How Are YOUR New Years Resolutions Coming Along?

This New Burnout Top is "Better Than A Burnout!" (remember that 80's song??)

Cherokee has a new long sleeve tee!  This long sleeved, crew neck knit tee features a ribbed neckband and cuffs with thumbholes to keep the hands warm. Center back length is 26".  Made of 55% Cotton / 45% Polyester Burn-out Knit. 

LUCH4823 - $21.99

Got the Winter Blues?

Why Do I Seem to Get So Gloomy Each Winter?  You may have what’s called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.  Sometimes beginning in late fall or early winter when natural sunlight is less available, a marked onset of depression occurs.  It’s thought the daily body rhythms become out-of-sync due to the reduced sunlight during the winter months.

Some people with year-round depression get worse in the winter; others experience SAD alone, struggling with darker moods only in the winter months.  It is estimated that approximately 9 million people are affected by SAD, and countless others experience mild forms of the winter doldrums. 

“Winter depression” was first identified in 1984 by a team of researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health.  SAD symptoms can include:

·         Sleeping too much

·         Fatigue during the daytime

·         Weight gain

·         Decreased interest in socializing and/or sex

Of course, SAD is more common for residents in northern latitudes.  Residents in Florida are less likely to experience SAD than residents in New Hampshire.  Also, women’s hormones are more likely to cause increased symptoms.  After menopause, SAD can become less common. 

What Can I Do to Help with SAD?  Going to therapy, or joining a support group may help.  Another idea is to log or write down your moods and negative thoughts to try and help change negative thought patterns.  For example, making an effort to not go over and over an upsetting incident, or your perceived shortcomings, will help. 

If you are currently taking anti-depressants, speak to your doctor if you experience increased depression during the winter months.  Together you can decide whether adjusting your dosage is called for. 

Getting outdoors in sunlight also helps.  Also, regular exercise, even if it’s a leisurely walk, has shown improvement of mood.  If weather is a factor in getting outside, walk the mall, go to your local recreation center or gym.  Or, setup a simple, inexpensive home gym with an exercise band, a few dumb bells and a pedlar exerciser. 

Maintain social activity, and talk with friends and family regularly.  Try to limit contact with those that bring your mood down, and engage more with those with positive attitudes. 

Resist the urge to overeat causing weight gain.  When eating out, ask for a to-go box and put half your meal in the box right away.  Avoid empty calorie foods such as candy and soda, and opt for fresh and lean foods. 

Of course you can always move south for the winter! 

Autumn begins September 22^nd, winter begins December 21^st, and spring begins March 20^th every year.  Make note of the seasonal calendars so you can prepare yourself and make sure you follow through with a plan to minimize SAD symptoms.

Source:  http://www.webmd.com/depression/winter-depression-treatment?page=2

Getting Enough Exercise Through Winter Can Be Tough

Shop Exercise Aids Now!

Shorter days, inclement weather, and fear of catching colds and viruses at the gym can cause a person to reduce the amount of exercise they get during the winter months.  To help keep fit and mobile, check out our Exercise Aids that are great for home or travel!
Hand Exercise Putty can be done anytime or anywhere and helps improve finger and hand strength and mobility.  Color coded for consistency.  From $7.97
Pedlar Light Workout Exerciser can be used from a chair, bed, wheelchair, or table top for arm exercises.  Just $47.80
Theraband Exercise Bands are color-coded for level of resistance.  Provides both positive and negative force, improving strength, range of motion and cooperation of muscle groups.  From $13.43
Pulley Exerciser exercises upper body extremities easily and safely using 2 hand grips to increase range of motion in arms.  Just $19.34
Theraband Exercise Balls are inflatable exercise balls used to strengthen muscles to improve posture and help prevent back pain. Comes with 24 exercises.  From $25.05

Do You Feel Like This, Too?

Ostomy Surgical Adhesive Cement

TOT410 - $11.87

Extra strong white rubber, latex liquid adhesive cement. Use to adhere ostomy appliances to the skin. Fast drying and secure. Contains zinc oxide to relieve irritation. 4 oz. brush top can. Sold by the can.

Do you have sensitive skin but still need the strong adhesive properties of Latex? Apply Barrier Wipes to your skin prior to applying cement.

Click HERE to shop all ostomy supplies now!

Heavenly Comfort! New Koi Comfort Top Style

Dolly is our new button-front N Neck Koi Comfort top with rib trim that features two flower buttons at neck, two patch pockets and side vents.
LUKO287 - $25.99

New! MDF One Stainless Steel Premium Dual Head Stethoscope

MDF® MD One Stainless Steel Premium Dual Head Stethoscope features acoustically-superior stainless steel that delivers accurate auscultation of heart, lung, and sounds with acoustic integrity and clarity. An ergonomic design ensures comfort.

The handcrafted stainless steel dual-head chestpiece is precisely machined and hand polished for the highest performance and durability. The full-rotation acoustic valve stem with green indicator dot allows the user to easily identify the active sound channel and seals in sound. The chestpiece is fitted with an ultrasensitive diaphragm sealed with a non-chill retaining ring to provide a secure acoustic transmission. The extra large bell, crowned with a non-chill bell ring, provides greater sound amplification, isolation of low frequencies, and patient comfort.

Soft silicone ComfortSeal™ eartips are phthalate-free and clear for hygienic purposes. They come in two sizes to seal out extraneous noise while ensuring comfort during extended use.

The Ergonomax™ headset is hand polished, pre-angled stainless steel and features a patented internal dual-leaf spring construction for durability. Patented SafetyLock™ eartip adaptors lead the industry in user safety.

The acoustic tubing is constructed of thicker and denser, latex-free PVC. The Y-configuration non-stick acoustic tubing provides insulation for superior sound transmission and seals out ambient noise while preventing the cracking and wearing that can occur from repeated use. The longer-than-average length allows a comfortable space between health professional and patient.

The Acoustic Pyramid Chamber™ is a patented internal metal-alloy chamber located in the acoustic tubing below the spring keeps the tubing channel open for maximum sound transmission into the headset.

Includes 2 extra sets ComfortSeal™ eartips, spare ultrasensitive diaphragm, and ID tag

Lifetime warranty. Free Parts for Life Program. Non-toxic. Latex-free. Non-phthalate. Non-Hazardous.

MB777xx - $54.61

Better Living Corner: "Is there an ostomy deodorizer that doesn't just "mask" odors?"

Try Na'Scent Ostomy Odor Eliminator Drops!

Na`Scent is stabilized oxygen in a high concentrate – oxygen in the molecular form. It is perfectly safe, non-toxic, effective and wonderfully easy to use. Na`Scent gives ostomates a new beginning for an odor free life.
How does Na`Scent work? Well recognized oxidizing agents approved for use by the USDA and FDA are combined with reverse osmosis purified water, thus creating a water-based liquid that attacks and inhibits the proliferation of anaerobic microorganisms and encourages an aerobic environment.
12oz per bottle, sold by the bottle.
MI0112N00EWS - $15.81

New Arrivals: Green is the New Black

Green is the new black this season and we have plenty of options to make your co-workers, ahem, green with envy!  Little details set these tops apart, along with styles to flatter any shape and size! 

Click HERE to shop now!

Pair with Lindsey or Sara pant. 

NEW & IMPROVED: Med-E-Lert Automatic Pill Dispenser

MIMEDELERT-TR - $83.33

This fully automatic pill dispenser is SIMPLE to use with easy setup! Med-e-lert is an excellent medication management tool for individuals with mental illness, vision loss, or those with complex medication regimens.
This 28 compartment lockable, spacious, customizable, medication management tool now features:
Medication up to six times daily!
Unit retains program settings when changing batteries!
Louder sound with blinking light for the hearing impaired!
And More!

New from Koi, and in stock now!

Come check out our new prints from Koi!

Click New Kathryn Mock Wrap Tops to shop now

Proper Care and Storage of Ostomy Supplies

Visit www.MVMSinc.com

Ostomy supplies are not inexpensive, to say the least.  So, it’s important to understand how to apply them properly, and equally important to know how to take care of and store supplies until use.  Proper care and storage helps make your ostomy supply expenses as economical as possible.

When you receive your ostomy supplies, especially when they are a new brand or type, be sure to read carefully the instruction sheet and guidelines included in the box.  They may include specific recommendations for that given product.  Review instructions periodically to refresh your memory, and to see if any recommendations have changed over time.

Generally speaking, all ostomy supplies should be stored in a cool, dry location.  Too much heat can melt or weaken many of the materials used in ostomy wafers/barriers, pouches or accessory items.  Avoid leaving supplies in a hot car, or in direct sunlight. 

Keep supplies such as wafers/barriers and pouches in their original box.  By doing so, you save the brand name, product identification number, and the lot/date information for those specific items.  You may never need this information, but in the event you do, you will be glad you have it.  When reporting quality control problems all of the information on the box will be required.  Or, if you find yourself in a pinch and needing to buy from a new source, you are sure to get the exact product you need. 

Some ostomy suppli8es do have a “shelf-life”.  Meaning, the product may have an expiration date.  If this is the case, the dates may be recorded on their containers.  If you find you have a box with an expired date, check with manufacturer, your local supplier, or an ostomy nurse for advice on usage.  To ensure you don’t end up with older, expired product, practice the FIFO method:  First In, First Out.  Place your new product behind the old product so you are sure to reach for the older product, and use it first.

While you do want to keep a stock of supplies so you are always prepared to change out your system, avoid the practice of stockpiling too much.  You want to make sure your reserve is as fresh as possible.  Of course, this depends on factors such as availability, proximity to a local supplier, or shipping issues.  Also, be sure to purchase supplies from a trusted vendor – one you know that will provide good service as well as stock or easily ship your required product supplies.  If you find yourself with a fairly uncommon product, most suppliers will stock your product for you if you become a regular customer.

Be sure to report defective supplies.  If you determine your supplies are defective in spite of proper use and storage, contact the manufacturer at their toll-free number listed on the box, to report the problem.  All major ostomy supply brands will either send a replacement or make adjustments.  Also, let your supply source know of your report to the manufacturer.  They also need to be aware of product problems, especially if they are providing product to you.

Adapted from Proper Care and Storage of Ostomy Supplies, by Teresa Murphy-Stowers, via Ostomy Association of Metro Denver, Inc., UOAA Update, October 2014