The basic function of your vagina, besides sexual pleasure, is to provide a clean, functional route from the outside of your body to your uterus and the rest of your internal reproductive system. The natural acid PH of the vagina acts to prevent infections. The acidic nature of your vagina is caused by natural, bacteria produced by your body called lactobacilli. This is the same bacteria found in yogurt culture and that is why we always hear about women drinking or douching with yogurt to help prevent or cure an infection. Unfortunately, it doesn't work well in the vagina but can help as a 'probiotic' in the intestinal tract. When your vagina is healthy, the vagina keeps itself clean. We always joke that it is like a self-cleaning oven; it stays in a healthy state by producing the secretions of normal vaginal discharge. Many things may disrupt the natural bance of the vagina.

First, it’s important to understand that all women have vaginal discharge. Glands in your vaginal and cervix produce small amounts of fluid that flows out of your vagina every day taking with it old cells that line the vagina. Your normal vaginal discharge helps to clean the vagina, as well as keep it lubricated and free from infection and other germs. A normal vaginal discharge does not have a foul odor and usually has no odor at all. Normal vaginal discharge often appears clear or milky when it dries on your clothing; occasionally you may notice white spots or a normal vaginal discharge that is thin or stringy looking. This is all normal, and the sticky, stringy discharge indicates that you are ovulating. So if you have been on the pill for a long time you may not have seen it for a while as you would not ovulate on the pill. The appearance may change due to sexual excitement, breastfeeding, ovulation, or diet. The consistency of your vaginal discharge or how thin or thick it is can be affected by your menstrual cycle, emotional stress, pregnancy, any prescription or OTC medications including hormones such as in the pill.

Other things that can upset the natural pH balance of your vagina and lead to vaginal infections include vaginal douches, feminine hygiene products, perfumed or deodorant soaps, antibiotics, pregnancy, diabetes, or infections. So we can all see that it is a highly sensitive area affected by many things, some obvious and some we would not expect. For example, having a head cold can cause an increase in vaginal discharge, strange huh? It is no wonder that douching with perfumed or homemade solutions can cause such recurrent or chronic odors and discharge. Although you can buy the douches at the local drug store, it this does not mean they offer help.

Your menstrual cycle has a significant effect on the type of vaginal discharge you experience throughout the month. Did you know you’re more likely to experience vaginal infections just before or during your period? This is because the pH balance of your vagina rises during your monthly cycle causing the pH of your vagina to be at its’ highest point a few days before and during your period. About halfway between your periods an increase in vaginal discharge that appears mucousy, sticky, and stretchy is normal. As stated above, this type of vaginal discharge is an indication of ovulation.

You may identify abnormal vaginal discharge and infection from the following signs:

☛ Changes in color, consistency, or amount

☛ Constant, increased vaginal discharge

☛ Presence of itching, discomfort, or any rash

☛ Vaginal burning during urination

☛ The presence of blood when it’s not your period time

☛ Cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge

☛ A foul odor accompanied by yellowish, greenish, or grayish white vaginal discharge

You are probably are aware of these signs or may have had them at some point. I recommend that you would go see you Ob/Gyn or family doctor when this happens and not just self-treat unless it is something that you have had before and have already been seen for it. Vaginal discharge and infections are common and your doctor is used to seeing all types so your doctor and the nurse may put you at ease. The anticipation of going and thinking about it is always worse.

Lung-Cleansing Drink Recipe For Anyone Who Smokes

The Lung-Cleansing Drink That Anyone Who Smokes or Who Has Ever Smoked Needs To Try

When people provide examples of addiction, one of the things to be referenced is smoking. It is one of the most addictive and harmful habits that you could develop. How addictive, you ask? Well, for starters, it is more addictive than heroin or cocaine, the side-effects can often lead to death, and despite people knowing all of this, they still smoke.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarettes are responsible for over 480,000 deaths per year in the United States. What is even more shocking is that 41,000 of those deaths are related to secondhand smoke. They also mention that about 16 million Americans are living with a disease that was caused by smoking.

With that said, it is always a good idea to try to quit smoking. The so-called “positives” of smoking should never be chosen over your life. So if you are successful in quitting smoking, there is a natural lung cleansing remedy that might be of use to you.

Before I get to the remedy, let me drop some knowledge on you about the increased health risks of smoking. Have you ever heard of a stroke? If you haven’t, a stroke is when there is reduced blood flow to the brain, which results in your cells becoming dead. When you smoke, you increase your chances of having a stroke by 2. It also increases the chances of males and females developing cancer by 25%.

Smoking and Heart Disease: You might think that casual smoking won’t harm your body, but even those who don’t smoke fewer than five cigarettes a day can develop early cardiovascular disease symptoms. Smoking can also increase your blood pressure because it thickens or narrows your blood vessels, which make your heart beat faster.

Smoking and Respiratory Disease: Did you know that if you have asthma and you take up smoking, it can trigger an asthma attack or even make it worse? If you have ever had an asthma attack, you know it is not pleasant. Also, smokers are 12 to 13 times more likely to die from lung disease than those who don’t smoke.

Cancer: The chemicals that are in a cigarette can cause cancer anywhere in your body. This includes your bladder, blood, stomach, pancreas, kidneys, liver, cervix, and many other parts of the body. Not only does your risk of developing this disease increase, but so does your chances of dying from it.

Other Health Risks: Not only does smoking cause cancer, but it also hurts your body and life in many different ways as well. If you like having all your teeth, you might want to quit smoking. The chemicals can cause gum disease and ruin the enamel that protects the teeth, and this can result in tooth loss. Older women who smoke have weaker bones than older women who do not smoke. Those who smoke increase their chances of developing diabetes by 30-40 percent! Smoking can even damage a man’s sperm, which can result in congenital disabilities, miscarriages and also reduced fertility.

Quitting Smoking: The second you decide to drop this bad habit is the second you start cutting your cardiovascular disease risk. After a year of quitting smoking, your risk of a heart attack reduces dramatically. Within 2-5 years of quitting smoking, your risk of having a stroke is reduced to the same amount a non-smoker would have.

Once you have decided to quit smoking, then you are ready for the lung cleansing remedy. It contains turmeric, onions, and ginger. The ingredient that provides the most benefits is turmeric. It has powerful anticancer, antibacterial, and antivirus properties that the body can benefit from. It also contains rich vitamins and minerals. Not to be outdone though, onions also have strong anticancer and antibacterial properties, and ginger can detoxify the body.

How to Prepare: So get your main ingredients (onions, turmeric, and ginger) and also add 1 liter of water, stevia, and honey. Start by adding the sweetener to the water and let it boil. Next, start chopping up the ginger. Follow that by adding the onions and ginger to the water and let it simmer for a bit. Then, you will want to start adding turmeric to the water. But lower the heat as you are doing it and let it simmer for about 6 minutes. Once it has cooled down, store it in the fridge. It’s recommended to take two tablespoons in the morning and 2 in the evening.