Vitamins, taken in normal quantities, are essential to your survival. Taking too many vitamins -- especially fat-soluble ones, which accumulate in fatty tissues in the body -- can cause health problems. During pregnancy, high levels of vitamins A...
Teratogen is the medical term for any substance that causes abnormalities in a fetus. Teratogenic drugs can cause congenital heart disease, but in almost every situation where a pregnant woman would need to take a teratogenic drug, a safe,...
Three kinds of medicines are used to treat anxiety, according to Psych Central, and not all of them are safe for pregnancy. Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, or Xanax, earn a pregnancy category D rating from the U.S. Food and Drug...
Betel nut chewing originated in the tropical regions of southern Asia, but it has gradually spread to communities in Madagascar, eastern Africa and the West Indies. Quid, or chewable drug, made from betel nut typically contains a combination of...
Fenugreek tea is used in traditional medicine by nursing mothers throughout the world to stimulate milk production. Avoid getting an early start with this tea, however, because it’s not recommended for use during pregnancy. Also consult your...
Radiation is a form of energy that travels as waves or high-speed particles, reports MedlinePlus, a National Institutes of Health website. Radiation occurs naturally in sunlight, but devices such as X-rays, nuclear weapons, nuclear power plants...
Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that is present all over the world. As naturally occurring uranium in soil and rocks breaks down over time, it releases radon gas, which finds its way into the air we breathe. Radon also finds its...
If you're pregnant, it's normal to worry about whether the foods you're eating and drinking might have a negative impact on your unborn baby, including causing structural damage. There are several popular foods that you need to limit or avoid...
Physical development takes place over the course of the first 20 or so years of human life, but it is most concentrated during two periods: the prenatal phase and puberty. While childhood is marked by growth and significant brain development,...
Taurine, or L-taurine, is one of 20 amino acids produced in small amounts in your body, but more commonly found in animal products such as eggs, meat, fish, and dairy. Taurine can also be found in many nutritional supplements and energy drinks...
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that comes from uranium found in the ground and water supply. Outdoors, it dissipates into the air and is considered harmless. Indoors, however, it can build up and become toxic. Alpha particles from the gas are...
Harmful effects from prescription drugs is growing, according to Donald Light, professor of comparative health policy at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He says this is because new drugs are tested against placebos rather...
Lexapro is a drug used to treat adults suffering from major depression or generalized anxiety disorder. The generic name is escitalopram. The medication is not approved for use in adolescents or children. Complications associated with Lexapro...
An estimated 10 percent or more of birth defects are the result of maternal drug exposure, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, or AAFP. If you’re pregnant, it’s important to ask your doctor before using any...
Few if any drugs pose absolutely no risk when taken during pregnancy. The developing fetus grows rapidly, especially in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, a time when major organs also form. Drugs that can cause birth defects, called teratogens, can...
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radiation is energy traveling in the form of waves or high-speed particles. It is present all around us and comes from the ground, within our bodies and from outer space. Nuclear power plants,...
From the time you finish a drink, you've caused an effect on your brain. Your brain has slowed, leaving you feeling more relaxed and slightly better, an illusion of what's actually occurring in the brain. Although you may feel great when you...
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders affect about one-fifth of the adult population in the United States. There are several different treatment modalities commonly used, including therapy and several types of...
If you are pregnant, you should speak to your doctor about adjusting your current medications and supplements. For instance, if you take a vitamin K supplement that includes aspirin, you might need to avoid it due to its potential for fetal and...
Biotin is one of the B complex vitamins. This water-soluble vitamin is essential for turning the food you eat into energy, because it is needed to form the enzymes that break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Most prenatal vitamins don't...
Black and blue cohosh are two unrelated herbs commonly used for women's health issues. Both of these herbs have a long traditional use as a uterine stimulant, both for the induction of labor and to trigger abortion. Midwives and herbalists may...
Radiation--also called ionizing radiation--is a form of energy. There are several natural sources of radiation, such as sunlight and sound waves. Synthetic or man-made radiation can be found in medical or industrial products, such as X-rays,...
Borage is a type of medicinal oil derived from the Borago officinalis plant. Despite its anti-inflammatory properties and purported use as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, borage shouldn't be used by women who are pregnant. Expectant mothers...
Testosterone is the hormone produced by the testes, adrenal glands and ovaries. This hormone is higher in men than women, and it helps the male genitals to form in an infant during pregnancy. Pregnancy is marked by elevated levels of many...
During pregnancy, many foods that are considered safe under ordinary circumstances become foods to avoid. This is because certain food items can cause damage to an unborn baby, either through risk of infection or birth defects. In general, you...
Borage, or Borago officinalis--also known as bee bread, bee plant and ox's tongue--has been used for centuries in herbal medicine. It is a rich source of the omega-6 fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA. However, it also contains toxic...
There are various kinds of abnormalities that can happen to a fetus. Some of them are preventable and some are not. Alcohol and certain drugs can cause abnormalities in various organs that are still developing and can interfere with fetal growth....
Pregnancy often brings stiff and sore muscles, cramps and stretched ligaments, all of which can be alleviated with heat treatments; however, the use of heat wraps and other heat treatments is controversial, with some medical practitioners...
Magnesium trisilicate is an ingredient found in many antacids. It neutralizes stomach acid to relieve conditions such as heartburn, ulcers, indigestion, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder, or GERD. Antacid pills such as Gaviscon contain...
