Friday, May 31, 2013
Compression Garment FAQ's
Question: Does compression therapy prevent blood from circulating properly?
Answer: Compression therapy is a mechanical treatment which operates from the outside and exerts pressure reducing the caliber of sick veins. The valves become closer which allows them to carry out their function. The venous blood circulation increases, the ebbing is controlled and the stasis weakens. The venous circulation gets better. The compressive treatment has no effect on arteries.
Question: If I continually wear compression garments are my leg muscles weakened?
Answer: Compression garments have no negative effect on muscles.
Question: Can I prevent the appearance of varicose veins?
Answer: Be aware of your personal risks, identify any early warning signs and get moving! Walk, take the stairs, find a physical activity and do it regularly. If you must sit or stand all day, be sure to move around every hour. Raise your legs, shower your legs with cold water, and wear compression garments to combat the appearance of varicose veins.
Question: What is graduated compression and why is it so important?
Answer: Graduated compression puts the strongest pressure where the veins are the weakest. Simply because of gravity, that’s usually the ankles. That is where the greatest swelling occurs. And, the single most important component in treatment of venous disease is the reduction of swelling.
Question: How do graduated compression therapy garments work?
Answer: Medically accurate graduated compression therapy stockings push dilated vein walls back into place, enabling veins to close properly and function more efficiently. The result is increased blood flow which, in turn, significantly reduces leg swelling, pain, fatigue and risk of blood clot formation.
Question: Why are higher rated compression garments sold by prescription only?
Answer: Because medical compression garments are designed to provide exact compression, the correct fit is critical. Exact compression means that pressure is distributed in a graduated manner up the leg, maximizing blood flow from the leg veins back to the heart. Only a professional fitter can ensure accurate measurement of your legs and therefore, the right garment for your individual needs. Every retailer that sells medical compression garments should be a professional fitter, so verify this when purchasing your garments.
Question: Can I drink coffee, tea and alcohol when I have a venous disorder?
Answer: Coffee and tea have no influence on serious venous thrombosis or post-thrombotic syndrome. Alcohol, however, dilates veins so they have to double their work, so check with your doctor.
Question: How will I feel in compression garments?
Answer: As with any new therapy, they take some getting used to, but you’ll have more energy and feel better almost immediately.
Medical compression should be worn only as prescribed by your physician and is not recommended for patients with severe arterial insufficiency.
Answer: Compression therapy is a mechanical treatment which operates from the outside and exerts pressure reducing the caliber of sick veins. The valves become closer which allows them to carry out their function. The venous blood circulation increases, the ebbing is controlled and the stasis weakens. The venous circulation gets better. The compressive treatment has no effect on arteries.
Question: If I continually wear compression garments are my leg muscles weakened?
Answer: Compression garments have no negative effect on muscles.
Question: Can I prevent the appearance of varicose veins?
Answer: Be aware of your personal risks, identify any early warning signs and get moving! Walk, take the stairs, find a physical activity and do it regularly. If you must sit or stand all day, be sure to move around every hour. Raise your legs, shower your legs with cold water, and wear compression garments to combat the appearance of varicose veins.
Question: What is graduated compression and why is it so important?
Answer: Graduated compression puts the strongest pressure where the veins are the weakest. Simply because of gravity, that’s usually the ankles. That is where the greatest swelling occurs. And, the single most important component in treatment of venous disease is the reduction of swelling.
Question: How do graduated compression therapy garments work?
Answer: Medically accurate graduated compression therapy stockings push dilated vein walls back into place, enabling veins to close properly and function more efficiently. The result is increased blood flow which, in turn, significantly reduces leg swelling, pain, fatigue and risk of blood clot formation.
Question: Why are higher rated compression garments sold by prescription only?
Answer: Because medical compression garments are designed to provide exact compression, the correct fit is critical. Exact compression means that pressure is distributed in a graduated manner up the leg, maximizing blood flow from the leg veins back to the heart. Only a professional fitter can ensure accurate measurement of your legs and therefore, the right garment for your individual needs. Every retailer that sells medical compression garments should be a professional fitter, so verify this when purchasing your garments.
Question: Can I drink coffee, tea and alcohol when I have a venous disorder?
Answer: Coffee and tea have no influence on serious venous thrombosis or post-thrombotic syndrome. Alcohol, however, dilates veins so they have to double their work, so check with your doctor.
Question: How will I feel in compression garments?
Answer: As with any new therapy, they take some getting used to, but you’ll have more energy and feel better almost immediately.
Medical compression should be worn only as prescribed by your physician and is not recommended for patients with severe arterial insufficiency.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
10 Things to NEVER Say to a Nurse!
10. “Helloooooo, Nurse!”
You’re not an object to be fawned over. You’re saving lives here! You don’t have time to be ogled. Luckily, younger generations probably have never heard the phrase, so you can hope that it will be phased out soon.
Okay. We get it. We’ve all seen the cartoons with the buxom nurse who is swooned over by a wolf, or a man, or an Animaniacs character. It wasn’t funny or original the first dozen times you heard it, and it certainly hasn’t made a positive impact 10 years later.
9. “Do You Only Date Doctors?”
Puh-lease. Anyone who has actually spent any time around a doctor knows that dating one is next to impossible. Crazy hours. Constant stress. Big egos. Who wants to put up with that? Plus, everyone knows you shouldn’t “dip your pen in the company ink.” Spending 12-plus hours with someone can make you form an incredibly close bond, but that doesn’t mean your coworkers will make the best significant others.
Anyone who asks a nurse this is clearly watching too much Grey’s Anatomy and needs their head examined.
8. “C’mon. Nursing is Just Like on TV!”
What were we just saying about people who watch too much Grey’s Anatomy? While medical shows are a great form of entertainment – tons of nurses watch them, too – that doesn’t mean they are an accurate portrayal of when hospital life is like. Nursing organizations have even taken up arms against nurse-centered shows like Nurse Jackie and HawthoRNe. Prior to these shows, nurses were almost never the focus of a medical TV show. Nurses were merely in the background emptying bedpans or taking orders.
But we know the truth. Nurses are the foundation of any good health system. They don’t have time to be the center of attention because they are always cleaning up a (metaphorical) mess a doctor has left!
7. “Nurses Take Orders From Doctors”
Medical ProfessionalNurses work alongside other nurses. They report to other nurses. They belong to organizations and unions just for nurses. Edie Falco of Nurse Jackie put it perfectly when she said “Doctors diagnose. Nurses save lives.” When it comes down to it, nurses are the ones in the trenches. Because they spend the most time with patients, they can be counted on to know when something is wrong or if a patient has made any progress.
Doctors and nurses may work side-by-side, but nurses are responsible for nurses.
6. “What’s Taking So Long?!”
Patients depend on nurses to keep their healthcare experience a positive one. But we all know that things can get hectic in the medical field. Emergencies and unpredictable accidents can happen on a daily basis which means patients may not always be seen when they thought they would.
Having a patient gripe at you and ask “What’s taking so long?!” can be irritating, especially if you are trying your hardest to make sure everyone is taken care of. It’s in stressful situations like this that it’s sometimes easier to snap instead of calmly explain that you are doing your best.
5. “So…You Can Score Me Some Meds, Right?”
Shows like Nurse Jackie and House, MD make it seems like any nurse can walk right into a pharmacy and get whatever he/she wants. We know that’s totally not true, but those who aren’t in the medical field often believe it. Many nurses have friends or family members who ask them to score some meds they don’t have a prescription for – without even considering the fact that the nurse could lose her/his license!
Most nurses can laugh this off, but, for others, it’s a real problem. To banish this stereotype (and this request!), there needs to be continual education of consumers.
4. “What Does a Nurse Do?”
Coming from a 5th grader who is doing a report on what she wants to be when she grows up, this question is sweet. Coming from a snarky patient, this question is almost intolerable. What doesn’t a nurse do? Let’s see…nurses care for patients, chart, memorize and administer medication, write care plans, take direction, give direction, handle emergencies, handle stress, handle “dirty jobs” doctors don’t want to do…
The list goes on and on.
3. “I’m Just a Nurse”
Just a nurse? No such thing! I’m sure you’ve heard a fellow nurse say something along these lines. Doesn’t it make you crazy?! Nurses are the backbone of any successful healthcare facility, so stand up and be proud!
Similarly, you might hear “I’m just an LPN.” Well, LPNs are nurses, too! (And don’t you forget it!)
2. “Anyone Can Be a Nurse”
What?! Anyone can deal with juggling 20-person patient loads, keeping track of dozens of medications, handling emergencies with grace, and charting it all correctly? (And more!) Yeah, right. Nursing is not for everyone, which is why not everyone is a nurse. Nurses have a special set of qualities that set them apart from everyone else.
Anyone can be a nurse? I’d like to see them try.
And finally….
1. “Why Didn’t You Become a Doctor?”
This utterly annoying and disrespectful question comes in a variety of forms: “Why didn’t you become a doctor?” “Why don’t you want to be a doctor?” “Did med school sound too hard?” No matter the variance, the underlying insult is the same: Doctors are better than nurses. Not true! Let’s see a doctor take on everything a nurse handles with ease.
You know what they say: Behind every good doctor is a better nurse!
Source: http://scrubsmag.com/10-things-to-never-say-to-a-nurse
You’re not an object to be fawned over. You’re saving lives here! You don’t have time to be ogled. Luckily, younger generations probably have never heard the phrase, so you can hope that it will be phased out soon.
Okay. We get it. We’ve all seen the cartoons with the buxom nurse who is swooned over by a wolf, or a man, or an Animaniacs character. It wasn’t funny or original the first dozen times you heard it, and it certainly hasn’t made a positive impact 10 years later.
9. “Do You Only Date Doctors?”
Puh-lease. Anyone who has actually spent any time around a doctor knows that dating one is next to impossible. Crazy hours. Constant stress. Big egos. Who wants to put up with that? Plus, everyone knows you shouldn’t “dip your pen in the company ink.” Spending 12-plus hours with someone can make you form an incredibly close bond, but that doesn’t mean your coworkers will make the best significant others.
Anyone who asks a nurse this is clearly watching too much Grey’s Anatomy and needs their head examined.
8. “C’mon. Nursing is Just Like on TV!”
What were we just saying about people who watch too much Grey’s Anatomy? While medical shows are a great form of entertainment – tons of nurses watch them, too – that doesn’t mean they are an accurate portrayal of when hospital life is like. Nursing organizations have even taken up arms against nurse-centered shows like Nurse Jackie and HawthoRNe. Prior to these shows, nurses were almost never the focus of a medical TV show. Nurses were merely in the background emptying bedpans or taking orders.
But we know the truth. Nurses are the foundation of any good health system. They don’t have time to be the center of attention because they are always cleaning up a (metaphorical) mess a doctor has left!
7. “Nurses Take Orders From Doctors”
Medical ProfessionalNurses work alongside other nurses. They report to other nurses. They belong to organizations and unions just for nurses. Edie Falco of Nurse Jackie put it perfectly when she said “Doctors diagnose. Nurses save lives.” When it comes down to it, nurses are the ones in the trenches. Because they spend the most time with patients, they can be counted on to know when something is wrong or if a patient has made any progress.
Doctors and nurses may work side-by-side, but nurses are responsible for nurses.
6. “What’s Taking So Long?!”
Patients depend on nurses to keep their healthcare experience a positive one. But we all know that things can get hectic in the medical field. Emergencies and unpredictable accidents can happen on a daily basis which means patients may not always be seen when they thought they would.
Having a patient gripe at you and ask “What’s taking so long?!” can be irritating, especially if you are trying your hardest to make sure everyone is taken care of. It’s in stressful situations like this that it’s sometimes easier to snap instead of calmly explain that you are doing your best.
5. “So…You Can Score Me Some Meds, Right?”
Shows like Nurse Jackie and House, MD make it seems like any nurse can walk right into a pharmacy and get whatever he/she wants. We know that’s totally not true, but those who aren’t in the medical field often believe it. Many nurses have friends or family members who ask them to score some meds they don’t have a prescription for – without even considering the fact that the nurse could lose her/his license!
Most nurses can laugh this off, but, for others, it’s a real problem. To banish this stereotype (and this request!), there needs to be continual education of consumers.
4. “What Does a Nurse Do?”
Coming from a 5th grader who is doing a report on what she wants to be when she grows up, this question is sweet. Coming from a snarky patient, this question is almost intolerable. What doesn’t a nurse do? Let’s see…nurses care for patients, chart, memorize and administer medication, write care plans, take direction, give direction, handle emergencies, handle stress, handle “dirty jobs” doctors don’t want to do…
The list goes on and on.
3. “I’m Just a Nurse”
Just a nurse? No such thing! I’m sure you’ve heard a fellow nurse say something along these lines. Doesn’t it make you crazy?! Nurses are the backbone of any successful healthcare facility, so stand up and be proud!
Similarly, you might hear “I’m just an LPN.” Well, LPNs are nurses, too! (And don’t you forget it!)
2. “Anyone Can Be a Nurse”
What?! Anyone can deal with juggling 20-person patient loads, keeping track of dozens of medications, handling emergencies with grace, and charting it all correctly? (And more!) Yeah, right. Nursing is not for everyone, which is why not everyone is a nurse. Nurses have a special set of qualities that set them apart from everyone else.
Anyone can be a nurse? I’d like to see them try.
And finally….
1. “Why Didn’t You Become a Doctor?”
This utterly annoying and disrespectful question comes in a variety of forms: “Why didn’t you become a doctor?” “Why don’t you want to be a doctor?” “Did med school sound too hard?” No matter the variance, the underlying insult is the same: Doctors are better than nurses. Not true! Let’s see a doctor take on everything a nurse handles with ease.
You know what they say: Behind every good doctor is a better nurse!
Source: http://scrubsmag.com/10-things-to-never-say-to-a-nurse
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
How to (try) Stop Snoring
Adapted from Helpguide.org, Snoring, by Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., April 2013
Just about everyone snores occasionally, but if it happens frequently, it can affect the quantity and quality of your sleep, not to mention that of your family or roommates.
Common causes of snoring are:
Age - As you get older, the throat becomes narrower and the muscle tone in your throat decreases.
The Way You’re Built - Men have narrower passages than women. A narrow throat, a cleft palate, enlarged adenoids and other attributes contribute.
Nasal and Sinus Problems - Blocked airways make inhalation difficult and create a vacuum in the throat.
Being Overweight or Out of Shape - Fatty tissue and poor muscle tone contribute to snoring.
Alcohol, Smoking & Medications - These can increase muscle relaxation.
Sleep Posture - Sleeping flat on your back causes the flesh of your throat to relax and block the airway.
Snoring could indicate sleep apnea, a condition that requires medical attention. If you are suffering from extreme fatigue and sleepiness, you should speak with your doctor.
The first step to solving a snoring problem is to find the cause of your snoring. Enlist a partner to observe you and help you keep a diary of your snoring. Observing your sleep patterns is helpful.
How you snore reveals why you snore.
-Closed mouth snoring may indicate a problem with your tongue.
-Open mouth snoring may be related to the tissues in your throat.
-Snoring when sleeping on your back is probably mild snoring.
-Snoring in all sleep positions can mean your snoring is more severe and may require a more comprehensive treatment.
Here are some lifestyle changes can help you stop snoring:
-Losing even a little bit of weight can reduce fatty tissue in the back of the throat.
-Exercise can lead to toning the muscles in your throat when you are working abdominal muscles for example.
-Quitting smoking will help reduce the irritated membranes in the nose and throat.
-Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills and sedatives especially before bedtime, because they will relax the muscles in the throat and interfere with breathing.
-Establishing regular sleep patterns can help you sleep better, often minimizing snoring.
-Clear nasal passages with a neti-pot, nasal decongestant or nasal strips.
-Keep the bedroom air moist with a humidifier.
-Reposition your head 4” higher to encourage your tongue and jaw to move forward and ease breathing.
-Avoid caffeine and heavy meals within two hours of bed.
-Sleep on your side to keep your tongue and soft tissues from obstructing your airway.
Of course there are medically treated options for snoring as well:
-CPAP machine blows pressurized air into a mask that you wear over your nose or face.
-Dental appliances, oral devices, lower jaw-positioners resemble a mouthguard and bring the lower jaw & tongue forward.
-Surgery to increase the size of your airway.
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