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Multiple Sclerosis; No Known Cause, No Known Cure, No Reason to Give Up

Posted on: March 19th, 2013 by HammerMedBlogger

March is Multiple Sclerosis Education & Awareness Month and Hammer Medical wants all of our customers and all Iowa residents to be aware of this mysterious disease.

What is it? Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).

MS damages nerves by making the body’s immune system attack the protective covering on the nerve cells.

Things you may not know about MS:

  • MS can strike both men and women, but is more common in women
  • MS appears more frequently in Caucasians than in Hispanics or African Americans
  • MS is relatively rare among Asians and certain other ethnic groups
  • MS is most commonly diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 20 and 50
  • 350,000 to 500,000 people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with MS
  • Two hundred people are diagnosed with MS every week
  • Over 2.5 million people are living with the disease worldwide

Do you know the symptoms of MS?  Common symptoms of MS include fatigue, weakness, spasticity, balance problems, bladder and bowel problems, numbness, vision loss, tremors and depression. Many of these symptoms are shared with other diseases and disorders as well, so it’s best to be tested.

How fast will MS progress? Even if you are diagnosed with MS, there is no certain timeline for the progression of the disease. The disease can progress quickly or slowly and even have times of remission. That’s why having the right medical care and the right medical equipment is so important. Please visit the www.nationalmssociety.org for more information on the disease and see your physician.

Hammer Medical carries canes, clutches and walkers to assist with balance and strength issues and manual and power wheelchairs for people with more mobility needs. We carry CPAP and BiPAP units to treat sleep apnea. See our online catalog for a full list of our products or if you’re in the vicinity of any of the Hammer Medical locations, stop in and see us today with more questions about beneficial equipment and supplies.

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Traumatic Brain Injury; A Life Changing, Equal Opportunity Injury

Posted on: March 7th, 2013 by HammerMedBlogger

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and Hammer Medical wants more people to be aware of this all-too-common injury and the impact it has on individuals, families and society.

The most common brain injuries are concussions, and most of those occur without a loss consciousness.

Who is at risk for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)? Everyone. Currently, more than 3.1 million children and adults in the U.S. live with a lifelong disability as a result of TBI.  There are certain groups who are at greater risk than others.

  • Males are about 1.5 times more likely than females to sustain a TBI.
  • The two highest risk age groups for TBI are 0 to 4 and 15 to 19 year olds.
  • Fall-related TBIs are the number one cause of death in people older than 65.
  • Certain military duties increase the risk of sustaining a TBI, and 19% of returning  active duty veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars have TBIs from blasts, motor vehicle accidents, helicopter crashes or gunshot wounds.

Brain injuries range in severity from mild concussions all the way to long-term vegetative states to death. For those that survive and regain consciousness, there are many common problems after brain injury. Some of the most common problems after a brain injury include:

  • Problems with speech and language
  • Sensory distortion (smell, taste, vision, hearing)
  • Headaches/ head pain
  • Cognitive impairments
  • Short-term memory problems
  • Behavioral issues/problems controlling emotions
  • Balance/Unsteadiness
  • Depression

There is no “cure” for a brain injury; only time and rehabilitative treatment. Prevention is the key to brain injury. Some easy preventative tips include wearing helmets for certain sports and recreational activities, always wearing a helmet when riding or operating a motorcycle or moped, keeping small children safe around water (bathtubs, pools) and having older children and adults take swimming lessons. Other precautions include never driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or riding with anyone who is and removing tripping hazards around the house. Using mobility aids and having bathroom safety equipment installed are two easy ways to prevent these types of injuries. Let Hammer Medical help you find these types of equipment that will keep you or a loved one safe.

Source : the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa

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Nutrition for Better Heart Health

Posted on: February 21st, 2013 by HammerMedBlogger

It’s natural for hearts to be on our mind during the month of February. Valentine’s Day was just a short while ago, a day that is dedicated to showing our romantic love from our hearts. However, as far as hearts go, there is a more significant holiday that covers the entire month of February: American Heart Month. It is a month to celebrate the organ that gives us life, pumping blood through our bodies around 100,000 times every day.

Eliminating fatty foods and focusing on heart-healthy foods like avocados and nuts can help your heart immensely!

Given that cardiovascular disease is the number one leading cause of death in the United States, most of us could probably make some changes to live heart-healthy lives. Part of American Heart Month is making the public aware of simple changes that can be made in pursuit of a heart-healthy lifestyle.

One easy change is what we eat. Fat-heavy diets and the obesity they cause can lead to clogged arteries and other heart issues; that’s common knowledge at this point. But what should you replace them with?

Women should try adding a variety of berries to their diets, especially blueberries and strawberries. These bits of nature’s dessert contain naturally occurring compounds called anthocyanins that showed the ability to dilate arteries and counter the growth of arterial plaque in a Harvard study, allowing for better blood flow.

Men, put down the steaks and other red meat and go for fresh fish instead. It provides your heart with the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids decrease the risk of abnormal heartbeats and slow the growth rate of damaging plaque in arteries. Spinach should be another addition to male diets because of its fiber and antioxidants. It hasn’t been shown to give you muscles like Popeye, but over time it can definitely help you feel more energized and healthier.

Simple changes to your diet like these are an easy way to live a heart-healthy lifestyle and keep your body’s most important muscle going. Hammer Medical encourages you and your family to actively seek a lifestyle with your heart in mind during American Heart Month and throughout the year.

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Red Wine: Helping Heart Health

Posted on: February 14th, 2013 by HammerMedBlogger

Seeing as today is Valentine’s Day, it’s safe to say our focus is on our hearts and the hearts of the one we love. In order to celebrate this holiday dedicated to expressing your love, some of you may be heading out for a nice romantic dinner at your favorite restaurant.

The antioxidants found in your favorite red wine can give you a heart-healthy boost when drank in moderation.

Perhaps you will order some wine to accompany your intimate dinner. When given a chance to choose a wine, go for a red wine for one simple reason: while you’re drinking your favorite merlot or cabernet sauvignon, you are also doing your heart and the rest of your body a huge favor. Here’s how.

Free radicals are groups of atoms in the body that cause damage to DNA or cell membranes through a series of chain reactions. This damage can result in cancer or a variety of other medical conditions. When these atoms are present in the arteries at the same time as “bad” cholesterol, the reaction between them damages the walls of the arteries and heart.

Our bodies do have a defense mechanism for this: antioxidants. However, there are times when our body needs more antioxidants than it can produce. This is where red wine comes in.

Red wine contains vitamin E, vitamin C and beta-carotene, all of which are antioxidants.  When they are ingested and absorbed into the body, they help stop the domino effect of damage caused by free radicals.

While we would like to encourage you to pursue the health benefits of red wine, we are also recommending moderation; two to three small glasses per week is an adequate amount to reap the benefits. Hammer Medical hopes that you always seek a heart-healthy lifestyle, and there’s no better time than on Valentine ’s Day with a glass of your favorite red wine!

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Wellness in the New Year: Focus on Prevention

Posted on: January 29th, 2013 by HammerMedBlogger

The medical community has been no stranger to buzzwords or phrases over the years, more specifically when it comes to personal health. Every year there seems to be a new diet or proven way to stay healthier for longer, a new way to “cure” certain conditions or other special something that has amazing health benefits.

A full physical exam from a doctor should be your first step in the path to wellness.

A word you may hear a lot this year is “wellness.” True to its name, wellness is not about flashy science, techniques or products, but rather common sense and using the medical resources available to you. It is about total health for your body and mind to help you and your loved ones live a higher quality of life. And yes, it does involve going to the doctor regularly.

The first step in wellness is to schedule a physical exam with your doctor for yourself and your other family members. This will help to “set a baseline” or get an overall picture of your health to see what conditions you may already have or be at risk for. Since wellness is about prevention, your doctor can help you by suggesting simple lifestyle changes. These can be anything from a change in diet to getting more exercise to stimulating your mind every day by doing a crossword or Sudoku puzzle.

You can also take charge of your own health by using other medical resources provided to you and your community. Many local clinics put on various health-oriented events that are free or low cost, but can help give you a better picture of you or a your loved ones’ health. Be sure to take advantage of these.

The best part about the wellness approach to health is that it applies to anyone at any age. You have practically an entire year ahead of you, so join Hammer Medical in making the healthiest year you have had yet. If you need any mobility, respiratory or home modification products or services to make this happen, we will proudly help any way we can.

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The Grand Gland: Thyroid Awareness Month

Posted on: January 17th, 2013 by HammerMedBlogger

We live in the Information Age where we can easily find out anything we want about, well, anything. This extends into the medical arena as well, allowing anyone to search for diseases based on their symptoms. One set of conditions, those dealing with the thyroid gland, are being searched more and more often as higher numbers of people are being diagnosed with one of a number of thyroid issues. As January is Thyroid Awareness Month, now is the perfect time to talk about this vital gland, the conditions affecting it and how you can tell if you have a thyroid condition.

The thyroid gland (in red) controls functions in many of our body’s most critical organs and systems.

The thyroid gland, positioned in the neck just under the larynx (voice box), influences the function of many of the body’s most important organs like the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and skin. Therefore, any condition impacting this gland can be damaging to your overall health. Around 35 million Americans already suffer from thyroid issues, and thyroid cancer is one of the fastest growing cancer diagnoses in the country.

There are several conditions affecting the thyroid besides thyroid cancer: hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone), hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone), Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, thyroid nodules and various conditions seen during pregnancy and infancy. So, how do you know if you have one of these conditions?

First, if your family has a history of thyroid issues, chances are you will have one as well. Another common warning sign is neck swelling and/or tenderness, as well as fatigue (even if you are getting adequate sleep every night). Also, sudden feelings of depression (hypothyroidism) or anxiety/panic (hyperthyroidism) are common warning signs as well. Your doctor can also perform a physical exam on your neck to feel for abnormalities as well.

Thyroid issues can lead to severe health consequences, so we at Hammer Medical encourage you to know the warning signs and seek professional medical help. A healthy thyroid means better overall health for you and your loved ones!

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Looking to the New Year: Healthy Resolutions

Posted on: December 28th, 2012 by HammerMedBlogger

Not only are we in the middle of the holiday season, but we are quickly coming upon the new year, meaning it’s time to get your New Year’s resolution in order. Every year millions of Americans make resolutions, though only between one-third and a quarter of those that make resolutions are still sticking with them six months later.

Eating healthy is the easiest way to improve your overall health and lose weight.

The most common resolutions deal with improving health, and while this may conjure up images of lifting heavy weights or hitting the treadmill, “being healthy” can mean a lot of different things. We’ve assembled a short list of ways that you can improve your health this next year. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be one of the few that stick with their resolution.

Lose a little weight- or if you need it, a lot of weight. Study after study has shown that a lower body fat percentage equates to better overall health. Your risk for developing diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and heart issues decreases.

Eat healthier- this may be the single best thing you can do for your health. Giving your body the nutrients it needs is as easy as sticking to the edge of the grocery store when you visit. That’s where the fresh vegetables, fruit, lean meat and dairy products are found, and that’s what you want.

Get some exercise- from lifting light weights to going on walks to swimming. Any kind of exercise helps. Just make sure it’s at least 30 minutes in length and you’ll start improving your cardiovascular and muscular health.

Work your noodle- the brain is the central hub of our body, so don’t let it go to waste. Exercise it by solving the daily crossword, learning a new language or memorizing lists.

There are countless other ways to improve your overall health in simple ways this coming year. We hope you’ll join us at Hammer Medical in the quest for a healthier living in 2013. Happy holidays and we’ll see you in the New Year!

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Busting Through Holiday Stress

Posted on: December 11th, 2012 by HammerMedBlogger

The holidays are a time of great cheer, joy and spirit as we meet with our family and friends and celebrate being together with them. However, the holiday season also brings with it a great deal of stress and anxiety. There are gifts to shop for, food to buy and prepare, family get-togethers to arrange, all on top of the normal craziness that is your life during the holidays.

With the right stress management tips, the holidays can be enjoyed like they are supposed to be!

However, there are a few tips you can use to keep your stress levels low and enjoy the holidays with your family and friends.

Learn how to say “no”- as we mentioned there are already way too many things for you to do over the holiday season. So, don’t be afraid to tell people “no” when they ask you to add more items to your to-do list. While they may be things you enjoy, they aren’t worth your time if they just stress you out more.

Use the power of delegation- family and friends exist for a reason: to help you out in times of need. Your husband or wife, kids, parents and friends can all be of great use to help you start crossing things of your holiday wish list.

Give yourself some alone time- there’s nothing wrong with taking a little time for yourself. When you start feeling like things are piling up, go to your bedroom or another comforting place, block out the noise and reflect for 15-20 minutes. Think of something completely opposite or different than what is causing you to stress.

The holidays are a time meant to be enjoyed with the people we most care about, not spent feeling like the walls are closing in on us. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your loved ones to get everything done. We at Hammer Medical hope that you are able to conquer your stress and anxiety this holiday season. We’ll be here as always to serve you with your mobility, respiratory and home accessibility needs.

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Holiday Travel for the Home Health Iowan

Posted on: November 8th, 2012 by HammerMedBlogger

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays nearing, have you planned your travel?  Lately, our patients have been asking about travel with their home medical device over the holidays.  We have patients traveling across the state, across the country and some are even traveling to another country to visit family for Thanksgiving.  Each patient has a different concern about how to transport their wheelchair, CPAP device or oxygen by car or plane.  By following the simple travel tips below, each of these patients will be able to take all necessary devices and make sure these devices make it safely to their destination.

If you’re traveling with medical equipment this holiday season, make sure you know your airline’s rules for your specific product.

Hammer Medical Travel Tips:

Don’t forget to pack spare parts or tools for home repair.  In case of an emergency, you will not want to scramble to find items to fit your device locally.  You can contact us for more advice on spare parts.

Don’t pack too heavy.  A good rule of thumb for luggage weight is, if you can carry your luggage around the block, you can carry it through the airport.  If you have trouble managing your luggage around the block, then maybe you should leave some heavier items at home.

If you use a CPAP machine and are planning to fly, do not place it in your checked luggage because you would be without your machine if your luggage was lost.  Keep your CPAP machine in your carry-on to be safe.  TSA guidelines do state that they’ll need you to remove your CPAP machine from its case and run through the x-ray separately.  To keep it clean, we would recommend placing your CPAP machine in a transparent plastic bag before packing.

For travelers who use portable oxygen, policies vary by airline.  Most airlines require at least 72 hours’ notice and a Physician’s Statement if you plan to travel with oxygen.  Your airline may also offer carrier-supplied compressed oxygen for a fee.  To be safe, be sure to contact your airline as soon as possible.

You may need to travel with your wheelchair.  Always remember to bring your repair kit with you.  If you are flying, be sure to notify your airline that you’ll be traveling with a wheelchair.  Airlines are accustomed to travelers in wheelchairs and will store your chair in a closet on-board before transporting you to your seat using a special-purpose aisle wheelchair.

These are just a few tips that may help you during your holiday travel.  If you have travel tips you’d like to share, please submit them in the comments section below.

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Make Every Breath Count

Posted on: October 23rd, 2012 by HammerMedBlogger

Keeping your respiratory system healthy is especially important in the fall and winter with the colder, dryer air.

Breathing is such an involuntary thing that most of us take it for granted until we are breathing hard or have trouble breathing. But it should be as important to us as nutrition, exercise or any of the other health issues we think about or do every day. Respiratory health is critical to our overall health. So, here are some tips to keep your lungs in tip-top shape and you in good health!

Exercise- this helps to improve your cardiovascular system’s function. As a health teacher once told me when I was in school, in order to improve your breathing when standing still, you need to push your heart rate up and make your lungs work for their air regularly. Better cardiovascular function reduces the risk of heart disease and prevents obesity.

Don’t smoke- okay, this one is pretty obvious, yet you still see people smoking their lives away outside of bars and restaurants. Smoking can lead to COPD, a serious respiratory disease that has no cure.

Eat and drink right- fresh and natural are good, processed is bad. Try to limit eating food that is “made” artificially. When you’re at the grocery store, stick to the outside of the store where the fresh fruit, veggies, lean meat and dairy items are located.

Check out your home- make sure you are replacing your air filter on schedule, and be sure there are no gas leaks. Also, keeping your house clean helps prevent dust buildup and lowers the risk for mold to grow.

Avoid harmful environments- stay indoors during high ozone alerts and pollen counts, or on windy days when there a lot dust and other irritants are in the air.

Follow these tips to help keep your family’s respiratory health up, especially as the temperature drops and the risk of illness goes up. If you or a family does have a need for any respiratory equipment, Hammer Medical carries a full line of oxygen and other items to help you breathe easier.

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