Environmental factors play a critical role in dictating our physical health and wellbeing. These factors include issues like air pollution or the quality of the water we consume. Many epidemiological studies have revealed the health risks that are associated with drinking hard water.
Hard water can be defined as water containing a higher concentration of calcium and magnesium ions. While it can affect anyone, the worst of its impact tends to target new moms and newborn babies.
Impact of hard water on new mothers
Mothers during and shortly after their pregnancy remain in a special state of fragileness, where they’re prone to all sorts of health-related risks. Water, being a basic necessity of life, must be pure and high quality to ensure the wellbeing of new mothers.
Hard water introduces a variety of threats, including a generally high disease rate that comes with it. If consumed, mothers may fight heightened risks of:
1. Cancer
Tough one to start with, but it’s unfortunately true. Several studies have shown the connection between higher magnesium and calcium concentration in water with an increased risk of developing gastric cancer. Some studies have also demonstrated a risk of pancreative and rectal cancer as a result of consuming hard water.
2. Cardiovascular diseases
Many studies have shown the heart-health risks that come with hard water consumption. It can potentially lead to various cardiovascular diseases, lower blood pressure, or hypertension.
3. Cerebrovascular mortality
A significant link has also been demonstrated between consuming hard water and risks of cerebrovascular disease. Stroke and hypertension risks also worsen with regular consumption of hard water, particularly in new mothers.
4. Diabetes
Hard water has long been blamed as a major cause of diabetes. An abnormal level of magnesium concentration in water can open the doors to many different diseases, and diabetes is one of the popular ones.
Impact on newborn babies
Not only are moms at higher risk of diseases due to hard water, but their newborns too. Babies have extremely sensitive skin and they’re much more prone to developing diseases, as they lack a developed immune system.
Hard water is often considered a major cause of eczema (atopic dermatitis) in kids—a non-contagious, pruritic and inflammatory skin disorder.
If you bathe your babies using hard water, they’re likely to naturally develop changes from a neutral pH to a slightly more acidic pH level. This can prevent your baby from having optimal levels of skin protection.
Hard water is known to cause skin dryness due to its high content of magnesium and calcium. Dry skin can lead to flaking, clogged pores, irritation, and itching. Moreover, it may also lead to acne or blemishes on their skin.
Here’s what you can do
We’re living in a polluted world that’s only getting worse with time. Due to the risks described above, it’s crucial to check water hardness at your home, especially if there’s a new incoming family member.
If your area has hard water, the first investment you should make is to get a water softener for your home. It can remove the water’s hardness through reverse osmosis, saving you from many of its detrimental health risks.
Moreover, to avoid skin problems with your baby, you should replace soaps with sensitive-skin-friendly cleansers that work gently. This is because hard water tends to work with soaps to form salts that may linger on the skin and cause skin diseases. Also, keep your baby’s skin moisturized with natural and essential oils to maintain their skin’s pH level at a balanced level.
No comments:
Post a Comment