Woman with rare condition sleeps months at a time

A 22-year-old woman from Stockport in northwest England has been dubbed as the real-life Sleeping Beauty due to a medical condition that forces her to wake up from sleeping months at a time.

Beth Goodier was only 16 years old when she first went into a deep slumber and could not be awakened by her parents for six months.

The young lady would usually keep her eyes closed for 22 hours a day, and remained in a a dream-like trance for a couple of hours, according to a Metro.co.uk report.

Her mother feared that a brain tumor or haemorrhage might have been causing her daughter’s unusual sleeping activity, but doctors could not determine exactly what was wrong with her.

After countless tests, one doctor finally remembered a colleague of his who had dealt with a similar case.

Goodier was diagnosed with a rare ailment called Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS), which is also known as Sleeping Beauty Sydrome.

The unusual case, which occurs usually among teenagers starting at age 16 and lasting for 13 years, has only been recorded in just 100 young people in Britain.

Despite its relation to a classic Disney fairy tale, those afflicted with the illness sufferers a great deal of misery, as they are essentially sleeping through the best years of their lives.

Goodier is currently two-and-a half months into another deep-sleep episode, and as estimated by her mother, she’s been asleep for almost 75% of the time.

Furthermore, doctors also found a link between her illness and recovery from tonsillitis back in 2011, which they believed triggered the disease.

Notwithstanding her peculiar case, Goodier keeps a positive attitude and even documents her progression on social media.

@APeaceOfBeth the progression over the days, I’m completely swollen and very ill. pic.twitter.com/W9IAmWD5RN

— Roo-dolf 🌲 (@APeaceOfBeth) August 31, 2016

In the brief moments that she is lucid, she uses the time to eat and drink to maintain her health, while also squeezing in some time for her boyfriend Dan, who she met during her awake episode three years ago.

Her mother also decided to give up her job in order to focus all her attention on her ailing daughter.

“She might wake up tomorrow and then it’s a race against time to live the life she should have had,” she described her child’s situation in the report.

“She rushes off to catch up with her friends and get her hair done. But no one knows when she might fall asleep again.It breaks my heart to see the best years of her life slipping away.”  Khristian Ibarrola

source: technology.inquirer.net

Video of Singaporean woman doing ‘pull-up dance’ goes viral

SINGAPORE — Need to lose some flab after all the Chinese New Year feasting?

A video of a Singaporean woman doing a “pull-up dance,” which has been viewed at least 60,000 times, may offer some inspiration.

The video shows Ming Leong, clad in a tight red dress, doing pull-ups from a bar installed at the bathroom door, while dancing to Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance.

She uploaded the 15-second clip on her Facebook page on February 19, the first day of Chinese New Year.

By 6:30pm on February 22, it had 27,000 views. Her video was also picked up by citizen journalism site Stomp, where it was viewed about 15,000 times.

Ming, who goes by the moniker Suzie Wong on Facebook, told The Straits Times that she decided to try the dance at her mother’s home while she was visiting for Chinese New Year.

She had been challenged to it by others who had viewed the original dance by personal trainer Marissa Inda from the United States.

Ming, who described herself as a “health nut,” said: “Many people showed me the video, and kind of challenged me to it. I honestly thought I couldn’t do it at all.”

The fitness instructor wears many hats. She does pole dancing, aerial fitness, and cross-fit. On top of that, she goes jogging four or five times a week. She also owns a pole dancing studio and co-owns an aerial fitness studio.

She said that there are people who follow her fitness journey on social media. She posts four to six times a day on her Facebook and Instagram accounts to document her journey.

She said: “Being an older woman and being fit, many people tell me that they are inspired by my fitness.”

source: technology.inquirer.net

A quick guide to safe pregnancy

MANILA, Philippines – Pregnancy is one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life. It is a life-changing event that affects not only the physical health of the mother but also the lifestyle of the whole family.

If you are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant, it is important to remember that your body will undergo many changes during pregnancy. Some of the things that you do while pregnant can be harmful to your baby like smoking or drinking alcohol. Here are some tips on how to have safe pregnancy and keep your child healthy while inside your womb:

Check your risk for pregnancy complications. There are several factors that can make your pregnancy more risky than usual such as age, number of pregnancies and history of high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic diseases.

Teen pregnancies are usually risky because the mother’s body may not be fully-developed to handle a growing fetus. Additionally, having first pregnancy at age 35 or older increases the risk of abnormal development in the baby and may expose the mother to delivery complications including prolonged labor and excessive bleeding during labor. Aside from the mother’s age, having too many pregnancies may also lead to pregnancy difficulties. The lining of the uterus becomes thinner after giving birth so if you’re planning to have several children, allot an interval of at least two to three years to allow your body to recover.

Go for a healthy lifestyle. Leading a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy is vital. Remember to eat balanced, complete and nutritious meals. Eat fiber-rich but low in fat food. Having adequate exercise is also important. Ask your doctor for the best exercise routine for you. As much as possible, get plenty of rest and avoid stress.

Aside from these, remember to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. These can increase your chance of having a miscarriage or giving birth to a baby with physical defects and abnormalities.

Be aware of common and serious pregnancy symptoms. Most women are aware of pregnancy complaints. Common ones include morning sickness, upset stomach and cravings. But there are situations which need immediate medical attention like dizziness, shortness of breath, difficulty in walking, rapid heartbeat, pain in the abdominal area and vaginal bleeding. Be sure to contact your obstetrician if you feel any of these.

Regularly see your doctor or obstetrician (OB). During pregnancy, you and your baby may face various health risks. This is why all pregnancies should be monitored by skilled healthcare providers. Schedule regular visits to your doctor or OB so your health needs can be addressed properly. They can guide you through the stages of pregnancy, recommend vitamins and supplements to take and answer your queries and worries about pregnancy.

Prepare yourself for giving birth. As the awaited day comes closer, you have to make an important decision: choosing the best hospital that can help you deliver your baby safely, provide you with a comfortable healing environment, educate you on neonatal care and attend to all your needs and your baby’s as well.

Healthcare leader Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC) treats childbirth as an important milestone for parents. That is why AHMC offers quarterly free seminars to expectant parents, covering topics like caring for newborn and the expectant mom, obstetric anesthesia, fitness and exercise, tooth care during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and more.

AHMC also breaks the tradition by enabling expectant couples to face the challenges of childbirth and savor the joy of seeing the baby for the first time, together. AHMC’s Genesis Center is designed to ensure the emotional and mental well-being of mothers as well as the physical health of the babies. It is one of the first facilities in the Philippines to offer private birthing suites, allowing soon-to-be mothers to stay and deliver in a private room with the support of her husband.

After giving birth, the baby is roomed-in with the mother to promote breastfeeding and family bonding. AHMC also offers newborn screening and hearing tests, baby care demo to instruct mothers, and follow-up calls for monitoring patients who have already been discharged.

For more information on Asian Hospital and Medical Center’s Genesis Center, call (632) 771-9000 local 5791 or (632) 876-5791. You may also visitwww.asianhospital.com. To get daily updates from AHMC, like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AsianHospitalOfficial or follow them on Twitter at @asianhospital.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

From delicate trimmings to laser-cut suede, Paris inspires ladies’ footwear’s Fall line

Stella Luna’s Fall 2013 collection is all  Parisian chic as it derives inspiration from the City of Light’s stunning architecture.

Quilted leather embroidery on shoes and laser-cut suede are reminiscent of ballroom floors, while molded leather studs reflect the grand foundation stones of a period Parisian masterpiece.

The collection is a balance of modern minimalism and romantic Art Nouveau, with decorative flourishes such as crystals, fringes, and exotic materials.

Soft suede and patent leather create an interesting play of textures while delicately curved heels show strong yet sensual silhouettes.

Boots come with elegant lace-ups that continue the collection’s hit combo of demure and contemporary chic, showing the brand’s bold outlook for the go-getter Stella Luna woman.

Stella Luna is at G/F, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, and Adora, Greenbelt 5

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net