Octubre 08, 2004
Guayaquil: Pearl of the Pacific
Guayaquil is the largest city in Ecuador with a population of two million inhabitants. Known as the "Pearl of the Pacific," the city is strategically located at the point where the Rio Babahoyo and the Rio Daulo join to form the River Guayas. The river quickly opens up into the Gulf of Guayaquil, which merges with the waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Guayaquil is the capital city of the province of Guayas. The city is at 4m above sea level and its average temperature varies between 23C and 27C; it is usually quite humid. Guayaquil was founded as Santiago de Guayaquil on July 25, 1535, by the Spanish conquistador Francisco de Orellana. Orellana was later to "discover" the Amazon river.
Before the Spanish colonization, this coastal area was inhabited by important pre-Columbian cultures represented by different indigenous groups, such as the Huancavilcas, Daulis, Yaguachis and Punaes.
The name of the city is said to proceed from the indigenous terms "guayal," which means brave cacique, and "kil," which refers to a goddess of water. Other historians attribute the name Guayaquil to the legend of two Huancavilcans, Cacique Guayas and princess Kil, who committed suicide as a rebellious symbol against Spanish domination.
Modern Guayaquil, under the visionary leadership of former Mayor Leon Febres Cordero and current Mayor Jaime Nebot, has been transformed, over the last decade, from a hodgepodge, seemingly abandoned and confusing city into an organized, attractive and international destination. So much has been this change that recently the important Second Reunion of the Presidents of South America Conference was held in Guayaquil with great success.
The Gulf of Guayaquil
The Gulf of Guayaquil is the largest natural port on the Pacific coast of South America. The gulf has many unique characteristics, stemming from having many mangroves obstructing the flow of the Guayas river. The effects of time and mangroves on the estuary zones of the river has led to the formation of sedimentary terraces where an archipelago has arisen. Puna Island is the biggest alluvium- made-island in this archipelago.
The Gulf is teeming with wildlife. There exists a large variety of birds and a rich aquatic fauna. This diversity is accentuated, thanks to the convergence of the salty Pacific waters, with the sweet water of the Guayas rivers that emanate from the west flanks of the Ecuadorian Andes.
Among the islands, there are several natural waterways which form canals. Some of the branches of these enormous canals pass through the city. El Morro and Jambeli canals are well-known for the fact that they are used for regattas and other water sports.
The rich biodiversity of the Gulf's islands and canals are also taken advantage of by people who make their living fishing and collecting all kind of shellfish-- crabs and conch being the two most popular.
The Commercial Port
Due to its location, Guayaquil is an important commercial port. In the area of the port, it is common to observe large ships coming from all over the world bringing articles and materials that Ecuador does not produce. On the way back, the ships are loaded with Ecuadorian produce.
For three or four centuries, the Guayaquil seaport has been the focal point of distribution for important Ecuadorian export products such as banana, cacao, coffee, natural rubber, rice, tea, sugar, cotton, tagua, abaca, fine tropical woods, sea products, salt, gold and other minerals. In modern days, other products have been added to the list: shrimp, various tropical fruits and flowers, textiles and fibers, handcrafts and other items leave the port bound for a place in the international market.
A curious Ecuadorian export are the world renowned Panama Hats. These hats are finely handmade on the Ecuadorian coast using the fiber of the paja toquilla. The misnomer Panama hats came about because these hats, though embarked in the port of Guayaquil, where commercialized in nearby Panama and hence the association.
The port has made Guayaquil a financially and commercially active city. Many smaller cities close to the port depend economically on the port's commercial activity. The city has become the hub of an intricate system of roadways that facilitates access to Guayaquil from almost anywhere in the country.
Guayaquil's commercial success caused a rapid increase in the city's population, ballooning from 259,000 in 1950 to 1.5 million in 1990, a fivefold increase in only forty years. This increase led to congestion, as the city grew in an unorganized fashion. Thanks to the last two Mayors of the city, an urban restructuring has begun with an emphasis on improving the roadways in and around the city. Bridges now span the rivers Guayas, Babahoyo and Daule, interconnecting the various regions of the city. Recently, the city's first tunnels, through the hills of El Carmen and Santa Ana, were completed, an engineering feat that will decongest the heart of the city.
Cosmopolitan Guayaquil
Today, Guayaquil has been transformed into a bustling cosmopolitan city, and cannot help but to continue its modernization. The industry and the commerce have transformed colonial and historic Guayaquil into a modern infrastructure with wide webs of communication, new malls and towering commercial buildings.
Guayaquil has planned several well-managed urban development projects, some focusing on restoring historic patrimony and others to improving and modernizing the city, extending basic services and security to the less attended neighborhoods. The ultimate goal of this agenda is to assure a good quality of life for its increasing population and for its visitors.
One of the newest inaugurated projects is the rescue of the traditional neighborhood called "Las Peñas". In this neighborhood, one can appreciate the typical urban coastal architecture characterized by wooden houses, accented by open balconies and colorful decorations. The streets and high stoops of Las Peñas, near the San Vicente church, the oldest church in the city, keep the city´s history alive in the present.
Another major project is the Malecon 2000 or Boardwalk 2000. The Malecon is an architectural delight built on the retention walls that conduct the waters of the river Guayas in the heart of the city. The Malecon 2000 runs from Cuenca street to a small fortress in Las Peñas neighborhood.
Making up the attractions of the Malecon are various art galleries and museums. Soon, the impressive Museum for Contemporaneous Art, the largest in all of Ecuador, will open on the banks of the river Guayas. Restaurants, shopping areas and entertainment complexes, ensconced in greenery and luxurious gardens, complete the picture. Walking through the Malecon and feeling its tropical warmth is definitely a worthwhile experience.
Other attractions in Guayaquil include the beautiful Moorish Tower and the Civic Plaza, the latter which holds the monument of the encounter in 1822 between El Gran Liberator, Simon Bolivar, and the great general San Martin from Argentina, both forgers of independence in South America.
In Seminario Park, which is the old major plaza in the city, one feels the colonial presence which characterizes the beautiful cathedral of Guayaquil. The park is also known as "the iguanas park" because, within its boudaries, at least one hundred green iguanas, typical from this zone, make the park their home. The iguanas surprise visitors with their impressive colors and pre-historic shapes.
Centennial Park reveals the transcendent history which this city carries from its freedom battles against the Spanish crown in the beginning of the XIX century. The park has a monument the evokes the memories of the heroes who fought for the independence of Guayaquil, obtained on October 9, 1820. Once can also see a considerable community of iguanas living in the shades and protection of the god-trees and other trees which make up the plaza.
The Cementerio General is considered one of the most beautiful resting places of the continent. There are dozens of statues of angels, virgins, animals and many other figures. This artwork, imported from Italy and Europe, was sculpted out of marble by Italian artists hired by the wealthy families of Guayaquil. The resulting figures contribute to a valuable collection of renaissance pieces and "motifs"
which can be appreciated by all visitors. In another area of the cemetery, there is the tomb of the immortal "J.J.," Julio Jaramillo, El Ruisenor de America . J.J is an idol of Ecuadorian music and is celebrated all over America.
A new attraction is the Historic Park Guayaquil located on the road to Samborondon, only twenty minutes from downtown. The park is an in situ museum that expresses the evolution of a city founded in one of the world most fertile river basins. On the three outdoor "zones" which make up the exhibition, one can see exhibits and recreations detailing the history and traditions of the region. This history finds its beginnings in an indigenous narrative, which moved to colonialism and encompasses the natural habitat of the region. The tour is an educational and pleasant eco-cultural stroll through time.
Other places to visit are the Municipal Palace, the Anthropological Museum of the Central Bank of Ecuador, the Archaeological Museum of el Banco Pacifico, the Botanical Garden and the Colonial Art Museum "Nahim Isaias." If that is not enough, one can also venture to the Ecological Reserve "Cerro Blanco," the museum of the pre-Columbian Valdivia`s culture and the museum of the Sumpa Lovers.
Conclusions
The city of Guayaquil faces the new century striving to emerge as an important national and South American economic and tourist center. In this effort, the local government has prioritized the remodeling of its airport, Simon Bolivar. It is anticipated that this renovation will not only facilitate an increase in air traffic coming into and out of the city, but will further improve one's vital and lasting "first impressions" of the city. Guayaquil's process of reinventing itself has been marked with, so far, great success.
This success, however, has been met with several problems which need to be overcome in order to ensure continued growth and development. For example, crime continues to be a concern which effects tourist and citizien alike. Environmental concerns, such as garbage and waste disposal, need to be addressed. It is our faith that, with continued foresight and perseverance, Guayaquil, thanks to its unique geographic location, ecological niche and its warm people, can achieve its goals. Vamos Guayaquil!
Guayaquil 05:19 PM
Septiembre 14, 2004
La resurrección de Guayaquíl
Carlos Alberto Montaner
Guayaquil, Ecuador, han instalado murales en los grandes pilares de concreto que sostienen los elevados. La idea es hermosa, pero lo más sorprendente no es eso, sino que no los han embarrado con grafitos o con mensajes idiotas. ¿Por qué? Porque en esa ciudad está ocurriendo un rarísimo fenómeno, muy poco frecuente en América Latina: ha surgido una especie de orgullo citadino, un patriotismo urbano que lleva a los moradores a cuidar el entorno como algo que les pertenece. Nadie pinta un letrero clandestino en la pared de la casa propia.
Tal vez la única identidad posible es ésa: la polis que decían los griegos. Se ama (o se odia) a New York y a Boston, a San Francisco y a París. La nación es demasiado abstracta. Los habitantes de Praga y de Florencia sienten unos secretos vínculos con esas bellísimas ciudades mucho más fuertes que los que los atan a la República Checa o a Italia. Yo no puedo pensar en Cuba. Pienso en La Habana de mi juventud, con sus fachadas luminosas y sus zaguanes oscuros, y de pronto cierto olor a salitre me taladra la memoria. Tampoco España me cabe en la cabeza: son los rincones de Madrid, mi otra ciudad, lo que recuerdo.
Hace veinte años, cuando visité Guayaquil por primera vez, no me pareció una ciudad bonita. La encontré sucia y desordenada. Sufría una sobrecogedora pobreza, y me resultó increíble que una buena parte de los detritus humanos o de las basuras se vertieran al Guayas, un caudaloso río que la incuria de los políticos y la indolencia de la ciudadanía habían convertido en un pestilente desaguadero, cuando era obvio que debía haber sido el punto focal de la parte más noble de la ciudad, como el Sena en París o el Támesis en Londres.
Ese panorama ha dado un vuelco asombroso. En las orillas del río hoy se construye un bellísimo paseo. La parte antigua ha sido casi totalmente restaurada. Los cables de la electricidad se colocaron bajo tierra, se asfaltaron las calles y se limpiaron los lugares infectos. Crearon o reconstruyeron parques y jardines. Rescataron barrios olvidados y reinventaron otros. De lo que fue un popular mercado de alimentos se sacaron nada menos que seis camiones de ratas muertas. Por millares, comenzaron a trasladar a las familias más pobres desde sus tugurios de ladrillo y latón a unas pequeñas casas prefabricadas con hormigón, dotadas de electricidad, agua corriente y alcantarillado, vendidas a los nuevos e ilusionados propietarios por unos seis mil dólares que pagarán a lo largo de 15 años con intereses muy bajos. Tendrán, eso sí, que someterse a un acuerdo inflexible: deberán cuidarlas y cuidar el entorno si desean mantenerlas.
¿Cómo se ha llevado a cabo esta metamorfosis, no sólo de la ciudad, sino de la psicología de sus habitantes? Ha sido la obra de dos funcionarios enérgicos y competentes, León Febres Cordero (1992-2000) --también ex presidente del país--, y Jaime Nebot, alcalde desde hace cuatro años.
A lo largo de doce años consecutivos estos dos políticos reorganizaron totalmente el funcionamiento de la ciudad, la libraron de un ejército de burócratas ociosos, y privatizaron o concesionaron a empresas privadas muchos de los servicios estatales, hasta cambiar radicalmente las proporciones habituales del gasto público: un 85% iría a inversiones nuevas o mantenimiento de las antiguas, y sólo un 15 a salarios y gastos corrientes. ¿Resultado? Nebot es el único alcalde latinoamericano que he visto con un respaldo del 90% de los electores en el último año de su mandato. Lo aplauden cuando pasea por las calles.
Adonde quiero llegar es a lo siguiente: la asombrosa transformación de Guayaquil pudiera y debiera ser el punto de partida de una regeneración similar en todo el mapa urbano latinoamericano. Si lo hicieron los guayaquileños, ¿por qué no los otros? Es muy complicado reformar una nación --su constitución, sus poderes independientes, sus intereses contrapuestos--, pero revitalizar las ciudades, modernizarlas, y convertirlas en lugares gratos para vivir es algo que está al alcance de las autoridades locales si tienen las ideas claras, la energía y el deseo de servir.
Es muy importante que eso se haga, porque el mayor problema político de América Latina se deriva de la permanente irritación de los latinoamericanos con el ineficiente estado en el que viven. Tal vez el punto de partida para arreglar el país sea comenzar por poner la ciudad en orden. Acaso la reconciliación de los latinoamericanos con el estado comienza por volverse a enamorar de sus ciudades.
Guayaquil 05:20 PM
Agosto 20, 2004
Unlivable city rebuilt, rejuvenated
By:Carlos Alberto Montaner
In Guayaquil, Ecuador, the city has installed murals on the concrete pillars that support the elevated tramline. The idea is beautiful. But what's most surprising is that the murals have not been defaced with graffiti.
Why not? Because a very rare phenomenon is occurring in that city, something very infrequent in Latin America: A kind of city pride has emerged, an urban patriotism that compels city dwellers to look after their surroundings as if these belonged to them. Nobody paints a sign on one's own home in stealth.
Maybe that's the only possible form of identity; what the Greeks used to call polis. You either love or hate New York, Boston, San Francisco or Paris. The nation is much too abstract. Residents of Prague or Florence feel secret attachments to those beautiful cities that are a lot stronger than their feelings for the Czech Republic or Italy.
I cannot think about Cuba. I think about the Havana of my youth, with its luminous facades and dark portals. Spain doesn't fill my head, either. What I remember clearly are the corners of Madrid, my second city.
`Shockingly poor'
When I visited Guayaquil for the first time, 20 years ago, the city didn't impress me as being pretty. I found it to be dirty and untidy. The city was shockingly poor, and I found it incredible that much of the human detritus and garbage was dumped into the Guayas, a rolling river that the negligence of politicians and the indolence of citizens had turned into a pestilent sewer. It was obvious that it should have been the focal point of the noblest part of the city, like the Seine in Paris or the Thames in London.
That landscape has made an astounding turn. A beautiful promenade is being constructed along the riverbank. The old section of town has been almost totally restored. Power lines were buried, streets were paved and filthy areas were cleaned up. The city created or rebuilt parks and gardens. It rescued forgotten neighborhoods and reinvented others.
No less than six truckloads of dead rats were removed from what was a popular food market. Poor families by the thousands were moved from their brick-and-tin shacks to small, prefabricated houses made of concrete, furnished with electricity, running water and sewage. The houses were sold to the new and hopeful owners for about $6,000, payable in 15 years at very low interest rates. However, the owners must enter into an inflexible agreement: They must take good care of the houses and the surroundings if they wish to keep them.
How has this metamorphosis of the city -- as well as the psychology of its residents -- been accomplished? Through the work of two vigorous and competent officials: León Febres Cordero, mayor from 1992 to 2000 -- and also a former president of Ecuador -- and Jaime Nebot, Guayaquil's mayor for the past four years.
Popular mayor
For 12 consecutive years, these two politicians totally reorganized the operation of the city, freed it from an army of lazy bureaucrats and turned over to private enterprise many of the state's services. Ultimately they radically changed the traditional proportions of public expenditures: 85 percent would go to new investments or to the maintenance of existing investments, and only 15 percent would be spent on wages and running expenses.
The result? Nebot is the only Latin American mayor that I know who enjoys the support of 90 percent of the voters one year before the end of his term. When he walks the streets, people applaud him.
What I'm getting at is this: Guayaquil's astounding transformation can and should be the starting point for a similar regeneration throughout Latin America's urban map. If Guayaquil residents could do it, why not others? Reforming a nation is very complicated because of its Constitution, its independent powers and conflicting interests. But to revitalize cities, to modernize them and turn them into places where life is good and something within the reach of local authorities -- if they have clear ideas, energy and the desire to serve.
It is very important that this be done, because Latin America's principal political problem derives from Latin Americans' permanent irritation with the inefficient state in which they live. Maybe the starting point to fix a country is to bring order to a city. Maybe Latin Americans' reconciliation with the state will lead to a new love affair with their cities.
Guayaquil 05:22 PM
Unlivable city rebuilt, rejuvenated
By:Carlos Alberto Montaner
In Guayaquil, Ecuador, the city has installed murals on the concrete pillars that support the elevated tramline. The idea is beautiful. But what's most surprising is that the murals have not been defaced with graffiti.
Why not? Because a very rare phenomenon is occurring in that city, something very infrequent in Latin America: A kind of city pride has emerged, an urban patriotism that compels city dwellers to look after their surroundings as if these belonged to them. Nobody paints a sign on one's own home in stealth.
Maybe that's the only possible form of identity; what the Greeks used to call polis. You either love or hate New York, Boston, San Francisco or Paris. The nation is much too abstract. Residents of Prague or Florence feel secret attachments to those beautiful cities that are a lot stronger than their feelings for the Czech Republic or Italy.
I cannot think about Cuba. I think about the Havana of my youth, with its luminous facades and dark portals. Spain doesn't fill my head, either. What I remember clearly are the corners of Madrid, my second city.
`Shockingly poor'
When I visited Guayaquil for the first time, 20 years ago, the city didn't impress me as being pretty. I found it to be dirty and untidy. The city was shockingly poor, and I found it incredible that much of the human detritus and garbage was dumped into the Guayas, a rolling river that the negligence of politicians and the indolence of citizens had turned into a pestilent sewer. It was obvious that it should have been the focal point of the noblest part of the city, like the Seine in Paris or the Thames in London.
That landscape has made an astounding turn. A beautiful promenade is being constructed along the riverbank. The old section of town has been almost totally restored. Power lines were buried, streets were paved and filthy areas were cleaned up. The city created or rebuilt parks and gardens. It rescued forgotten neighborhoods and reinvented others.
No less than six truckloads of dead rats were removed from what was a popular food market. Poor families by the thousands were moved from their brick-and-tin shacks to small, prefabricated houses made of concrete, furnished with electricity, running water and sewage. The houses were sold to the new and hopeful owners for about $6,000, payable in 15 years at very low interest rates. However, the owners must enter into an inflexible agreement: They must take good care of the houses and the surroundings if they wish to keep them.
How has this metamorphosis of the city -- as well as the psychology of its residents -- been accomplished? Through the work of two vigorous and competent officials: León Febres Cordero, mayor from 1992 to 2000 -- and also a former president of Ecuador -- and Jaime Nebot, Guayaquil's mayor for the past four years.
Popular mayor
For 12 consecutive years, these two politicians totally reorganized the operation of the city, freed it from an army of lazy bureaucrats and turned over to private enterprise many of the state's services. Ultimately they radically changed the traditional proportions of public expenditures: 85 percent would go to new investments or to the maintenance of existing investments, and only 15 percent would be spent on wages and running expenses.
The result? Nebot is the only Latin American mayor that I know who enjoys the support of 90 percent of the voters one year before the end of his term. When he walks the streets, people applaud him.
What I'm getting at is this: Guayaquil's astounding transformation can and should be the starting point for a similar regeneration throughout Latin America's urban map. If Guayaquil residents could do it, why not others? Reforming a nation is very complicated because of its Constitution, its independent powers and conflicting interests. But to revitalize cities, to modernize them and turn them into places where life is good and something within the reach of local authorities -- if they have clear ideas, energy and the desire to serve.
It is very important that this be done, because Latin America's principal political problem derives from Latin Americans' permanent irritation with the inefficient state in which they live. Maybe the starting point to fix a country is to bring order to a city. Maybe Latin Americans' reconciliation with the state will lead to a new love affair with their cities.
Guayaquil 05:22 PM
Febrero 10, 2004
En Brasil se repartirán diez millones de condones durante el carnaval
El gobierno brasileño distribuirá diez millones de condones durante las próximas fiestas de carnaval, que se celebrarán entre el 21 y el 24 de este mes en todo el país, informó ayer el Ministerio de Salud.
El número de preservativos distribuidos superará los 9 millones del año pasado y los 8 millones del 2002, pero estarán por debajo de los 20 millones repartidos en el 2001.
Los condones serán distribuidos sobre todo en las ciudades que concentran las fiestas más llamativas y en las que se esperan más personas, como Río de Janeiro (un millón), Recife y Olinda (900.000) y Salvador (800.000).
En Sao Paulo, el estado más poblado y rico de Brasil pero cuyas fiestas no son tan famosas ni concurridas, se repartirán dos millones de condones.
El Ministro de Salud dijo que la campaña publicitaria será dirigida a enfatizar la seguridad del preservativo como método para impedir la transmisión de enfermedades venéreas, principalmente el sida.
El funcionario dijo que unos 14 millones de brasileños no confían en las llamadas “camisinhas” como método preventivo.
htp://www.guayaquilcaliente.com
Guayaquil 04:50 PM
Enero 30, 2004
Plan de inmigración de Bush es callejón sin salida
El Partido Demócrata calificó la propuesta de inmigración del presidente George W. Bush como "un callejón sin salida" que pone a los indocumentados al borde de la deportación.
21/ene/2004.- Bush "ha hablado con palabras bonitas" sobre su propuesta de inmigración pero no se ha referido a los verdaderos problemas aquejan a cada inmigrante, dijo el gobernador de Nuevo México Bill Richardson.
Richardson es el único gobernador hispano de Estados Unidos y contestó en español el mensaje a la nación que el presidente pronunció el martes por la noche desde el Congreso al cumplir tres años de gobierno.
Bush pidió al Congreso aprobar la reforma de las leyes de inmigración que anunció a comienzos del mes para que el trato al trabajador extranjero "refleje nuestros valores y beneficie a nuestra economía".
La mención del tema de inmigración en su discurso generó discretos aplausos de los legisladores del Partido Republicano, de Bush, mientras que la bancada demócrata se mantenía virtualmente en silencio.
Bush ha propuesto dar legalidad laboral por tres años a los extranjeros indocumentados que ya están trabajando en Estados Unidos y abrir la posibilidad de ingreso a otros que están fuera del país para que trabajen por el mismo periodo, en ocupaciones que no deseen realizar los estadounidenses.
Al final de ese periodo, los trabajadores pueden renovar su permanencia por tres años más, pero tendrán que marcharse luego a su país.
Richardson dijo que la propuesta "es un pequeño paso adelante... pero no ayuda a los trabajadores a obtener su sueño de oro: la legalización, la residencia permanente".
"En vez de ser un camino hacia una vida mejor, este plan representa un callejón sin salida para los inmigrantes", dijo. "Después de tres años de trabajo, lo único que pueden mirar hacia adelante es el peligro de la deportación".
La intensa división bipartidista que se dará en el actual año de elección presidencial reducirá drásticamente las posibilidades de una importante acción legislativa sobre la propuesta. Algunos analistas han adelantado incluso que no se espera un debate final en el Congreso sino hasta el 2006.
Richardson dijo que entre los hispanos, que históricamente tienen preferencias demócratas en una proporción de casi 3-1, hay 300,000 desocupados más desde que Bush asumió el cargo.
"Bush no nos ha dado un plan de ataque a nuestros problemas", dijo Richardson refiriéndose a los hispanos que ahora son la primera minoría de la nación, con unos 38 millones de miembros.
Según Richardson casi el 50% de los estudiantes hispanos abandonan sus estudios secundarios antes de graduarse y 17 millones de hispanos carecen de seguro médico en la nación de los más avanzados recursos de investigación en el campo de la salud.
Guayaquil 10:52 AM
Enero 29, 2004
Guayaquil - Nacimineto Prematuro ¿Corre usted riesgo?
El parto prematuro puede ocurrirle a cualquier mujer embarazada, pero es más común en algunas mujeres. Los investigadores científicos continuan estudiando el parto y el nacimiento prematuro. Estos han identificado algunos factores de riesgo, pero aún no pueden predecir qué mujer dará a luz antes de tiempo. El tener un factor de riesgo no significia que una mujer tendrá un parto prematuro o dar a luz a un bebé prematuro.
Existen tres grupos de mujeres que corren un riesgo mayor de tener un parto prematuro y dar a luz a un bebé prematuro:
Mujeres que esperan mellizos, trillizos o más bebés
Mujeres que ya han tenido un parto prematuro o un bebé prematuro
Mujeres con anomalías en el útero o el cuello del útero
Recuerde, que aunque pertenezca a uno de estos grupos de riesgo eso no significa que tendrá un parto prematuro. Sin embargo, es importante que conozca las señales de un parto prematuro y sepa qué hacer si tiene alguna de ellas.
Los investigadores también han idetificado otros factores de riesgo. Por ejemplo, las mujeres de origen afro-americano y las mujeres que tienen menos de 17 años o más de 35 años de edad corren un riesgo mayor que otras mujeres. Los expertos no saben con certeza el por qué y cómo estos factores aumentan el riesgo de que una mujer tenga un parto o nacimiento prematuro.
Riesgos del Estilo de Vida
Algunos estudios han encontrado que ciertos factores del estilo de vida pueden poner a una mujer en riesgo de tener un parto prematuro. Entre los factores se encuentra:
La falta del cuidado prenatal o comenzar el cuidado prenatal tarde
Fumar
Beber alcohol
El uso de drogas ilícitas
Maltrato doméstico, incluyendo el abuso físico, sexual o emocional
La carencia de apoyo social
Niveles altos de estrés
Trabajar por horas largas y estar de pie por largos períodos de tiempo
Bajos ingresos
Riesgos Médicos
Ciertas condiciones médicas durante el embarazo pueden aumentar la probabilidad de que una mujer tenga un parto prematuro. Entre las condiciones se encuentra:
La ruptura prematura de las membranas (cuando el saco dentro del útero o matriz que sostiene al bebé se rompre antes de tiempo)
Infecciones vaginales, infecciones de las vías urinarias, infecciones de transmisión sexual, y posiblemente otras infecciones
Alta presión arterial
Diabetes
Trastornos de coagulación (trombofilia)
Tener un peso inferior al normal antes del embarazo
Obesidad
Períodos cortos entre embarazos (menos de 6 a 9 meses entre el nacimiento y el comienzo de otro embarazo)
Ciertos defectos de nacimiento en el bebé
Sangrado vaginal
¿Qué pueden hacer las mujeres?
Recuerde, no obstante, que aunque pertenezca a uno de estos grupos de riesgo eso no significa que tendrá un parto prematuro. Simplemente significa que tiene un riesgo mayor de tenerlo que una mujer que no pertenece a ninguno de estos grupos. De todas maneras, saber que corre riesgo seguramente la asustará. Por esta razón es tan importante que:
Conozca las señales de un parto prematuro
Sepa qué hacer si tiene alguna de ellas
Se cuide muy bien a usted misma y a su bebé durante el embarazo
Esta es la mejor manera para proteger su salud y la de su bebé contra el parto prematuro.
Guayaquil 12:23 PM
Enero 27, 2004
Expertos pronostican que el fin del "spam" está cerca
Expertos afirman que hay esperanzas para los usuarios de Internet cansados de recibir mensajes chatarra y pronostican que el torrente de pornografía, las ofertas electrónicas para viajes tentadores, prótesis corporales o medicamentos maravillosos podrían reducirse a gotas en los próximos años.
Los mensajes electrónicos no solicitados o "spam" conforman actualmente más de la mitad del tráfico de e-mail, pero según ejecutivos de tecnología avanzada se verían significativamente reducidos en unos dos años.
El fundador de Microsoft Bill Gates predijo la declinación del "spam" durante el Foro Económico Mundial en Davos, Suiza, según informó un portavoz de la compañía.
"Nosotros como compañía creemos que en un par de años el "spam" se reducirá a un flujo muy controlable", dijo Sean Sundwall.
Esta predicción se vio respaldada por el jefe de una prominente compañía antispam, que se encarga de controlar el correo chatarra para grandes proveedores de Internet como Verizon Communications y BellSouth.
"Creo que solucionaremos el spam para fines de 2005", dijo Enrique Salem, presidente y ejecutivo principal de la firma Brightmail.
Eso podría parecer sólo un deseo para los usuarios de Internet que, por ejemplo en Estados Unidos, no han visto un descenso en las ofertas de Viagra desde que una nueva ley federal anti-spam entró en vigor el 1 de enero.
Salem señaló que según cifras de Brightmail ha habido un aumento de la proporción de correo chatarra de 58 por ciento en diciembre a 60 por ciento actual y se estima que la cifra llegará a 65 por ciento a fin de año.
De allí en más, expertos vaticinan que comenzará a declinar a medida que se apliquen técnicas de filtrado mejoradas y los agentes federales empiecen a hacer cumplir la nueva ley, dijo.
Sundwall indicó que en Davos, Gates esbozó varias técnicas que servirían para controlar el "spam", entre ellas mecanismos para minar la capacidad de procesamiento de los mensajes. Otra opción sería fijar tarifas que quienes envían correo chatarra deberían pagar, a no ser que el destinatario expresamente los liberara de la obligación.
Guayaquil 05:11 PM