25 Useful Baking Soda Hacks

That Will Blow You Away

So you have this basic ingredient in your pantry or cupboards, right? And it’s occasionally used for cooking and baking and then thrown away once expired. This common household item has various uses throughout your everyday life and routines. Get ready to discover 25 impressive examples of how to use Baking Soda around your home that will blow you away.

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Penalties for violent cases to be reviewed

Following public outcry over dentistry student’s sentence: Shanmugam

Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam (pictured) said that existing laws already protect the vulnerable and the weak and that the penalties are stiff, and there are “very high” legal protections for women in Singapore

Singapore will review the penalty framework for violent offences and the extent to which the offender’s educational background, and other factors, are relevant to the punishment, Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam said on Tuesday (July 21).

His comments, made during a media briefing via a video conference, came in the midst of widespread criticism of a court's sentencing outcome for Yin Zi Qin. The 23-year-old dentistry student from the National University of Singapore (NUS) was convicted of voluntarily causing hurt to an ex-girlfriend, 21.

Last Friday, Yin was handed a 12-day short-detention order, a five-month day-reporting order, as well as 80 hours of community service. He will not have a criminal record if the sentence is successfully completed. One charge of criminal trespass was taken into consideration for his sentencing. Yin tried to choke his victim after she rejected his proposal to resume their relationship, and at one point pressed his thumb into her eye so hard it bled.

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NUS student admits climbing into ex-girlfriend's home, choking her

Yin Zi Qin, 23, pleaded guilty to one charge of voluntarily causing hurt, with another charge of criminal trespass taken into consideration

A National University of Singapore (NUS) student climbed into his ex-girlfriend's home with her, before giving her roses and begging her not to end their relationship.

When she turned him down, 23-year-old Yin Zi Qin choked her and pressed his thumb against her eye till it bled.

Yin pleaded guilty on Friday (Feb 21) to one charge of voluntarily causing hurt, with another charge of criminal trespass taken into consideration.

related: NUS dentistry student, who choked ex-girlfriend, suspended and barred from campus pending disciplinary proceedings

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AGC not appealing case involving NUS dentistry student whose sentence triggered public outcry

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) said on Tuesday (July 21) in response to media queries that it will not appeal the case involving dentistry student Yin Zi Qin, whose sentence had triggered a public outcry and a review of the penalty framework for violent cases.

Yin, 23, from the National University of Singapore (NUS), was convicted of voluntarily causing hurt to an ex-girlfriend, 21. Last Friday, he was handed a 12-day short-detention order, a five-month day-reporting order, as well as 80 hours of community service. He will not have a criminal record if the sentence is successfully completed.

“AGC will not be appealing the matter,” a spokesperson said. On Tuesday, the People’s Action Party’s Women’s Wing and the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) spoke out against the levity of the sentence. There have also been two online petitions related to the case.

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Singapore reviews penalties after outcry over sentencing of NUS student in strangling case

The relatively light sentencing of 23-year-old dentistry student Yin Zi Qin has prompted public outrage in Singapore. Photo: EPA

Singapore authorities on Tuesday pledged to review sentencing guidelines for cases involving violence against women, following a public outcry over the relatively light sentence meted out to an undergraduate who attempted to strangle his girlfriend last year.

In a rare rebuke of a court ruling by the establishment, female MPs from the long-ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) issued a statement expressing dismay over a sentence they described as “disproportionate to the offence” committed by 23-year-old dentistry student Yin Zi Qin.

The latest disquiet follows similar criticism in recent times over the perception that university undergraduates – as opposed to others with lesser academic qualifications – are given lighter sentences in cases involving violence against women. In a Facebook post, influential law and home minister K. Shanmugam said he had asked the home affairs ministry to conduct a review of sentences in such cases.

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K Shanmugam Sc Yesterday at 01:35

[Assault case]

Many have written to me to express disappointment that Mr Yin Zi Qin was sentenced to a Short Detention Order for assaulting his ex-girlfriend. Women MPs have also spoken to me.

I can understand their unhappiness.

Mr Yin could have faced up to 2 years imprisonment for his offence. The penalties for the offence can be stiff. In fact, we recently amended the Penal Code so that the maximum penalty for hurt cases is increased to 3 years for cases which occur on or after 1 January 2020. Nevertheless, in specific cases, (like here), much shorter sentences have been given, depending on the factors present.

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MHA to review penalty framework for cases such as one involving dentistry student, says Shanmugam

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will be reviewing several areas of the penalty framework for certain criminal cases including the relevance of an offender’s background in sentencing, said Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam on Tuesday (21 July).

The announcement comes after a public outcry over the sentencing of a dental student from the National University of Singapore (NUS) who choked and thumbed the eye of an ex-girlfriend when she wanted to break up with him. Yin Zi Qin was sentenced by a court last Friday to a short detention order of 12 days, community service of 80 hours and a day reporting order for five months.

In a Facebook post, Shanmugam said the ruling of the court should be respected, adding that what is needed is a review of the legal framework. When the review is completed, Shanmugam said he will present it in Parliament. The MHA will conduct a review in three areas: the penalties applicable to such cases, the background of an offender and other factors and the extent of their relevance in sentencing, and the relative punishments for different offences.

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Anger in Singapore over punishment for woman's attacker

A Singapore court's decision to put a student who assaulted his ex-girlfriend behind bars for just 12 days sparked an outcry Tuesday, with campaigners condemning a series of light punishments for women's attackers. (Shutterstock/-)

A Singapore court's decision to put a student who assaulted his ex-girlfriend behind bars for just 12 days sparked an outcry Tuesday, with campaigners condemning a series of light punishments for women's attackers.

It was the latest case of a university student in the city-state targeting a woman and then being handed a punishment that critics viewed as inadequate. During the vicious assault, Yin Zi Qin tried to strangle his ex-girlfriend until she blacked out at her home in May last year after failing to convince the 21-year-old to reconsider ending their relationship, according to court documents.

After pleading guilty to voluntarily causing hurt, the 23-year-old dentistry student at the National University of Singapore (NUS), was sentenced Friday to a "short detention order", which will see him spend 12 days in prison but means he will not have a criminal record. He was also handed 80 hours of community service, ordered to report regularly to authorities for five months, and undergo rehabilitation. He could have faced a maximum two years in jail.

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NUS student's case sparks MHA review of penalty framework

Yin Zi Qin was given a community-based sentence with no criminal record. TNP FILE PHOTO

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will be reviewing the legal policy framework for certain criminal offences, including the relevance of factors such as an offender's educational background in sentencing, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said yesterday.

He was speaking to the media amid a public backlash over the penalties given to National University of Singapore (NUS) dentistry student Yin Zi Qin, 23, who tried to strangle his girlfriend after she broke up with him. He also pressed his thumb against her eye, causing it to bleed. It led to an eye infection that took five months to resolve, but she had no permanent injuries.

Yin was given a community-based sentence with no criminal record. It includes a short detention order of 12 days, which he will serve in prison. The outcome sparked outrage online. There are at least two petitions with over 15,000 signatories, each calling for harsher penalties and Yin to be expelled.

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Penalty framework to be reviewed following sentencing of NUS student who strangled ex-girlfriend

Public outrage at an NUS student who strangled his ex-girlfriend receiving community-based sentences has prompted a review of penalties for similar cases to be conducted. Much controversy has emerged over the recent sentencing of National University of Singapore (NUS) student Yin Zi Qin, who strangled his ex-girlfriend.

On Jul 17, the 23-year-old was sentenced to a Short Detention Order of 12 days, a day reporting order for five months, and 80 hours of community service after he was convicted for voluntarily causing hurt to his ex-girlfriend. The second-year dentistry student had strangled and pressed his thumb against the victim's left eye, causing it to bleed, after she refused to continue their relationship. She fainted and was later sent to the hospital for treatment.

Many have expressed that his sentence was too lenient for the severity of his offence. For voluntarily causing hurt, Zi Qin could have been fined a maximum of $5,000, and jailed for up to two years, or both. Two online petitions calling for harsher penalties for Zi Qin, who has since been suspended from NUS, have garnered over 29,000 signatures in total as of Jul 21.

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NUS Student Yin Zi Qin Gets Away With 'Light Punishment' in Girlfriend Strangling Case

Yin Zi Qin, a student of dentistry in the National University of Singapore (NUS), has been suspended from the university and given short-term detention by the court for strangling and injuring his ex-girlfriend. Angry netizens are demanding harsher punishment to Zi Qin and have started a petition in this regard.

The University has stated that Zi Qin is not allowed inside the campus for the time being. The matter cannot be investigated by the university as the incident occurred outside the college campus, it says. "Demand for Expulsion From College, Jail Term". The court gave its verdict in the case, awarding 12 days of short detention to Zi Qin along with attending counseling for five hours and 80 hours of community service in one year. The court opined that there are less chances of the accused repeating the crime.

Netizens are seeing red as they consider both the punishments, by the university as well as by the court, as not sufficient. Demanding a harsher sentence, two online petitions have been started. So far 22,000 people have signed these petitions. The fact that voluntarily causing injury can attract up to two years of jail term along with a fine of $5,000 and in terms of college, expulsion have been taken into consideration by these petitions, explaining that the current sentence is much lighter when considering what the girl had to face.

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AWARE Singapore 20 July at 22:52

Like many, we were surprised and disconcerted by the sentence received by Yin Zi Qin for acts of violence against his former partner. We believe that Yin’s sentence was inappropriately light, considering the grave physical harm and psychological trauma he inflicted upon the survivor.

Such a sentence has a detrimental impact on public perceptions of violence against women: indicating to perpetrators that they can get away with a light punishment, and indicating to survivors that the often arduous process of reporting their experience will be unrewarding or even futile. It reflects, yet again, an imbalance between the worth accorded to female survivors and that accorded to male perpetrators. The harm experienced by the former is frequently minimised, while the past record and future potential of the latter is amplified.

The lost potential of the survivor is rarely part of the discourse.

We would like more clarity on how and why this particular decision was made, so that public can understand the implications for future cases. For example, was the choice of a community sentence made by the Attorney-General's Chambers or the Courts?

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PAP Women's Wing and Aware express dismay over 'disproportionate' sentence

NUS Dentistry student Yin Zi Qin had been given a short detention order of 12 days and a day reporting order of five months.PHOTO: ST FILE

The People's Action Party (PAP) Women's Wing and Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) have said they are dismayed at the sentence that the National University of Singapore (NUS) student received for trying to strangle his former girlfriend.

The PAP Women's Wing has shared its concerns about the sentencing with the Minister for Home Affairs, "who has committed to look further into the matter".

"The PAP Women's Wing and PAP Women Members of Parliament strongly denounce violence against women. Like many members of the public, we are dismayed that the sentence in this case appears disproportionate to the offence," the PAP Women's Wing said in a statement yesterday.

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We want a harsher sentence for NUS Student who strangled ex-girlfriend

Jeraldine Phneah started this petition to All Singaporeans

In May 2019, NUS dental student climbed into his ex-girlfriend's home to beg her not to end the relationship.

When she turned him down, he strangled his ex-girlfriend in her home. He pressed his thumb against her eye, causing it to bleed. The victim blacked out and fainted. When she regained consciousness shortly after, she found herself lying face down on the floor.

The victim's mother called the police. She was taken to hospital with blurred vision. Because of this incident, the victim suffered both physical and psychological harm.

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Expulsion from NUS for Yin Zi Qin!

Singapore Singapore started this petition to National University of Singapore.

Sign this appeal for NUS to remove Yin Zi Qin from NUS permanently! A university of higher education should not condone such action by passiveness or inaction, and should hold its students to higher moral standards.

NUS student who climbed into ex-girlfriend's home and strangled her gets short detention and day reporting orders

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related:
Spate of NUS molestation cases
Molestation: "2 years' imprisonment is not worth it"
NUS Molester Avoids Jail As He Has “Potential to Excel”
Sexual Harassment Scandal At Singapore's Top University
NUS probes students for alleged stripping
At least 14 NUS undergrads disciplined over risque orientation games
NTU investigating inappropriate student behaviour
Sexualized Freshman Orientations at NUS
"Modesty" and "Outrage of Modesty"
The Upskirt Scourge
Full Monty SG Style
Immodest Anti-Social Behaviours

Singapore in the 50s

Hematochezia: Blood in Stool

Advice About Bright Red Blood in Stool

Blood is supposed to stay in your body. Seeing blood in your bowel movement is very frightening. It is an indication that something is not working right, but it is not always a herald of colon cancer. Rectal bleeding has many causes, but only one of them is colon cancer.

When You Note Blood in the Stool - The best action you can take now, to advocate for yourself, is to pay attention to this symptom and be prepared to discuss it with your doctor. Ask yourself these questions:

• Was the blood in the stool, toilet bowl or on the toilet paper?
• Was the blood bright red or dark red?
• Approximately how much blood did you see? (Keep in mind, a drop of blood in a toilet bowl will turn all of the water red.)
• Did you have to strain to pass the bowel movement?
• How frequently do you have bowel movements?
• Do you have other symptoms?
• When was your last colon screening exam or colonoscopy?
• Do you have a history of polyps or a family history of polyps?

Causes of Blood in the Stool:

• Hemorrhoids
• Inflammatory Conditions
• Colon Polyps
• Constipation
• Bowel Infections
• Colon Cancer

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Rectal Bleeding: Symptoms & Signs

Blood in the stool can be bright red, maroon in color, black and tarry, or occult (not visible to the naked eye). Causes of blood in the stool range from harmless, annoying conditions of the gastrointestinal tract such as hemorrhoids and anal tears (anal fissures) from straining against hard stools with constipation to serious conditions such as cancer. Blood in the stool should be evaluated by a health care professional.

Rectal bleeding (known medically as hematochezia) refers to passage of bright red blood from the anus, often mixed with stool and/or blood clots. Most rectal bleeding comes from the colon, rectum, or anus and can be associated with diarrhea. The color of the blood during rectal bleeding often depends on the location of the bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Generally, the closer the bleeding site is to the anus, the blood will be a brighter red. Thus, bleeding from the anus, rectum, and the sigmoid colon tend to be bright red, whereas bleeding from the transverse colon and the right colon (transverse and right colon are several feet away from the anus) tend to be dark red or maroon colored.

In some patients, bleeding can be black and "tarry" (sticky) and foul smelling. The black, smelly, and tarry stool is called melena. Melena occurs when the blood is in the colon long enough for the bacteria in the colon to break it down into chemicals (hematin) that are black. Therefore, melena usually signifies bleeding is from the upper gastrointestinal tract (for example, bleeding from ulcers in the stomach or the duodenum or from the small intestine) because the blood usually is in the gastrointestinal tract for a longer period of time before it exits the body. Sometimes melena may occur with bleeding from the right colon. On the other hand, blood from the sigmoid colon and the rectum usually does not stay in the colon long enough for the bacteria to turn it black. Rarely, massive bleeding from the right colon, from the small intestine, or from ulcers of the stomach or duodenum can cause rapid transit of the blood through the gastrointestinal tract and result in bright red rectal bleeding. In these situations, the blood is moving through the colon so rapidly that there is not enough time for the bacteria to turn the blood black.

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Blood in Stool

Blood in the stool can be frightening, whether you discover it while wiping after a bowel movement or from a test ordered by your health care provider. While blood in stool can signal a serious problem, it doesn't always. Here's what you need to know about the possible causes of bloody stools and what you -- and your doctor -- should do if you discover a problem.

Causes of Blood in Stool - Blood in stool means there is bleeding somewhere in your digestive tract. Sometimes the amount of blood is so small that it can only be detected by a fecal occult test (which checks for hidden blood in the stool). At other times it may visible on toilet tissue or in the toilet after a bowel movement as bright red blood. Bleeding that happens higher up in the digestive tract may make stool appear black and tarry.

Possible causes of blood in stool include:

• Diverticular disease - Diverticula are small pouches that project from the colon wall. Usually diverticula don't cause problems, but sometimes they can bleed or become infected.
• Anal fissure - A small cut or tear in the tissue lining the anus similar to the cracks that occur in chapped lips or a paper cut. Fissures are often caused by passing a large, hard stool and can be painful.
• Colitis - Inflammation of the colon. Among the more common causes are infections or inflammatory bowel disease.
• Angiodysplasia - A condition in which fragile, abnormal blood vessels lead to bleeding.
• Peptic ulcers - An open sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, the upper end of the small intestine. Many peptic ulcers are caused by infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Long-term use or high doses of anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can also cause ulcers.
• Polyps or cancer - Polyps are benign growths that can grow, bleed, and could become cancerous. Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the U.S. It often causes bleeding that is not noticeable with the naked eye.
• Esophageal problems - Varicose veins of the esophagus or tears in the esophagus can lead to severe blood loss.

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Blood in the stool (rectal bleeding)

Seeing blood in the toilet, on the outside of your stool, or with wiping after a bowel movement is common. Fortunately, most of the causes of such rectal bleeding are not life-threatening; common causes include hemorrhoids and anal fissures. However, the only way to be certain of the cause is to be evaluated by a healthcare provider. This topic will review when to seek help for blood in the stool, the most common causes of blood in the stool, and tests that may be recommended. (See "Approach to minimal bright red blood per rectum in adults".)

WHEN TO SEEK HELP - Most people with minor rectal bleeding do not have colon cancer or another serious condition. However, it is not possible to know the cause of rectal bleeding without an examination. Thus, ANYONE who notices rectal bleeding should talk to their healthcare provider to determine if an examination is needed. (See 'Rectal bleeding tests' below.)

RECTAL BLEEDING CAUSES - Seeing a small amount of blood after wiping, on the outside of your stool, or in the toilet is most commonly caused by hemorrhoids or an anal fissure:

• Hemorrhoids — Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the rectum or anus that can be painful, itchy, and can sometimes bleed (figure 1). Painless rectal bleeding with a bowel movement is a common symptom of hemorrhoids. Bright red blood typically coats the stool or blood may drip into the toilet or stain toilet paper. (See "Patient education: Hemorrhoids Beyond the Basics)".
• Anal fissure — An anal fissure is a tear in the lining of the anus, the opening where feces are excreted. Anal fissures can cause bleeding and a sensation of tearing, ripping, or burning during or after a bowel movement. (See "Patient education: Anal fissure Beyond the Basics)".
• Other causes of rectal bleeding — There are many other causes of rectal bleeding, including colon cancer, colon polyps, colitis, and diverticulosis. (See "Etiology of lower gastrointestinal bleeding in adults" and "Approach to acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding in adults".)

In addition, bleeding from higher in the digestive tract, such as the stomach, can produce black, tarry bowel movements because stomach acid turns blood black. Bismuth (such as in Pepto Bismol) and iron supplements can also make the stool appear black. Passing blood from the rectum that is dark red or includes clots usually indicates bleeding from higher in the colon than anal fissures or hemorrhoids would produce.

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Hematochezia

Hematochezia is the passage of fresh blood through the anus, usually in or with stools (contrast with melena). The term is from Greek αἷμα ("blood") and χέζειν ("to defaecate"). Hematochezia is commonly associated with lower gastrointestinal bleeding, but may also occur from a brisk upper gastrointestinal bleed. The difference between hematochezia and rectorrhagia is that, in the latter, rectal bleeding is not associated with defecation; instead, it is associated with expulsion of fresh bright red blood without stools. The phrase bright red blood per rectum (BRBPR) is associated with hematochezia and rectorrhagia.

Signs and symptoms - Hematochezia from upper gastrointestinal, small bowel, or colonic sources can present with moderate to large volume bleeding, whereas patients with rectal or anal outlet bleeding usually present with ‘drops’ or ‘streaks’ on the stool or toilet paper

Causes:

• In adults, most common causes are hemorrhoids and diverticulosis, both of which are relatively benign; however, it can also be caused by colorectal cancer, which is potentially fatal. In a newborn infant, haematochezia may be the result of swallowed maternal blood at the time of delivery but can also be an initial symptom of necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious condition affecting premature infants. In babies, hematochezia in conjunction with abdominal pain is associated with intussusception. In adolescents and young adults, inflammatory bowel disease, particularly ulcerative colitis, is a serious cause of hematochezia that must be considered and excluded.
• Hematochezia can be due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding. However, as the blood from such a bleed is usually chemically modified by action of acid and enzymes, it presents more commonly as black "tarry" feces known as melena. Haematochezia from an upper gastrointestinal source is an ominous sign, as it suggests a very significant bleed which is more likely to be life-threatening.
• Eating beetroot can cause harmless red-colored feces (beeturia) because of insufficient metabolism of a red pigment, and is a differential sign that may be mistaken as hematochezia.
• Consumption of dragon fruit (pitaya) or blackberries may also cause red or black discoloration of the stool and sometimes the urine (pseudohematuria). This too, is a differential sign that is sometimes mistaken for hematochezia.
• In infants, the Apt test can be used to distinguish fetal hemoglobin from maternal blood.

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Hematuria: Blood in urine

Hematuria is the presence of red blood cells in the urine. If there are enough red cells, the urine can become bright red, pink or cola colored. Often, however, the urine appears completely normal because there is not enough blood to cause a color change. In this case, the condition is called "microscopic" hematuria. There are many possible causes of hematuria, including:

• Urinary tract infection — Hematuria can be caused by an infection in any part of the urinary tract, most commonly the bladder (cystitis) or the kidney (pyelonephritis).
• Kidney stones
• Tumors in the kidney or bladder
• Exercise — Exercise hematuria is a harmless condition that produces blood in the urine after strenuous exercise. It is more common in males than females.
• Trauma — Traumatic injury to any part of the urinary tract — from the kidneys to the urethral opening (the connection between the bladder and the outside world) — can cause hematuria.
• Drugs — Hematuria can be caused by medications, such as blood thinners, including heparin, warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin-type medications, penicillins, sulfa-containing drugs and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan).
• Glomerulonephritis — Glomerulonephritis is a family of illnesses that are characterized by inflammation of the glomeruli, the filtering units of the kidneys. Glomerulonephritis is a rare complication of certain viral and bacterial infections (including strep throat). It can also occur in people with certain auto-immune diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus or SLE) and vasculitis. Sometimes there is no identifiable cause.
• Bleeding disorders — This includes conditions such as hemophilia and von Willebrand's disease.

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Nocturia: Excessive Urination at Night

Nocturia is a condition that causes you to wake up during the night to pee. This condition is also called nocturnal urinary frequency — having to pee more often at night. Nocturia becomes more common as people age (usually older than 60) and occurs in all genders and sexes, sometimes for different reasons. It can be common for people to wake up once during the night to pee, but peeing more frequently may be a sign of an underlying condition or problem.

When a person pees too much during the daytime, but can limit the amount of trips to the bathroom at night, it’s referred to as frequent urination. Nocturia is strictly using the bathroom multiple times after bedtime and before you wake up in the morning. Whether it’s happening due to an underlying medical condition or something else, it can leave you feeling tired because your regular sleep cycle is disrupted.

How common is nocturia? Nocturia is a common condition affecting more than 50% of adults after age 50. It’s more common in men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) after age 50. Before 50, nocturia is more common in women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). It affects up to 1 in 3 people over the age of 30.

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Pneumaturia: Gas in urine

What Is Pneumaturia? Having small bubbles in your urine is called pneumaturia. It isn’t a diagnosis on its own but can be a symptom of certain health conditions. Common source causes for pneumaturia include urinary tract infections (UTIs) and passageways between the colon and the bladder (called fistula) that don’t belong.

If you have pneumaturia, you’ll feel gas or a bubbling sensation interrupting your urine stream. Your urine may appear to be full of small air bubbles. This is different than urine that looks foamy, which is usually an indicator of too much protein in your urine. Since pneumaturia is a symptom of other conditions and not a condition all by itself, you may want to look out for other symptoms that sometimes come along with it, such as:

• burning sensation while urinating
• difficulty urinating
• feeling the need to “go” all the time
• discolored urine

All of these symptoms could indicate an infection in your urinary tract. Common causes:

• One common cause of pneumaturia is infectious bacteria. Pneumaturia can indicate a UTI, as the bacteria create bubbles in your urine stream.
• Another common cause is a fistula. This is a passage between organs in your body that doesn’t belong there. A fistula between your bowel and your bladder can bring bubbles into your urine stream. This fistula can be an outcome of diverticulitis.
• Less often, deep sea divers will have pneumaturia after a period of time underwater.
• Sometimes pneumaturia is a symptom of Crohn’s disease.

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Diabetes: Early Signs & Symptoms

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is an important source of energy for the cells that make up the muscles and tissues. It's also the brain's main source of fuel. The main cause of diabetes varies by type. But no matter what type of diabetes you have, it can lead to excess sugar in the blood. Too much sugar in the blood can lead to serious health problems.

Chronic diabetes conditions include type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Potentially reversible diabetes conditions include prediabetes and gestational diabetes. Prediabetes happens when blood sugar levels are higher than normal. But the blood sugar levels aren't high enough to be called diabetes. And prediabetes can lead to diabetes unless steps are taken to prevent it. Gestational diabetes happens during pregnancy. But it may go away after the baby is born. Diabetes symptoms depend on how high your blood sugar is. Some people, especially if they have prediabetes, gestational diabetes or type 2 diabetes, may not have symptoms. In type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to come on quickly and be more severe.

Some of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are:

• Feeling more thirsty than usual.
• Urinating often.
• Losing weight without trying.
• Presence of ketones in the urine. Ketones are a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat that happens when there's not enough available insulin.
• Feeling tired and weak.
• Feeling irritable or having other mood changes.
• Having blurry vision.
• Having slow-healing sores.
• Getting a lot of infections, such as gum, skin and vaginal infections.

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Constipation and Urinary Incontinence

Bloating and cramps are two common symptoms of constipation

Being constipated means your bowel movements are tough or happen less often than normal. You might be constipated if you have less than three bowel movements per week.

Constipation is very common. Around 2.5 million people visit their doctor each year in the U.S. because they are constipated. It's usually not serious, and home remedies can get you back on track. How often should you poop? The normal length of time between bowel movements varies from person to person. Some people have them three times a day. Others have them just a few times a week.

But going longer than 3 days without one is usually too long. After 3 days, your stool gets harder and more difficult to pass. Constipation Symptoms You may have:

• Few or no bowel movements
• Trouble having a bowel movement (straining to go)
• Hard or small stools
• A feeling that everything didn’t come out
• Belly bloating
• A feeling like your rectum is blocked
• A stomachache or cramps

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Acupressure Points for Constipation

Acupressure can help in relieving constipation symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating and gas by applying pressure to specific points on the body. The following are the commonly used acupressure points to relieve constipation that you can do on your own. Instead of pressing with your fingers, you can also use acupressure stick:

• Tianshu (ST25) - Tianshu can improve digestion. You can place three fingers parallel and alongside the centre of the belly button. Tianshu is located at the edge of the last finger, away from the belly button. Use your thumb or forefinger and apply pressure or you can do circular motion with finger.
• Guanyuan (CV4) - Guanyuan is used for relieving abdominal pain and diarrhea. It is located at 3 inches below your belly button. Use your thumb or forefinger and apply pressure or you can do circular motion with finger.

• Zhigou (TE6) - Zhigou is an effective pressure point for relieving chronic constipation. It is located at 3 inches up the back of your arm from the crease of your wrist. Use your thumb and apply pressure or you can do circular motion with thumb. This procedure should have been repeated for the other wrist.
• Zusanli (ST36) - Zusanli can strengthen the digestive system. It is located on the outer calf, about four finger widths under the knee bone. Use your thumb or forefinger and apply pressure. This procedure should have been repeated for the other foot.

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15 signs your stomach is functioning badly

A queasy feeling in the pit of your stomach, dreading even the idea of food, and having to constantly run to the washroom; these are all unpleasant symptoms of stomach issues. There are all sorts of reasons why you may have a poorly functioning stomach. Sometimes, it’s from food poisoning or a gastro bug going around; however, if your stomach is chronically upset, it might be a sign of a bigger problem. If you are experiencing any of these 15 signs that your stomach is functioning badly, be sure to make an appointment with your healthcare provider:

• Frequent and chronic diarrhea
• Blood in your stool
• Severe cramps after eating
• Chronic constipation
• Frequent heartburn
• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Sudden intense abdominal pain
• Feeling full after eating a small portion
• Swollen abdomen
• Anemia
• Fatigue and weakness
• Frequent vomiting
• Skin issues

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What your poop tells you about your health

5 Things Your Poop Can Tell You About Your Health

Having a bowel movement is a critical part of digesting the food we eat. Stool formed by the large intestine is the body's way of getting rid of waste.

While you should talk to your doctor about any concerns, changes in poop color and consistency could show what is happening inside your digestive system:

• Rocks and Pebbles - Poop that is hard and shaped like tiny rocks or pebbles is likely just a sign of constipation. You can still be considered constipated even if you are able to pass a small amount of stool. The large intestine helps to concentrate waste by absorbing water. If muscle contractions in the large intestine are not working properly, waste left in the colon becomes even more concentrated, resulting in harder stool.
• Color Changes - A change in stool color is one of the most common concerns patients ask about. The foods you eat and the kind of bacteria living in your colon can both cause such changes, and added food colorings are frequent culprits. This is one reason why patients preparing for a colonoscopy are instructed to avoid food and beverages with certain added colors the day before. Doctors note that when they perform a colonoscopy, they can actually tell what color the beverage was that the patient drank during their preparation for the procedure. Most changes in the color of stool are not cause for concern. The exception is poop that appears black or bloody, which could signal other problems with the digestive system.
• Black and Tarry - The most common cause of black and tarry poop is taking iron supplements or a medication containing bismuth, such as Pepto-Bismol. However, it could mean you're losing blood somewhere in your gastrointestinal tract, such as in the stomach or small intestine.
• Oily or Greasy Stools - If you have poop that appears oily, has a greasy consistency and is difficult to flush, it could be a signal that your body is not able to properly digest fat. The consistency changes could be caused by an infection, nutrients not being digested due to celiac disease or a problem with the pancreas, such as pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis.
• Pencil Thin - Stool that is only occasionally very thin is not a cause for concern. It is likely due to muscle contractions in the large intestine as it helps to concentrate waste. If there is a sudden and consistent change in your stool always being thin, it could mean there is a blockage in your colon, and you should see your doctor.

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The 'Tok-Tok Mee' man