The Ongoing Battle Against Zika Virus - Is it Time for the Catholic Church to Change Its Position About Abortion and Birth Control?

The CBCP defends Pope Francis on his stance about birth control on Zika virus issue. In a statement released by the CBCP, Archbishop Socrates Villegas said that the Holy Father was clear about the evil of abortion. 

He and other bishops reiterate the Church teachings that, even if the child in the womb is afflicted with deformity, it’s still not moral to end the human life. For them, no one has the right to judge as to who lives or die. 

Villegas’ statement was posted on the official website of the CBCP. 

But with the ongoing crisis to control zika virus, is it time for the pope to bless birth control and abortion? 

Criticizing the coolest Pope isn't easy. Even those who aren't Catholics listen when he speaks. But it’s hard to ignore the Church’s opinion about artificial contraception. Pope Francis still insists that abortion and birth control are going against the natural laws of God, i.e. to go and multiply. 

But scolding birth control is said to be an archaic man-made mandate that orders women to over populate the planet. Before birth control became popular, women were non-stop in giving birth to their babies. You could see sickly and emaciated kids going around living in tiny living spaces. Some women did abort their pregnancies to spare their unborn children from a life of poverty. Those mothers who couldn’t control their depression, they committed suicide. 

Still, the Catholic Church considered birth control as unlawful. 

But modern Catholics of today no longer believe that each sperm is sacred. They’re aware of the Church’s teachings about birth control but they just prefer to plug their ears. 

Now, the rise of the Zika virus is threatening almost everyone. Even if the Catholic Church will switch side, the fight against the virus is still a long way to go. According to the WHO, this mosquito-transmitted virus issue will be a long and complex road. 

The virus itself is tricky and tenacious. It’s very difficult for it to catch and be contained. Dengue and chikungunya outbreaks gave us lessons that stopping this virus is going to be a long journey. 

Currently, Brazil is the center where Zika outbreak is ongoing. The virus is suspected to cause a spike in microcephaly. It’s congenital condition that causes the newborn child to have a small head. The virus also hampers the child’s brain development. 

Although Brazil is the hardest-hit country, there are several cases have been reported in 28 countries in the Americas and Caribbean. 

Several countries have already launched a massive operation to eliminate stagnant water where mosquitoes breed. 

Unlike the dengue virus, there’s no vaccine against Zika virus. There’s also no cure to it. The spread of the virus is said to be explosive. It infects up to four million people in the world. 

Is it a sexually transmitted virus? 

The US CDC is still investigating as to whether or not Zika virus is a sexually transmitted disease. Currently, there’s no proof yet whether women can transmit the virus to their sex partners. However, the CDC is conducting more studies to better understand the issue.

Type 2 Diabetes Diet: Recommended Food Options

Type 2 diabetes diet is designed for individuals with this type of medical condition. Individuals with this disease requires good nutrition. 

For doctors, good nutrition is regarded as a medicine in its own right. 

Patients with type 2 diabetes must rigorously monitor their blood glucose levels, which are all affected by the sugars and starches that they consume. But what should be included in type 2 diabetes diet? Let’s find out. 

High-Fiber Content

Eating high soluble fiber, in particular, can help. Even if you don’t have diabetes but you’re concerned that you might develop it, fiber should be included in your diet. 

Fiber reduces your digestive system in metabolizing carbohydrates and transforming them into glucose. By slowly metabolizing carbs, it can prevent sudden flood of glucose into your bloodstream. Instead, glucose will be slowly and steadily introduced into the blood. 

Oats, avocados, sweet potatoes, and oranges contain high-amount of soluble fiber. 

If you’re not yet used to eating high amount of fiber, it’s important to slowly introduce it to your diet. 

In order to prevent gas, bloating, and cramps, you should increase your water intakes. 

Fluid 

In addition to fiber, your type 2 diabetes diet must include consumption of more fluid. Diabetics are prone to dehydration. When there’s too much sugar in the blood, your kidneys will try to get rid of it through urine. 

Although it’s essential that you increase your fluid intake, you should avoid taking in sweet options as they can only increase your blood sugar. 

Health experts don’t recommend fizzy drinks, sports drinks and sweetened fruit drinks. 

Even if you don’t have diabetes, you should only take these drinks sparingly. Regular consumption of these beverages is linked to type 2 diabetes. 

How about protein?

The American Diabetes Association advises patients with diabetes to consume only lean proteins that are low in saturated fat. These would include fish and turkey. You should eat at least two servings of seafood every week. Some fish can offer additional benefits to achieve a healthy heart. 

Deli meats and hot dogs are worst options when it comes to type 2 diabetes diet. The reason for this is that they contain high amount of sodium, which would increase your risk of high blood pressure. Hypertension can lead to heart attack and stroke. They’re two complications of diabetes. That said, it’s necessary that you avoid those foods and have your blood pressured checked regularly. 

What fruits should you consume? 

Your best options should be fresh fruits. They can easily conquer your sweet cravings. They don’t only contain fiber but they’re also rich in antioxidants. Berries can leave you more satisfied. 

Fruits that are canned in syrup are your worst options. Dried fruits have high amount of sugar. If you opt for fruit juices, you should only consume them in moderation as they’re still high in sugar. Plus, they don’t have the same nutrition content as the whole fruit. 

Type 2 diabetes diet doesn’t really have to be strict. What’s important here is to monitor all your portions for foods that contain high carbohydrates. And don’t forget to exercise. 

Talk to your doctor about the best food options for your medical condition.

Endometriosis: Do You Know These Facts?

If you’re following Lena Dunham on her Facebook official Page, you’re now aware of her medical condition known as endometriosis. On her Facebook Page, she told her fans that she’s going to take a break to rest due to her condition. 

Endometriosis is pretty common among women in their 30s and 40s. For most women with this condition, it can interfere with their career or work. According to the National Institutes of Health, this condition affects 6 to 10 percent of women in their reproductive age. 

This medical condition occurs when the tissue that lines your uterus has been found outside of your uterus. When you menstruate, a few of your cells travel to your fallopian tubes. They go to your abdomen and implant themselves where they should not be. These cells also implant to other muscles or organs in your body. 

When they’re implanted in other parts of the body, they continue to act as if they’re still inside the uterus. This means that these cells bleed during menstrual period. But, instead of bleeding outside of the body, they bleed inside. 

What are the symptoms of endometriosis? 

Unfortunately, 11 percent of women are asymptomatic. The rest of women with this condition feel pain during their menstrual cycles. Other women may develop chronic pain. As the pain gets worse, the condition causes diarrhoea, bowel problems, and other medical issues. 

If it’s left untreated, the cells that implanted into the muscles and organs will grow and may cause scars. The growth can cause the patient to have difficulty in getting pregnant. She’s highly likely to become infertile. 

Laparoscopic surgery 

This is one of the most common ways to diagnose an endometriosis. In this procedure, a small microscope is inserted into your belly. It will look into your pelvic organs and abdominal pain. Once you’re diagnosed to have one, you may undergo treatment. 

In most cases, hormonal birth control is given. This treatment controls the hormone that’s directed to the cells. But this isn’t an ideal treatment if you wish to get pregnant. 

If you don’t like using a birth control, your doctor may prescribe a medicine that shuts down your system’s hormonal access. With this treatment, you’ll feel like you’re already in the menopausal stage as you’ll feel dry or lose sex drive. 

For some patients, they opted for a surgical operation that removes the cells. However, the absolute cure for this condition is hysterectomy. This is a surgical operation that involves the removal of all or just part of your uterus. But this operation will only be considered by your doctor after all treatments have been tried without improving your condition. 

Jus like other medical conditions, doctors are still finding reasons why some women develop it while others don’t. If you have a family member who has this condition, then you’re more likely to develop endometriosis. This means that if your mother, sister or daughter has it, it increases your risk for this condition. 

Despite that, it’s still unclear whether or not genes may come into play when it comes to this condition.