Most couples always look forward to welcoming a newborn into their family. However, pregnancy can be a terrifying and uncertain period for many. Fortunately, with the innovative pregnancy ultrasound, the growth and development of the fetus can now be monitored. At OC Fertility, Sharon Moayeri, MD, and Nidhee Sachdev, MD, offer pregnancy ultrasound Newport Beach services in the early stages of your pregnancy. Here, you can access ultrasounds during your first trimester and beyond. To get started, contact the office or schedule an appointment online today.

What Is a Pregnancy Ultrasound?

A pregnancy ultrasound, also known as a sonogram, is an imaging technology that utilizes high-frequency sound waves to create images of the fetus in the womb. This prenatal test enables health care providers to evaluate the growth and development of your baby and monitors your pregnancy. During the scan, some gel is placed on your tummy, and a probe known as a transducer is placed on the tummy’s skin. The transducer then sends pulses of sound waves to the fetus, creating echoes made into images by the computer. The images can be seen on a monitor.

When Can You Start Undertaking a Pregnancy Ultrasound?

You can start to have a pregnancy ultrasound as early as the first-trimester pregnancy. This service was developed to help women who require extra support through the early stage of pregnancy. However, even if you don’t have a high-risk pregnancy, you might still want to partner with a pregnancy expert who will monitor your pregnancy from the very first weeks. When you opt for first-trimester pregnancy monitoring, you will go back to the doctor every one to two weeks for a checkup. During these appointments, the provider will do a pregnancy ultrasound to examine the fetus’s heartbeat and monitor abnormal growth.

What Is Monitored on A Pregnancy Ultrasound?

An early pregnancy ultrasound during the first weeks of your pregnancy monitors and confirms that the pregnancy is in the right location. Pregnancies might sometimes implant outside the uterus in a condition known as ectopic pregnancy. This type of pregnancy is fatal and should be treated as soon as possible. Your doctor will monitor your pregnancy as it progresses from the first trimester and identifies any potential developmental issues early on. This can be particularly helpful for patients with a miscarriage as the problem can be timely diagnosed, avoiding redundant weeks of waiting for the first ultrasound. The early pregnancy stages involve lots of evolving and growth changes which your doctor will see and watch weekly during your pregnancy ultrasounds.

Is Pregnancy Ultrasound Safe?

Now that you understand pregnancy ultrasound, you probably wonder whether the procedure is safe for you and your baby. But you can now relax since a pregnancy ultrasound is safe. The sound waves that develop the image from your ultrasound are entirely harmless.

The pregnancy period does not have to be scary anymore. The experienced team at OC Fertility provides first-trimester pregnancy ultrasound services to monitor your pregnancy from the very first weeks. If you are interested in the services, contact OC Fertility or make an appointment online today.  

Many individuals take joints for granted until they develop an issue with those organs. Essentially your joints link two bones in your skeletal system, thus making your body flexible. For example, your knee joints are among the most movable joints, making it easier for you to conduct your sporting activities such as running. However, these activities can expose your joint to sudden twists, which triggers joint pain Hoboken. Therefore, you should embrace the following tips to keep your joints healthy.

Maintain Your Weight in the Healthy Ranges

Individuals who are overweight are at a greater risk of developing joint complications. The excessive weights on the upper body parts usually cause more stress on the weight-bearing joints, exposing them to injuries. Therefore, you should always be mindful of what you eat to avoid weight gain. Substitute unhealthy meals such as processed foods with fruits and vegetables to maintain a healthy weight.

Get Moving

Some individuals have concerns that physical activities will increase the severity of joint conditions. However, the truth is that regular exercise is vital in maintaining the wellness of your joints. Physical activities help to boost blood circulation, increasing the nutrient supply in the cartilage, which in turn protects your bones.

Stay Hydrated

Water is one of the main contents in your joint cartilage. Usually, the synovial fluids in the joints help lubricate them, thus safeguarding them from the wear and tear that could cause injuries. Therefore, you should always aim for two to three liters of water daily to achieve ideal hydration for your body.

Warm-Up

It is tempting for individuals to engage in sporting activities without warm-ups. Failure to conduct simple stretches before the exercises usually increases the likelihood of injuries due to sudden strain during actual activities. It would help if you started your exercise slowly to prepare your muscles and joints for the upcoming activities. Ending your sporting activities slowly is also recommended to allow your joints to cool down.

Stop Smoking

Smoking usually comes along with many detrimental consequences on your joint health. For instance, cigarette chemicals increase cartilage loss, worsening arthritis symptoms. Therefore, if you are a smoker, this is the best time to kick this harmful habit. Seek help from the support group if you encounter difficulties stopping this habit alone.

Wear the Protective Gears

High-contact sports can expose your joints to injuries. Therefore, you should wear the appropriate protective equipment whenever you are out there playing. For example, you should wear braces for your knee when playing tennis. Consult your coach to get the protective gears that suit you.

Your joints play a crucial role in your mobility. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt the above tips to ensure that your joints are in good health. However, despite all your efforts, if you develop joint complications, you should not worry since Downtown Pain Management has your back. With his vast experience in physical medicine, Ron Ben-Meir, DO, offers cut-edging treatment options to patients suffering from chronic joint pain. Book an online schedule and visit the facility to reclaim the quality of your life.

Fibromyalgia is a complicated condition that causes tenderness, pain, and fatigue to the muscles in particular body areas, including the shoulders, neck, hips, back, legs, and arms. Although there is no known treatment for fibromyalgia Houston, patients can manage their symptoms with medicine, lifestyle adjustments, and natural remedies.

Here are ways to manage Fibromyalgia symptoms.

1. Reduce stress

Many people claim that stress exacerbates their fibromyalgia symptoms. Therefore reducing stress can improve your quality of life. You can reduce your stress through the following:

• Exercising via yoga and other forms
• Journaling or other pastimes
• Trying to stay in touch as much as possible with friends and family
• Signing up for a fibromyalgia support group

Also, receiving massages, and engaging in meditation can reduce stress. Or think of things you like to do or make you feel better. When under pressure, try one or two of those things you love.

 In addition, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) might assist patients in altering their perspectives on their pain and stress-related variables, which may aid them in managing their symptoms.

2. Exercise

While some people living with fibromyalgia may first find it challenging to exercise, perseverance and gradual progression can have positive effects. Exercise is a powerful method for overcoming fatigue and boosting energy. Exercise improves sleep, lowers sadness, and increases endorphin synthesis in the brain. People with fibromyalgia are advised to go riding, walking, or swimming. Starting may be challenging for some people with severe pain; it begins slowly and builds up gradually.

3. Rest

 People with fibromyalgia might get tired more quickly than healthy people, so it is crucial to take breaks when needed. Moderation is vital since trying to perform too much activity, or exercise can make discomfort and exhaustion worse.

People risk increasing the number of days they feel ill by pushing themselves too hard while they are healthy.

4. Improving work life

Do you feel worn out and in pain from work? Create a flexible strategy that benefits both you and your employer. To be more productive, inquire about working part-time from home or scheduling your hours earlier or later in the day. Reorganize your desk at work for convenience and accessibility. Your body may feel less strain if you use a keyboard tray, headset for the phone, or other equipment.

5. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese treatment method in which small needles are inserted into certain bodily trigger points. Some people think that by altering blood flow and chemical levels, these needles might ease the pain and suffering associated with fibromyalgia.

Studies indicate that acupuncture may help persons with fibromyalgia by reducing pain and stiffness. Always confirm that your acupuncturist is licensed to minimize the danger of infection from unsterilized needles.

6. Get enough sleep

The best way to manage fibromyalgia symptoms is to get adequate sleep. Set the scene for sleep in your bedroom if you are not getting enough sleep. Keep the room cool, quiet, dark, and distraction-free, and save the bed for sleeping. Maintain regular sleeping hours, and forbid using the computer or watching late-night TV. Instead, take a warm bath or listen to soothing music to unwind.

Fibromyalgia can negatively affect your quality of life. However, the above remedies can help you find relief from the pain caused by the condition. Call Houston Pain Specialists to book your appointment for Fibromyalgia treatment.