Latest news with #pregnantPeople
CTV News
4 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Wildfire smoke expected to linger as air quality could worsen across Simcoe County
A special air quality statement is in effect for several regions across Simcoe County as wildfire smoke continues to affect air quality and visibility throughout Central Ontario. According to Environment Canada, smoke is expected to linger with air quality to worsen as levels increase. Residents are advised by the national weather agency to limit outdoor activities and if indoors, keep windows closed to prevent smoke from coming in. With the weekend fast-approaching, Environment Canada says people should consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events. Mild and common symptoms linked to poor air quality include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. People more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution include people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and members who work outdoors.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Wildfire smoke impacting parts of Ontario, including Waterloo Region
The Kitchener, Ont. skyline was partially obscured by smoke in this image from June 5, 2025. Some people may find it a little difficult to breath outdoors as wildfire smoke blows across southern Ontario. The smoke originates from wildfires burning in the prairies, B.C. and northern Ontario. It is expected to move into Waterloo Region on Thursday night and into Friday morning, causing poor air quality and reduced visibility. People sensitive to smoky conditions may notice mild eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or even a mild cough. More serious symptoms can include wheezing, chest pains or a severe cough. The most vulnerable groups are anyone aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants, young children, people who work outdoors and people with existing or chronic conditions. Residents are encouraged to limit their time outdoors and keep their windows and doors closed as much as possible. Using a good quality air filter or a certified portable air cleaner can help filter fine particles in the smoke.
Health Line
23-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Why Do I Feel Movement in My Lower Abdomen?
It's not unusual to feel movement in your lower abdomen. Many typical body functions may cause those sensations. If the movements continue or you have other symptoms, speak with a healthcare professional. Tugs and twists, pulls and plucks. Your belly can experience all kinds of sensations on a daily basis. Most are completely typical, but sometimes, an unusual movement or feeling may stand out. Read on for more information about the more obvious causes, like pregnancy and digestion, the less common causes, and when that unusual movement may be a sign of something more concerning. What might cause movement in your lower abdomen during pregnancy? Pregnancy is a time of new experiences. One of those includes the commotion happening in your abdomen. As babies develop, their movements, however small, can be increasingly felt by the person carrying them. Quickening is the term used to describe the flutters and sensations of movement that pregnant people experience. Most people will experience these first fetal movements between 16 and 25 weeks. This is during the second trimester. By the third trimester, you should be feeling movement regularly. In subsequent pregnancies, you may be able to feel those movements earlier as your body knows what to expect, but the timelines for movement can be different for each person and each pregnancy. What movements may mean if you're pregnant If you feel movement while you're pregnant, your baby may be: hiccupping turning over stretching limbs flexing kicking When you might need to see a doctor Movement in your abdomen while you're pregnant is expected and most likely typical. However, sometimes, other sensations in your abdomen can be signs of a potential problem. If you notice any of the following signs and symptoms, don't wait for your next checkup — contact your doctor or healthcare professional right away: severe diarrhea dizziness or fainting a fever higher than 100°F (37°C) feeling pain or burning while urinating or having problems urinating vaginal bleeding unusual vaginal discharge, such as a gray or white discharge that smells foul blurred vision or seeing spots in your eyes cracked and bleeding nipples swelling in your hands, face, or fingers chronic, severe headaches pain in your arms, chest, or legs Chart of potential causes for movement in your lower abdomen Causes of abdominal movements when pregnant Causes of abdominal movements when not pregnant hiccupping digestion turning over indigestion stretching limbs ovulation flexing muscle spasm kicking allergic reaction intestinal obstruction diverticulitis Gas or bloating What might cause movement in your lower abdomen when you're not pregnant? Pregnant people aren't the only ones who may experience unusual movements or sensations in the lower abdomen. Common body functions like digestion can cause these feelings. Even gas or indigestion can be responsible. Understanding the likely cause for these movements can help you decide if they need to be treated or if they may warrant a trip to the doctor. Digestion When you eat, the muscles in your digestive tract start moving to bring food through your stomach and into your intestines. You may feel these muscles moving immediately after you eat or even a few hours later. Indigestion On the flip side of digestion is indigestion. Indigestion may cause: heartburn nausea stomach pain bloating vomiting Less commonly, you may experience a gnawing sensation in the stomach, which can feel like muscle movement. Indigestion can be treated at home with over-the-counter antacids. But if you experience chronic indigestion or begin to experience severe vomiting, black stools, or unexplained weight loss, seek treatment from a healthcare professional. Ovulation During a menstrual cycle, you may experience a variety of sensations and feelings. Cramps at the start of a menstrual period may make muscles in your lower abdomen feel tighter. This may feel like movement. During ovulation, you may also experience jumps or pops in your lower abdomen. This is usually caused by the ovary stretching to release the maturing egg. Often, this sensation is mild and temporary. Muscle spasm Just as you can have muscle spasms in your arms or legs, you can have muscle spasms in your abdomen. These involuntary contractions can be the result of muscle strain or overuse. But they can also be a sign of dehydration. Most muscle spasms are mild and will pass on their own. If you continue to have them, or if they worsen and become severe, you should talk with your doctor. They may want to look for contributing factors for these muscle spasms. Allergic reaction A feeling of fluttering or twitching in your abdomen may be a sign that your digestive tract is experiencing an allergic reaction to something you ate. Although it's uncommon, these feelings can be related to celiac disease or an abnormal reaction to gluten. Avoiding foods with gluten can help prevent these movements and any accompanying symptoms of celiac disease. These may include: abdominal bloating or pain persistent diarrhea constipation vomiting weight loss Intestinal obstruction Digested food particles travel from your stomach through a long line of intestines and organs before they exit your body as stool. Sometimes, that digestive path can become blocked. The blockage may be partial or total. When the blockage occurs, you may experience a variety of symptoms, including muscle cramps that can feel like movement. Other symptoms of an intestinal obstruction include: severe bloating nausea vomiting constipation inability to pass gas or stool abdominal swelling An intestinal obstruction should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor as quickly as possible. No home treatment can remove the obstruction. Diverticulitis Diverticulitis is a condition that affects the digestive tract. It causes uncomfortable symptoms like bloating and diarrhea. It can also cause pain and muscle cramps in your abdomen, which may feel like movement. Without treatment, diverticulitis can lead to symptoms like: nausea and vomiting constant pain in the abdomen bleeding from the rectum If you have any of these symptoms, you should make an appointment to see your doctor. Takeaway Feeling movement in your abdomen isn't an unusual experience. If you're pregnant, jolts and jabs can be caused by a developing fetus. It can also be the result of typical digestion, muscle spasms, or ovulation. Rare but more serious issues, like intestinal obstruction, aren't a common cause of movement in the abdomen, but the sensation may be a sign of it. If the feeling of movement in your abdomen becomes chronic or you begin experiencing additional symptoms, make an appointment to see a doctor.
