swelling

Pregnancy

8 Surprising Things That Can Swell During Pregnancy

We've all heard of swollen feet during pregnancy — a not-so-surprising side effect considering they're supporting all that extra weight — but your feet are not the only body parts that can retain fluid while you're expecting.

We've all heard of swollen feet during pregnancy — a not-so-surprising side effect considering they're supporting all that extra weight — but your feet are not the only body parts that can retain fluid while you're expecting. We've all seen a pregnant woman who looked so fluid-filled you kind of wanted to stick a pin in her to see if she'd pop (or maybe you were one of those women?), but water retention can hit less obvious places as well.

It's a condition that doesn't discriminate — during her previous pregnancy with baby Maxwell, Jessica Simpson tweeted about her swollen lips, saying it may have been the first stage of "pregnancy face," a side effect that Bethenny Frankel dealt with by massage and putting bags of frozen veggies on her face. "I’m a swollen beast. My face exploded . . . I look like a chipmunk,” she tweeted while expecting daughter Bryn. Keep reading for 8 less talked-about body parts that can make for an often uncomfortable, and sometimes unsightly, pregnancy and postpartum experience.

Food

The How-To Lounge: Avoiding Swollen Fingers

Have you ever woken up with swollen fingers, or left a restaurant or bar feeling like your rings are just a little too tight for comfort?





Have you ever woken up with swollen fingers, or left a restaurant or bar feeling like your rings are just a little too tight for comfort? Well I certainly have so here are some tips to help avoid Edema, the medical term for excess fluid accumulating where it doesn't belong.

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period

Ovarian Cysts: What Every Women Should Know

I've heard of ovarian cysts, I'm sure you have too.

I've heard of ovarian cysts, I'm sure you have too. Do you know how they form? Are they something I need to worry about?

Every month, if you're not using a form of birth control that prevents ovulation, one ovary produces 1 egg (occasionally more, which is how we get fraternal twins and triplets). When you ovulate, a cyst-like structure called a follicle is formed inside your ovary. When the egg is released, the follicle bursts. Usually the remaining tissue just dissolves and is absorbed by the body. Occasionally it doesn't, and that's what causes functional ovarian cysts.

Functional ovarian cysts are basically small fluid-filled sacs and are quite common for women to get during their reproductive years. The cysts often shrink and disappear on their own within 2 or 3 menstrual cycles.

You may experience a full or bloated feeling, pressure, or a dull ache in your lower back, belly, or thighs. They can also cause breast tenderness, nausea, or weight gain. Who knew a little cyst can cause all that?

Woman who take the birth control pill or other systemic hormonal treatment usually don't experience ovarian cysts (and the pain that comes from them), because they aren't ovulating.

There are other, more serious forms of ovarian cysts known as Dermoid cysts, Endometrioma Cysts, Cystadenoma Cysts, and Polycystic Ovarian Disease. These cysts can develop from an imbalance of female hormones (estrogen and progesterone). These can grow to be very large (like the one shown in the picture), and can cause severe pain. If found, chances are high that a doctor will recommend removing immediately.

Fit's Tips: If you experience severe pain during intercourse, during menstruation, or have swelling in your abdomen, you should see your doctor immediately. They may prescribe oral contraceptives to help shrink the cyst. Surgery may also be an option if the hormone treatment doesn't work.

ice

Ice — It does the body good

Ice is nature's anti inflammatory and it is great to use in the first 48 hours of an injury.

Ice is nature's anti inflammatory and it is great to use in the first 48 hours of an injury. It reduces inflammation when you have a sprain or a strain, a tear or some tendonitis. And it is safe for the little ones (my girls LOVE ice for any boo boo and I keep a couple of little packs in my fridge for the many occasions that call for ICE). You only want to ice an area for 20 minutes or less. Be careful not to cause damage to your skin like frostbite.

One of the easiest ice packs to find is a fresh bag of frozen peas or corn. For starters it's flexible so it can mold to any body part that needs the ice treatment. Plus there is a timer built in as the veggies thaw and start to smell you know it is time to stop icing. After using peas or corn as an ice pack you definitely don’t want to eat them. So make sure to mark them with a piece of tape or permanent marker that they are for icing only.