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What We Can Learn During Public Health Week

Posted on: April 4th, 2013 in National Public Health Week by MDSBlogger |

The theme for the National Public Health Week 2013 is “ROI: Save Lives, Save Money.” The theme highlights prevention of many kinds of illnesses and health conditions through preventative screenings, eating healthier and getting regular exercise, and recognizes the contributions of public health.

Exercising regularly and eating properly are two ways to easily keep your health in check.

Here are some statistics on public health that may surprise you:

  • In 2011, musculoskeletal disorders made up 33 percent of all work-related injury and illness cases.
  • Fewer than 15 percent of adults and 10 percent of adolescents eat the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables each day.
  • More than 600 bicyclists died in motor vehicle crashes in 2010 and 52,000 were injured.
  • Despite high immunization rates in the U.S., about 42,000 adults and 300 children die every year from vaccine-preventable disease. Every dollar spent on childhood immunizations alone saves $18.40.

Medical Department Store’s business is health and we want you and your families to be as healthy as possible, no matter your age or medical conditions. Here a few simple preventative tips:

The right products like proper ROHO wheelchair cushions and the specialty mattresses can help prevent pressure sores.

Sleep apnea that is properly diagnosed and treated with a CPAP or BiPAP machine can prevent damage to the heart, brain and other parts of the body.

Keeping tabs on your hypertension with a blood pressure monitor or oximeter can prevent a host of related health problems.

A patient lift, hospital bed or lift chair can prevent falls and further injuries of patients and caregivers in the home.

What equipment would help you have the best health possible? Medical Department Store’s professionals can help you find out. Visit our online product catalog or stop in and see what we have to offer in person. We want to maximize the Return on Your Health Investment.

Learn more about public health and getting involved in your community at www.nphw.org.

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ROHO Wheelchair Cushions: Comfort and Prevention

Posted on: March 27th, 2013 in Uncategorized by MDSBlogger |

Most of us don’t use wheelchairs, but our desk jobs can often give us a glimpse into one of the major difficulties wheelchair users face. Think of how you feel when after a long day of sitting at your desk. The parts of your body that have been in contact with your chair – the backs of your legs, tailbone, and back – may feel sore. Of course, you can get up and stretch and go grab some coffee so you’re not sitting throughout the duration of your work day.

Wheelchair seats like this one with little to no padding can cause pressure sores to develop.

Those in wheelchairs, however, have to sit in them hour after hour, day after day. This constant contact with their chair puts them at risk for developing pressure ulcers. These open sores develop on areas of the body that are continuously in contact with surfaces where friction is created. The body weight focused on these areas is also another cause of the pressure ulcers.

Since these sores are very tricky to treat once they have formed, prevention is key. Luckily for wheelchair users, Medical Department Store offers wheelchair cushions from ROHO to help prevent pressure ulcers from developing, as well as cushions that help in their treatment. The key to this are the many different air “cells” in the cushion that help to distribute the user’s weight more efficiently. These prevents skin breakdown from occurring in certain areas since the weight is more spread out.

Medical Department Store carries different varieties of ROHO cushions for certain needs:

  • High-profile: early to late stage ulcer development, lack of sensation, high risk of skin breakdown
  • Mid-profile: for prevention or those with moderate skin breakdown
  • Low-profile: for those at risk of skin breakdown and still have the ability to shift weight

We also carry ROHO mattresses for those who are confined to bed, as well as ROHO cushions for motorcycles and regular chairs. If you or a loved one are at risk for developing pressure ulcers or just need more comfort when using a wheelchair, contact us about a ROHO wheelchair cushion today!

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Hospital Beds: Bringing Comfort and Flexibility to Home Care

Posted on: March 15th, 2013 in Hospital Beds by MDSBlogger |

Being confined to a bed for the majority of every day is not a choice many people would take. Unfortunately for some, this is a fact of life as a result of a debilitating disease or an injury. But while many of you may be thinking, “All day in bed sounds great!” you may be surprised to know it can have several adverse effects on your health. The most important of which is developing pressure ulcers.

Home hospital beds, like this one, provide comfort and flexibility at home.

Pressure ulcers form on parts of the body that are in contact with surfaces for long periods of time. The friction between the skin and the surface, as well as the body weight placed on that area of the body causes the skin to break down over time. This results in a painful open wound.

Hospital beds can help prevent this in a number of ways. First, they are adjustable, meaning that your bodyweight and how it is distributed can be changed over the course of the day. This doesn’t allow for skin breakdown to occur. There are also different types of mattresses and overlays that can help distribute your weight better to prevent the development of pressure ulcers.

There are also other kinds of hospital beds: bariatric, electric, semi-electric and manual beds. While each of these are powered in different ways, they all offer similar benefits. The beds can be adjusted to different heights and positions. They also are wheeled with ability to be locked in place, allowing for easy movement of the bed. They can also be fitted with a number of accessories designed to enhance the experience of the bed user.

Medical Department Store offers a wide selection of hospital beds for home care, so if you, a loved one, or someone you know is a good candidate for one, let them know that we can help. Feel free to browse our online catalog for yourself to see how we can help!

Oxygen on the Go

Posted on: February 20th, 2013 in Portable Concentrators by MDSBlogger |

For those that rely on oxygen to help them get through the day, lugging around an oxygen tank on wheels can get tiresome and pose various challenges. It makes simple things like walking from one room to another, getting in and out of the car or going to a doctor’s appointment more difficult than it has to be. With a portable oxygen concentrator, however, these and other daily tasks can be as easy for you as they are for everyone else.

With portable oxygen concentrators, you know longer have to worry about lugging around a heavy oxygen tank.

Oxygen concentrators come in models for home and portable use. They provide purified oxygen taken from the air surrounding the unit. Portable oxygen concentrators allow for extended use while you are away from your home without having to worry about how much oxygen you have left.

They are also lightweight, with most models weighing between 8-12 lbs., or about as much as a gallon of milk. Even if you cannot handle that weight, a lot of models of portable oxygen concentrators have shoulder bags that can help you transport them.

Portable oxygen concentrators are also designed to be very quiet since you will be using them a lot in public. Most people around you probably will not be able to tell if your device is even on! Perhaps the best part about portable oxygen concentrators is that they have begun to be approved for in-flight use by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). There are a certain number of models that are currently approved.

Medical Department Store offers the best in portable oxygen systems from Inogen, Invacare and other top brands. If you or a loved one could use the benefits of oxygen therapy on the go, please don’t hesitate to give us a call to speak with our Oxygen Concentrator Specialists. They can help you with your prescription and find the best available portable oxygen solution for you!

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ED Pumps: A Solution for Your Dysfunction

Posted on: February 13th, 2013 in Ed pumps by MDSBlogger |

There is an epidemic among men, most commonly starting around age 40 and increasing in popularity as age increases. It’s not a life threatening illness or disease, but it is one that can shake even the most confident of men and make them lose their self-assurance. We are of course referring to erectile dysfunction (ED), a condition that currently affects 30 million men in the United States, and that number is expected to rise as the Baby Boomer generation continues to age.

Erectile dysfunction is a problem for millions of middle aged men, but an ED pump can help to improve your sexual function.

We’ve all seen the commercials on television for pills that will help with erectile dysfunction, but many men may not know exactly what ED is. Specifically speaking, ED occurs when a man no longer get or keep an erection that is firm enough for sexual intercourse. While having this issue occasionally shouldn’t necessarily trigger any alarm bells, chronic erection difficulties are a signal that you should talk with your doctor.

Yes, there are those “magical pills” that you see on television, but those can mess with your heart if taken in combination with a variety of medications. A more natural, healthier treatment for ED is an ED pump. ED pumps create an erection by using natural vacuum force to increase the blood flow and vascular pressure in the penis. This in turn produces an erection that is kept in place by a tourniquet-like ring at the base of the penis.

There are a few risks involved with using an ED pump. Pumping too quickly or too much can cause blood vessels to burst and form blisters. As long as you careful, it is much safer than taking a pill that may cause complications with your heart or other systems in your body.

Medical Department Store carries a large variety of powered and manual ED pumps to help you overcome your ED. Just because you have been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction doesn’t mean it has to affect your life. Give us a call today to see how we can help!

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The Basics of Lymphedema and Lymphedema Pumps

Posted on: January 23rd, 2013 in Lymphedema by MDSBlogger |

Lymphedema is when a lymph channel becomes blocked and fluid is unable to pass along the lymph vessel, causing swelling and fluid build-up in the arms or legs.  In most cases, Lymphedema develops after surgery or radiation treatment for various cancers, but can develop after trauma, deep vein thrombosis or for no obvious reason at all.

When lymph fluid pools in a part of the lymphatic system (in green), most often in the arms or legs, tenderness and swelling can develop.

To treat Lymphedema, most medical professionals recommend elevation, physical therapy and regular use of a Lymphedema Pump, which we carry at the Medical Department Store.  The Lymphedema Pump is an air-filled device that fits over your arm or leg and massages along the lymphatic vessel, pushing fluid through the lymphatics.  This type of treatment can be done at home with proper training.

There are two main phases to the treatment with a Lymphedema Pump.  The first phase is the preparatory phase in which the patient or therapist must prepare the limbs by stimulating the lymphatic vessels through massage.  Without this phase, the patient risks additional damage to the tissue.

The second phase is the drainage phase.  During this phase, the Lymphedema Pump moves excess lymph fluid out of the swollen area and back into the bloodstream.  After using the Lymphedema Pump, the patient will need to massage the affected area and then put on the proper compression garment for either active time or rest time.  This compression garments prevents the fluid from returning to the swollen limb.

Medical Department Store carries a variety of Lymphedema Pumps or pneumatic compression devices that stimulate circulation to treat primary or secondary Lymphedema.  If you are suffering from Lymphedema, give us a call and a member of our experienced staff will walk you through our treatment options.

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Geri Chairs: Comfort, Healing, Mobilization and Style

Posted on: January 9th, 2013 in Geri Chairs by MDSBlogger |

Why do we love the Geri Chair?  For many over the past year, it has been the most comfortable, yet versatile seating solution for a patient or loved who requires assistance because of physical restraints.  The major benefits of the Geri Chair are ergonomic support for the user and transitional assistance for the caregiver.

We supply a wide variety of Geri Chairs for people of all abilities and needs.

Geri Chair Comfort

For the user, comfort is key.  Geri Chairs offer ergonomic support from head to toe. The Geri Chair design features an adjustable headrest for ideal neck support, contoured back for lumbar support and an adjustable footrest for optimum foot elevation.  These chairs allow for patients to remain comfortable in the seated position for hours or recline complete for resting.

Geri Chair Healing

The Geri Chair design also offers healing for those with leg fatigue, lower limb fractures or edema.  To help with recovery, this chair can be adjusted to elevate the feet to a desired level for optimum healing.

Geri Chair Mobilization

One of the largest benefits of the Geri Chair is its ability to transition into a mobility device.  The narrow design of the Geri Chair allows for easy movement through doorways or hallways without the need to transition the patient to a wheelchair or transport chair.

Geri Chair Style

We carry a wide variety of Geri Chair colors and styles to fit any home or medical facility.  At Medical Department Store, we carry a large range of Geri Chair styles including:

Each of these styles offers different assistance to the caregiver and different support to the patient.  Call us today to discuss which Geri Chair would be right for you!

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Pressure Ulcer Prevention: Low Air Loss, Lateral Rotation Mattresses

Posted on: December 21st, 2012 in Mattresses by MDSBlogger |

Patients that are immobilized or confined to bed for long periods of time face many difficulties. They may have to be fed, washed and clothed by others, and they don’t have much control over their own situation. However, one of the larger obstacles bed-bound patients have to face is pressure ulcers.

Pressure ulcers like this one a hard to treat once they have formed, so having the right low air loss or lateral rotational mattress is key to prevention.

Pressure ulcers occur on points of the body that are in contact with surfaces and bear weight for periods of time, causing friction. This friction results in the breakdown of skin tissue and blood vessels at those points, which are often the hips, buttocks, tailbone, shoulders and heels. The breakdown creates a pressure ulcer, a painful open wound.

However, not all the news is bad. Pressure ulcers can be prevented through careful skin care and using either a low air loss mattress or a lateral rotation mattress.

Low air loss mattresses literally “float” the patient on top of air-filled cells that help to distribute body weight evenly, thus reducing the effect of weight bearing on any one part of the body. Air also circulates across the patient’s skin to decrease moisture and keep a constant skin interface pressure for pressure ulcer prevention. Some low air loss models also use alternating pressure, meaning that certain air cells inflate and deflate to change pressure points.

On the other hand, lateral rotation mattresses move and rotate the patient from side to side to cyclically change pressure points. This is done with minimal distress to the patient, and also helps reduce pulmonary complications, increases circulation and stimulates the GI tract.

Both low air loss and lateral rotation mattresses are great tools to combat the development of pressure ulcers to keep your immobilized loved one healthy and comfortable. We would love to help with your pressure reducing care needs, so browse our online store today to see the mattresses we have on hand.

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Mobility for All

Posted on: December 13th, 2012 in Uncategorized by MDSBlogger |

We all know that the aging process can take a toll on our mobility. Whether it is arthritis, hip or knee replacement surgery or another medical condition, our ability to get around will most likely become compromised as we grow older.

A mobility scooter gives those with mobility the opportunity for more independence and freedom in their lives.

For those that like to travel throughout the year or want to stay as independent as possible, decreased mobility can mean making sacrifices. However, mobility scooters, like those carried by Medical Department Store, provide users with many benefits.

The right mobility scooter can help you or a loved one stay more independent. There’s no need for someone to push you in a wheelchair or hold your arm as you walk from room to room in your home. A full battery charge take you 15-20 miles with most mobility scooters, giving you or your loved one a chance to run errands independently if they are nearby. It also makes navigating larger grocery and department stores easier.

Using a mobility scooter also helps cut down on falls and other accidents. Since you’re already seated, there is no chance of tripping or slipping and hurting yourself. This prevents expensive trips to the hospital for bruises, fractures, broken bones and concussions.

At Medical Department Store, we carry a wide variety of three and four-wheeled scooters. Our travel scooters are designed to be disassembled and broken down into a few lightweight pieces for easy transport when traveling. We also carry mobility scooters that are bigger, sturdier and designed to get you around town easily. Finally, our heavy duty and all-terrain scooters are built to last and conquer the outdoors.

The right mobility scooter can give you or a loved back the ability to get around easily and pain-free. Browse our online store to see all of our models, or give us a call with any questions regarding how you can get a mobility scooter today.

What Is Vaginal Prolapse?

Posted on: October 27th, 2012 in Pessary by medicaldepartmentstore |

What Is Vaginal Prolapse?

Vaginal prolapse occurs when the structures around the pelvis elongate and attenuate and there is a breakdown of the ligament and floor muscles. This causes the entire area to be inefficient in supporting the uterus, which then, recedes into the canal in the vagina.

A woman’s vagina is a complex arrangement, holding the pelvic tissues, organs, and the anatomy in its proper place. Part of that support structure is the fascia, the muscles located on the walls of vagina, and its skin. In a case of a vaginal prolapse, the support structure will dislodge from their expected positions.

If left untreated, the uterine prolapse will cause further progression of the anatomy to descend farther into the vaginal opening.

Types of Vaginal Prolapse

There are five types of uterine prolapse that can be diagnosed:

Rectocele- Also known as the prolapse of the rectum, the rectocele includes the prolapse of fascia.

Cystocele- This is the bladder prolapse that happens when the fascia prolapses. Thus, the bladder will prolapse towards the vagina.

Enterocele- This results when fascia’s front and back separate, causing the intestines to advance against the skin of  the vagina.

Prolapsed uterus- The prolapse involves the womb, wherein, the ligaments on the vagina’s top portion weaken, causing the uterus to plummet.

Vaginal vault prolapse- This type of vaginal prolapse is common after hysterectomy because the uterus also acts as a supporter of the vagina.

A pessary is a medical device which when inserted into the vagina, acts as a support structure. This support helps balance the uterus, bladder, vagina, and rectum. In most cases, the pessary device is used to treat women with vaginal prolapse.

It is especially helpful if the prolapse is cystocele or a rectocele. It is also used for women who suffer from incontinence.

References:

http://women.webmd.com/vaginal-prolapse

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pessary

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/uterine-prolapse/DS00700

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