Postpartum Depression, Psychosis and Baby Blues
Following the anticipation and anxiety of delivery comes the time when the baby is finally born. There is relief, happiness and a sense of accomplishment for you as a mother as you hold your newborn baby. Sometimes however, it happens that as the days go by, you feel unaccountably sad, depressed, tearful, anxious or totally detached from your baby. You somehow feel inadequate as a mother or feel guilty for not caring enough for the baby.
Such feelings are not unusual and are often just a temporary phase, which may even go unnoticed by others and you soon come out of this condition of “baby blues” as it called. This is one end of the spectrum of depressive reactions which may follow childbirth, the other end being postpartum psychosis, with postpartum depression right in the middle.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Risks, Outlook, Treatment
Who is at Risk of Developing CFS?
Why Chronic Fatigue Syndrome develops is still not known for sure but certain people are seen to be more at risk.
- Although men and women can both suffer from CFS, it is seen to be at least 4 times more common in women.
- It can occur at any age but is more likely in people in their 40s or 50s.
- It seems to be more prevalent in the lower-income group.
- There seems to be no racial variation.
- A genetic or family history may be present.
What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Causes and Symptoms
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a serious illness with very serious implications hence it is all the more important that the symptoms are recognized on time to help the patient receive proper treatment. It produces such non-specific symptoms that often the illness goes unrecognized, yet the patient continues to suffer. Difficulty in diagnosing CFS also arises because no cause can be identified and there are no definite tests that can confirm the diagnosis.
What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Chronic fatigue syndrome (also known as immune dysfunction syndrome) is a disorder where you suffer from immeasurable fatigue or extreme tiredness for no apparent cause and no amount of rest seems to improve the situation. This weariness is not for a day or two, or even for a few weeks, but seems to have been present for more than 6 months. Very often you do not even think of consulting a doctor for what you think to be a minor problem, but it can get so bad that you are unable to function at your optimal level and may even miss many days of work because of this unaccountable tiredness and weakness.
Ectopic Pregnancy Treatment and Prognosis, Outlook
Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy
The treatment for an ectopic pregnancy will depend upon whether you are diagnosed at an early stage with an unruptured ectopic pregnancy or if you have presented as an emergency. Therefore being able to identify the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy and seeking immediate medical treatment is important.
An early, small unruptured ectopic pregnancy can be treated by the drug methotrexate unless there are contraindications for its use. Your doctor will monitor your HCG levels if this drug is to be used.
Laparoscopic surgery may be advisable in other cases where methotrexate treatment does not work or the pregnancy is more advanced. Salpingotomy or repair of the tube after removing the ectopic pregnancy is usually done. Chances of future pregnancies are better with this option but so is the risk of another ectopic pregnancy.
Ectopic Pregnancy Signs, Symptoms and Diagnosis
What are the Signs and Symptoms of an Ectopic Pregnancy?
At times, a woman may not know that she is pregnant and therefore may not be as vigilant for any signs or symptoms of possible complications in pregnancy. A short duration of missed periods, ranging from a few days to a few weeks, followed by irregular bleeding through the vagina could point towards an ectopic pregnancy.
An impending miscarriage could present in the same way however in a case of an ectopic pregnancy, the abdominal pain is usually more intense. If you have any vaginal bleeding or pain or cramping of the abdomen, whether you have had your periods or not, a consultation with your doctor and a pregnancy test is advisable.