Top 7 Tips To Treat And Prevent Calf Pain

You are playing tennis. You hit a backhand and set yourself for the volley. It is a lob. You take off,, lunging to reach the shot and all of a sudden you hear a snap, and you can't move forward. You feel as though you have lost control of your left calf. That is the scenario of a ruptured tendon. But calf pain is not always so drastic. Often, it is a dull ache that grates your lower leg. Sore calves can be triggered by foot problems, such as high arches or flat feet, or by ill-fitting shoes. Or the pain may be the result of a muscle tear, a partial rupture of the Achilles tendon, or the tendon inflammation called tendonitis. Problems like that will need to be treated by a doctor, of course. But if you have injured your calf or, more commonly, simply suffer from aching legs, here are some tips that you can consider to adopt.

1. Try Lifts

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If your calf pain is caused by an injury, take pressure of your heel. Heel lifts available at athletic shoe stores can help ease the strain on tendons and muscles. To make heel lifts, cut two ¼ -inch-thick pieces of cork and place them in your shoes.

2. RICE

RICE means rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Rest an injured calf for the first day or two, ice the area for no more than 20 minutes at a time every 2 to 3 hours as needed, compress the leg with an elastic bandage, and elevate the leg above the level of your heart, if possible. You can apply moist heat such as hot water bottle to the injury after the first 72 hours. Moist heat is more effective than dry heat.

3. Try Arch Supports

When you wear arch supports inside your shoes, they help correct mechanical imbalances that affect the way you walk. These imbalances may throw off your gait and put extra pressure on your calves.

4. Rub And Wrap

Once the swelling recedes, rub your injured calf with a pain-relieving balm and wrap it in a plastic wrap. Then top that wrap with an elastic bandage. This will help to retain the heat and relax the calf muscles so that it doesn't cramp up. You can wear the combination wrap as long as it is comfortable.

5. Check Your Shoes' Shocks

It is recommended to replace worn shoes. Losing the shock absorption in your shoes can lead to calf pain. Once you lose 1/8 inch of thread, get new shoes or have the soles replaced.

6. Try NSAID

To reduce the pain and inflammation of an injured calf, try an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen. If you still need pain medication after a week, see a doctor.

7. Pamper Your Calves

If your calf pain is not the result of an injury, revamping your footwear may relieve the soreness. It is recommended to wear running shoes as often as possible. If you have to wear dress shoes at work, change into them when you get to the office.

Top 7 Tips To Treat And Prevent Calf Pain

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How to Prevent Bed Sore From Pressure Points - Sheepskin Medical Pads

Do you have sores from being bedridden? Sheepskin pads have been used widely to reduce bed sores.

Sheepskin pads were designed to reduce pressure at the point of body contact. The patient will be more comfortable with a sheepskin bed pad, feel more support, sleep better and therefore not feel as tired when they wake up.

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Sheepskin pads reduce pressure sores by distributing pressure evenly and smoothly allowing for maximum circulation.The pads absorb moisture when you are sweating and/or have hot flashes. The perspiration is drawn away from the body and into the fibers. On cold night it keeps the chill off your back and gives you that soft comfy warm feeling.

Our Medical Sheepskin offers the finest medical grade of sheepskin face pads, pelts, bed pads, wraps and crutch covers for use in medical offices, chiropractic practices, nursing home, hospitals and especially in your own home.

The Medical sheepskin products are made from 100% real sheepskin. Try our products if you are suffering from bed sores, aches or pain. Sheepskin pads are one of the most effective ways to reduce sores on the pressure points. I would suggest the sheepskin wrap, pads and/or pillow products. Our sheepskin bed pads are HYPOALLERGENIC, naturally flame-retardant and resilient. It is washable and easy to care for.

Sheepskin pads are the products you need, to help your loved one, the patient you are caring for or for yourself in taking care of those bed sores, sweaty nights or chilly bed.

How to Prevent Bed Sore From Pressure Points - Sheepskin Medical Pads

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Cold Sore Treatments - How to Prevent Cold Sore Outbreaks

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and once contracted cannot be cured. While there are many ways to treat a cold sore outbreak when it occurs, the best treatments lie in how to prevent cold sores in the first place. Herpes viruses generally react to high stress levels and weakened immune systems. So, the key is to maintain your level of stress and boost your immune system during times when you are sick to avoid an outbreak. You can do these things by maintaining a healthy lifestyle of health eating, daily exercise, no smoking or other toxins, happiness and vitamins. You also need to have a good skin care routine, as acne breakouts and bad skin and sometimes contribute to a cold sore outbreak.

wheelchair cushions for pressure sores

You also need to treat the outbreaks from the inside out by working with your doctor on a herpes suppressant, if it gets bad enough, or to keep from spreading the virus to others. You also need to take good care of your skin during an outbreak to avoid scarring and continuation of the outbreak or future outbreaks. This can be done by moisturizing, treating and protecting the affected areas and the areas directly around them. For a good natural remedy, petroleum jelly can be used for this very thing. When you protect your skin from the sun and other environmental factors you help it to heal quicker and prevent future outbreaks.

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Prevent cold sores with a good skin care and healthy living routine as well as using the right over the counter medications and working with your doctor to find a good virus suppressant. This is how you can prevent cold sores from happening in the future and treat them quickly to avoid permanently damaging your skin. Cold sores are embarrassing as well as painful and difficult to deal with if you don't have a prevention and treatment plan in place to react fast. Talk with those who have dealt with cold sores before to find out about other tips and tricks to use for treatment and prevention.

Cold Sore Treatments - How to Prevent Cold Sore Outbreaks

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7 Steps to Prevent Kidney Related Diseases

Kidney related diseases are the silent killers. It effects the lifestyle of a person. According to recent survey conducted by National Kidney Foundation, some of the people who have the chronic kidney diseases still don't know that they are suffering with deadly disease. Researchers at Vanderbilt medical Centre in Nashville, Tennessee, surveyed 401 people. More than 75 percent of participants had stage 3 chronic disease. 94% of people were aware that they had a kidney problem while 30% were unaware of the deadly disease. This is because of not identifying the symptoms in initial stages and unawareness of the disease. In order to prevent this deadly kind of disease, there are 7 important steps to be follow by everyone:

1. Be Active: Exercise daily for about 30 to 45 minutes to get your body under control. Do any type of exercise regularly for reducing the blood pressure which results in prevention of kidney diseases.

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2. Controlling of Blood Sugar Levels: Persons who are suffering with diabetes have more chances of getting kidneys failure. So, regularly check whether both the kidneys are properly functioning or not. If the problem identified at initial stages, one can prevent the kidney disease. As per doctor suggestion take the medicines regularly and control the blood sugar levels.

3. Blood Pressure Control: It is aware that person who suffer with high BP is more likely to get paralysis and heart attack. The blood pressure of a normal person is 120/80. If your BP is 129/89 then it is considered as pre-hypertension. So, you have to make sure to follow healthy lifestyle along with proper diet. If the BP is 140/90, one have to consult the doctor and check the BP regularly.

4. Proper food and Control of Weight: If you can make some changes in your diet, you can prevent heart strokes and also kidney related diseases. Cut out salt from your diet. One have to take 5 to 6 gm of salt per day. Reduce your salt intake by using salt substitutes like oregano. Avoid restaurant and processed foods.

5. No Smoking:Smoking affects the circulation of blood to kidneys. Due to low blood circulation, the kidneys will not work. 50 % of kidney cancer will get with smoking.

6. Avoid Unnecessary Medicines: Regular intake of drugs like Ibuprofen can damage kidneys and that will lead to Kidney related diseases. These type of medicines should be used only if needed. Persons who suffer with arthritis or lower back pain should take the medicines under the supervision of doctors.

7. Kidney Check-Up: A person who suffer with diabetes or high BP or obesity or any one in his or her family is suffering with kidney related disease or if a person is an Asian, then the regular check-up of kidney functioning is a must.

7 Steps to Prevent Kidney Related Diseases

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How Do Pressure Ulcers And Sores Occur And What You Can Do To Prevent Them

What Are Pressure Sores?

wheelchair cushions for pressure sores

Pressure sores are often know as pressure ulcers, but they are exactly the same thing - an injury that affects areas of skin and the underlying tissue, which can often vary in terms of severity, ranging from small patches of skin that just looks sore right the way through to big open wounds that are extremely painful for the sufferer.

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Although pressure sores can develop on almost any area of the body, the most common areas of attack are most frequently on the:

• Buttocks
• Back Of Head
• Ankles
• Heels
• Elbows
• Back
• Shoulder / Shoulder Blades
• Spine
• Ears

Because pressure sores have different levels of severity they are often graded to show how serious or significant they area, with the scale ranging from 1 to 4, with 1 being the least serious and 4 being the most serious pressure sore.

The higher the grade of the sore then the more chance there is of the sufferer or patient getting an infection or complication, because these types of sores are usually the ones that are open wounds and usually have the most tissue damage.

How Do You Get Pressure Sores?

Our skin gets thinner with age increasing the risk of a tear through friction (shearing).

Pressure sores basically occur when you lay or sit down for long periods of time without much movement, which is why they are most often found on hospital patients or people that suffer from a lack of mobility.

As you can probably tell from the name, these sores occur when pressure is applied to the skin for long periods of time, which is why people that are frequently in their bed or a wheel chair will often suffer with these sores which if left untreated can develop into really serious and painful instances.

It is true to say that pressure sores are very, very common but because most people who suffer from them are already in some kind of medical care, they are not really talked about. You rarely find pressure sores on healthy people because they are usually moving constantly and will not be still or laid down for long periods, meaning that there is usually little pressure on their skin which means pressure sores do not develop.

What Can You Do To Prevent Pressure Sores?

There are quite a few things that you can do to prevent these sores, ranging from changing body position right the way through to using specialised pressure care products which are designed to stop sores affecting people.

It is important that anyone who is restricted to a bed or a wheel chair has their position changed frequently and regularly, because this is one of the most effective things that you can do to stop sores affecting a patient. By turning them over or making them sit up, you will be able to reduce the constant pressure on an area of skin, which in turn will help to stop these ulcers occurring.

There are also ranges of specialist care products on the market, some of which have been designed and manufactured based on the experience of sufferers which make these products ideal for those who are worried about getting these kinds of sores.

Occupational therapists, specialist physiotherapists and tissue viability nurses will offer advice.

How Do Pressure Ulcers And Sores Occur And What You Can Do To Prevent Them

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Cleaning Your Teeth To Prevent Toothache

You know, one of the most simple and important aspects of keeping healthy teeth and gums is simply cleaning them, there's no great mystery or secret method to prevent toothache, all you need to do is keep your teeth and gums healthy.

When it comes to having good dental hygiene, you pretty much need to clean your teeth regularly, brushing twice a day is plenty, once in the morning and once before you go to sleep at night, this will help keep healthy teeth.

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It's not hard, just brushing your teeth twice a day and maybe three times if you want to brush after meals is going to help a lot, it only takes a few minutes to do and can have great benefits.

Now, if you have got to the stage in which you already have a toothache then there are home remedies you can use to ease the pain you are suffering, in this case it may actually be even more painful to brush as you are putting pressure on the sore tooth.

If you have a toothache or any sort of dental problem then you need to get in touch with a dentist and make an appointment for an examination as soon as you possibly can, dentists are the only people who can professionally examine and treat a toothache.

It is quite common to have to wait a while for a dentist appointment as they can be very busy, in this case you can try some home remedies such as:

* Hold ice over the sore tooth

* Hold raw onion over the sore tooth

* Hold whiskey in your mouth and swig it

These are just a few of the many home remedies you can use to relieve toothache pain.

The thing you need to realise though is that brushing your teeth and keeping good dental hygiene is very important, you may not even have toothache if you were doing so, remember to brush regularly and flossing can help too.

Get yourself a dentist appointment if any problems arise and get on track to having clean, healthy teeth and gums.

Cleaning Your Teeth To Prevent Toothache

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Ways to Prevent Pressure Sores

Whether you're caring for a loved one or looking after yourself, those with mobility problems and their carers need to look out for pressure sores, or as they are often known, bedsores.

gel cushions for pressure sores

Pressure sores or bed sores occur due to the pressure exerted on the skin when someone can't move around easily. They can also be caused or made worse by moisture on the skin and friction caused when the skin drags during movement.

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Pressure sores are a type of ulcer - they are sometimes called decubitus ulcers - and if left untreated they can become infected and lead to other complications.

If you or someone you care for has mobility problems, it is advisable to take precautionary steps to avoid bed sores. Here are some of the things you can do:

Boost mobility

The most important thing is to avoid staying in one position for too long. If you can move yourself, adjust your position at least every two hours. If you are a carer, turn or reposition the person you care for every couple of hours as a minimum.

Check the skin regularly

Checking the skin regularly will enable you to catch bed sores or signs of bed sores early to avoid the problem becoming worse. Some people with mobility problems may not feel the discomfort of bed sores so a physical inspection is important.

Circulation

Pressure sores are caused when someone's blood can't circulate properly, so it's important to boost circulation as much as possible. Exercise helps with this. If you can't perform simple exercises alone, having someone help to move your limbs will still help.

Nutrition matters

Eating well promotes healing in the skin and boosts resistance. Include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables within a balanced diet. If someone has no appetite consider meal replacement drinks and multi-vitamins but always consult your doctor first on this.

Reduce friction

Material rubbing against the skin increases the chances of pressure sores occurring. Make sure there are no rough seams on bed clothes and garments and if someone has difficulty with mobility, take care not to drag them when helping them to move.

Consider using products and dressings made from fabric designed to reduce friction and prevent pressure sores. Products available include bootees, undergarments, pillows and sheets. These items prevent the skin dragging, minimise rubbing and promote ease of movement.

Many are designed for particular pressure sore problem areas such as heels, elbows and hips.

Reduce moisture

Moisture increases the risks of pressure sores developing. Be especially careful to clean things up quickly if someone is incontinent. Sweat can also promote bed sores. Make sure your body or that of the person you care for is kept as dry as possible at all times and is thoroughly dried after any bath or shower.

Ways to Prevent Pressure Sores

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A Proven Way to Prevent a Sore Throat From Progressing to a Cold

Before I start sharing with you the proven way to prevent a sore throat from progressing to a cold, do you know experiencing periodic cold or flu can actually be helpful to your health? It may sound ridiculous but it is true, as told by my friend, who is a doctor by profession.

wheelchair cushions for pressure sores

He mentioned that during our cold or flu period, our bodes are actually in the healing process of getting rid of those weakest cells which can help us to stay more healthier in the long run.

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Here is how you can better prepare in preventing a cold from developing.

Gargle with warm salt water the moment you start experiencing that sore, tickling feeling in your throat. Try to tap your throat (Adam's apple region) with your fingers while you gargle so as to encourage the warm salt water to trickle deeply into your throat.

You probably may not be aware of, your tonsils and adenoids serve as a first line of defense against any airborne microorganisms and substances. It is a important parts of your immune system located near the entrance of your breathing passages. Colds and flu viruses usually get caught by your tonsils and adenoids before spreading through your body, and by gargling warm salt water it can effectively removed the viruses.

If you ever experience chronic swelling tonsils and adenoids at your throat region and is thinking of removing them, please reconsider seriously. It is highly not recommendable. Try alternatives ways liked;

- Adopting a minimal processed diet, rich in fresh plant foods,
- Reduced your sugar intake especially canned drinks
- Get plenty of rest, exercise and exposed yourself outdoor more often.

You may ask does gargling cold salt water works as well?

Either warm or cold salt water will help to remove those harmful viruses from your tonsils and adenoids, but if possible, try warm salt water as it tends to be more effective.

This are just simple and easy ways you can try out without any hassle before you consult your doctor.

Thanks for reading.

A Proven Way to Prevent a Sore Throat From Progressing to a Cold

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How to Prevent Bed Sores

If you have limited mobility due to accident injury, disability, or age, you should know how to prevent bed sores. Even if you are confined to a bed or a wheelchair for long periods of time, there are actions you or your caregiver can take to make sure you do not have to endure the added pain and treatment of bed sores.

gel cushions for pressure sores

Technically speaking, bed sores are actually pressure sores on any part of the body where the skin is being stressed by long periods of immobility and added difficulties in repositioning. You do not have to be confined to a bed, in order to suffer from bed sores. Thus, it is important to be aware of the potential for sores and know how to do everything possible to prevent them from occurring in the first place.

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The key is to be proactive and take the necessary steps to prevent bed sore. For example:
Positioning Inspections Nutrition Lifestyle Changes

Although it will not guarantee that bed sores will not occur, it will definitely reduce the opportunities for these painful and often dangerous sores from making life miserable.

Positioning

Avoid staying in one position for extended periods of time. If you are able, move around frequently to redistribute weight to other areas of the body. For those who cannot move, it is up to the caregiver to move his/her charge around periodically. For those who are confined to a wheelchair, one designed to recline can be helpful in making sure the immobile individual can change positions.

Inspections

Although it is probably not the most pleasant of tasks, it is important to check for bed sores on a daily basis. Anywhere the skin comes in constant contact with the bed or the chair, take notice. For those prone to develop bed sores, it may only take a day or two to develop a big problem that can quickly turn into a serious health concern. Once a bed sore develops, it is very painful and difficult to treat.

Nutrition

Surprisingly, good nutrition can help prevent bed sores from making life painfully miserable. If the disabled person is underweight, he/she is more likely to suffer pressure sores. Good nutrition also helps the body produce healthy skin, which is less likely to erupt into sores. Thus, it is important to eat a well balanced diet, as much as possible.

Lifestyle Changes

Sorry folks. Lifestyle changes can make a big difference in whether a person is prone to develop bed sores. Yes. One more reason to quit smoking has come to light. Immobile individuals who smoke are more likely to have bed sores.

In addition, exercise is so important. If you are disabled and cannot do it for yourself, it is time to ask someone to help you exercise and move your body around a little bit. Whether people have limited mobility or not, exercise is still key in staying as healthy as possible.

Now you Know

Now you know a few things you can do to prevent bed sores in you or someone you love. Pressure sores can be dangerous and life threatening, if left undetected and untreated. So, be proactive; be cautious; be painful bed sore free.

How to Prevent Bed Sores

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How to Prevent the Pain Caused by Pressure Sores

A pressure sore is defined as a soft tissue necrotic region, as a consequence of compression of tissue between external surfaces and bones.

wheelchair cushions for pressure sores

They are a serous problem for people living in wheelchairs, especially they are old. General opinion is pressure sores are the result of poor nursing care and
poor patient compliance. Because some positions are less comfortable than others, the patient must understand is necessary to shift weight, turn over, move to the other hip, whatever, just for avoid the consequences of compression.

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Once the patient gets those sores, there are more things to do in order to prevent the pain. One is cushions, maybe several different kinds, for your chair(s). The Roho cushion is hands down the most recommended by people with pressure sores.

Another is changing the seating position often, and sitting correctly with pelvis directly below spine. Patient should get off his butt one way or another in the middle of the day. Another is having a good mattress with a soft non-lumpy surface.

Very useful is to sleep in at least 3 different positions every night, and have someone to help move the patient if he is too stiff. He may need a well placed pillow to keep him on right side.

Clothing makes a difference too. Most jeans have a seam across their back, and when patient is sitting it gets pulled tightly against his body. So, wearing different types of pants on different days is a good option, and when shopping new pants look at the inside part too.

How to Prevent the Pain Caused by Pressure Sores

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Running And Muscle Soreness - How To Prevent And Cure Sore Leg Muscles For Runners

Running is a great way to exercise the body and the mind. But sometimes it could be a painful experience. Running is high impact activity; therefore your body is being put under a whole amount of pressure, causing pains and aches all over. If you struggle with sore legs after working out, it' time to put an ending to your suffering-because I'm going to show the right thing to do for treating and preventing this painful condition.

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Causes of leg soreness

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The human body is complex machine; the muscles have to perform precise tasks on a daily basis; most of these tasks do not vary too much. Therefore, the muscles settle in and get used to doing the same activities. But when added pressure is being applied on the body, the muscles have to go outside their comfort zone and move through a wider range of motion than they are used.

The extra stress causes microscopic tears and wears to the working muscles -- don't worry! This is a part of the adaption process. This course of action manifests itself in your body as the soreness you feel after running-usually about 8 to 24 hours after the exercise has been over. Therefore, muscle soreness is a natural process and a major piece of the training progress. Even though some soreness can sometime insist up to a week!

How to prevent leg soreness

As I just explained-you should not worry much about this condition. But there are many things you can do to speed the adaptation process and lessen the enduring pain. Here a few guidelines that can help a lot:

- If you are a beginner-you should start your training regime slowly and build the intensity gradually.

- Always begin your session with a good warm-up. Walk for the first 5 minutes and do some light stretches to get your muscles ready for the exercise.

- Make sure to stretch your muscles after the workout has been over. Stretching will release most of the build up tension in your muscles and will make you feel good.

- You may work on strengthening your leg muscles. You can enroll in weight lifting class or do some plyometrics training.

How to cure the soreness

The option of treatment is always on the table-especially if you are under pain and can't take it any longer. The treatment plan is simple. As a runner, your first line of defense against any injury is the R.I.C.E treatment plan. Rice stands for: rest, ice, compress and elevate.

The best cure is to take some recovery days and massage gently the area where you feel pain. But if the pain persists in spite of the treatment plan, then you should visit a doctor as soon as possible. Leg soreness can be an early sign of a potential injury.

Running And Muscle Soreness - How To Prevent And Cure Sore Leg Muscles For Runners

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Medicare Deadline Spurs Hospitals to Prevent Pressure Ulcers

The Announcement That Started It All

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Last year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that it will stop reimbursing hospitals for treating eight reasonably preventable conditions - including pressure ulcers - in October 2008. That simple announcement has put hospitals across America into a state of anxiety and with good reason. Up until now, the majority of hospitals focus on the treatment of pressure ulcers and the extreme pain and life-threatening infections that follow, rather than preventing them.

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Which is understandable, since the number of hospital patients who develop pressure sores has risen by 63% over the last 10 years and nearly 60,000 deaths occur annually from hospital-acquired pressure sores.

But that's not the only toll. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the average stay for patients admitted to the hospital for treatment of hospital-acquired pressure sores was 13 days, with an average cost of ,500 dollars per stay.

Unless hospitals can afford to continue simply treating pressure sores as they occur without Medicare to subsidize their costs, something must be done. Pressure sores can initially develop when the blood supply to a patient's skin is cut off for more than two or three hours, or is aggravated by constant pressure on the skin and tissues.

When a patient is immobile or has difficulty moving after surgery or procedures, even the slightest friction burns created by bed sheets, wheelchairs or other surfaces can quickly turn into pressure ulcers. One problem, is that pressure ulcers can initially be hard to identify, sometimes looking like nothing more than a pink or red spot on hard to see areas like skin folds or bony protrusions.

And when they do occur, complications such as bone, blood, and skin infections, can quickly develop. Not only do patients suffer; but so do hospitals - treating pressure sores often costs more financially and in personnel hours than the measures that could have prevented them. That doesn't even take into account the cost of litigation hospitals and care facilities can face, for putting their patients at risk when pressure ulcers develop.

So what can we do? We need to put proactive medicine to work by transforming our basic pressure sore protocols into pressure ulcer prevention programs.

I know what you're going to say. Your facility already has a program in place to identify patients who are at risk to develop pressure ulcers. Maybe you even have a wound management professional to treat patients and instruct your staff on proper procedures. But as hospitals across the country have seen, if pressure ulcers are still occurring, following basic protocols may not be the answer.

For example, Thibodaux Regional Medical Center in Louisiana already had a better than average pressure ulcer rate. But when their quality improvement data detected an increase in the ulcer rate in late 2003, they decided to launch a Six Sigma project to address the issues. After examining the data, they were surprised at the outcome. First they determined that the tools they had been using to analyze their care were unreliable. Second, some preventative measures they relied upon, like using a specific type of patient bed, wasn't having as much of a positive effect of patient outcomes as small improvements had.

For example, the way smaller tasks were performed on the nursing floor. The recommended changes that came out of the project included simple shifts in procedure including reorganization of wound care products on nursing units and creating task lists for CNAs.

Additional solutions included:

Posting a turning schedule in patient rooms to identify need and document results of Q2H turning of patient. Unit educators to address skin issues during annual competency testing Reporting on patient skin issues during shift changes

The result? A sixty percent reduction in the overall nosocomial pressure ulcer rate, with an annual cost avoidance of about 0,000. The best way to create and implement a new pressure ulcer prevention program is to model the successful programs instituted by other hospitals, and recreate that success in your own facility.

That's why our organization has created a databank of information on pressure ulcers, causes, treatments, successful prevention programs, six sigma projects and even products other facilities and patients have found helpful. It's a great place to start.

So how does your facility rate? Can your patient's pressure ulcer rate be improved? Now is the best time to find out. With a little analysis, research and a good deal of planning and implementation, you'll be ready and able to give your patients the best skin care available. And that is what good medicine is all about!

Medicare Deadline Spurs Hospitals to Prevent Pressure Ulcers

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Top 7 Tips To Treat And Prevent Canker Sores

Do not let their size fool you. Canker sores, those tiny yellow or grayish-white ulcers that appear in your mouth without warning, pack a mighty painful punch. They turn simple acts such as talking and brushing your teeth into exercises in misery. Even eating becomes a torturous test of will. Canker sores usually show up on the tongue, the floor of the mouth, or the inside of a lip or cheek. Some of the potential triggers are everything from a breakdown in the immune system to nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, abrasions and other minor mouth injuries, and even stress. Here are some tips that you can consider to adopt to treat and prevent canker sores.

wheelchair cushions for pressure sores

1. Think Zinc

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You may also want to consider taking 100 milligrams of zinc a day until the sore is healed. Zinc supplements appear to be an effective treatment for canker sores, although this is not scientifically proven. Bear in mind you should not take more than 15 milligrams of zinc a day without first consulting a physician.

2. Try Acidophilus

Acidophilus, a beneficial bacterium found in yogurt may help treat canker sores. You will find acidophilus in liquid and tablet forms in most drugstores. Use the liquid as a mouthwash or let the tablets dissolve in your mouth with milk. Use either preparation four times a day.

3. Favor Milder fare

When you have a sore, you will instinctively avoid spicy and acidic foods such as chilli and citrus fruits because of the pain they cause. That is exactly what you should do. Try to limit your diet to smooth, bland foods such as soft bread, scrambled eggs, and pasta.

4. Watch What You Eat

Canker Sores may be caused by food allergies too. In particular, to dairy and wheat products. If you have a tendency to develop canker sores, it can't hurt to eliminate dairy and wheat products from your diet to see if the sores stop occurring.

5. Swish To Soothe

Rinse your mouth with a liquid antacid as needed. It will neutralize the acid in your mouth, thereby reducing the pain. Liquid antacid is better than the chewable kind because the granules in a tablet can irritate a canker sore.

6. Nix Nicotine

It is recommended not to smoke when you are nursing canker sore. Nicotine can irritate the sore, which just fans the flames of pain.

7. Whip Up Some Fast Relief

Make a paste of baking soda and water, then dab a little on the canker sore. It is recommended to use the paste as needed, but so not ingest it if you have high blood pressure.

Top 7 Tips To Treat And Prevent Canker Sores

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Using Cushions For Wheelchairs to Prevent Pressure Sores

The potential for developing pressure ulcers can be lessened by using cushions for wheelchair.

Pressure ulcers or pressure sores, as they are more commonly known, are chronic wounds that occur when there is increased pressure, friction, or moisture on a concentrated area of the skin. People are particularly prone to developing pressure sores when they sit or lie in one position for a prolonged period of time; this is common for patients on bed rest or with chronic disabilities that cause them to use a wheelchair for many months or years. The oxygen and nutrients supplied to the area where pressure is applied are cut off, thus causing a clot in the blood vessels which exhibits as redness. The red part worsens by stages, progressing into a blister-like form of skin irritation, and in advanced cases, deep craters that expose the bone and muscle.

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However, when it comes to health care conditions, prevention is more advisable than cure. Before a pressure sore begins to develop, measures can be taken to prevent it, and one of the ways is by using cushions for wheelchair.

Wheelchair cushions redistribute the weight of the patient's body away from the areas directly beneath the bones, which are also the areas that are most prone to developing pressure ulcers. This decreases the pressure on those hypersensitive areas and lessens the tendency for pressure sores.

There are dynamic wheelchair cushions that frequently shift the area of highest pressure to limit the time that the circulation is restricted in one particular area.

Some wheelchair cushion materials are designed to cool and dry the skin to minimize chafing and subsequent damage.

The type of cushion best for the patient in question is dependent on his pressure points while sitting in the wheelchair. It is important for him to try out different cushions to be able to determine which one is most helpful in reducing pressure to those specific spots.

All in all, using cushions for wheelchair does not guarantee that pressure sores will be completely absent, but it can, through basic scientific principles, significantly lessen and delay their incidence.

Using Cushions For Wheelchairs to Prevent Pressure Sores

PRESSURE SORES STAGES