Archive for the 'Healthcare Tips' Category
Whether a leg has been injured due to an accident or surgery, it’s important to be aware of the necessities to own while the leg is healing. First, when a leg is healing, it’s important to keep off it as much as possible. This doesn’t mean that walking around shouldn’t happen at all, but keeping off the leg will speed up the healing process. When walking, be sure to use underarm crutches, even if it feels like the leg is getting better and the crutches aren’t needed. Taking the weight of the leg will help it to heal faster until it is back up to 100%. For those who have undergone surgery, be sure to apply ice or heat to the leg on a regular basis. This will reduce the pain caused by the injury, and make it more bearable to sit for extended periods of time. Since there is a lot of sitting and resting involved with a leg injury, be sure to have activities to stay occupied.
Never remove bandages or stop taking medication unless confirmed first by a doctor. When patients go out and do their own thing without doctor permission, it often causes their injury to relapse.
Common microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi (mold, mildew) are found all around use and can cause a wide range of problems for almost any product. The AEGIS Microbe Shield controls these problems by providing odor protection in wheelchair upholstery, reduced bio-loading, and stain and deterioration control in linens and medical garments. All of these benefits come from the unique properties provided by the AEGIS Microbe Shield technology.
- Protection against microbial growth without leaching onto the skin or crossing the skin barrier
- Controls or eliminates objectionable odors, unsightly stains, and product deterioration
- Ideal surface for prolonged sitting
Effective against a wide range of microorganisms from bacteria to fungal contamination like mold, mildew, algae and yeast; which helps to reduce the breakdown of skin.
Abbreviated DVT, Deep Vein Thrombosis is a condition in which a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body. The leg is the most common origin. DVT is a serious condition. If fragments of a deep vein thrombosis break loose, they can be carried to the lungs, in doing so, they could block the flow of blood. This is called a pulmonary embolism; which can be fatal.
Common Symptoms - Leg pain is one of the symptoms; but DVT can and often does occur without any symptoms. This attributes to DVT being called a “silent killer.”
The contraction of leg muscles facilitates the re-circulation of blood back to your heart. Although it is working against gravity, this process keeps the blood in your legs from clotting. Keeping your legs inert for long periods of time denies your body this circulation boost and can lead to a thrombus. In 2008 more than 2,000 Americans died from travel-related DVT strokes.
Inheriting a blood-clotting disorder.
Unfortunately, some people inherit a disorder that makes their blood clot more easily. This inherited condition is more likely to cause problems when combined with one or more other risk factors.
Surgery or Injury
Prolonged bedrest or hospital stay
Pregnancy increases the pressure in the veins in your legs and pelvis. In which case, women with an inherited clotting disorder are especially at risk. The risk of blood clots from pregnancy can continue for up to six weeks after you give birth.
Smoking affects blood cell reproduction, blood clotting and circulation.
Overweight or obesity.
Being overweight increases the pressure in the veins in your legs and pelvis.
Ways to help prevent DVT
Stay well hydrated, avoid alcohol beverages, and take hourly breaks from sitting by walking around, where applicable. The extra legroom of an aisle or business-class seat may help with occasionally stretching legs. For those at a higher risk, below-the-knee compression stockings or medication may be needed. There are well-established guidelines for preventing DVT in many medical situations, particularly after surgery. Consult your physician. Making lifestyle changes may also be helpful:
Losing weight if you’re obese may help reduce your risk of DVT. 
Although it may seem carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition from long hours working on a computer keyboard, carpal tunnel syndrome actually has numerous causes.
Bound by bones and ligaments, the carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway — about as big around as your thumb — located on the palm side of your wrist. This tunnel protects a main nerve to your hand and nine tendons that bend your fingers. Pressure placed on the nerve produces the numbness, pain and, eventually, hand weakness that characterize carpal tunnel syndrome.
Fortunately, for most people who develop carpal tunnel syndrome, proper treatment usually can relieve the pain and numbness and restore normal use of their wrists and hands.
Carpal tunnel syndrome typically starts gradually with a vague aching in your wrist that can extend to your hand or forearm
Some people with mild symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can ease their discomfort by taking more-frequent breaks to rest their hands and applying cold packs to reduce occasional swelling. If these techniques don’t offer relief, carpal tunnel syndrome treatment options include wrist splinting, medications and surgery.
Yoga and other relaxation techniques may help with chronic pain that occurs with some muscle and joint conditions. Yoga postures designed for strengthening, stretching and balancing each joint in the upper body, as well as the upper body itself, may help reduce the pain and improve the grip strength of people with carpal tunnel syndrome.
You may have to experiment to find a treatment that works for you. Still, always check with your doctor before trying any complementary or alternative treatment.
Our bodily function changes as we age. Eating problems caused by the decline of physiological functions are common among the elderly. This can result in an imbalanced diet that may subsequently affect nutritional status. With proper dietary modifications, these eating problems can be resolved.
1. Chewing difficulties
· Cut food into smaller pieces by chopping or grinding, modify food texture by pureeing with blenders before eating, cook food thoroughly until tender, or add sauces.
· Visit dentists regularly and wear well-fitted dentures.
2. Reduced taste
· Encourage chewing and ensure proper dental hygiene.
· Avoid cigarette smoking.
3. Dry mouth
· Ensure adequate fluid intake.
· Provide food with sauces, gravies or clear soup, or soften bread or crackers with milk or soup.
· Drink some water to moisten the mouth before meals or chew on some pickles or fresh lemon slices to stimulate saliva secretion.
4. Poor appetite
· Have small, frequent meals supplemented with nutrient dense snacks
· Eating utensils, that are lightweight that will aide in the ability to eat
· Food bumpers can be used to prevent spills
With age may come wisdom and, all too frequently, a fall. Falls are common causes of serious injuries. One out of every three people over 65 falls annually in the U.S. Falls are the most common cause of injuries among senior citizens and the top reason for a hospital admission for trauma. Advanced age substantially increases the likelihood of hospitalization after a fall. Falls account for 87% of all fractures among people aged 65 years or older. For seniors, fractures are the most serious consequence of falls (short of death). The most common bones to fracture in falls are:
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The hip, femur (thigh bone), pelvis, and vertebrae (spine);
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The humerus (upper arm bone), forearm, and hand; and
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The leg and ankle bones.
What medical factors increase the chance of a fall?
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Visual impairment. Disorders of the nervous system. Joint and muscle problems. Difficulties in gait and balance. Medications which induce sleepiness.
How can falls be prevented?
Physical activity to improve strength, mobility and flexibility in seniors; Limiting sleep-inducing medications whenever possible; Appropriate treatment of underlying medical conditions; Environmental modifications such as installing grab bars, removing tripping obstacles, and maintaining sufficient lighting; And some common sense doesn’t hurt.
Good eye health is important to our independence; but depending on someone else to administer your eye drops can be frustrating. There’s a nifty little item I found on WheelchairsAbound, that may make inserting your own eye drops a possibility.
This inexpensive ($4.82) gadget holds the eye open and directs the drops, allowing for accurated eye drop installation! It conveniently clips into place and positions the bottle at the correct angle over the eye. There’s a special cup which prevents blinking by keeping the lower eyelid open while a small pinhole directs eyesight upward and away from the descending drops. Someone had everyone in mind when they designed this useful product!
Pressure Sore Risk Factors:
The elderly and people with mobility problems are at a greater risk for pressure sores.
Incontinence is also a contributor, along with malnutrition and dehydration. Certain medications can also be an attributing factor.
Signs and Symptoms of Pressure Sore Development:
- Discoloration: In lighter-skin, the skin may turn red or dark purple. Darker-skinned the area may become darker than normal.
- There may be a bad smell from the area
- Redness or warmth around the sore
- Swelling around the sore
- Tenderness, pain around the sore
- Thick yellow or green pus
- Size of pressure sores are variable, they can go down into the muscle, or even to the bone.
- Further reduction in mobility
Pressure Sore Prevention:
Relieving pressure: Position must be changed on a regular basis, at least every two hours, and in the very frail at least every hour.
Good Diet: A good and balanced diet contributes to healing, as well as avoiding severe nutritional decline and 
loss of weight
Skin Care: Keep the skin clean. Moisture should be minimized. Skin care products should be used that moisturize the skin but do not make it wet or soggy.
Use continence aids if a person is unable to control their bladder or bowels. Pads, diapers, convenes or catheterizing.
Inspect the skin to see if any redness or breaks in the skin are developing.
Use products to relieve and treat pressure sores; airbeds, foam bed, bed and chair protectors, chair products, continence aids can all contribute to avoiding of bed sores.
The American Heart Association states the following:
Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for developing coronary artery disease and stroke. It also contributes to other risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, a low level of HDL (”good”) cholesterol and diabetes. Even modest levels of physical activity are beneficial.
The AHA says that older adults and those with disabilities can gain significant health benefits with a moderate amount of physical activity, preferably daily. Physical activity doesn’t need to be strenuous to bring health benefits. What’s important is to include physical activity as part of a regular routine.
For older adults, this moderate amount of activity can come from
- longer sessions of moderately intense activities such as walking or swimming
- shorter sessions of more vigorous activities such as fast walking, moon-rocking or stair-climbing
Greater amounts of physical activity can bring more benefits. But it shouldn’t be done excessively, or your risk of injury will increase.
People with disabilities are less likely to engage in regular moderate physical activity. Still, they can benefit from
- moderately intense activities (such as 30–40 minutes of using a manual wheelchair)
- shorter sessions of more intense activity (such as 20 minutes of wheelchair basketball)
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, or if your pressure is borderline and your doctor is just “watching it”, measure it yourself from time to time, away from the doctor’s office. Doing so is useful because some people suffer from white coat syndrome, in which they become anxious in the doctor’s office and their blood pressure rises. As a result, the doctor doesn’t get an accurate reading and can’t know how well the condition is being treated. Also, it’s useful to know your pressure in various situations, and how effectively your medication is working throughout the day.
The best way to monitor your pressure, in my opinion, is with a home blood pressure cuff. Most of these devices are inexpensive (under $100), automatic, and easy to use. To make sure the unit is accurate, take it with you to the doctor’s office and check it against the one there. Depending on the medical book you read, you’ll find a “normal blood pressure” to be beteen 120/70 to 130/80. Each person has their own “normal”, therefore these numbers are considered ideal or desirable.
Many drugstores and supermarkets now have blood pressure machines, providing a convenient, inexpensive, and easy way to measure your blood pressure. You simply slip your arm into a cuff and push a button. But are such machines acurate? Do the stores maintain their units, or do they set them up and forget about them? Frankly, I have always been a little leary of advising my patients to check their pressure this way, especially in a supermarket. Therefore, I recommend buying yourself a home unit so you can measure your pressure at home before and after taking medication, eating, or watching an exciting event on T.V. (all away from that terrifying white coat). In addition to these scenerios, whether you are sitting or standing will affect the readings. However, if you don’t have a personal home unit, it’s okay to use the public blood pressure monitors as long as you remember to do it three times. The last reading is the one that counts. If it seems out of line, double-check it with your doctor.