Electric Mobility Scooters

Incontinence is a condition involving the loss of bladder and/or bowel control, which is a condition that millions suffer from. This ailment causes accidental urine or stool elimination, which can be very embarrasing to alert individuals. This problem affects people of all ages; but is most common in older adults and women. The cause is a disruption in the normal urinating/deficating process. However, there are various types of urinary incontinence. Today I will discuss two prevalent types, Stress incontinence and Functional incontinence. 

Stress incontinence is the inability to prevent escape of urine during stress such as laughing, coughing, sneezing, lifting or sudden movements. Stress incontinence occurs in men and women, and most frequently in young women of childbearing age, and is classified as “normal”. Fortunately, there are exercises women can try to help strengthen the mucles responsible for bladder control. These muscles are called pubococcygeus (PC). The most common method used to strengthen the PC muscle are Kegel exercises, named for the gynecologist who devised them as treatment for women with urinary incontienence. First you must identify where the PC muscles are, and how to contract them. To practice, sit on the toilet seat with your legs spread as far apart as possible. When you begin to urinate, contract your pelvic floor muscle to stop the flow of urine. Practice this method until you have a good sense of where the PC muscles are and how to tighten them. Once you have identified the PC muscles, you can do the Kegel excercises anytime and anywhere (lying, sitting sqatting or standing). Dr. Kegel used to recommend contracting and releasing the PC muscle 300 times per day, but even if you don’t do quite as many, establishing a daily routine of at least two sessions a day, building up to contracting for ten seconds, then relaxing for 10 seconds for 10-25 repetitions could help to improve bladder control. There are medications designed to help improve bladder control in males. Consult your physician. 

Functional Incontinence is when you are aware of the urge to urinate or have a bowel movement; but due to physical limitations or communication problems, you may not have timely access to toileting facilities. There are a variety of treatments and products to help prevent incontinence. However, the onset of these ailments should be investigated by a physician to be certain it is not caused by a structural abnormality. Also, the urine should be cultured to rule out urinary tract infection. As always, I place emphasis on prevention. Good hygiene is key. Simply wiping from front to back can help prevent urinary tract infections. Also, it is recommended by Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld to try natural remedies to promote good urinary health, such as drinking some kind of berry juice at least three times a week, eating yogurt two or three times a week, or both.

With the advancement of price comparison tools found on the internet, we tend to “shop around” for the lowest prices for practically every item we purchase. We sometimes spend hours, looking for the best price for a single item before finally making a purchase.
 
Depending on the category of the item, this could prove beneficial. But, it is important to remember: Cheaper is not always better, particularly as it relates to products concerning our healthcare and mobility. We’ve all heard the saying, ” You get what you pay for.” Don’t fall victim to companies selling inexpensive and unsafe medical and mobility products. If you are of a hefty stature (200 lbs. or more) you’ll be better off spending a few extra dollars to have the most reliable sturdy equipment; which is likely to be safer and withstand continued use over a longer period of time. In the long run you actually save money. Chances are, the cheeper items will require replacement sooner. Take advantage of the many payment options offered by companies such as Wheelchairs Abound. Invest in brands that have withstood the test of time, such as Amigo and Invacare ……..Why?      Because, you are worth it!

If you will be sitting in a POV (Power Operated Vehicle) for more than four hours each day, seating is very important. A bigger seat isn’t always the answer, nor is it always better. When in the seat, make sure you are not “bottoming out”. Does the bottom cushion support your legs? Are your upper legs at a 90-degree angle with your hips? Will you be able to get specialized seating if needed? In addition, what should the floor-to-seat height be?
Floor to seat height and platform width (including rear wheels) are measurements you should know. Amigo’s compact platform widths are great features for functionality-plus both inside and outside the home. Both sets of measurements will fluctuate due to the selection of tires and seats on each Amigo. 

Bigger isn’t always better. Many power-operated vehicles feature larger handles, wheels and longer platforms. For maximum use, We recommend that the power-operated vehicle you choose be not much larger than your body.  Sometimes a larger handle may make the difference in closing the trunk of your car.
 

Your method of getting around has a major impact your daily activities and the places you go.  Having the ability to stand and pivot could mean the difference between independence and depending on others for your most basic needs. Just being able to take a few steps can be a huge advantage, especially in tighter areas such as bathrooms. These tight areas allow for easy reaching and holding on to grab bars, sinks and counters. For some people the mobility solutions vary and may include multiple devices for each environment. For instance a manual wheelchair for the home, a scooter for work and even a handcycle for exercise. Mobility Assistance Equipment comes in many forms, shapes and sizes. The options include, but are not limited to:

• Assistive Devices for Ambulation- Items to help with walking such as walking canes, crutches and walkers and rollators.
• Manual wheelchair- Including chair with movable wheels to improve your ability to self-propel or be pushed by another individual.
• Power Asssist Devices- Added to manual wheelchairs to assist with propelling.
• Scooters - Three or Four wheeled devices with a tiller for steering, especially good for tight turns and manuvering.                                      
• Power Wheelchairs - Front wheel, Mid wheel and Rear wheel drive options, controlled by a joystick or an alternate control device. Available with multiple seating options including power seating options.                                                                                                                                                                                         

   There are many things to consider before investing in either of these devices, and such a purchase can be the ticket to greater independence. There are resources leading to actual end user reviews of many of these mobiity products. Do your research and get moving!   

Chronic headaches, stuffy nose, facial pain and swelling, foul breath. Sinusitis symptoms are very common, which makes detection more elusive, sometimes prolonging treatment. The traditional treatment with antibiotics is appropriate when there is bacteria and other related infectious organisms, such as fungi and parasites. These are best treated with a more aggressive approach. However, if your sinusitis is viral in nature, antibiotics are not the cure. Antibiotics will not target viruses, and there is no known cure for viral infections. Usually, it is recommended to allow a viral infection to heal on its own. There’s an old remedy of chicken soup or broth that still helps the healing process. Drinking plenty of water will also help the healing process.  Taking unnecessary antibiotics may cause your body to build a resistance to these drugs, making them ineffective for other uses. It is important to note when taking antibiotics, whether you’ve been treated with the same medication in the recent past. This could have a bearing on the effectiveness of the treatment. Be sure your doctor is aware of any past prescriptions for these symptoms. When taking antibiotics it is important to follow your doctor’s exact instructions to fully benefit from the treatment. Many individuals will stop taking their medicine as soon as their symptoms subside. This too will cause the body to build resistance to the medication, resulting in a “shorter list” of effective bacteria fighting antibiotics for your future use. Our sinuses are like tiny caves and narrow passages within the facial part of our sculls; which acts to filter, moisten and warm the air we take in as we breathe. During this process, our sinuses collect particles from the air as air filters on a car. Sometimes these particles are unfriendly organisms, and can accumulate and grow, making themselves “at home” in our sinuses. Therefore causing infections and the chronic aforementioned symptoms.Prevention is always the best “remedy”. An Occupational Therapist I once worked with told me about a natural product to cleanse the sinus cavities, daily; which helps to prevent the build-up of bacteria causing organisms and fungus. The product is called NeilMed Sinus Rinse. A measured solution of Sodium Chloride and Sodium Bicarbonate, used with a simple squeeze bottle. It has become an essential part of my daily hygiene, like brushing my teeth, or washing my hands. Natural relief from allergies and sinus symptoms has never been easier. One of the best things about it is a thirty day supply only cost about $12.00. For you allergy/sinus sufferers, please let me know how this alternative remedy helped you too.        

                                   Being in a wheelchair is no excuse not to exercise! If all you can move is your head, be thankful you can do this. There are many of whom cannot. Even to those individuals….. all is not lost. Exercise your brain! Technological advances enables the physically challenged to take on activities they’ve never dreamed they could do. Know your options concerning sporting activities, vidoe games and fitness programs. If unable to participate in any of the above remember, “the mind is  terrible thing to waist”. Work that brain like a big muscle! Create or work on a project that keeps you looking forward conquerring the next day.  We all need something to look forward to, and you are no different. With the world being as small as a marble now, as it relates to communicating with one another, it is a luxury to be able to chat with people from all over the world. Really makes you wonder how out ancesters ever survived. We take so much for granted and should appreciate each day, and live it to it’s fullest because tomorrow is not promised to any of us. Live Well!

The Layaway option is back! Actually…. it never left us. For many years now, there has been an affordable way to buy the things we might not otherwise be able to pay cash for. This payment option  was especially useful in our own household around Christmas time. We would go to the toy store in early September, pick out all our kids gifts and put them in Layaway.

By December, our shopping was paid off!  We would proudly go to the toy store and pick up our order. Then we had to figure out where to hide everything from those curious youngsters of ours. We preferred this method over using  credit cards because it was more economical. It really got us through some tough times. 

 eLayaway is “Online Layaway” at it’s best. This secure online process makes it easy to afford the personal items you need most. Like traditional layaway, eLayaway allows you to make payments on a variety of products and services, with delivery upon payment in full. Membership is FREE and there are no credit checks! However, there is a flat, one time charge, of 1.9% per transaction to use eLayaway. In essence, it’s $1.90 per $100 spent, that’s it! 

 Why wait to have the brand new scooter or wheelchair you need when you have control over budgeting your payments to suit your needs, with up to a year to pay it off. With Free interest. Find out more here.