The Millstone Times September 2020

♥ HEALTH  &  WELLNESS Help with Fertility By Erin Mumby There are some simple lifestyle changes that can increase your fertility. This can be done if you’re having a difficult time conceiving or you would like to get pregnant very soon. Here are some steps to get you started. 1. Exercise Regularly Physically fit women have a better chance of getting pregnant. Women who reported doing plenty of vigorous activity before trying to conceive were less likely to experience ovulatory infertility. For every hour of vigorous activity per week there was a 7 percent reduction in risk of infertility. The lowest risk of infertility was among women who exercised vigorously for five hours each week. Remember this study looked at women’s exercise habits before they started trying. If you are looking to get pregnant in the coming months: start exercising now. 2. Watch Your Weight If you’re over- or underweight, losing or gaining just a few pounds can help increase your chances of getting pregnant. Women that were under- or over- weight were about 1/2 as likely to get pregnant as women that fell into the normal weight range. Overweight women overproduce male-type hormones. They also over produce estrogen, and insulin, which stop the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. If an egg is produced, it can be negatively affected. Women that are too thin have low levels of a weight-regulation hormone like leptin. Ovulation can be halted if leptin levels are too low. Men that over or underweight also have problems with fertility. Sperm quality is affected by a man’s weight. 3. Quit Your Vices It is well known that smoking decreases fertility in both women and men. Smoking 10 or more cigarettes a day affects egg production negatively. The toxins found in cigarette have the ability to mess with the levels of estrogen in a woman’s egg. This can give your egg genetic abnormalities. Smoking ages ovaries, which can even, bring menopause about a few years early. Smoking is also linked to an increased chance of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. Men that smoke cigarettes have lower sperm counts and/or abnormally shaped sperm. Caffeine and alcohol can also have a negative effect on someone trying to get pregnant. Every person metabolizes caffeine and alcohol depending on their body. Drinking alcohol when undergoing fertility treatments can affect pregnancy rates. Studies show that there is a correlation between men who drink and an increased risk of miscarriage in a partner’s pregnancy that results from IVF. Doctors recommend that women trying to conceive should avoid alco- hol. They should also limit their caffeine intake to one cup of coffee a day. They should cut down on tea and soda as well. Men shouldn’t drink that much or that often.

Q: What are COVID Toes?

A: As the world continues to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic, new symptoms of the virus continue to be identified. One such symptom, purple or red lesions on the toes and hands, has been dubbed “COVID toes” and has gained attention over recent weeks. Rashes have been associated with the coronavirus more than other viral infections but not a sure and definite sign someone may have COVID.

Dr. Sanjay Gandhi, DPM

These rashes on toes are newer symptoms and have been emerging and show how people can react to infections in different ways. Some of these symptoms actually aren’t new in the realm of viral infections. It’s not uncommon for someone to have a viral infection and have a rash or blotchy area on their body. COVID toes are just another way that the body can respond to a viral infection. Should you notice a rash or COVID toes in addition to the common symptoms of the coronavirus, it’s best to contact your healthcare provider sooner than later.

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54 The Millstone Times

September 2020