It's not uncommon to see calls for blood donations from organizations like the Red Cross, but it's staggering to see that need expressed in straightforward numbers:
Compounding this need is the length of time when blood components are viable:
There are a number of diseases and situations that require considerable amounts of donated blood. Among them:
Certain blood types are more in demand than others, with type O blood being the most requested by hospitals:
Around 37 percent of Americans are eligible to donate blood, but less than 10 percent donate annually. To find out if you're eligible to donate, take a look at the Red Cross guide to eligibility requirements.
There are many myths on who's eligible to donate blood and who's not. You should always confirm your eligibility with an organization like the Red Cross when about to donate, but here's a quick guide to who can and can't give blood:
You probably have lots of questions about donating blood during the COVID-19 pandemic. The need for blood donations is as pressing as ever! Click this link for safety tips and information from the American Red Cross about donating blood during COVID-19!
Donating blood is a huge help to the medical system, and so is offering quality medical supplies at affordable prices. That's why Mountainside Medical Equipment offers the best supplies for doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals at wholesale prices. Visit us today!
]]>What we call Vitamin D is not technically a vitamin, but a series of compounds that function similarly to a hormone. They're important to metabolic function and especially to calcium homeostasis, the movement of calcium throughout the body.
Vitamin D's unique in that it's not present in most foods, but most readily in sunlight. A person could potentially get a healthy amount of Vitamin D from sun exposure. However, this might not be practical for everyone, especially in winter. Other sources include:
Obtaining the right amount of Vitamin D can help ease fatigue and increase energy.
This vitamin is one of the most important in the human body, as it's involved in the metabolism of all of our cells. It's required for DNA synthesis, metabolizing fatty acids and amino acids, the development of red blood cells, and the creation of myelin, which insulates cells in the nervous system and allows them to travel faster and more effectively.
Most people in developed countries obtain the necessary amounts of B12 through eating animal products. Vegan and even vegetarian diets may require additional sources.
A Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause many serious conditions, the most common of which is the development of anemia, a disease in which the body does not produce enough red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body and lacking enough can cause many symptoms, including:
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause even more complications. Its associated anemia is known as pernicious anemia, and has specific symptoms:
Pernicious anemia is very serious, as you can tell from those symptoms. It can lead to severe and irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system, as well as developmental delay and regression in children.
Vitamin B9 is the natural form of folic acid present in your body, and it's crucial in the production of new cells. It's important for DNA and RNA synthesis, and its use in preventing changes to DNA helps guard against cancer. Folate is particularly important during periods of rapid cell growth, such as pregnancy or infancy.
Folate deficiency, like Vitamin B12 deficiency, can cause anemia. This can cause the same basic symptoms as B12 deficiency anemia, but may be indicated by some particular symptoms:
Getting enough folate is also vitally important during pregnancy, as it reduces the risk of neural tube defects (birth defects affecting the brain and spinal cord) such as spina bifida and anencephaly. Pregnant women should get 600 to 800 micrograms of folate every day; prenatal vitamins may help.
A water-soluable vitamin, folate isn't stored in fat cells and must be replenished by diet. Anything that disrupts this replenishment is dangerous.
Want to get the nutrients you need to help maintain your mood? Visit Mountainside Medical Equipment! We've got a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and supplements. Click here to visit our collection of vitamins and nutrition products!
]]>Vitamin K helps to make proteins necessary for blood clotting and building bones. These include, prothrombin, a protein directly involved with blood clotting, and osteocalcin, a protein that helps build bone tissue and requires vitamin K to work.
Babies have very little vitamin K in their bodies at birth. Newborns who don't get vitamin K are at risk for vitamin K deficient bleeding (VKDB), a potentially fatal bleeding disorder. VKDB can cause bruising or bleeding throughout the body, including organs; almost half of VKDB cases involve bleeding in the brain, which leads to brain damage.
It's not just newborns who are at risk. Babies within their first 6 months of life are at risk for VKDB, as they don't have much naturally-produced vitamin K. It's also not a nutrient that nursing moms can pass much of through breast milk. Most of our vitamin K depends on the foods we eat and the healthy bacteria in our intestines, which take time to develop for infants.
Serious, life-threatening VKDB bleeding can start with little or no warning, but babies who do not get a vitamin K shot at birth might show these signs:
Yes, it's important that newborns get a vitamin K shot, as are at risk for serious bleeding without it.
It's crucial that hospitals, doctor's offices, and other medical services have access to the best in medical supplies. That's why Mountainside Medical Equipment offers the best supplies for doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals at great prices. Visit us today!
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The effects of mental illness are extremely widespread in the United States:
Cases of mental illness are prevalent among all demographics in America:
Open conversation about mental illness is important because stigmas about mental health can prevent proper reporting or diagnoses from occurring.
Mental illness can take many forms, but these are some of the most common.
A series of disorders that causes someone to feel frightened, distressed, and uneasy for no obvious reason. There are many pathways here, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Phobias, Panic Disorder, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Prevalence: Over 21 percent of U.S. adults, or 42.5 million people.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: an anxiety disorder involving recurrent unwanted thoughts (obsessions) or compulsions (rituals) that a person feels they cannot control. They may perform repeated rituals for temporary relief from uncomfortable, intrusive thoughts.
Prevalence: 2.2 million adults, or 1 percent of the American population.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: an anxiety disorder following the experience or witnessing of a traumatic event, in which someone experiences prolonged distress, fear, helplessness, guilt, shame or anger (for more than a month).
Prevalence: 12 million Americans, or 3.7 percent of adult Americans.
A disorder characterized by extreme highs and lows in mood and energy. Extended periods of excessively high or irritable moods shift to extended periods of sadness or hopelessness, possibly with normal moods in between.
Prevalence: Over 3.3 million Americans (1.7 percent of adults) each year, with 4.4 percent of adults experiencing this during their lifetime.
An emotional regulation disorder in which at least five of the following nine criteria must be satisfied:
Once thought to be untreatable, BPD can be managed with psychotherapy in the form of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as well as mood stabilizers.. It is often diagnosed in adolescents or young adults, and has a high comorbidity with other personality disorders. It affects up to 5 percent of Americans.
One of the most common mental illnesses, depressive disorders involve extended periods of feeling low and a lack of enjoyment or interest towards pleasurable activities. It can include:
16 million American adults, or 6.7 percent, experience depression each year, but only about a third (35.3 percent) of those with severe depression seek treatment. Many people resist treatment because they don't think their depression is serious enough and believe it can be treated on its own or that it's some form of personal failing rather than a medical condition.
A serious disorder affecting a person's ability to think, feel, and behave clearly. This can cause a variety of behaviors or feelings, such as difficulty distinguishing reality from fantasy; unresponsiveness or withdrawn behaviors; or difficulty expressing normal emotions in social situations. This is not a split personality or multiple personality disorder, as it is popularly characterized; people with schizophrenia are typically not dangerous. They may seem out of touch with reality, exhibit disordered thinking or difficulty with information, or may experience hallucinations or delusions.
Prevalence: An estimated range of 0.25 to 0.64 percent of American adults. It's one of the top 15 causes of disability worldwide, and people with schizophrenia have a 4.9 percent suicide rate, much higher than the average.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of all mental health and emotional disorders, but an overview of common ones. Many people have multiple disorders concurrently, as well. If you suspect that you have a mental health issue, contact the NAMI Helpline run by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health conditions, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public.
One of the most valuable things you can do for your mental health is exercise. Regular physical activity can reduce depression and anxiety while improving mood, focus, and overall well-being. The American Heart Association recommends you get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity (or a combination of both), preferably spread throughout the week.
What are the practical improvements you might see with increased exercise?
Mental and physical health are not as distinct as we tend to view them. Each affects the other directly, and can support each other when maintained: increased exercise leads to improved energy, focus, mood, and motivation, which then encourages you to stay active!
If you're trying to get more exercise in order to relieve stress and improve your mood, visit Mountainside Medical Equipment! We've got everything from vitamins to heart rate monitors to topical pain gels like Mountain Ice Sports Recovery Gel to get you active and on your feet. Click this link to visit our heart health products!
Please consult your doctor or other qualified medical professional before stopping or starting any medications, supplements, or health regimens.
]]>Opioids are a class of drugs that relax the body and relieve pain. They're naturally found in the opium poppy plant, but some prescription opioids are made from the chemical structure of the plant without using the plant itself. Prescription opioids are used mostly to manage moderate to severe pain, but are extremely addictive.
One of the main reasons for this addiction is that dopamine is released during opioid use: this hormone helps regulate reward-motivated behavior, the part of us that creates motivation by determining the desirability of a action's outcome. So opioids not only increase pleasure and relaxation, they also release the hormone that motivates you to keep trying to achieve that same pleasurable outcome.
While all forms of opioid abuse have risen in the past two decades, of concern in this article is largely the misuse of prescription opioids and their addictive qualities. Heroin, derived from opium, is also incredibly dangerous and addictive, and its rise in prominence is heavily connected to escalation from prescription opioid addictions, but it's also highly illegal. The opioids we're discussing are legally prescribed, and addictions to them often begin while people are recovering from injury or surgery, as well as suffering from chronic pain. They're even prescribed in long-term care settings like nursing homes.
Prescription opioids include:
Opioids can make you feel relaxed and happy, but come with a host of potential, short-term side effects too, such as drowsiness, confusion, nausea, constipation, and slowed breathing. The effects of slowed breathing are particularly worrying, as this can cause hypoxia, a condition in which too little oxygen reaches the brain, possibly leading to comas, permanent brain damage, and death. This is one of the primary reasons for opioid-based overdose.
You can also easily build up a tolerance to prescription opioids, leading to requiring more of them for the same amount of pain relief, as well as misusing them for increased effect. This can also dovetail with withdrawal symptoms as an addiction forms, and these uncomfortable, painful symptoms are one of the reasons people find it difficult to stop opioid use.
Opioid misuse isn't just taking a prescription opioid for the high it provides. That's a common reason, but it also might involve taking someone else's prescription medication, or taking the medication in a way or dose other than prescribed. Sometimes this means altering the format or delivery of the medication, and sometimes it means taking more than prescribed.
The numbers surrounded the opioid epidemic display an unprecedented rise in the use of opioids as well as deaths from them:
The most concerning statistic might be a comparison over a longer timeline: the number of drug overdose deaths was four times higher in 2018 than in 1999, and nearly 70 percent of overdose deaths each year now involve opioids.
The opioid epidemic is a problem that has been building since increased prescribing of opioids in the late 1990s, spurred by new developments in opioid pain relievers, particularly the approval of OxyContin in 1995. Since 1999, the quantity of prescription painkillers sold in the United States has nearly quadrupled as well as the quantity of prescriptions written, with a corresponding increase in addiction rates.
It's important to recognize that addiction to opioid pain relievers can happen to anyone who uses them, even in a medical setting. As many as 1 in 4 (25 percent) patients receiving long-term opioid therapy in a primary care setting struggles with addiction.
Naloxone, distributed under the brand name Narcan, is an opioid antagonist, which means it binds to opioid receptors in the central nervous system, where it reverses and blocks the effects of opioids. This can quickly reverse an opioid overdose and restore normal breathing. It's a safe medication without evidence of significant adverse reactions, and has no harmful effect on a person without opioids in their system. Most importantly, data shows that naloxone availability helps save lives:
It's crucial that the best emergency supplies are widely available, not just to professionals, but to everyone. That's why Mountainside Medical Equipment offers the best rescue supplies for your home, office, school, organization, or any other venue. Visit us today!
Using Narcan is even easier when you have a dedicated naloxone kit, like Mountainside Medical Equipment's Narcan Nasal Spray Kit. These all-inclusive kits have everything you need to stop an overdose, provided in a convenient and highly visible carrying case to save time when you need it most.
]]>Occupational therapy (OT) focuses on helping you perform day-to-day tasks, tailored to your specific workplace and home environment. It focuses on making common daily activities and motions easier through assistive technology and environmental adjustment.
So what kind of people can OT benefit? Occupational therapists have a wide range of patients, including those with:
Physical therapy provides a safe, effective alternative pathway to pain relief. It involves the use of exercise, soft tissue mobilization, muscle stimulation, hydrotherapy, and other methods to strengthen the body, improves range of motion, and restores function while providing pain relief that can lessen dependence on medication.
Physical therapy is a complex discipline that can be utilized as part of a recovery or rehabilitation program for any number of conditions.
Physical therapy has something to offer anyone, and this is possibly its greatest strength: adaptability. The ability to meet each individual patient's needs with therapy plans created alongside the patient not only creates better outcomes, but also allows more autonomy and independence for a patient with a serious injury or chronic condition.
Whether you're living with a brain disorder or cautious about fall and injury risk, Mountainside Medical Equipment has what you need! We've got everything from mobility devices to safety bars to assistive devices like reachers. Click this link to visit our mobility products, and click here to visit our daily living aids collection!
Please consult your doctor or other qualified medical professional before stopping or starting any medications, supplements, or health regimens.
]]>Naloxone, or Narcan, is an opioid antagonist, which means it binds to opioid receptors in the central nervous system, where it reverses and blocks the effects of opioids. This can quickly reverse an opioid overdose and restore normal breathing. It's a safe medication without evidence of significant adverse reactions, and has no harmful effect on a person without opioids in their system. Most importantly, data shows that naloxone availability helps save lives:
Many people believe that drug addiction only happens in certain places or as an offshoot of criminal activity. But opioids are prevalent in medicine, and are extremely potent, habit-forming drugs. It hasn't been uncommon for people who have been legitimately prescribed opioid pain relievers to become dependent on them accidentally.
Many groups of people are at risk for an opioid overdose:
If you or a loved one has ever used opioids for any reason, Narcan is a must in your house. You may be able to save the life of a friend, family member, neighbor, or even a stranger.
Administering Narcan is simple! Each pack comes with instructions for use, and the three-step process for using the device is easy to remember:
It's crucial that the best emergency supplies are widely available, not just to professionals, but to everyone. That's why Mountainside Medical Equipment offers the best rescue supplies for your home, office, school, organization, or any other venue. Visit us today!
Using Narcan is even easier when you have a dedicated naloxone kit, like Mountainside Medical Equipment's Narcan Nasal Spray Kit. These all-inclusive kits have everything you need to stop an overdose, provided in a convenient and highly visible carrying case to save time when you need it most.
]]>Depo-Medrol, or methylprednisolone, is a corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory properties. It is the synthetic equivalent to naturally occuring glutocorticoid hormones. Conditions it can treat include:
It's crucial that hospitals, doctor's offices, and other medical services have access to the best in medical supplies. That's why Mountainside Medical Equipment offers the best supplies for doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals at great prices. Visit us today!
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Need to stock up on allergy products to deal with the ragweed and pollen in the air this spring? Visit Mountainside Medical Equipment! We've got everything from decongestants to pain relievers to antihistamines to get you through the season. Click this link to visit our allergy product collection!
Please consult your doctor or other qualified medical professional before stopping or starting any medications, supplements, or health regimens.
]]>Hylenex is a form of hyaluronidase, an enzyme that helps break down hyaluronic acid. What this means is that it helps temporarily break down part of the subcutaneous cellular matrix, so that injectable drugs and fluids can be absorbed and distributed more quickly.
Hylenex has a simple mechanism of action featuring relatively few steps:
It's crucial that hospitals, doctor's offices, and other medical services have access to the best in medical supplies. That's why Mountainside Medical Equipment offers the best supplies for doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals at great prices. Visit us today!
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1. Get Tested For Diabetes
If you suspect you may have diabetes or you have unsettling eye disease symptoms, use this month as a way to conquer your anxiety and get proactive about your health. Various tests, including fasting or drinking a sugary, high glucose solution and then taking a blood test, will give you an accurate reading of the results. There are also certain factors during an eye exam that may indicate diabetes if you haven't been formally diagnosed.
2. Post An Eye Exam Reminder on Social Media
Use your platforms to save eyesight. Remind your friends and family that February is Low Vision Awareness Month. Put up some statistics and some links to organizations that are working on this issue.
3. Offer to Take Someone to Their Eye Exam
Being a friend includes being there for someone, even accompanying them to an eye exam. If your eyes are playing tricks on you, bring along a friend for support. If your eyes are dilated after the exam, you may need a ride home.
1. It Happens Gradually
Diabetic retinopathy often goes unnoticed until symptoms are so severe that you are at risk of completely losing your vision.
2. It's the Result of Diabetes
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, with 40-45 percent affected by diabetic retinopathy.
3. It Disproportionately Affects People of Color
Because people of different ethnic groups are prone to developing type 2 diabetes, they are also at a collectively higher risk for diabetic eye diseases.
4. You Can Fight It With a Healthy Lifestyle
Prevention is key because taking positive steps, such as watching what you eat, regular exercise, and correctly taking your diabetes medicine can prevent or even delay any vision loss.
1. Diabetic Eye Disease Can Permanently Damage Your Vision
Think about all of the ways that you use your eyes, and think about how you would feel if you were to gradually lose your eyesight. Diabetic eye disease, also known as diabetic retinopathy, is a group of eye conditions affecting people with diabetes. These conditions include: cataracts, glaucoma, and macular swelling. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases suggests seeing your doctor if you have blurry or frequently changing vision, experience dark areas or vision loss, or if you see floaters or flashes of light.
2. All Types of Diabetes Can Trigger Eye Disease
If you suffer from diabetes, you have a greater chance of having an eye disease than someone who doesn't. Every type of diabetes makes you vulnerable, which is why early detection with regular eye exams is key. People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes need annual exams. Pregnant women with both types 1 and 2 need exams prior to pregnancy or at least during the first trimester. Only expectant mothers with gestational diabetes aren't required to have eye exams because they can't develop diabetic eye disease during pregnancy.
3. Prevention Means Dilating Your Eyes
If you have diabetes, you need a more in-depth exam where the eye doctor dilates your eyes. This means that you will receive drops in your eyes to make the pupils larger. This allows the doctor to fully see the back of each eye including the retina, blood vessels, and optic nerve. After your eyes are dilated, don't panic if your vision is slightly blurry for a couple of hours, but be sure to arrange transportation.
When you need relief from dry, itchy, and watery eyes, visit Mountainside Medical Equipment! We've got the best in quality eye health products to preserve your vision. Click this link to see the eye care products we have in stock!
Be sure to consult your doctor or other qualified health care professional before taking any medication, supplement, or beginning any health regimen.
]]>Regular exercise can have significant, beneficial effects on both blood sugar and insulin sensitivity. When you exercise:
All forms of exercise -- aerobic, resistance, and combined training -- have been shown to be equally effective at lowering blood sugar, although combining aerobic and resistance training has the largest impact on lowering insulin resistance.
Physical activity can lower your blood sugar for 24 hours or more after exercise, which can put you at risk for hypoglycemia if your insulin dose or carbohydrate intake isn't adjusted for exercise. Make sure to check your blood sugar before any physical activity, and consult with your diabetes care team before you begin an exercise regimen.
If you experience hypoglycemia during or after exercise, treat it by following the 15-15 Rule.
The 15-15 Rule:
If hypoglycemia is an obstacle to regular physical activity, speak to your healthcare provider about the best treatment plan for you.
Managing diabetes involves staying active and monitoring your diet and blood sugar. For the best products to help you get on your feet, visit Mountainside Medical Equipment! We've got everything from vitamins to glucose monitors to topical pain gels like Mountain Ice Sports Recovery Gel to get you active and help you stay heart healthy. Click this link to visit our fitness products!
Please consult your doctor or other qualified medical professional before stopping or starting any medications, supplements, or health regimens.
]]>The symptoms of eye allergies are visible and obvious:
Allergens in the air are largely responsible for eye allergies, but other allergens may play a part. These may include:
This seems obvious, right? But avoiding airborne allergens can be difficult, especially during seasons where pollen counts are high. Here are some tips:
Eyewear: Sunglasses and eyeglasses, especially wraparound ones, can help protect your eyes from allergens. Eyeglasses with photochromic lenses can reduce the effect of light on eyes that are sensitive to it.
Contacts: Use daily disposable contacts or consider wearing eyeglasses during allergy seasons. Contacts can attract and accumulate allergens. If you have a regular pair of contacts, clean them often with a preservative-free solution.
Need to stock up on allergy products to deal with the ragweed and pollen in the air this spring? Visit Mountainside Medical Equipment! We've got everything from decongestants to pain relievers to antihistamines to get you through the season. Click this link to visit our allergy product collection!
Please consult your doctor or other qualified medical professional before stopping or starting any medications, supplements, or health regimens.
Be sure to consult your doctor or other qualified health care professional before taking any medication, supplement, or beginning any health regimen.
]]>One of the notable things about sleep deprivation is just how widespread it is, affecting Americans of all ages:
Sleep disorders encompass a wide range of conditions, as well. Among them are:
There's a good chance you've had a bout of insomnia before. Having trouble falling or staying asleep is the hallmark of this disorder, but it can take many different forms for different people. Some have acute insomnia, which lasts from one night to a few weeks, and some have chronic insomnia, which can interrupt sleep for at least three nights a week for three months or more.
Other symptoms of insomnia may include daytime sleepiness, fatigue, irritability, and problems with memory or concentration.
Insomnia can have many causes, defined by two major types:
Secondary insomnia, in which a health condition or substance use causes disturbed sleep. Its causes may include:
A disorder that interrupts your breathing during sleep. A number of types are present here as well:
Signs of sleep apnea can include:
It can be difficult to recognize sleep apnea yourself. If you or a partner notices any of these symptoms, schedule a sleep study.
Treatments: The most common method of treating sleep apnea is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP. This is a device that delivers air pressure through a mask while you sleep.
A condition characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, but there are other conditions that can occur alongside narcolepsy:
Narcolepsy's causes are unknown, but are associated with low levels of hypocretin, a chemical in the brain that regulates wakefulness and REM sleep.
A condition that causes a compulsion to move your legs, typically due to discomfort. For those with RLS, moving their legs eases unpleasant sensations in the legs, which can be described as aching, itching, throbbing, pulling, electric, crawling, or creeping. These sensations worsen at night and typically begin when you're at rest.
The causes of RLS are uncertain, but it may be due to an imbalance of dopamine, a chemical in the brain that controls muscle movement.
This is a condition that occurs during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, which is associated with dreaming. Those with this disorder are often absent the physical paralysis that accompanies REM sleep, and physically act out sensations from their dreams. This can cause punching, kicking, jumping from bed, grabbing, and flailing arms, among other reactions.
Its causes are unknown, but it has been heavily associated with degenerative neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease and multisystem atrophy. Nearly half of all cases involve withdrawal from alcohol or certain sedative-hypnotic medications.
Lack of sleep isn't just about feeling tired the next day. Sleep deprivation is a factor in many other health issues, such as:
In addition, the concentration issues and tiredness caused by lack of sleep can cause car accidents or workplace accidents. Sleep disorders can also cause interference in your professional or social life, as many people do not understand these disorders and the effect they may have on your workplace performance or ability to socialize.
Just as there's no single sleep disorder, there's no single treatment. But doctors suggest some guidelines for getting yourself into good sleep habits that may improve your sleep:
Are you looking to improve your sleep quality and wake up more rested? Visit Mountainside Medical Equipment! Click this link for our sleep health and insomnia product collection!
]]>When dealing with a chronic respiratory illness, it's vital to have a proper delivery system for medications. One of the most common is the nebulizer, which provides medication in the form of an aerosol mist for inhalation. The Schuco S5000 nebulizer features a compact, portable design and delivers your medication quickly and efficiently thanks to a high compressor operating flow rate and pressure level. It's easy to operate and clean, and its 3.5 pound weight makes it easily portable for travel. Available for an affordable price, this nebulizer also includes a full kit containing everything you need to get started using it, including over 6 feet of tubing and 5 extra compressor filters.
Don't forget the accessories for your nebulizer! The Respironics SideStream Reusable Nebulizer Mouthpiece delivers faster treatment times (delivers 2-1/2mL of drug output within 7 min). The reusable Sidestream is highly efficient (80% of drug output volume is below 5 microns in size), offering optimal patient care with minimal administrative effort. It can be used for 6 months before replacing.
One of the most common symptoms of chronic respiratory conditions is the buildup of mucus lining the airways and even the lungs, which can lead to a host of health problems. Excessive secretions in those with asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, and other illnesses can cause inflammation, narrowing, and blocking of the airways, infections, pulmonary hypertension, and a host of other debilitating problems. One of the most effective ways to fight this is through Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP), a method to mobilize secretions via air pressure that pushes mucus out while preventing airways from closing. The Acapella Choice device combines PEP with airway vibrations to improve clearance of secretions. It's easier to take than chest physiotherapy (CPT) and works in about half the time, while its convenient, portable size means you can get the benefit of this therapy anywhere!
Also available: Acapella DM Pediatric Vibratory PEP Therapy Device
Peak ragweed season can affect respiratory conditions beyond asthma: people with COPD also have difficulties with the season that can quickly worsen an already serious disease. If you have COPD and you spend anytime traveling or just outdoors in the fall, you'll want a dependable, portable oxygen concentrator like the CAIRE Freestyle Comfort. Weighing only 5 pounds and featuring an ergonomic design that rests naturally against your body, the Freestyle Comfort is a lightweight and wearable oxygen solution. Its simple, one-touch operation and low, 43 dBA operating volume maximize ease of use, while its multi-setting output rate and multiple rechargeable battery options allow for a versatile, powerful oxygen profile. Charts UltraSense technology automatically senses your breathing rate and adjusts to match it. When you need to breathe comfortably on the go, turn to the CAIRE Freestyle Comfort.
Need respiratory products to improve your breathing quality and make life more comfortable? Visit Mountainside Medical Equipment! We've got the best in quality respiratory products including everything from nebulizers to PEP therapy devices. Click this link to visit our respiratory care product collection!
Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by your liver, and it's not entirely harmful. It's there to help build and maintain the membranes of your cells. But when blood cholesterol becomes too high, it creates fatty deposits in your arteries that can grow and block off blood flow. This increases your blood pressure, which raises the risk of a heart attack, and some of these deposits can break off and cause a heart attack or stroke.
You've probably heard that there are two types of cholesterol:
Doctors suggest that your total cholesterol be around 200 mg/dL or lower, with less than 100 mg/dL being LDL cholesterol, and 40 mg/dL or higher being HDL. Many Americans do not reach these goals, though:
High cholesterol has both controllable and uncontrollable risk factors. The good news is that most of the risk factors for bad cholesterol can be managed! They include:
Uncontrollable risk factors include:
Complications are varied, but all severe:
High cholesterol itself does not have symptoms, unlike the health conditions it leads to. That's why it's important to adopt healthy lifestyle choices and manage your cholesterol level before it becomes an issue:
Preventing cardiovascular disease involves staying active and monitoring your heart health. For the best products to help you get on your feet, visit Mountainside Medical Equipment! We've got everything from vitamins to heart rate monitors to topical pain gels like Mountain Ice Sports Recovery Gel to get you active and help you stay heart healthy. Click this link to visit our heart health products!
Please consult your doctor or other qualified medical professional before stopping or starting any medications, supplements, or health regimens.
]]>COPD is a major cause of disability, and it is the 4th leading cause of death in the US. Currently, 16 million people are diagnosed with COPD, and many more have the disease and don't even know it.
Most people who have COPD are at least 40 years of age when symptoms begin.COPD develops slowly, with symptoms worsening over time and limiting your ability to do routine activities.
Causes of COPD include:
Some people who have asthma, a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways, can develop COPD. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways.
To understand COPD, it helps to understand how the lungs work. The air that you breathe goes down your windpipe into the airways, tubes in your lungs also called bronchial tubes. Within the lungs, your bronchial tubes branch many times into thousands of smaller, thinner tubes called bronchioles. These tubes end in bunches of tiny round air sacs called alveoli.
Small blood vessels called capillaries run along the walls of the air sacs. When air reaches the air sacs, oxygen passes through the air sac walls into the blood of the capillaries. At the same time, a waste product called carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, moves from the capillaries into the air sacs. This process is called gas exchange, and brings in oxygen for the body to use for vital functions and removes C02.
The airways and air sacs are elastic or stretchy. When you breathe in, each air sac fills up with air. When you breathe out, the air sacs deflate and the air goes out. In COPD, less air flows in and out of the airways due to:
COPD comprises two main conditions: emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
In emphysema, the walls between many of the air sacs are damaged. As a result, the air sacs lose their shape and become floppy. This damage can destroy the walls of the air sacs, leading to fewer and larger air sacs, instead of many tiny ones. If this happens, the amount of gas exchange in the lungs is reduced.
In chronic bronchitis, the lining of the airways stays constantly irritated and inflamed, causing the lining to swell. A large amount of thick mucus forms in the airways, making it difficult to breathe. Most people who have COPD have both emphysema and chronic bronchitis, but the severity of each condition varies from person to person.
At first, COPD may cause no symptoms, or only mild symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms usually become more severe. Common symptoms of COPD include:
Severe COPD may have symptoms that affect other parts of your body:
Seek emergency care if you experience the following:
COPD has no cure but lifestyle changes and regular treatment can help you feel better, remain active, and slow the progression of the disease. The goals of COPD treatment include:
COPD treatment options may include:
While COPD doesn't currently have a cure, there are steps you can take to manage your symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and live comfortably:
Quit Smoking and Avoid Lung Irritants: If you smoke, quit. Also, try to avoid lung irritants that can contribute to COPD, and keep these irritants out of your home. If your home is getting painted, or sprayed for insects, have it done when you can stay away for a while. If possible, keep your windows closed and stay at home when there is a lot of air pollution or dusts outside.
Get Ongoing Care: If you have COPD, it's important to receive ongoing medical care. Take all your medicines as your doctor prescribes and make sure to refill your prescriptions before they run out. Bring a list of all of the medicines you are taking when you have medical checkups. Talk with your doctor about whether and when you should get the flu and pneumonia vaccines. Also, as your doctor about other diseases for which COPD may increase your risk.
Manage Your Lifestyle: Do activities slowly. Put items you use often in easy-to-reach places. Find simple ways to cook, clean, and do other chores. Ask for help in making things more accessible in your house, so that you won't need to climb stairs as often. Keep your clothes loose, and wear clothes and shoes that are easy to put on and take off. Depending on how severe your disease is, you may want to ask your family and friends for help with daily tasks.
Prepare for Emergencies: If you have COPD, know when and where to seek help for your symptoms. Get emergency care if you have severe symptoms, worsening symptoms, or signs of an infection. Keep phone numbers handy for your doctor, hospital, and someone who can take you for medical care. You also should have hand directions to the doctor's office and hospital, as well as a list of all medications you are taking.
Emotional Issues and Support: Living with COPD may cause fear, anxiety, depression, and stress. Talk about how you feel with your healthcare team. Talking to a professional counselor also might help. If you are depressed, your doctor may recommend medicines or other treatments that can improve your quality of life. Joining a patient support group may help you adjust to living with COPD. You can see how other people who have the same symptoms have coped with them. Support from family and friends also can help relieve stress and anxiety. Let your loved ones know how you feel and what they can do to help you.
Need respiratory products to improve your breathing quality and make life more comfortable? Visit Mountainside Medical Equipment! We've got the best in quality respiratory products including everything from nebulizers to PEP therapy devices. Click this link to visit our asthma product collection!
]]>Adopting a healthy diet and good lifestyle changes takes time, consistency, and patience. Gradual, simple changes with an eye towards overall wellness will make more of a difference than a crash diet, and that's why today we're giving you strategies about how you can incorporate dietary changes!
Drinking enough water helps maintain the balance of your bodily fluids, improves kidney function (which cleanses your system of waste products), and helps maintain bowel function. Thirst can easily be mistaken for hunger, so those hunger pangs you get during the day might just be your body telling you it needs hydration. By reaching for that bottle of water first, you can help yourself avoid snacking or overeating. Water is also the perfect substitute for beverages with high sugar and carbohydrate content, and can be flavored with natural sources such as lemon, lime, cucumber, or pineapple.
Replacing soda with water is just one example of how you can gradually switch to healthier, more nutritious options without rebelling or missing problem foods and drinks. Drinks in particular can be a major source of excess sugar and calories, which you might not notice because they don't fill you up or take as much time to consume. Some substitution options may include:
You're probably noticing a pattern developing with some of these options: whole grain or whole wheat products are preferable to refined wheat flour ones. Refined products lose the fiber that whole grains and wheat contain, and are much less filling.
You'll also notice we didn't mention snacks, which could be a topic on its own. Luckily, the American Cancer Society has some great suggestions here.
Food labels can be misleading. What seems like a reasonable amount of calories, fat, carbohydrates, sodium, or sugar often becomes staggering when you realize how small the serving size is. Learning how to understand food labels takes a bit of experience, but fortunately there are guides available.
Beyond serving sizes, knowing what to look for on food labels will help you find foods that are nutritionally rich and avoid foods high in empty calories or artificial trans fats. Substances like high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oil are damaging to our health, but are cheap and have a long shelf life, and because of this are added to many processed foods. Watch for these terms on your food labels.
This goes along with our previous tip. People tend to underestimate how much food they're taking in -- according to some studies by as much as 25%! We tend to match our portions to our plate size, because it's an easy visual guide. Additionally, restaurants make a lot of money upselling us on larger sizes, especially on items with high profit margins and low food costs like beverages. Luckily there are many guides online that help you visualize a proper portion size by comparing them to common objects you're familiar with.
Pay attention to the heaviness and density of food, too. Denser foods like meat, pastas, breads, and cheeses can be filling with smaller portion sizes. Lighter options and water-based foods like vegetables, fruits, and soups should make up a larger portion of your meal.
One last note here: never eat out of the box or bag. You're almost guaranteed to eat a larger portion than you intend.
The internet is full of healthy recipes that are easy to make and affordable, as well as embody the idea of making simple, healthy substitutions. Building up a portfolio of these, especially ones that share ingredients to make shopping easier, can do wonders for your diet. Definitely search for ones that make ample use of herbs and spices for flavor instead of heavier options like sauces.
This is one of our more difficult tips. Not everyone has the time or resources to plan meals out for the week, and it's tough to find foods that satisfy everyone in a family full of people with different tastes. There's an entire industry of celebrity chefs and food experts trying to make you feel like you're not doing enough for your family, all of whom coincidentally have the answer if you'll just buy their book. Becoming a well-rounded family or even solo chef isn't an overnight process! It's trial-and-error, and heavily impacted by your family's tastes and your food budget. But with an eye towards the right ingredients and experience towards shopping to maximize their use, you can put together satisfying, nutritionally rich meals that work for you and your family. In addition, planning can help reduce our reliance on fast food, frozen dinners, and other premade, unhealthy options.
We're surrounded by rigid advice on eating better and losing weight, not to mention carefully cultivated Instagram feeds of attractive people with bad health advice hiding behind some inspirational quotes and a cute font. The world is full of people selling the idea of achievable, holistic perfection. Shut them out. You're doing this for your health and your family's health, and part of being healthy is self care: relaxing and enjoying life.
Striving for perfection is an easy way to burn yourself out on healthy choices and make unhealthy choices seem that much more enticing. Many dieticians suggest the 80-20 Rule: eat well 80% of the time, and the other 20% of the time you can make a fun but reasonable choice. You don't have to excommunicate cake or ice cream from your life! Just eat a moderate amount at appropriate times. If you think of your week as 21 meals and allow yourself some leeway with 4 of them, you can still maintain a healthy diet while enjoying it.
Need to supplement your diet? Visit Mountainside Medical Equipment! We've got the best in quality vitamins, minerals, and supplements. Click this link to see our collection!
]]>Dexamethasone's many uses include treating the following:
Dexamethasone decreases your immune system's response in order to reduce inflammation and swelling. The immune system is vital to maintaining health, but extreme immune responses can create painful, dangerous, or damaging symptoms. These can include excessive swelling, pain, discomfort, and itchiness -- in other words, allergic reactions and autoimmune conditions occur from excessive, unchecked immune response.
It's crucial that hospitals, doctor's offices, and other medical services have access to the best in medical supplies. That's why Mountainside Medical Equipment offers the best supplies for doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals at great prices. Visit us today!
]]>If you follow sports, you've likely seen discussion of brain injuries and the long-term effects of concussions. This doesn't just happen to pro athletes, but can happen even in youth sports. And it's also not just athletes who have suffered from ABIs:
You may have noticed we've used two different terms for brain injuries: acquired (ABIs) and traumatic (TBIs). Traumatic brain injuries are a subset of ABIs, and they're defined as any alteration in brain function caused by an external force. An impact must occur to cause a TBI, while other acquired brain injuries can occur due to a variety of medical or physical issues.
Examples of ABIs include:
Examples of TBIs include:
No two brain injuries are the same. The brain is the most complex organ in the human body, and the signs of a brain injury are wide-reaching. In many cases they won't appear or become noticeable for days or even weeks after an impact. Knowing what to look for can be crucial to getting someone the help they need. These may include:
Following an acquired brain injury, it's difficult to say if brain function will fully recover. That's why it's important to make decisions that will reduce your chances of suffering a brain injury.
Every brain injury is different, and so every person's treatment and recovery plan will be different, impacted by the severity of the injury and the symptoms experienced. Some patients will be able to continue living at home or even independently, some may need supervision or home care, and some may need to reside in an assisted living facility. Components of treatment may include:
Be sure to consult with your doctor or a qualified health care professional before taking any medication, supplements, or beginning health regimens.
Whether you're living with a brain disorder or cautious about fall and injury risk, Mountainside Medical Equipment has what you need! We've got everything from mobility devices to supplements for improved memory to fall prevention products. Click this link to visit our mobility products, or click here to visit our supplements!
Please consult your doctor or other qualified medical professional before stopping or starting any medications, supplements, or health regimens.
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This vitamin is one of the most important in the human body, as it's involved in the metabolism of all of our cells. It's required for DNA synthesis, metabolizing fatty acids and amino acids, the development of red blood cells, and the creation of myelin, which insulates cells in the nervous system and allows them to travel faster and more effectively.
Most people in developed countries obtain the necessary amounts of B12 through eating animal products. Vegan and even vegetarian diets may require additional sources.
A Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause many serious conditions, the most common of which is the development of anemia, a disease in which the body does not produce enough red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body and lacking enough can cause many symptoms, including:
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause even more complications. Its associated anemia is known as pernicious anemia, and has specific symptoms:
Pernicious anemia is very serious, as you can tell from those symptoms. It can lead to severe and irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system, as well as developmental delay and regression in children.
Want to get the nutrients you need to stay health? Visit Mountainside Medical Equipment! We've got a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and supplements. Click here to visit our collection of vitamins and nutrition products! Doctors and other medical professionals, click here for Cyanocobalamin for Vitamin B12 injection!
]]>Vitamin K helps to make proteins necessary for blood clotting and building bones. These include, prothrombin, a protein directly involved with blood clotting, and osteocalcin, a protein that helps build bone tissue and requires vitamin K to work.
Babies have very little vitamin K in their bodies at birth. Newborns who don't get vitamin K are at risk for vitamin K deficient bleeding (VKDB), a potentially fatal bleeding disorder. VKDB can cause bruising or bleeding throughout the body, including organs; almost half of VKDB cases involve bleeding in the brain, which leads to brain damage.
It's not just newborns who are at risk. Babies within their first 6 months of life are at risk for VKDB, as they don't have much naturally-produced vitamin K. It's also not a nutrient that nursing moms can pass much of through breast milk. Most of our vitamin K depends on the foods we eat and the healthy bacteria in our intestines, which take time to develop for infants.
Serious, life-threatening VKDB bleeding can start with little or no warning, but babies who do not get a vitamin K shot at birth might show these signs:
Yes, it's important that newborns get a vitamin K shot, as are at risk for serious bleeding without it.
It's crucial that hospitals, doctor's offices, and other medical services have access to the best in medical supplies. That's why Mountainside Medical Equipment offers the best supplies for doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals at great prices. Visit us today!
]]>Colorectal cancer occurs in the colon or rectum. The term colorectal cancer is used to describe colon cancer, rectum cancer, or both. The colon is part of the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus.
Most colorectal cancers develop first as polyps, which are abnormal growths inside the colon or rectum that may later ulcerate, or become cancerous if not removed.
Colorectal cancer, when discovered early, is highly treatable. Even if it spreads into nearby lymph nodes, surgical treatment followed by chemotherapy is highly effective. In the most difficult cases - when the cancer has spread to the liver, lungs, or other sites - treatment can help make surgery an option for many, as well as prolonging and adding to one's quality of life. Research is consistently being done to learn more and provide hope for people, no matter what stage their cancer is in.
The American Cancer Society estimates that over 95,000 people will be diagnosed with colon cancer each year, almost 40,000 will be diagnosed with rectal cancer, and over 50,000 people will die from these diseases. On average, the lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is about 1 in 23 (4.5%) for men and women combined.
Risk factors include:
The colorectal cancer survival rate has been increasing, due to increased awareness and screening. The 5 year survival rate for colorectal cancer found at the local stage is 90% At the regional stage, the survival rate is 71%, and at the distant stage, the survival rate is 14%. There are currently more than 1 million colorectal cancer survivors alive in the United States today.
Colorectal cancer first develops with few, if any symptoms. Be proactive and talk to your doctor about getting screened regularly. If symptoms are present, they may include the following:
Colorectal cancer symptoms can also be associated with many other health conditions. Only a medical professional can determine the cause of your symptoms. Early signs of cancer often do not include pain. It is important not to wait before seeing a doctor. Early detection can save your life.
Remember, the most common symptom is no symptom - which is why colorectal cancer is often called a silent killer. If you're age 50 or older and at average risk, get screened! If you're 50 or younger, but with a family history - get screened! Tomorrow can't wait.
Treatment for colorectal cancer depends on the location of the tumor and the stage of the diagnosis. Treatment may involve:
Screening is the number one way you can reduce your risk of colon cancer and rectal cancer. Despite its high incidence, colorectal cancer is unique in that it is one of the most preventable and, if found early, most treatable forms of cancer. Screening is fairly simple, as there is an option for everyone. If you're over 50, high risk, or showing symptoms, don't put it off! Talk to your doctor about getting screened.
Screening methods include:
While screening is the most important step you can take to prevent colorectal cancer, it's not the only one. You may be able to lower your colorectal cancer risk with some simple lifestyle changes. Be proactive about keeping yourself healthy with these methods:
If you or a loved one gets diagnosed with colorectal cancer, have hope. There are many treatment options, and survival rates in earlier stages of the disease are high. Remember, every man and woman 50 years of age and older should be screened regularly for colorectal cancer. Prevention and early detection could save thousands of lives.
Need to supplement your digestive health? Visit Mountainside Medical Equipment! We've got the best in quality probiotic supplements and digestive aids. Click this link to see our collection!
Be sure to consult with your doctor or a qualified health care professional before taking any medication, supplements, or beginning health regimens.
]]>Cataracts are among the most common eye conditions -- more cases exist than glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy combined:
Cloudy or blurred vision is our common understanding of cataracts, but other symptoms exist:
The eye's lens is found behind the iris and pupil, and it's composed of water and proteins that allow light to pass through, focusing it onto the retina where the image can be recorded. It also helps us to focus our vision. But these proteins can clump together, clouding vision, and this clump can get larger and more obstructive over time.
That's the basic mechanism of cataracts, but what puts you at risk for them? There are a number of factors that can increase your chances of developing cataracts:
There's no guaranteed way to prevent cataracts, but you can reduce your risk by wearing sunglasses, maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising regularly, and avoiding tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption.
Early on, you may be able to manage your cataracts with simple changes like anti-glare sunglasses, magnifying glasses for reading, new glasses or contacts prescriptions, or brighter lights for home or work, but the only treatment is surgery.
Surgery is the only way to truly remove your cataracts when they begin to interfere with daily activities. It involves removing the cataract lens and inserting a new, artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). This is a safe surgery that improves vision in most of the people who receive it: 90 percent of cataract surgery patients see their vision improve to 20/20 or 20/40 afterwards.
When you need relief from dry, itchy, and watery eyes, visit Mountainside Medical Equipment! We've got the best in quality eye health products to preserve your vision. Click this link to see the eye care products we have in stock!
Be sure to consult your doctor or other qualified health care professional before taking any medication, supplement, or beginning any health regimen.
]]>Opioids are a class of drugs that relax the body and relieve pain. They're naturally found in the opium poppy plant, but some prescription opioids are made from the chemical structure of the plant without using the plant itself. Prescription opioids are used mostly to manage moderate to severe pain, but are extremely addictive.
One of the main reasons for this addiction is that dopamine is released during opioid use: this hormone helps regulate reward-motivated behavior, the part of us that creates motivation by determining the desirability of a action's outcome. So opioids not only increase pleasure and relaxation, they also release the hormone that motivates you to keep trying to achieve that same pleasurable outcome.
While all forms of opioid abuse have risen in the past two decades, of concern in this article is largely the misuse of prescription opioids and their addictive qualities. Heroin, derived from opium, is also incredibly dangerous and addictive, and its rise in prominence is heavily connected to escalation from prescription opioid addictions, but it's also highly illegal. The opioids we're discussing are legally prescribed, and addictions to them often begin while people are recovering from injury or surgery, as well as suffering from chronic pain. They're even prescribed in long-term care settings like nursing homes.
Prescription opioids include:
Opioids can make you feel relaxed and happy, but come with a host of potential, short-term side effects too, such as drowsiness, confusion, nausea, constipation, and slowed breathing. The effects of slowed breathing are particularly worrying, as this can cause hypoxia, a condition in which too little oxygen reaches the brain, possibly leading to comas, permanent brain damage, and death. This is one of the primary reasons for opioid-based overdose.
You can also easily build up a tolerance to prescription opioids, leading to requiring more of them for the same amount of pain relief, as well as misusing them for increased effect. This can also dovetail with withdrawal symptoms as an addiction forms, and these uncomfortable, painful symptoms are one of the reasons people find it difficult to stop opioid use.
Opioid misuse isn't just taking a prescription opioid for the high it provides. That's a common reason, but it also might involve taking someone else's prescription medication, or taking the medication in a way or dose other than prescribed. Sometimes this means altering the format or delivery of the medication, and sometimes it means taking more than prescribed.
The numbers surrounded the opioid epidemic display an unprecedented rise in the use of opioids as well as deaths from them:
The most concerning statistic might be a comparison over a longer timeline: the number of drug overdose deaths was four times higher in 2018 than in 1999, and nearly 70 percent of overdose deaths each year now involve opioids.
The opioid epidemic is a problem that has been building since increased prescribing of opioids in the late 1990s, spurred by new developments in opioid pain relievers, particularly the approval of OxyContin in 1995. Since 1999, the quantity of prescription painkillers sold in the United States has nearly quadrupled as well as the quantity of prescriptions written, with a corresponding increase in addiction rates.
It's important to recognize that addiction to opioid pain relievers can happen to anyone who uses them, even in a medical setting. As many as 1 in 4 (25 percent) patients receiving long-term opioid therapy in a primary care setting struggles with addiction.
Naloxone (often distributed under the brand name Narcan) is an opioid antagonist, which means it binds to opioid receptors in the central nervous system, where it reverses and blocks the effects of opioids. This can quickly reverse an opioid overdose and restore normal breathing. It's a safe medication without evidence of significant adverse reactions, and has no harmful effect on a person without opioids in their system. Most importantly, data shows that naloxone availability helps save lives:
Naloxone delivery systems tend to come in two forms, injectable and as a prepackaged nasal spray. Delivering naloxone via injection is only done by a medical professional, which is why the nasal spray option is so valuable: its ease of use ensures that anyone can properly administer it to reverse an overdose, from emergency responders to untrained civilians.
Using naloxone is even easier when you have a dedicated naloxone kit, like Mountainside Medical Equipment's Opioid Overdose Reversal Kit. These all-inclusive kits have everything a first responder needs to stop an overdose, provided in a reusable bag compact enough to fit in a backpack, emergency bag, vehicle compact, or anywhere else. Each kit includes:
Visit Mountainside Medical Equipment to learn more about our Opioid Overdose Reversal Kit. For first responders, medical professionals, law enforcement officers, and any other workers authorized to carry Naloxone, email us at sales@mountainside-medical.com or call us at 1-888-687-4334 to ask about ordering Opioid Overdose Reversal Kits for your organization.
]]>Prostate cancer affects many men every year, although specific groups of men are much more likely to be diagnosed:
The statistics around prostate cancer aren't entirely discouraging. It has one of the best outlooks of any cancer diagnosis:
Many risk factors for prostate cancer are genetic, involving family history; others are based on age, region, and ethnicity. Lifestyle changes, however, have an impact on your likelihood of developing prostate cancer:
Doctors are still studying the link between exercise and reduced prostate cancer risk, but this is consistent across many cancers. Maintaining a healthy weight is routinely indicated to reduce cancer risk, and prostate cancer is no exception. In fact, it's especially important, as increased aggressiveness of prostate cancer is more likely in overweight or obese men. Increased weight can also be a factor in diabetes; insulin resistance has been linked to increased risk of prostate cancer, as is the inflammation caused by diabetes.
How frequently should you exercise, then? The American College of Sports Medicine recommends cardio exercise 3 to 5 days a week. The minimum amount of exercise recommended by the American Heart Association is 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise. Just 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week would reach this fitness goal! This is a great guideline for maintaining a healthy weight and staying active, but you should consult your doctor or other medical professional before starting a new fitness regimen.
You may not immediately think about exercise as a component of a cancer treatment plan, but it can be particularly beneficial for men with prostate cancer. Aside from helping manage your weight, regular physical activity can counteract the detrimental effects of some prostate cancer treatments. Treatment methods like androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) can lower muscle mass and bone density, sometimes causing osteoporosis, a typically rare condition in men. Regular exercise can increase muscle mass and bone density. Many men with prostate cancer have exercise regimens that include:
Ensuring you're at your healthiest involves many different aspects of health: the right diet and nutrients, adequate rest, regular exercise, and the right medications to manage ongoing conditions. Luckily Mountainside Medical Equipment has you covered! We've got everything from bone & joint health supplements to topical pain gels to get you active and help you stay healthy. Click this link to visit our health and fitness products!
Please consult your doctor or other qualified medical professional before stopping or starting any medications, supplements, or health regimens.
]]>Lack of sleep is a major national health concern, but one that's often ignored. It also has major effects on your heart health: studies have shown that adults who sleep 7 or more hours a night had less calcium in their arteries (an early sign of heart disease) than those who slept 5 hours or less.
Monitoring your blood pressure is an important regular step to track your heart health. High blood pressure is a sign that your heart is working too hard to pump blood, and the resulting damage to your artery walls can make it harder for blood and oxygen to travel to and from your heart. This wears out your heart over time.
A heart healthy diet with enough necessary vitamins and minerals is a great way to reduce your risk of heart disease. You can achieve this with lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat proteins, and low-sodium options. Cut down on alcohol, processed foods, sugary snacks and drinks, salt, and unhealthy fats. Be sure to control your portion sizes and plan meals in advance to make better choices, and consult a medical professional for guidance on developing a healthy diet.
To help your heart's arteries function better, cut down on cholesterol by reducing your intake saturated fats and trans fats. Saturated fats are found mostly in meat and full-fat diary products, so you can cut them significantly by choosing leaner cuts and reduced fat options. Trans fats, which are found in some processed foods, increase your LDL (bad) cholesterol level. Make healthy dietary choices and be sure to have your cholesterol tested regularly as well.
It's increasingly common to develop diabetes, but many people are still unaware they have it. Over time, high blood sugar damages arteries, making heart disease more likely. You should test your blood sugar regularly, especially if you're 45 or older, pregnant, overweight, or if you have other risk factors for diabetes. If you're prediabetic, possessing borderline high blood sugar, you can prevent a full diabetes diagnosis by making positive dietary changes with guidance from a medical professional.
Aim for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week of moderate intensity exercise. This includes any activity that gets you active and breaking a slight sweat. Pay attention to how much time you spend sitting down, whether it's at work, in your car, or on your couch: a sedentary lifestyle is extremely bad for your heart, so you will want to break up long periods of sitting to stand, stretch, and walk.
Smoking and secondhand smoke are horrible for your heart, but the longer you quit, the more your body starts to reverse damaged caused by smoking. Just 20 minutes after your last cigarette you'll see a lower heart rated and reduced blood pressure. Even after 1 year of quitting, your risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease decreases. Quitting isn't easy, but there are many support services available to help you.
Stress affects different people in different ways, but many of these ways are detrimental to your heart health. For some people, it causes higher blood pressure; for others, emotional eating (excessive eating to relieve stress). Many people smoke or drink alcohol. Stress also causes the body to release adrenaline as part of the natural "fight or flight" response, which increases heart rate, which can cause damage to your heart over time.
There are many potential ways to manage stress: exercise, mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation, and therapy among them. Consult a medical or mental health professional to discuss the stress management techniques that are right for you.
Preventing cardiovascular disease involves staying active and monitoring your heart health. For the best products to help you get on your feet, visit Mountainside Medical Equipment! We've got everything from vitamins to heart rate monitors to topical pain gels like Mountain Ice Sports Recovery Gel to get you active and help you stay heart healthy. Click this link to visit our heart health products!
Please consult your doctor or other qualified medical professional before stopping or starting any medications, supplements, or health regimens.
]]>Wheelchairs are a great long-term solution to maintaining independence despite mobility or stability issues. Defining features include:
There is a wide range of wheelchair sizes available, including lightweight, folding models as well as wider, reinforced, bariatric models, so the above list only depicts the most common options. Some wheelchairs are designed for all-terrain travel for uneven ground, and some are even specially designed for playing sports like basketball.
Wheelchairs, being self-propelled, can help their user maintain independence without assistance from another person. For users who have difficulty pushing themselves due to arm weakness, fatigue, or disability, motorized wheelchairs are available. More advanced options may also include motorized positioning such as reclining seats or even chairs that lift the seat to a standing position.
Transport chairs are a great option to ensure convenient mobility for travel, whether it's a long vacation or just a day outside the house. Defining features include:
If you live an active lifestyle but also live with people who can assist you regularly, a transport chair may be for you. They can easily be stored in a car trunk or backseat during travel, allowing easy trips with a loved one to stores, restaurants, or events.
Now that we've looked at both types of chairs, you may still be wondering what suits you best. Even a single type of wheelchair or transport chair can have many different options tailored to you. You should always consult with a medical professional such as your primary care provider, but here are some questions that may help guide your selection process:
Have you been to our storefront? Mountainside Medical Equipment offers wholesale medical supplies on a cash & carry basis. Get top brands for the highest quality assistive and mobility devices at the lowest prices right here!
Mountainside Medical Equipment’s storefront is located at 9266 Old River Road, Marcy, New York 13403. It’s open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
]]>Tek Pro Toothbrush is designed for easy access to back teeth, gums and hard to reach areas. An effective cleansing device. Curved handle conforms to your hand for comfort and control. Tapered head for easy access to back teeth. End-Rounded DuPont nylon bristles to help protect tooth enamel and gums.
Made with GC America's patented recaldent and sodium fluoride formula, MI Paste Plus oral health paste offers cavity, dry mouth and dental sensitivity protection in a variety of flavors. This cream ensures healthy teeth and gums by restoring mineral imbalances and oral acid levels that cause white spots and cavities for a healthier, whiter smile.
Simply apply twice daily with a finger, applicator or dental tray, wait 2-3 minutes and swallow or rinse. MI Paste Plus is designed to be used before and after tooth whitening, during and following orthodontic treatment, for dry mouth relief and prevention, and for erosion protection.
If you can't use fluoride that is contained in the product above, the next best choice is right here in the original MI Paste product. MI Paste, by GC America is a variety pack that offers a range of flavor choices all in one box. It helps restore demineralized tooth areas, reduce white spots, and prevent dry mouth. Made with a patented formula, MI Paste replaces lost minerals, and improves saliva flow and fluoride uptake for healthier, stronger, longer-lasting teeth. MI Paste offers your teeth the protection that toothpaste can’t provide alone. Designed for easy application and safe ingestion, apply twice daily after brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste.
MI Paste One Anti-Cavity Toothpaste, Fresh Mint is a 2-n-1 application (toothpaste and MI Paste Plus) that contains recaldent and fluoride, in a cool mint flavor. This product presents another way to treat sensitivity, re-mineralize tooth enamel and prevent white spot lesions. Imagine a simple, single step for treatment and cleaning. As a replacement for your current toothpaste, it gives you the same power of MI Paste Plus, but in a single application. Now, rather than brushing first then applying MI Paste and/or MI Paste Plus, you'll simply brush with MI Paste ONE.
GC America, a leader in oral and dental health products such as MI Paste and MI Paste Plus, developed a great-tasting oral gel that will relieve dry mouth. This gel is long lasting, can easily be applied at any time, and can be used multiple times throughout the day, as needed. Simply place a generous amount of GC dry mouth gel onto your finger or tongue, and smear over the surfaces of the teeth and oral tissues. GC America Oral Dry Mouth Gel has a neutral pH, pleasant taste, and is both sugar and alcohol free.
Listerine Antiseptic Mouthwash provides 24 hour protection against germs causing plaque, bad breath, and gum diseases, such as gingivitis. A simple 30 second rinse, in addition to your normal brushing routine, is all that is needed to harvest the antimicrobial properties of this popular, ADA approved mouthwash.
Colgate PreviDent 5000 Enamel Protect is designed to help strengthen teeth and stop painful sensitivity. This product is a self-topical, neutral fluoride toothpaste containing 1.1% sodium fluoride and 5% potassium nitrate. Enamel Protect also allows you to protect your teeth from decay, cavities, and acid wear. PreviDent 5000 Enamel Protect reverses early root caries and has clinically proven to reduce sensitivity. Studies have proven that this product significantly re-mineralized root caries by 38% in 3 months, and by 57% in just 6 months.
ACT Anticavity Fluoride Rinse is a powerful mouth rinse containing the maximum amount of fluoride allowed without a dentist’s prescription. This mint-flavored mouth rinse is made by the #1 dentist recommended brand and is clinically proven to effectively prevent tooth decay and strengthen teeth.
ACT Dry Mouth Treatment Throat Lozenges reduce dry mouth, freshen breath and soothe sore throats. Complete with the soothing taste of mint and the sweetness of Xylitol - an artificial sweetener that has been shown to help to reduce cavities - this product creates a mouth-watering lozenge that will help reduce dry mouth as you enjoy the cool and refreshing mint flavor.
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]]>The most common cause is the human papillomavirus, or HPV. Roughly 99% of cervical cancers are caused by this sexually transmitted infection. The most common strains of the virus, HPV 16 and HPV 18, are responsible for approximately 70% of all cases of the disease. Approximately, 14 million new HPV infections are detected each year, and although some do clear up, infections that persist can lead to serious health problems.
The HPV vaccines can help prevent infection from both high-risk HPV types that can lead to cervical cancer, and low-risk types that cause genital warts. It must be given in three doses, and can protect against four HPV types: the two most common high-risk strains, HPV 16 and 18; and the two most common low-risk types, HPV 6 and 11. Ideally, the vaccine should be given before one becomes sexually active.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved 3 HPV vaccines. The first was Gardasil, which was approved in 2006 to protect against HPV 16 and HPV 18. In 2009, the FDA approved Ceravix, and a third vaccine, Gardasil 9, was approved in 2014. Gardasil 9 has shown to be 97% effective in preventing cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer, and protecting against additional types of high risk HPV strains.
The CDC recommends that all boys and girls get the HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12, as the vaccine produces a stronger immune response when taken during the preteen years. For this reason, up until age 14, only 2 doses of the vaccine are required. For those 15 and older, a full 3 dose series is needed. The vaccine is available for all males and females through age 45.
Cervical cancer often starts as a precancerous condition called dysplasia, which involves the development of abnormal cells on the cervix. These abnormal cells are detected through a Pap test (also known as a pap smear), in which cells are collected from the cervix and examined for abnormalities.
If left undetected, dysplasia can turn into cervical cancer. Many women may not suspect cervical cancer until it has become advanced or metastasizes, which stresses the importance of annual Pap tests even more:
Symptoms of cervical cancer may not show up until the cancer is advanced. The symptoms usually include:
It's important to keep in mind that the warning signs of cervical cancer may be scarce. Often, the disease doesn't cause pain or other obvious warning signs until the later stages. Women who suspect a problem should not ignore their symptoms and seek a medical evaluation.
Cervical cancer is preventable and treatable. With the right education and preventative actions, your chances of developing cervical cancer are relatively low.
Talk to the women in your life about getting properly screened and tested. Remind them how important annual testing is, and encourage them to speak with their doctor about the HPV vaccination. You can make a difference by speaking out, making cervical health a normal topic, and helping educate the women and men in your life.
Cervical cancer prevention is about access to quality preventative healthcare and living a healthy lifestyle. Luckily Mountainside Medical Equipment has you covered! We've got what you need to keep active and stay healthy. Click this link to visit our women's health products!
Please consult your doctor or other qualified medical professional before stopping or starting any medications, supplements, or health regimens.
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