Connect with us

Health and Wellness

Column: We Must Address Black Maternal Mental Health Disparities

Published

on

T Mdlungu/peopleimages.com

Pregnancy and childbirth are sometimes celebrated as joyous events in a lady’s life, but for some, especially Black women, this time might not be as joyful as expected. Black women are at significantly higher risk of pregnancy-related complications and even death in comparison with white women, casting a pall over this joyful time and underscoring the necessity for targeted support and intervention.

This disparity is driven by multiple aspects, including other chronic health conditions, lack of quality prenatal or perinatal care, and structural biases within the medical system. Underlying all of those aspects is “weathering,” a term that describes how ongoing stress and racism in society can result in premature biological aging and poorer health outcomes for Black people.

Chronic stress, just like the weather, is unhealthy for anyone, but it will probably be especially damaging while pregnant. Symptoms of long-term stress, corresponding to difficulty sleeping, lack of appetite, and headaches, can significantly impact expectant moms and increase the chance of hypertension or premature birth. While it’s normal to experience latest emotions or stress while pregnant, severe stress can result in mental health issues and long-term effects for each the child and the mother. For example, moms who experience postpartum depression or anxiety — which black women experience more often — can have difficulty bonding with their children, which affects their child’s possibilities of development.

While most ladies experience a point of the “baby blues,” certain aspects increase the chance of more serious mental health problems, including a history of tension or mood disorders, a family history of postpartum depression, and fertility issues. Women from communities with limited resources, those with little or no social support, and people who use substances like drugs or alcohol also face greater risk. And amongst communities of color, stigma and judgment often prevent women (and men) from looking for mental health treatment, which makes these problems even worse.

As a medical skilled specializing in women’s health and a mother of two, I imagine it’s crucial to shine a lightweight on the wide selection of challenges that Black moms face. We need to acknowledge that mental health issues related to pregnancy should not only common, but in addition largely preventable. Through concerted efforts to boost awareness and prioritize maternal mental health, we will take steps to make sure a safer journey into motherhood. Here are some suggestions to assist combat maternal mental health issues:

  • Get informed. Take a while to familiarize yourself with certain conditions and emotional changes that will occur while pregnant and postpartum to feel more in tune along with your body, mind, and overall well-being. Learning about common experiences and knowing when things could also be taking a more serious turn might be incredibly helpful. This knowledge not only helps you set your personal expectations, but it surely also means that you can communicate effectively along with your healthcare providers.
  • Destigmatize mental health. It’s okay to discuss how we actually feel, even when things are tough. Whether you’re pregnant, a brand new parent, or a supportive partner or friend, it’s vital to normalize conversations about mental health. Let’s make it easier for everybody to hunt the assistance they might need without fear.
  • Monitor your well-being. Pay attention to how you’re feeling emotionally, not only physically. Changes in mood, energy levels, or thoughts might be subtle clues that you simply need extra care. It’s like keeping a diary of your emotional world—writing down what feels different, what worries you, and even what brings you unexpected joy.
  • Call your medical health insurance provider. Your health insurer also can aid you access care. For example, some insurers, corresponding to UnitedHealthcare, have specially trained advocates who support members who could also be struggling due to their social environment. They are there to assist members understand their advantages and direct them to timely care.
  • Take advantage of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). These programs typically offer services that relatively few employees use. For example, many EAPs offer confidential support from trained clinicians. Depending in your situation, you might not have to seek additional behavioral health support from a care provider in case your EAP offers personalized guidance.
  • Seek support. Don’t hesitate to ask your personal or skilled networks for help. Anyone in your healthcare team can refer you to support services, corresponding to speaking with an authority in person or virtually or joining a network or discussion group. Your family and friends might be there for you, listening, offering their experience, or helping with household chores to present you time to rest. Taking motion early is a proactive step towards maintaining your mental health. It is an indication of strength.

As we move toward safer mothering experiences, it is crucial to deal with the systemic barriers that impede access to mental health resources in communities of color. By taking motion to interrupt the silence and prioritize maternal mental health, we will empower all women to start their journey of motherhood.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Health and Wellness

US communities phase out fluoride use in public drinking water

Published

on

By

fluoride, water


There is a battle raging in American cities over whether to proceed using fluoride in water.

This is a process generally known as fluoridation that began around 1945. According to to the American Cancer Society became popular across the country after scientists noticed that individuals living in water with higher concentrations of fluoride had less tooth decay.

In 1962, the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) advisable adding fluoride to public drinking water supplies to forestall tooth decay. The American Cancer Society estimates that fluoride is currently used in public drinking water supplied to roughly three in 4 Americans.

However, opponents have been warning for years that fluoride in drinking water is unsafe to devour. One of the organizations leading this initiative is Fluoride Action Network (FAN). The organization, whose mission is to lift awareness of what it claims is the “toxicity of fluoride compounds,” says many of the world’s developed countries don’t use fluoride in drinking water at the identical levels as America, or in any respect.

The organization says yes it helped over 500 communities successfully reject fluoridation, and there could also be more.

Federal leaders have gotten increasingly vocal in their support for ending the use of fluoride

While FAN says communities have rejected fluoridation for the past few a long time and the method has stalled in consequence, the fight has been thrust into the highlight over the past few months.

First, the National Toxicology Program, a federal agency throughout the Department of Health and Human Services, reported with “moderate certainty” that there may be an association between communities with higher levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQ in children. According to the Associated Press, these communities use greater than twice the advisable limit.

A month later, a federal judge apparently ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to further regulate fluoride in drinking water because higher levels could affect children.

Robert F. Kennedy, nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to direct the Department of Health and Human Services, announced an end to fluoridation.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
Continue Reading

Health and Wellness

WATCH: Cynthia Erivo on the importance of being a sister – Essence

Published

on

By

“; } }); // Drag and scroll functionality const playlistContainer = document.getElementById(‘playlist’); let isDown = false; let startY; let scrollTop; playlistContainer.addEventListener(‘mousedown’, (e) => { isDown = true; playlistContainer.classList.add(‘active’); playlistContainer.offsetTop; scrollTop = playlistContainer.scrollTop; }); playlistContainer.addEventListener(‘mouseleave’, () => { isDown = false; playlistContainer.classList.remove(‘active’); }); ‘, () => { isDown = false; playlistContainer.classList.remove(‘active’); playlistContainer.addEventListener(‘mousemove’, (e) => { if (!isDown) return; e.preventDefault(); const y = e.pageY -List Container playlist.offsetTop; const walk = (y – startY) * 3; // quick playlistContainer.scrollTop = scrollTop – walk; }); } } if (” !== ‘efoc24’) { // Check DoubleVerify Quality Targeting signals before rendering the player if ( ‘undefined’ !== PQ type ) { PQ.cmd.push(function () { // If DVQT signals are not available after 500 ms, render the player anyway. const timeout_id = setTimeout( jwPlayerRender, 500 ); // Get “Authentic Direct” signals. PQ.getTargeting({ signals: [‘abs’] }, function(error, targetingData) { clearTimeout(timeout_id); jwPlayerRender(error? undefined: targetingData); }); }); } else { jwPlayerRender(); } function jwPlayerRender( dvqt_signals=”” ) { let jw_ad_tag ​​= {“client”:”googima”,”adscheduleid”:”G7hR9pQ2″,”schedule”:[{“tag”:”https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?correlator=&iu=/21698916284/ess/VideoNews&env=vp&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&sz=400×300%7C640x480%7C1000x1%7C1920x1080&description_url=__page-url__&tfcd=0&npa=0&vpmute=1&vpa=auto&vad_type=linear&url=__page-url__&vpos=preroll&unviewed_position_start=1&v=4QHYeDGA&pmnd=0&pmxd=60000&ad_rule=1&cust_params=ttid%3D4QHYeDGA%26frnch%3D__item-franchise__%26environment%3Dproduction%26kwblock%3DAbb%2CCapOne%2CLincoln%2CUPS%2CVG%2CATTCric%2CDisney”,”offset”:”pre”},{“tag”:”https://vid.springserve.com/vast/670880?url=https://www.essence.com/news/watch-cynthia-erivo-on-importance-of-sisterhood/h=450&w=800&cb=1535″,”offset”:”50%”}]”offers”:{“bidders”:[{“id”:”jw-video-4QHYeDGA”,”name”:”jwdemand”,”publisherId”:”evcxFIDZ”,”siteId”:”WT5iFegj”,”placementId”:”24399785″},{“id”:”jw-video-4QHYeDGA”,”name”:”connatix”,”siteId”:”WT5iFegj”,”placementId”:”23419a80-fc77-4fd5-bd0c-2a4807a66a6c”}]”settings”:{“disableConsentManagementOnNoCmp”:true,”mediationLayerAdServer”:”dfp”,”floorPriceCents”:200,”floorPriceCurrency”:”usd”,”buckets”:[{“increment”:0.1,”max”:30,”min”:0},{“increment”:0.5,”max”:50,”min”:30}]}}}; // Configure ad tag on the fly… let additional_params = {}; // Input DVQT signals. if ( dvqt_signals && dvqt_signals.ABS.length > 0 ) { additional_params.ABS = dvqt_signals.ABS.join(“,”); } // Create a string of additional_parameters. let extra_params_str=””; for (enter additional_parameters) { let value = additional_parameters[key]; additional_params_str += `${key}=${value}`; if ( key !== Object.keys( additional_params .pop() ) { additional_params_str += ‘&’; } } // Update ad tag cust_params (must be URL encoded). if ( Object.keys( additional_parameters ). length > 0 ) { let ad_schedule = jw_ad_tag.schedule; if ( ‘undefined’ !== schedule type ads ) { for (let i = 0; i < ad_schedule.length; i++) { let ad_url = new url(jw_ad_tag.schedule[i].label); let query_params = new URLSearchParams(ad_url.search); query_params.set("cust_params", query_params.get("cust_params") + `&${additional_params_str}`); ad_url.search = query_params.toString(); jw_ad_tag.schedule[i].tag = ad_url.toString(); } } } let playerId; if ("undefined" !== type jwplayerQueue) { playerId = 'jw-video-4QHYeDGA'; jwplayerQueue.push({ 'instanceId': 'playerInstance_4QHYeDGA', 'playerId': playerId, 'config': { pid: 't6KP9zcV', playlist: "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4QHYeDGA", autostart: !jw_ad_tag, repeat: true, mute: true, aspect ratio: '16:9', share: {sites: ["facebook", "twitter", "email", "linkedin"]}, cast: {}, float: {disibility: true}, autoPause: {viewability: true}, displaytitle: true, displaydescription: true, controls: true, related: {displayMode: 'shelfWidget'}, interactive: {} , ad: jw_ad_tag ​​​​} }); } // Load video. jQuery(window).trigger("jw:loadplayers"); function waitForJWPlayer(callback) { if (type jwplayer !== 'undefined') { callback(); } else { setTimeout(function() { waitForJWPlayer(callback); }, 500); } } waitForJWPlayer(function() { jwplayer(playerId).on('adsManager', function (adsManagerLoaded) { let adsManager = adsManagerLoaded.adsManager; let videoElement = document.getElementById(playerId ); let config = { anId: '929481' , camp ID: '640x360', ias_xps: "autoplay", // autoplay status ias_xbp: "2", // video destination type ias_xar: "1" // autoplay status }; // Start IAS integration googleImaVansAdapter.init(google, adsManager, videoElement , configuration });

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading

Health and Wellness

Phenergan is no longer recommended for children under 6 years of age due to the risk of hallucinations. Here’s what you can use instead

Published

on

By

The Australian Drugs Regulatory Authority has issued an order safety warning over Phenergan and related products containing the antihistamine promethazine.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has stated that over-the-counter products shouldn’t be given to children under six years of age due to concerns about serious unwanted side effects akin to hyperactivity, aggression and hallucinations. Breathing may turn into slow or shallow, which can be fatal.

When high doses are administered to young children, difficulties in learning and understanding, including reversible cognitive deficit and mental disability, may occur. – said the TGA.

The latest warning follows international and Australian concerns about the drug in young children, which is commonly used to treat conditions akin to hay fever and allergies, motion sickness and for short-term sedative effects.

What is promethazine?

Promethazine is a “first generation” antihistamine that has been sold over the counter in Australian pharmacies for a long time for a spread of conditions.

Unlike many other drugs, first-generation antihistamines can cross the blood-brain barrier. This means they affect your brain chemistry, making you feel drowsy and sedated.

In adults, this will likely be useful for sleep. However, in children, these drugs can cause serious unwanted side effects on the nervous system, including those mentioned on this week’s safety alert.

We’ve known about this for a while

We have known about the serious unwanted side effects of promethazine in young children for a while.

Advice regarding 20 years ago In the United States, the drug was not recommended for use in children under two years of age. In 2022, an Australian Medicines Advisory Committee made its own suggestion to increase the age to six. New Zealand released similar warnings and advice in May this 12 months.

Over the last ten years, there have been 235 cases of serious unwanted side effects from promethazine in each children and adults reported to the TGA. Of the 77 deaths reported, one was a toddler under six years of age.

Reported unwanted side effects in each adults and children included:

  • 13 cases of accidental overdose (leading to 11 deaths)
  • eight cases of hallucinations
  • seven cases of slow or shallow respiration (leading to 4 deaths)
  • six cases of decreased consciousness (leading to five deaths).

TGA security alert comes after an internal investigation by the manufacturer of Phenergan, Sanofi-Aventis Healthcare. This investigation was initiated in 2022 advice from the Medicines Advisory Committee. The company has now updated its information for consumers and healthcare professionals.

What can you use instead?

If you have allergies or hay fever in young children, non-sedating antihistamines akin to Claratine (loratadine) or Zyrtec (cetirizine) are preferred. They provide relief without the risk of sedation and other disturbing unwanted side effects of promethazine.

If symptoms of a chilly or cough occur, parents must be reassured that these symptoms will normally subside with time, fluid intake, and rest.

Saline nasal sprays, adequate hydration, a humidifier or elevating the child’s head can relieve the congestion related to hay fever. Oral products containing phenylephrine marketed for nasal congestion must be avoided because evidence shows that this is the case This article was originally published on : theconversation.com

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending