Monthly Archives: February 2013

TED Stockings for Embolism Prevention

TED Stockings for Embolism Prevention 1Thrombo Embolism Deterrent or TED stockings, also known as TED hose and anti embolism stockings, are a preventive measure for deep vein thrombosis. If you wear TED stockings, you can prevent stationary or movable clots from forming in your blood. The stationary blood clots are called thrombosis and the movable blood clots are called embolus. Hence, the name of the stockings came to be Thrombo Embolism Deterrent or TED stockings.

Functioning

TED Stockings for Embolism Prevention 2The main purpose of the body venal system is to collect and transfer blood from all parts of the body back to the lungs so that it can be oxygenated once again. The veins which are present in the legs have to work against gravity to pull the blood back up in the body.  The muscular movements in the legs aid the veins in this regard and help them move the blood.

If the transfer of blood back to the lungs is delayed and takes more time than it should, then the lower areas of the body swell up. This can be prevented if you don TED stockings. They are manufactured such that pressure can be applied to the legs when you wear them. The highest pressure is applied at the feet and ankles but towards the thighs, this pressure is significantly reduced.  This helps the veins in proper functioning and blood does not pool in the feet. Consequently, no clots are formed and deep vein thrombosis can be avoided.

Types

There are many types of TED anti embolism stockings. They are available in varying lengths that may come up to your knees or thighs. The stockings may either be open toe or closed toe. Your doctor can help you in choosing a suitable style for yourself.

Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators

Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators

Inogen One G2

A portable oxygen concentrator is used when patients need an increased level of oxygen than what is present in the air. This is very similar to a home oxygen concentrator, which is often huge and bulky, and is difficult to carry around. On the other hand, portable oxygen concentrators are small in size which makes them more convenient for traveling.

There are many portable oxygen concentrators available, but Inogen is probably the best of them. The main reason behind this is that Inogen’s battery life is much more than what other manufacturers offer.

Advantages

There are many benefits of preferring Inogen over other oxygen concentrators. Some of them are given below.

  • Portable: The name does make this advantage obvious, but Inogen devices are even smaller than other portable oxygen concentrators. They do not comprise of any oxygen tanks so the patient need not worry about his tank running short of gas whenever he is not at home.
  • Simple to Use: Inogen products can be easily used by anyone from kids to elderly people. There is no need to fill or refill tanks, and the devices operate with just a few button presses.
  • Performance: Inogen is known for never compromising on performance and quality, and the same is demonstrated in their products. Despite the small size, each product is capable of producing a large amount of oxygen per pound.
  • Battery Life: This has already been discussed, but needs mentioning again. Inogen uses lithium batteries that can last up to 16 hours, whereas other portable oxygen concentrators last only two to three hours. When the battery has been discharged, they can easily be charged through any electrical outlet including the cigarette lighters in cars.

Models

Inogen One g3

Inogen One g3

Inogen portable oxygen is available in two models: Inogen One G2 and Inogen One G3. The main features of the two products are pretty much the same. The only significant difference is that Inogen One g3 is smaller than Inogen One g2. In fact, it is almost half the size.

Resources

http://www.inogenone.com/oxygen-concentrators/g2-g3-comparison/

http://www.webmd.com/lung/copd-portable-oxygen-therapy

 

Pos-T-Vac Battery or Manual Pump

Impotence or erectile dysfunction is no more a non-curable disease. There are many ways in which patients suffering from this condition can be treated. The treatment methods are numerous from drugs to surgery to medications. The most effective of these are probably pumps because they have no side effects.

Though many penis pump manufacturers are available, the most effective products are those of Pos–T–Vac.

Pos – T – Vac Manual Pump

Pos-T-Vac Battery or Manual PumpThe Pos – T–Vac manual penile pump is simple to operate and is very effective in treating impotence. The patient just has to pump and blood flow is then increased in the penis. Once erection has been achieved, it can be maintained for about 30 minutes with the help of a tension ring.

The most notable advantages of this penile pump are its affordability, efficiency and ease of use. The pump can also be upgraded to an advanced battery operated ED pump or combination pump by switching the battery head. A combination pump provides both manual and battery pumping action.

Pos – T – Vac Battery ED Pump

Pos-T-Vac Battery or Manual Pump 2The Pos –T–Vac ED pump is more advanced than the manual pump in the sense that it is operated by a battery. By just pressing a simple ON/OFF button, the system starts operating and the motor provides a smooth pumping action. This creates a vacuum, which leads to erection.

The pros of the ED pump are increased efficiency and comfort. However, the prices are also slightly higher.

Erec Tech Pump

Pos-T-Vac Battery or Manual Pump 3The Erec Tech pump is the most advanced product offered by Pos – T – Vac.  The penis has to be placed inside the Erec Tech which forces a blood flow in it. This causes the penis to become rigid and the condition can be maintained by fixing a tension ring at the base.

What is Bariatric?

With a world that is growing and revolutionizing on the basis of getting things done quickly, we have  eliminated the need to move around or exercise by introducing cars and planes and ships for our traveling purposes. Daily travels aside, the work schedule of a person can be so hectic that they spend a good chunk of the day sitting behind desks and growing fatter.

Along with the increase in technological advancements, we were also able to multiply our food resources to accommodate the needs of the population. With a joint collaboration with other countries all over the world where good cash crops grow at a good speed due to their ideal climates, the population has become bigger and bigger till there are now diseases linked with obesity.

What is Bariatric 1Due to the fact that countries interchange food items as part of their imports with each other, obesity is quickly becoming a universal condition, found all over the world. The diseases linked with obesity have finally given rise to the medical branch of Bariatric. The field specializes in the treatment, cause and prevention of obesity. With a special attention to dieting, behavioral therapy and exercise, doctors look to re-rehabilitate their patients towards a safer and healthier lifestyle.

What is Bariatric 2However, doctors and medical experts were faced with two problems. The fact that obesity was getting directly linked to diseases such as Diabetes, heart disease, many types of cancer, chronic skeletal and muscular problems and the fact that shedding weight was no easy task. Most obese people have great trouble exercising and losing weight. More importantly, it was a losing battle for a few.

With obesity being so common, a whole range of Bariatric equipment was introduced which facilitates movement and includes items such as Bariatric beds, toilet seats, cushions, wheelchairs, etc.

Medical science has also branched out and introduced several Bariatric surgical methods which allowed doctors to operate on people and cut out the excess weight. Although the results can vary and not have much effect, they are very popular among any obese person looking to shed weight. The Bariatric surgery is often times the last resort for the person due to the fact that a few surgeries are permanent and non-reversible. However, if done successfully, the surgery benefits and gives a new beginning to the patient’s life.

Resources

http://www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-surgery/default.htm

http://www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-surgery/features/life-after-weight-loss-surgery

Types of Patient Lifts

When a person has a physical disability or impairment, it can become difficult for him or her to move around and perform everyday functions without some sort of assistance from care-givers. However, if the person is older and bigger than a child, it might prove to be a difficult task for a care-giver to assist and support the weight of a full grown person. For that particular reason, many types of supports and lifts are created for such patients that need them.

However, when picking a patient lift, you should look to the extent of the patient’s condition and then make a selection. Since patients can have varying degrees of disabilities, here are the following types of lifts which are available:

Mobile Floor Lifts

Types of Patient Lifts 1Small, collapsible and easily accessible, mobile floor lifts are useful for helping care-givers assist their patients when they have fallen and are unable to get up without any aid. The lift is powered through batteries or a hand crank or can even be hydraulic. The collapsible natures of some of the lifts allow them to be taken outside with the patient on trips.

Sit-to-Stand Lifts

Types of Patient Lifts 2Designed to provide support for patients in a standing position, the sit-to-stand lifts are greatly useful in aiding the dressing and undressing or movement of the patient from a chair to bed, etc. This type of lift not only provides patients with a sense of independence but also provides and maintains circulation and motion in the joints. Since remaining bedridden for sometime can cause patients to suffer from osteoporosis, the lift helps lower the chances of that happening.

Sling Lifts

Types of Patient Lifts 3The sling lift or Hoyer lift allows the care-giver to lift heavy patients without causing or suffering from any harm to them. The lift forms a hammock pouch for the patients and is available in different variations such as the ceiling slings, the stretcher slings, the disposable slings, etc. However, these slings do not provide much back support and patients whose medical ailments prevent them from bending might benefit more through other lifts.

Resources

http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/GeneralHospitalDevicesandSupplies/ucm308622.htm

http://www.als-ny.org/index.php?page=ps_lifts

http://www.squidoo.com/hoyer-lift