fats, excessive sugar consumption and other inflammation-causing substances can inflame the blood vessels. I tend to think of the inflammation underlying heart disease as scouring the inner walls of the blood vessels, which then need repair with substances like cholesterol, which is the body’s natural substance for arterial repair. While rosemary has been traditionally used throughout history in the treatment of headaches, memory and epilepsy, the research shows that it also holds promise as a natural medicine for the treatment of heart disease. The study concluded that rosemary has the potential to be developed into a natural heart disease medication or functional food. How to Use Rosemary The easiest way to benefit from rosemary’s circulation-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties is to add it to your food. It is a flavorful addition to soups, stews, vegetable or poultry dishes. I add rosemary along with vegetables like onions, carrots, celery and other vegetable scraps and water to make a delicious stock that can be used to make soups, gravy, sauces or to cook rice, quinoa, or other grain. Rosemary is also a welcome addition to tomato sauces or other tomato-based dishes. How to Make Rosemary Tea Add two teaspoons of dried, organic rosemary needles or a 4-inch sprig of fresh rosemary to boiled water and let steep for at least 10 minutes. Strain and drink to reap the health and healing rewards of rosemary. Dr. Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, DNM is an international best-selling and 19-time published book author whose works include: Be Your Own Herbalist: Essential Herbs for Health, Beauty, and Cooking (New World Library, 2016).

10 Warning Signs of Cervical Cancer You Shouldn’t Ignore

By James Achanyi-Fontem,

camlinknews More than 40 years ago cervical cancer was a major cancer death risk for women. With the development of pap tests and in-depth recognition of warning signs those numbers are dropping significantly. We still aren’t completely safe however, as many thousands of American women are still affected by cervical cancer every year. Picking up on risk factors and warning signs could save an individual from a lifetime of suffering. Cervical Cancer Risk Factors Acknowledging the risk factors that make women more likely to contract cervical cancer will help women to reveal a greater insight to their cancer risk. Human Papilloma Virus Infection (HPV) – There are over a hundred different viruses grouped here and some are spread through skin contact and considered a stepping stone to cervical cancer. Detection of HPV is usually through the discovery of warts or pap smears. Food Intake – overweight women and women that have a diet devoid of essential nutrients from fruit and vegetables face a higher risk of cervical cancer. Birth Control Pills – The female hormones found in some oral contraceptives may provide some cancers with ideal breeding grounds. Also the risk of cervical cancer goes up the longer a woman takes oral contraceptives and doubles after 5 years of using them. Genetics – There are conflicting references regarding this issue. Some references claim that cervical cancer is something that can be passed down among family members, giving women with a genetic history of the cancer about 2-3 times more of a risk. However I’ve seen other references that claim that there is no genetic component to this type of cancer. HIV – The virus that causes AIDS damages the immune system and increases the risk risk for HPV infection. Chlamydia Infection – Women who show signs of past or current chlamydia infection have a higher risk of cervical cancer. Smoking – Women who smoke double their chances to get cervical cancer. It is believed that tobacco by-products damage the DNA of cervix cells, and may contribute to developing this cancer. Smoking also affects the immune system, making it harder to fight HPV infections. And indeed smoking is one of the top 10 habits to stop right now if you want to be healthy. Multiple pregnancies – Women who have had 3 or more full-term pregnancies have an increased risk of developing cervical cancer. No one really knows why this is true. First pregnancy at a young age – Women who were younger than 17 years when they had their first full-term pregnancy are almost 2 times more likely to get cervical cancer later in life than women who waited to get pregnant until they were 25 years or older. Warning Signs of Cervical Cancer In the earliest stages of development, there is typically a frightening lack of visual and physical symptoms to foreshadow onset stages of cervical cancer. Many symptoms aren’t evident until the cancer has begun an invasive spread to surrounding tissue. Some of the most typical symptoms are as follows: 1. Leg Pain Some women exhibiting early stages of cervical cancer experience swelling and pain in the leg. When the cervix swells it can lead to an obstructed blood flow, which eventually causes the leg to swell and gives a sore, painful sensation. 2. Vaginal Discharge It’s normal for a woman to experience small amounts of clear discharge without color or odor. If the output of discharge increases, smells foul, or has any type of irregular appearance, it could be a sign of onset cervical cancer. 3. Unusual Bleeding Of all the symptoms, this is likely the most common. If a woman is experiencing an untimely bout of vaginal bleeding, it could be an indicator of cervical cancer. Consider contacting a physician if you experience persistent bleeding in between menstrual periods or following sexual intercourse. Women who are postmenopausal and no longer have periods should pay close attention to this symptom. 4. Discomforting Urination Keeping track of urination can help reveal the presence of cervical cancer in several ways. The most immediately obvious and prevalent symptom is discomfort while urinating. This is normally described as a tight and concentrating stinging sensation, but it can take on several different discomforting sensations. Usually when urinary symptoms are involved, the cancer has spread to nearby tissue and requires immediate attention. 5. Irregular Urination The appearance of the urine and urinary habits can also be symptoms of cervical cancer. If you notice strange changes in the frequency of your urine, loss of bladder control (incontinence) or a discoloration – especially with blood – seek the input of a medical professional. 6. Irregular Menstrual Cycles – There should be some level of consistency when it comes to monthly periods. If time, frequency, or any other changes disrupt the regular routine, it may be linked to a future with cervical cancer. Take note of any medication you are on and consult a physician if inconsistencies persist. 7. Uncomfortable Sex Painful intercourse, otherwise known as dyspareunia, is another discomforting side effect of cervical cancer. There are several possible reasons for this symptom to develop, as is the case with many of the symptoms on this list. This symptom is most commonly linked to conditions that require medical attention, however, so it shouldn’t be ignored. 8. Pelvic Pain Pelvic pain is a fairly routine burden of being a woman. Cramping and aches during a menstrual cycle are perfectly normal, but when pain lasts for longer periods, happens frequently, or becomes more intense than usual it could beckon a look from the doctor. 9. Back Pain – Back pain is common, affecting around 80 percent of Americans, and it can happen for a wide variety of reasons, but if accompanied with other symptoms from the list, go for a medical check-up. 10.Unexplained Loss of Weight and Fatigue – Again, on its own, these symptoms can be a result of other factors, but when other symptoms are present, it should signal the need for a physical checkup. Cervical cancer can reduce the number of healthy red blood cells which are replaced by white blood cells that try fighting off the disease. This can cause anemia which typically causes the woman to feel unexplained fatigue, lack of energy, and can lead to weight loss due to a loss of appetite. Prevention of Cervical Cancer Treatment of cervical cancer is tough because it is often hard to detect in the earliest stages. For this reason, the best defense for women is preventative knowledge. Pap Test Screening – Pap smears are the best way to test for cervical cancer, so they should be done regularly according to a woman’s age. WebMD recommends that women ages 20 to 30 get a screening every 3 years, 30 to 65 every 3 to 5 years, and women 65 and older need no further screening if they’ve had 3 tests in a row with regular results. HPV Vaccine – Some medical professionals advocate HPV vaccines for women and men before their early twenties. They claim it is essential for preventing the virus that causes cervical cancer. Female children can get their first vaccination at as early as 9 years old. No Smoking – People that are exposed to cigarettes, even those who are only around secondhand smoke, face a greater risk of contracting cervical cancer. If you smoke, consider the multitude of health benefits that come from quitting, and the ton of health risks you face by continuing. Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases – HPV can exist in a sexual partner with a deceptive lack of symptoms. Having a firm grasp of your sexual partner’s history will help you reduce the risk of cervical cancer. When in doubt, always use protection. Some of the above mentioned warning signs can be also signs of ovarian cancer. To learn more about the risk factors and warning signs of ovarian cancer read my article in this subject: 8 Early Warning Signs Of Ovarian Cancer You Shouldn’t Ignore Resources [1] http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/oral-contraceptives [2] http://www.webmd.com/cancer/cervical-cancer/understanding-cervical-cancer-symptoms [3] http://www.webmd.com/cancer/tc/cervical-cancer-screening-topic-overview [4] http://www.webmd.com/cancer/cervical-cancer/cervical-cancer-prevention