Expert Advice on Medical Supplies and Equipment

Walkers, Rollators, Wheelchairs, Transport chairs

“Selecting the Correct Product”

Selecting the right product is really quite simple.  It’s a matter of understanding an individual’s needs and matching the product to individual specifications.  There are a myriad of products imported from overseas that are poorly made; however, when it comes to mobility, quality matters. 

Some of my favorite products are made by Essential and Airgo.  But before thinking about selecting a product or manufacturer, click on this Mobility Evaluation Form  link and print an evaluation form to complete a simple professional style mobility assessment. 

This form only takes a few minutes to complete. It is important that you take time to talk to an individual to understand and review requirements, prior to shopping.  A little bit of time, at this point in the process, could save a great deal of future aggravation. After completing this evaluation, you will be much clearer on your needs, requirements and wants.  Complete the evaluation and then return to this article to read the next few pieces of advice.

“Seek Professional Advice”

The next step is to select the right product and the right fit.    Here are two resources that will assist, you.  Click on the Essential Medical Logo on the Home page of this blog, or click on this link to read Professional Reviews on some of my favorite products.  See if a specific product meets your requirements.  If you do not see a match, click here to learn about a falulous new product.  This link will direct you to the monthly Specials tab at MedicalHealthSupply.com.   The videos on the Airgo 2- in-1 transport chair/ walker in this tab are excellent.  This is a fabulous new item at a unbeatable  price for its quality.Invacare also has some excellent basic products. Click here to view Basic Invacare Walkers.

Notice the absence of online electric wheelchairs  in the MedicalHealthSupply.com store.  It is our belief that electric wheelchairs should not be purchased online.  There are too many variables, and challenges with these products.  Local support is very important to users of these specific  pieces of equipment.

Also Notice that we do not discuss basic short term-use walkers and bariatric items herein.  To select these products, you can go directly to MedicalHealthSupply.com to do research.  These items can be easily ordered and shipped.  Size and weight variations have to be more carefully considered when ordering bariatric items. There are many fine and reputable vendors and retailers who sell these products.

As always, we recommend that you speak to a doctor, nurse, physical therapist, caretaker,  or other professional prior to making a purchase.  It is wonderful to do things right the first time. The contents of this blog do not necessarily reflect the opinions of MedicalHealthSupply, Inc. 

Products discussed herein can be ordered at http://www.medicalhealthsupply.com

Oriental Medicine and the Five Elements Chart

In traditional Eastern Culture there are five basic elements. They are; 1) Fire 2) Earth 3) Metal (Air) 4) Water and 5) Wood. These elements possess Female (Yin) and Male (Yang) orientations. It is believed that strength and weaknesses of these orientations are manifested in one’s emotional health and physical body. The element chart below connects or pairs elements with; 1) internal and surface organs, 2) associated orifices, 3) human character traits and mental characteristics and 4) specific flavors or tastes.

All life functions interact to nourish or deplete life energy. They are interdependent of one another and illustrate the mind/ body connection. Through understanding the mind/ body connection, one can regulate health and well-being to reestablish peace, balance and harmony in life. Proper diet and exercise will also influence health and well-being to reestablish balance.

To learn more about natural products and nutrition visit us at http://www.medicalhealthsupply.com or visit our new site at http://www.healthhealthnbeautyshop.com

Non-Traditional Paths to Healing and Eastern  Medicine

When individuals go to an apothecary in Europe, often they are asked if they would like traditional or non-traditional medical solutions. If they answer this question with the word “traditional”, a traditional pharmacist swiftly appears. A non-traditional practitioner will assist individuals who answer the question with “non-traditional” affirmations. I have answered this question many times and each time the answer is somewhat different. Because so often doctors provide traditional approaches to medicine in the U.S. today. I will continue to explore what  practitioners of  Homeopathic and EasternMedicine share with me.

To learn more about our health and nutrition products and vitamins and supplements visit us at http://www.healthnbeautyshop.com. To order natural products, customers can order our new nutraceutics products at http://www.medicalhealthsupply.com

Cure  Possible for One Type of Leukiema

This article is a reproduction from the Bangor Dailey News, June 11, 2009.  It was shown to  Doctors at Wilmot Cancer Center two weeks ago.  Last week, it was  reviewed by  a Dr. of Eastern Medicine in Rochester, New York.  She is affiliated with Sloan Kettering, and practitioner of Eastern Medicine.  It was  also shared this with a friend , who works in a research lab for major drug companies in the New Jersey area.  She did a bit of  research for me, and discussed the  validity of this study with associates who concluded that the research is promising;  She added that the Doctors, conducting  the studies are reputable.  This study was  also shared with a friend who takes 800ml of Gleevec  per day.  He is diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia(CML). I will continue to follow-up on this promising  research.    

Bangor Daily News

June 11, 2009

Cure Possible for One Type of Leukemia

A physician and researcher  affiliated with The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor says he may have identified a cure for the most common form a human leukemia. Dr. Shaoguang Li, now conducting research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, has identified a specific gene that supports the development of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, as well as a drug treatment that targets that gene to short-circuit the proliferation of leukemic blood cells.  In a telephone interview Tuesday, Li said that results of his study, published in the current issue of the journal Natural Genetics, is good news for victims of chronic myeloid leukemia.  “The power of this strategy is for curing the disease, not just controlling it, “Li said.  The gene, called Alox5 , allows leukemia-production stems cells to develop and proliferate,  Li said.  In research at The Jackson Laboratory, Li studied mice that had been specially bred to lack the Alox5 gene.

“If you remove the gene from a mouse, you don’t see leukemia develop,” he said. That’s because Alox5 is somehow tied to the development of cancer stem cells, the precursors to leukemia, he said.  Li also studied normal mice with leukemia, targeting the Alox5 gene with the drug Zileuton, which is approved for treating asthma.  Zileuton successfully blocked the gene’s production of an enzyme that turns cancer stem cells into full-blown leukemia cells.“When you block the gene’s function by using the drug…you’re going to be leukemia-free, ”Li said.

Mice treated with a combination of Zileuton and Gleevec, the most effective treatment currently available for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, fared even better than mice treated with either medication alone.  Li and Zileuton must now be studied in human clinical trials before it can be prescribed for leukemia patients.  “A lot of patients will be interested in participating in those trials, he forecast.  “This is for a cure.” Already ,  he said, he has been contacted by the father of a young leukemia patients about participating in a clinical trial.  The drug’s current approval for use in treating asthma should fast-track the clinical studies, he said, but he declined to speculate a timeline. Li said there are larger implications as well.

“Now we know we can target cancer stem cells without damaging other stem cells,” he said. “Without this gene, normal blood can be produced, but the leukemia disappears.” 

In a news release issued earlier this week, The Jackson Laboratory said it is seeking “patent protection” on the treatment developed by Li and his research colleges at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at the Harvard Medical School. 

Li, who retains adjunct professor status at The Jackson Laboratory, said the Bar Harbor lab could “benefit a great deal” for his research findings. 

Wilmot Cancer Center is celebrating their 2000^th bone marrow transplant. Bone Marrow transplants are a painful substitution to pharmaceutical alternatives.  Gleevec, a break-through drug marketed by Novatis, is the premier drug utilized by CML sufferers. Gleevec can costs individuals, or insurance companies as much as $4000.00-$8000.00 per month.  Patients, without drug coverage, are in dire circumstances.  Some next-generation chemo-therapy alternatives are now on the market for CML.  Side affects vary by drug and individual.  Bone-marrow transplants are not always an option.   Only people who have perfect  bone marrow matches,  are candidates for transplant.  Bone marrow matches are difficult to find.

To individuals suffering from  all types of cancer,  this study is truly great news.  I will be contacting the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard to follow-up on this research over the next few months. 

–Mary Clare

The worldwide web is filled with helpful tools, resources and information that can guide individuals with medical questions and equipment needs.  Prior to writing a blog, we gathered the best links that we could find and placed them in the Resource section of www.medicalhealthsupply.com.  Information is  updated regularly and is categorized alphabetically for ease of use.

One of the most insightful bits of information that we were given pertaining to the care of small wounds was “Don’t do anything  to a wound that you would not do to your eyeball. ” This statement was somewhat humorous, but also very true.  There a few basic rules to wound care.  They are; 1). Keep them clean, 2.) Keep them protected .  -In the case of a small wound, this means to put on a little antibiotic lotion for better protection and  faster healing, and 3.)   Cover a wound with a bandage for protection , cleanliness and safety purposes .

One should keep their hands off a wound. Placing a bandage on a wound is an excellent way to remind individuals not to touch them.  Touching a wound adds to the risk of infection.  The last piece of advice shared with us, by our favorite nurse, was to notice how a wound looks and feels. If  the  skin around a wound is  hot to the touch ,  red, inflamed, or  pussy,  one may be in need of some professional help. When cut or wound does not  feel or look right,  don’t wait. When in doubt,  always consult a professional.

“Stay healthy, and feel better when you wear compression.”

I am a big lover of compression knee high stockings and athletic socks.  If you travel on planes, sit for extended periods of time, or stand on your feet in retail, nursing or a manufacturing job, you should think about protecting your legs with compression socks.  The reason why is quite simple.  Compression hose improve circulation, and help aching legs feel better.  Any time you can do something to improve circulation and fight gravitational pull, you are just taking good care of yourself.  I started wearing them after the first leg stripping and was not told to continue wearing them.  After the veins popped out again, when I was standing on my feet all day, I tried them out again.  My legs have felt better ever since.

What should you buy or wear?  I love just plain looking socks or stockings.  As I do not have a serious diagnosis beyond the need to cover the blue tributaries running up and down my legs, and   some serious   resulting vanity issues wearing compression knee high socks is a luxury.  If you are like me, I would advise wearing light compression; lighter compression socks are labeled 8-15mmHg, or 15-20mmHg. 

The added benefit is that compression hose do not run or get holes in them as much as other hose and socks you buy at a drugstore.  Compression usually lasts 4-6 months.  (When compared with my normal hose, compression is a deal.  My regular hose are usually intact from the time I put them on to go to a wedding to the moment my toes poke out or put a run up my foot prior to the reception.)

I like to buy at least one pair to wear and one to wash to start out.  I try to get contrasting styles and colors so that I can wear them with different types of clothes and outfits.  I always buy one beige to go under pants and one athletic sock for around the house of for travel.  I love comfortable socks under boots.  Your style may be different. Wear a style that makes you look good and feel comfortable.

Product Care: Washing is easy.  I keep a bar of soap on the sink in my bathroom.  I rub the bar on the hose, gently rub and rinse.  On dry days they are ready for wear in the morning.  On rainy days they can take a few days to dry. You can throw them in the wash. I would advise using a lingerie bag if you do this.( I do not know about your washer, but my machine eats socks,  and gentle washables) Some people purchase Jolastic washing soap to clean their hose.  I love this product, but it is slightly more expensive than the bar of soap sitting on my sink.

Product Fit: If your compression rolls over at the top  use “It Stays” or try another fit.  Wearing poorly fitting compression hose, is as annoying as wearing knee socks that slide down your calves. Be sure to read the sizing charts offered you and measure your shoe size, your ankle and calf et. al. if required.  The right fit is important, so make sure that you have the right style and fit to suit your build and your individual  preferences. Compression hose are not returnable once the box has been opened. 

Be sure to not let your hose wrinkle and double up when wearing. Rolling socks is never good and are nearly always uncomfortable.  By rolling over the tops of compression socks, one is  increasing compression strength by doubling sock strength in areas where creasing and rolling is evident. This can be constrictive and constriction of blood flow is counter productive. For example a sock that is 8-15mmHg, can become a sock that has 16-30mmHg of strength when doubled over.  This may have the opposite affect of decreasing circulation.

Product Wear: Compliance is important for individuals with many diagnoses.  Some individuals wear compression all day every day.   In other cases, patients in hospitals (after certain procedures) wear anti-embolism hose through the night.  The trick is to find a product that is appropriate and comfortable. If you cannot find a product you like,  talk to your physician about products that you are willing to wear.  Sometimes compromises in style and strength can be discussed. In other situations,  donning  tools can be utilized to make putting on compression easier. There are also techniques that can be taught to make it easy to put on compression hose or socks. Getting compression hose on can be easy if you know what you are doing.

As always remember to Seek advice from a medical professional if you are having questions about donning, vascular issues, diagnoses or other problems.  Some diagnoses are very serious, and you may need to see a vascular specialist if your circulation is compromised or your legs have signs of  poor blood flow. Medical professionals are wonderful resources, and many of them are very knowledgeable about products and product alternatives. To order compression products visit http://www.medicalhealthsupply.com

Copyright 2008 Medical Health Supply, Inc.

Weight Bearing canes come in many sizes and shapes.  The canes that our great-grand-parents carried are the traditional candy-caned shaped.  The canes that people carry today can have fancy orthopedic grips and come in many colors and several different shaped bases. 

One of the most supportive canes is known as the Quad Cane.  Quad canes are canes with four pronged feet. The four prongs are known as a base.  Bases distribute weight evenly into four points..  The four pronged base is not as attractive to many individuals as the candy cane design.  But it is important to note that users with  more serious stability or equilibrium issues receive more  support and stability from the square quad base.

Quad canes are considered less restrictive than a walkers. Some physical therapists swear by quad canes, while others prefer their patients to utilize standard canes or walkers. Some people prefer Quad canes because they are self-standing, others are less compliant because they prefer other designs.  The chief consideration in selecting a cane product is to take into account specific user’s lifestyle and requirements. 

The quad cane can be accessorized with different bases to meet specific patient or user needs. They also can be easily adjusted to accommodate patients or users’ different height requirements.  Whereas, our grand-parents’ traditional wooden canes had to be sawed into position to create the right height.  Most Quad canes have a mechanism which can easily snap into place to accommodate most height differences.

In choosing a Quad cane, one should consider several questions. For example, – a caregiver or healthcare provider should consider whether a patient needs a large base, or a small. Larger bases add stability, smaller bases are easier to maneuver.  It is a trade-off  as to which feature most meets an individuals specific needs better.

Beyond choosing an appropriate base, one may consider a user’s commitment to fashion as important consideration in achieving compliance.  For example: If a patient is fashion conscious he /she more will be more likely to carry a cane when it is attractive, playful, or colorful.  Believe it or not, many people are more likely to carry a cane if it is attractive or reflective or their unique interests or lifestyle.  Many people today have cane collections.  Some canes are more formal like the opera cane whereas others like the standard quad-cane just make good functional sense.

Other Key Terms and Considerations

Bariatric canes: Generally speaking, bariatric canes should be used for individuals between 250 lbs and under 400 lbs. Quad canes generally can support more weight because of their pronged design.  Many Quad canes support up to 360 lbs.  Many more supportive weight bearing canes are made of heavier materials.

Cane accessories:  There are four main cane accessories; 1) Cane holders 2) Ice attachments 3) Replacement tips and 4) Cane lights.  Although cane accessories are nice, only one accessory is absolutely recommended at time of purchase. The accessory, which is highly recommended for quad canes are replacement tips.  Cane tips are notorious for wearing out, and no one likes to see their wooden floors scratched.

To learn more about products and services at Medical Health Supply, Inc. visit us at http://www.medicalhealthsupply.com

If everyone were the same size, physical capability, and held the same interests and tastes, there would be one cane style to suit all people. There is, however, an enormous variety of styles, designs and handles to choose from when purchasing a cane or walking stick. Some people prefer color and character when carrying a cane, while others merely want the most supportive practical products to meet their needs. Fortunately, canes come in all shapes and sizes and a wide variety of weight bearing canes and walking sticks are available to you. 

One of the most popular items seems to be the fashionable walking stick. This item, although attractive and fun, is not always the most appropriate product for individuals with mobility and equilibrium issues. Walking sticks are not designed to take an individuals full weight. Walking sticks are intended to offer some support for people who need to steady themselves while walking. Many times people with equilibrium challenges see the walking stick as less restrictive and stylish, however it is always appropriate for users to utilize the tools that most meet their individual needs. Physical therapists, doctors, trainers, pharmacists and other medical supply of equipment knowledgeable people  can help advise individuals about available options.

Standard weight bearing canes are more supportive than walking sticks. Standard canes are designed to accommodate users weighing less than 250 pounds. They come with various types of grips, and can be purchased with a variety of tips or bases. Some people prefer a standard cane, while others require Quad canes with small or larger bases for balance. Individual taste and needs are important factors in selecting a product. Shape, grip and color are all important in selecting the appropriate cane for a user.  Physical therapists, doctors, trainers, pharmacists and other medical supply of equipment knowledgeable people  can help advise individuals about available options.

Safety Tip: It is not recommended that users over 250 pounds use standard canes. Bariatric canes should be used for individuals heaver in stature. They are much sturdier and designed to handle additional weight.