5 Reasons why you should own a Breathalyzer

Owning your own breathalyzer can be a huge benefit for your personal safety and convenience, as well as those of the people around you too. Here are five specific advantages of owning a breathalyzer.

Quick and easy to use

Breathalyzers are not complex mechanical items, nor do they take a long time to use. Simply blow, read the resulting display, and you’ve got your answer. You can even test multiple people in quick succession. 

Accurate readings

Breathalyzers are programmed with a mathematical formula that equates the presence of alcohol in your breath with the percentage of alcohol in your blood. This formula is absolute, and breathalyzers are not prone to errors. If the unit says your BAC is too high to drive, there’s no arguing with it.

Non-invasive 

There are other ways to check your BAC. Taking a blood test is one, and it is as accurate as a breathalyzer. But blood tests, aside from being inconvenient and difficult to obtain for individual use, also involve invasive needles and blood draws, and are most often performed after you’ve already been in an accident or been pulled over by the police. The best breathalyzer ensures you’ll likely never need a blood test.

Check yourself before you wreck yourself

As a corollary to the last item, checking your BAC before you get in a car will decrease your chances of getting into an accident by up to 100%; if you don’t get in the car, you can’t crash it into anything or anyone. 

Take the decision out of your own hands

Finally, because the breathalyzer is not a person with feelings or emotions like you are, letting its BAC reading determine whether or not you get in a car after a few drinks will allow you to have fun with lowered risk of misjudging your own intoxication. Instead of considering how you might feel, just test yourself with the breathalyzer, and if it says your BAC is too high, don’t get in the car. 

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Good Vibes with Co-Workers may Boost your Health

Your social links with your co-workers could have a significant impact on your health, researchers say.

Sense of community

We are less burnt out and have greater well-being when our team and our organisation provide us with a sense of belonging and community – when it gives us a sense of 'we-ness'.

58 studies were analysed that included more than 19,000 employed people in 15 countries. They found that how strongly people identified with their work colleagues or organisation was associated with better health and a lower risk of burnout.

The people in the studies were in wide range of occupations, including service, health, sales and the military.

The review authors said their findings show that social relationships in the workplace – particularly the social groups people form at work – can play a major role in health at work. However, the study doesn't establish a cause-and-effect relationship, so don't panic if you're not in a social work environment.

Membership in social groups

These results show that both performance and health are enhanced to the extent that workplaces provide people with a sense of 'we' and 'us'. Social identification contributes to both psychological and physiological health, but the health benefits are stronger for psychological health.

The mental health benefits may come from the support provided by the work group, but also the meaning and purpose that people derive from membership in social groups, the study authors suggested.

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How to Avoid the Flu in an Open Office

Teamwork is a beautiful thing…until it makes you sick. According to a recent study, it takes just four hours for the germs on a contaminated workplace door to spread to the work surfaces and hands of half the employees in the office! Other office germ hot spots include coffee pots, microwaves and refrigerator door handles.

Protect yourself from office germs with our six tips for staying healthy in an open office environment. You’ll be healthier, more productive, and continue to love your co-workers—even through cold and flu season.

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Google Patent for Implantable Health Device

Google is looking to patent an implantable device that would keep tabs on a person's health.

As first noted by PatentYogi, the patent application describes a method by which a doctor or other healthcare provider would inject a person with a small chip that would analyze fluids in the skin. Data could then be sent to a reader device so doctors can analyze blood and other fluids.

Armed with that knowledge, doctors could make determinations on a person's blood sugar levels and find out how a diabetic's level are fluctuating throughout the day. In addition, Google says the technology could be used to detect heart rate and even a person's body temperature.

Of course, patents don't always translate into actual products.

Google has been working on health-related issues for some time, from its smart contact lenses to needle-free blood draws.

Will we see this implantable health device in the future?

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How to stay healthy during allergy season

If you find yourself suffering from sneezing, itchy eyes, and pressure headaches every spring, welcome to the seasonal allergy club. Here are some common questions about pollen allergies — and how to survive them without losing your mind.

How do I know if I have allergies, a cold, or a sinus infection?

It can be tough to tell sometimes. Unlike allergies, a cold or respiratory infection often brings on a fever, so that’s a key indicator. If your nasal congestion clears up within one to two weeks, chances are you had a cold rather than allergies. Seasonal allergy symptoms tend to last three weeks or more, depending on the types of pollen you’re allergic to.

Is it possible to prevent allergies?

You can’t prevent seasonal allergy symptoms from occurring, but you can do things to minimize the impact of the symptoms on your quality of life. Here are some recommended steps you take before and during allergy season:

- Start a steroid nasal spray about four to six weeks ahead of pollen season.

- Stay indoors during peak pollen hours, such as mornings. On high-pollen days, stay indoors as much as possible.

- Do your seasonal cleaning before pollen’s in the air. You may still have to cope with dust allergies while cleaning, but at least you won’t have to deal with dust and pollen.

- Keep windows closed when pollen counts are high.

- Place air filters inside your air conditioning vents to prevent pollen from getting blown into your living space.

- Get a dehumidifier. These devices also filter the air in your home, which may help improve your indoor air quality.

- Remove outer garments outside and shake them off before bringing them indoors. Even though you may not be able to see pollen on your clothing, it’s there.

- Wash pollen down the drain by showering as soon as you get home. Pollen sticks to your hair and skin, so rinsing it off will help keep it out of your bed, carpet, and furniture.

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Your Springtime Medical Supplies List

As the warm weather approaches, it's a good time to stock up on those medical supplies that are typically needed in a hurry. Don't wait until you suddenly need them. You won't feel like going to the store to buy them at that point. So get ahead and get prepared. Stock your medicine cabinet up today and be ready!

Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac

For many people, warmer weather means more time outside.

Getting back to nature heals the body and the soul, but beware of those parts of nature that can give you an itchy rash.

Helpful Medical Supplies:

- Calamine lotion

- Cold compress

- Your doctor may recommend or prescribe antihistamines or prednisone

Scrapes and Cuts

More time outdoors for kids especially means more time running and playing on the playground. Good stuff, for sure, but the more they climb the more their chances for skinned knees do too.

Helpful Medical Supplies:

- Bandages and band aids of course

- Many people think hydrogen peroxide and/or alcohol are primary tools to clean a cut. Not so. In fact, it's simple water and mild soap. The hydrogen peroxide and alcohol can actually damage the skin and slow the progress of healing.

- Antibiotic ointment, covered by a band aid, will keep the wound moist and protected. This is the optimal environment for healing. 

- For more advanced wound care, check out first aid supplies or minor procedure kits. These will be administered by trained medical professionals.

Skin Protection from the Sun

The sun's harmful ultraviolet rays magnify in the hotter months. While many skin care experts recommend wearing sun screen with at least an SPF of 15 all year round, this becomes especially important in the Spring and Summer. SPF protection defends against not only sunburn in the short-term but also skin cancer in the long-term.

If you do get a sun burn, aloe and other natural remedies are a great natural and low-cost remedy for soothing the skin. 

Insect Bites

Bugs come out more in the warmer months too. Mosquitoes not only cause itchy bites that when scratched can become infected, but they also sometimes carry potentially fatal diseases. Stock up on insect repellent and cover up as much skin as you can bear to when you go outdoors, especially during and after dusk.

- Ticks are another bothersome bug that can be harmless, but sometimes may carry lyme disease. Find repellent that specifically has a claim to defend against ticks.

- Bee stings, as long as you are not allergic to them, will mainly just cause an itchy sensation after the initial pain from the sting. An oral antihistamine will help reduce the pain, itching, and swelling.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Over the counter medical supplies are not the answer to snake bites and some spider bites. I could tell you to avoid the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider for example, but if your bit by any type of spider you may not have had the chance to check to see what kind it is. Don't mess around. It's worth a trip to the emergency room to have a snake bite or spider bite checked out. Some bites don't hurt right away and can look harmless but that's because the poison sets in slowly.

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15 Health Care Quotes From Famous Thinkers

Few topics in our culture today have burned with such fire as health care. TV news programs battle over who has the better plan to lower costs and raise quality daily.

Books and many articles are written and published to voice more opinions, and for people to line up and take sides.

It seems like everybody is rushing to get to the end, urgently goading people to follow their particular plan of escape, and no one can see where they're going.

In cases like this, there is clarity in simple and enduring ideas. So take a time-out from the political and economic world. Instead, let these thinkers remind us of what's really at stake--the person who suffers right in front of us. Each of us is armed already with the power to heal without the need for cash, without the risk of side effects. The human spirit and our connection to each other; that too, is medicine!

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
― Hippocrates

“Always laugh when you can, it is cheap medicine.”
― George Gordon Byron

“We look for medicine to be an orderly field of knowledge and procedure. But it is not. It is an imperfect science, an enterprise of constantly changing knowledge, uncertain information, fallible individuals, and at the same time lives on the line. There is science in what we do, yes, but also habit, intuition, and sometimes plain old guessing. The gap between what we know and what we aim for persists. And this gap complicates everything we do.”
― Atul Gawande, Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science

“It is very expensive to give bad medical care to poor people in a rich country.”
― Paul Farmer

“Disease is the biggest money maker in our economy.”
― John H. Tobe

“After you find out all the things that can go wrong, your life becomes less about living and more about waiting.”
― Chuck Palahniuk, Choke

“Isn’t it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do “practice”?”
― George Carlin

“The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a little love. The poverty in the West is a different kind of poverty -- it is not only a poverty of loneliness but also of spirituality. There's a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God.”
― Mother Teresa, A Simple Path: Mother Teresa

“The physician should not treat the disease but the patient who is suffering from it”
― Maimonides

“Though the doctors treated him, let his blood, and gave him medications to drink, he nevertheless recovered.”
― Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace

“How do you tell the psychiatrists from the patients in the hospital?
The patients get better and leave.”
― Lisa Scottoline, Every Fifteen Minutes

"Let me recommend the best medicine in the world: a long journey, at a mild season, through a pleasant country, in early stages."
― James Madison

"I'm great at a death bed. I've never given tranquilizers or psychiatric medicine. I've given love and fun and creativity and passion and hope, and these things ease suffering."
― Patch Adams

"To array a man's will against his sickness is the supreme art of medicine."
― Henry Ward Beecher

"If we want to fight people in the world, we should fight them with pillows - pillows stuffed with food, medicine, music...That would be so much cheaper than bombs."
― Alice Walker

Supply Doctor is an online medical equipment and product store that offers a variety of medical supplies, from first aid kits and disposables to ECGs and ultrasound machines.

Medical Supplies for Back and Neck Therapy

Is your back and neck bothering you? You're not alone. Muskuloskeletal issues like back pain and neck pain are very common. A number of things can cause back pain, from practical day to day activities like sitting at the office, carrying the groceries home or even gardening.

Here are some ideas for medical supplies that can help you with your back and neck pain management.

Pillows

You spend one-third of your life sleeping. Hopefully, you're getting a good night's rest, with quality sleep, while you're lying down in bed. That can be difficult though, when chronic pain is present and keeping you awake.

Choosing the right shape and softness for your pillow may help put you in a no-pain position so you can relax and doze off. In addition to the traditional pillow shape, which can easily be found in varying degrees of softness and hardness, there are also special shapes you can try until you find the right one. For example, crescent-shaped pillows may allow the neck angle that feels "just right" for you, while a roll-shaped pillow may help someone else.

Back Support

Does your job require you to sit all day? Or perhaps you have a long commute in your car every day? Sometimes a back support rest can help. These portable supports are back-shaped pads with support in various key places to (hopefully) prevent pain. Back supports are designed to align your spine and correct your posture. 

Not all back supports are placed on the back of your chair, whether it be at your desk or in your car. Some back supports are contoured seat cushions. You sit on them, but they support your spine, coccyx, and pelvis to reduce sitting fatigues and pain.

Hot and Cold Therapy

Heating pads and cold packs now come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and fastening mechanisms. Doctors typically recommend cold therapy to reduce swelling, which causes pressure to build up and manifests as pain. Heat therapy helps with muscle spasm and inflammation caused by tension and stress.

Heating pads are available now as plug-ins, and some are cordless but require you to heat them up in a microwave. You can find heating pad type supplies in the form of body wraps, back pads, shoulder wraps, and other spot target anti-cramp pads.

Ice packs are the same in that they come in many shapes to help you target the pain and swelling. Simple square or rectangular packs are easy to find, but there are also shoulder and neck pads, and some that have straps to keep them in place so that you don't have to hold them. 

Supply Doctor is a dynamic and professional one-stop online store for all your medical supplies, consumables, medical equipment, disposables and more, based in Cape Town, South Africa.

Here’s proof that vegetarians live longer!

For a long time vegetarians have been insisting they are healthier than their meat-eating peers. Now, finally, there's proof that they are not only healthier – they might even live longer.

A new protein-focused study shows eating more protein from vegetarian foods and less from animal foods is associated with a massive reduction in deaths from all causes including cancer and heart disease.

The study was conducted by researchers from America’s Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School and followed 131 000 people over 32 years.

According to the study, by replacing a mere 3% of calories from processed meat with vegetarian sources of protein you can cut the risk of a developing a heart attack by 39%. And for unprocessed red meat, the reduction is 18%.

“Eating more plant protein [is] associated with a 10% lower risk of death from all causes for every 3% increment of total calories and a 12% lower risk of cardiovascular death,” the researchers said.

The lead author of the paper, Dr Mingyang Song, a researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, told CNN their findings have important public health implications.

 “They can help refine the current dietary recommendations about protein intake and really get to the point that it is not only the amount, but also the food sources of protein that are critical for long-term health.”

UK based international nutritional expert Patrick Holford agrees with Song. “In this study, having less eggs and more vegetable protein was also consistent with reduced mortality from all causes, including cancer and heart disease,” he says.

“The greatest risk, however, was in people with other unhealthy behaviours and a high intake of red and processed meat and a low intake of vegetable protein. Super-healthy lean meat eaters may not fare so badly. However, the benefit from plant-based protein foods remains a clear trend of this substantial study.”

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Is a Walker Better than a Rollator?

Walkers and rollators have been around for a few decades now. They have both done wonders for people who want to maintain an independent lifestyle but need a little extra help getting around.

Who Needs a Walker?

More and more seniors want to stay in their own home and they often live alone. Many also have conditions like hip and back problems, arthritis, and severe breathing conditions that inhibit their ability to walk and limit their endurance.

That is not to say that you won't find many seniors in assisted living residences and nursing homes who also use a walker or rollator. They are probably more common in these residences and even then, a walker or a rollator could prolong independence.

What is a Walker?

A walker is a type of mobility aid used to help people who are still able to walk (e.g. don't require a wheelchair) yet need assistance. It is a four-legged frame that allows a person to lean on it for balance, support, and rest.

Walkers are usually made out of aluminium so they are light enough to be picked up and moved easily. They often have comfort grips made of foam, gel, or rubber to enhance the user's comfort.

The tips of the legs are typically covered with rubber caps that are designed to prevent slipping and improve stability.

Types of Walkers

There are different styles of walkers that you should be aware of before you make a purchase.

Here is a list of the most common types of walkers along with the key points that make them different.

It should be noted that some of these features are not exclusive of each other. For example, you can get a "folding walker" with "height-adjustability" included.

> Folding Walkers

Folding walkers are simply walkers that can be folded easily for transport.

The mechanism to fold the walker is typically a two-button system. Push the buttons in and the walker collapses and folds flat so it will fit easily in a car, bus, or plane.

> Height-Adjustable Walkers

Some walkers have a range of pins or buttons that can be pressed to adjust and set the height of the walker so the handles fit you properly. The range of some walkers spans enough height that they can be used for both adults and children.

> Hemi Walkers

A hemi walker allows the user to lean on just one side for support. It is designed for people with little or no dexterity in one arm or hand.

Since it looks like half of a walker, it makes sense that it is about half the weight of a folding walker. 

Hemi walkers are considered more stable than a cane, so they certainly have their niche.

> Walker with Front Wheels

You can also find a walker (folding, height-adjustable) that has a wheel on each of the front legs. The purpose of the wheels is to help you manoeuvre over difficult terrain.

Most designs have 5-inch wheels.

> Rise-Assistance Walker

There are walkers on the market now that have a front handle that slopes lower on the user's side.

When seated in a chair or at the edge of their bed, the user can reach a lower portion of the handle and use it for leverage to pull themselves up.

> Glider Walker with Platform Attachment

This design includes what looks like a low-height walker.

On each side, you will see a pole rising up. On the top of the poles are soft vinyl platforms to rest your forearms. In front of these comfort platforms, you will find handles for gripping.

This design may assist your stability if you prefer to bear your weight on your forearms rather than elbows and shoulders.

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How to Measure a Wheelchair

When it comes to wheelchairs, there is nothing more important than making sure the chair is a perfect fit for its owner. If any one element of the chair is too long, too short, too wide or too skinny, it can become incredibly uncomfortable, especially over a long period of time. Read the following article to learn how to measure a wheelchair and ensure it will be a good fit for the owner.

1. Measure the width of the person who will use the wheelchair. Take the measurement with the person in the seated position, on a fairly firm surface. This will determine the width of the seat.

      ·         Add approximately 2.5 to 5 cm for slight movement and comfort when sitting. Allow for the thickness of bulky clothing, which could be worn in the winter.

2. Measure the widest part of the subject's chest. This will usually be from directly under one armpit to the other. This will influence the width of the seat back.

3. Measure from the back of the heel to the back of the knee. This will determine the length of the leg rest extension and influence the seat height.

      ·         Add a minimum of 2 inches (5 cm) to this measurement to determine seat height. Unless the wheelchair is going to be foot propelled, the footrest needs that much room for clearance.

      ·         Take the next measurements while the person is sitting down. The arms should be at a 90 degree angle, and the shoulders should be relaxed and neutral.

4. Measure from the back of the hips to the back of the subject's knee. Add approximately 2.5 to 5 cm to determine the ideal seat depth. For an adult, there should be that much space from the edge of the seat to the back of the knee.

5. Measure from the tip of the elbow to the top of the hips. Again, the person should be in a sitting position with both arms at a 90 degree angle. This will determine the height of the armrest in relation to the seat.

6. Measure from the hips to the shoulders. This will determine the height of the seat back.

7. Measure from the hips to the top of the head. This will determine the necessary height of the headrest.

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6 Common Types of Diagnostic Medical Devices

Diagnostic medical equipment and supplies help clinicians to measure and observe various aspects of a patient's health so that they can form a diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is made, the clinician can then prescribe an appropriate treatment plan.

Diagnostic medical equipment is found in outpatient care centres for adult and paediatrics, in emergency rooms, as well as inpatient hospital rooms and intensive care units.

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The following list provides an overview of some of the most commonly used diagnostic tools.

Stethoscopes

Stethoscopes are probably the most recognizable of all medical diagnostic tools. They are used to listen to heart sounds, the lungs and even blood flow in the arteries and veins.

• Stethoscopes help diagnose:
• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Heart palpitations
• Heart disease
• Arrhythmia
• Heart valve issues

Stethoscopes are also used along with a sphygmomanometer to measure blood pressure.

Electronic Stethoscopes improve sound quality when listening to the low-pitched heart sounds and the high-pitched pulmonary sounds. They can be connected to a computer to record and save the sounds. 

They can be hooked up to distributors that allow multiple people to listen on adjoining stethoscopes. This last feature is important when training interns, residents and fellows.

Sphygmomanometers

Evidence-based medicine has proven that the measure of blood pressure is important in determining the overall health of a person.

The sphygmomanometer can help diagnose:

• Diabetes
• High or low blood pressure
• Artery hardening
• Arterial plaque
• Hypotension

High blood pressure has been linked to several diseases. There are a few products that are used to measure blood pressure.

Manual sphygmomanometers are considered the most reliable. Mercury manometers don't require routine calibration, and therefore are used in high-risk scenarios.

Aneroid sphygmomanometers are a little less reliable because they can lose their calibration when bumped, which can be a common occurrence in health care settings. Wall-mounted styles can reduce this possibility, but should still have calibration checks to be sure. The aneroid style is easily identified as a mechanical unit with a dial for the readings, as well as a bulb and air valve.

Digital finger blood pressure monitors are the smallest and most portable. While easy to operate, they are a bit less accurate.

Digital sphygmomanometers, like the digital finger blood pressure monitors, are also electronic. They can be inflated either manually or automatically. They are easy to use, but derive blood pressure in an indirect way. Digital units measure mean arterial pressure, which basically translates into an average of the systolic and diastolic pressure. The digital sphygmomanometer then must derive what the systolic and diastolic readings would be.

Opthalmoscopes

Ophthalmoscopes are handheld tools that allow a physician to see into the fundus of a patient's eye. This type of diagnostic tool is commonly used in physical or outpatient exams.

Ophtalmoscopes can help diagnose:

• Bacterial infections
• Detached retinas
• Glaucoma

There are two types of ophthalmoscopes.

Direct ophthalmoscopes produce an upright image of approximately 15 times magnification. These tools are held as close to the patient's eye as possible.

Indirect ophthalmoscopes produce an inverted image of 2 to 5 times magnification. Indirect ophthalmoscopes are held 24 to 30 inches from the patient's eye. Indirects also have a more powerful light so they are more effective than directs when used in patients with cataracts.

Otoscopes

Otoscopes are handheld devices that allow physicians to look into the ear canal and view the tympanic membrane through the magnification lens. 

Otoscopes help diagnose:

• Ear infections
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Causes of vertigo or dizziness
• Meniere’s disease
• Swimmers Ear

The head of the otoscope also has a light. The light, together with the magnifying lens, make it possible to view the outer and middle ear. The portion that the physician inserts into the ear canal is called the disposable speculum. Disposable specula are stored in a dispenser in the exam room so that a new, clean one can be attached to the otoscopes for each patient.

Electrocardiographs

Electrocardiographs measure the electrical activity of the heart. During this examination, heart rate can be recorded, as well as the regularity of the beats. These are two key indicators of any issues in the heart. Physicians can even read an electrocardiograph to determine the size and position of each heart chamber. And finally, a major use for the electrocardiograph is to diagnose damage to the heart, and the impact and efficacy of drug treatment or device implant.

Thermometer

Thermometers are used in all areas and levels of care, from routine physical exams, to emergency department triage, to inpatient care. There are now electronic thermometers that shorten the time necessary to measure a patient's temperature. The electronic ones can be set for the specific part of the body being measured, such as the mouth, under the armpit, rectally, or the ear.

4 Types of Protective Surgical Supplies for your Head

Operating Room staff members wear personal protective apparel to prevent themselves from acquiring an infection during a surgical procedure. From head to toe, there are different products and materials that provide protection and comfort.

Protective Gear Options:

• Surgical Caps
• Hoods
• Eye Protection
• Surgical Masks

Material Options:

Surgical Caps

• A paper-like absorbent material called scrim reinforced material

• Multi-layer polypropylene, for fluid resistance balanced with ventilation spun lace, the most absorbent, while still comfortable and soft

Surgical Hoods

• Lint-free, latex-free options lightweight multi-ply and heavy-weight polypropylene

• Lightweight single-ply polypropylene or heavyweight polypropylene material

Eye Protection

• Disposable Face Shields provide maximum eye and face protection. This product has a contoured foam material that wraps across the forehead, and the shield extends down from that foam band to protect the face. The shields typically resist fogging.

• Goggles that protect from fluids are used over normal prescription eyeglasses. These are typically made of soft, vinyl frames with built-in air vents and anti-fog lenses.

• Safety Glasses are usually the most economical choice for eye protection. Most manufacturers make them with a built-in brow bar and side shields with wide view lenses.

Surgical Masks

Procedure: Procedure masks have a few options for materials within this category alone. The basic materials however consist of a tissue material on the inner and outer of the mask, with the potential to opt for a softer cellulose material on the inside as well. Additionally, the polypropylene styles improve fluid resistance for the wearer.

Isolation: Fluid-resistant on the outside, with the comfort of cellulose on the inside, these masks also have a bendable nosepiece to ensure proper fit.

Hypoallergenic: These are helpful for people with sensitive skin. Manufacturers can achieve the hypoallergenic feature by not using any dyes or other colorants in the masks. These masks still are able to provide comfort by lining the inside and outside of the mask with cellulose, and by including a bendable nosepiece for enhanced fit.

Breathing Chamber: The breathing chamber mask looks like a Procedure Mask with the area in front of the mouth tented outward away from the wearer's lips. This keeps the mask off the face for easier breathing and clearer speech. The inner and outer lining could be cellulose, or the outer lining could be polypropylene for added fluid protection.

Cone-Style: Cone-style masks are easy to put on. The elastic-like headband straps over the back of the head, the nosepiece can be pinched by the wearer to ensure a tight fit around the nose, and the mouthpiece extends away from the wearer's mouth to provide easier breathing and speech.

Anti-Fog: Anti-Fog masks work to keep the wearer's eyeglasses from fogging. They accomplish this with a foam strip lining across the top edge of the mask which prevents condensation from escaping up behind the eyeglass lenses. There are Chamber-Style and non-Chamber-Style Anti-Fog masks available on the market.

Fluid-Protective: Manufacturers make "fluid-protective" masks typically with cellulose on the inner and outer linings. They will often incorporate the foam strip at the top edge of the mask to limit condensation from escaping. A full-width nosepiece provides the wearer with a custom fit.

Fluid-Resistant: It's important to clarify here that "Fluid-Resistant" means that it provides better protection against fluids than "Fluid-Protective". Fluid-Resistant masks generally are made of polypropylene on the outside for fluid resistance and cellulose on the inside for comfort while still providing a degree of fluid resistance.

Fluid Resistant/Protective with Eye Shield: Both the Fluid-Resistant and Fluid-Protective style masks can be found with an added eye shield option for enhanced eye and face coverage. The eye shield extends up from the mask and cover the eyes and the forehead to beyond where the surgical cap meets the forehead, thus ensuring no skin exposure in that area of the body. The eye shields are made of non-glare material to maintain optimum visibility, and a foam strip is in place to protect against condensation from rising up from the mask.

By wearing these types of protective supplies, medical staff not only increase their own odds in avoiding infection, they also help protect their patients from the same problem.

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Why are medical scrubs usually green or blue?

Medical professionals can choose from a wide variety of scrubs with different colours and patterns. So why are plain blue and green ones so popular?

It used to be that doctors, especially those performing surgeries, didn’t even wear special work garments and simply operated in their regular clothes and with bare hands! However, the 1918 flu pandemic and the rise of antiseptic theory led to the use of surgical masks and rubber gloves and, eventually, antiseptic drapes, gowns and caps in the operating room.

Early OR garments were white, which emphasized cleanliness, but led to eyestrain and headaches for surgeons and their staff. Sometime in the mid-20th century, hospitals began to ditch white linens and switched to various shades of green, which made things easier for both the institutions and their surgeons.

For the hospitals, doing laundry was less of a headache. Ever try to wash blood out of something white? At best, you’re left with a green/brown discoloration. While white linens had to be frequently tossed and replaced (either because the discoloration was too bad or because frequent washing and bleaching destroyed the fabric); green and blue scrubs have a bit of a longer lifespan.

For surgeons, operating was less of a literal headache. Green and greenish-blue surgical linens make looking at the inside of a human body easier on the eyes, since they’re opposite red on the colour wheel.

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What Is an Infusion Pump?

An external infusion pump is a medical device used to deliver fluids into a patient’s body in a controlled manner. There are many different types of infusion pumps, which are used for a variety of purposes and in a variety of environments.

Infusion pumps may be capable of delivering fluids in large or small amounts, and may be used to deliver nutrients or medications – such as insulin or other hormones, antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and pain relievers.

Some infusion pumps are designed mainly for stationary use at a patient’s bedside. Others, called ambulatory infusion pumps, are designed to be portable or wearable.

A number of commonly used infusion pumps are designed for specialized purposes. These include:

• Enteral pump - A pump used to deliver liquid nutrients and medications to a patient’s digestive tract.

• Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump - A pump used to deliver pain medication, which is equipped with a feature that allows patients to self-administer a controlled amount of medication, as needed.

• Insulin pump - A pump typically used to deliver insulin to patients with diabetes. Insulin pumps are frequently used in the home.

Infusion pumps may be powered electrically or mechanically. Different pumps operate in different ways. For example:

• In a syringe pump, fluid is held in the reservoir of a syringe, and a moveable piston controls fluid delivery.

• In an elastomeric pump, fluid is held in a stretchable balloon reservoir, and pressure from the elastic walls of the balloon drives fluid delivery.

• In a peristaltic pump, a set of rollers pinches down on a length of flexible tubing, pushing fluid forward.

• In a multi-channel pump, fluids can be delivered from multiple reservoirs at multiple rates.

• A "smart pump" is equipped with safety features, such as user-alerts that activate when there is a risk of an adverse drug interaction, or when the user sets the pump's parameters outside of specified safety limits.

10 Medical reasons why you might be tired

A variety of illnesses could leave you feeling completely drained. We highlight 10 health conditions that are known to cause fatigue.

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Anxiety

It’s perfectly normal to feel anxious at times, but there are some people who experience constant, overpowering feelings of anxiety, so intense that it affects their daily life. Doctors call this generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). According to the mental health information centre GAD is present in three to eight percent of the general population. Apart from feeling worried and tetchy, people with GAD often also feel extreme exhaustion. Other common anxiety disorders include social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder and more.

Glandular Fever

Glandular fever is a viral infection that mostly affects young adults. Symptoms present as swollen glands in the neck, high temperature (fever), a severe sore throat and excessive tiredness. And while symptoms of glandular fever may clear up within two to three weeks, the fatigue can last for far longer. The British National Health Service (NHS) advises patients to do some light exercise once symptoms have subsided. This helps muscle strength to return. 

Restless Legs Syndrome

Dr Michael J. Breus, Clinical Psychologist and sleep specialist says that for the millions who suffer from Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), sleep can be exceedingly difficult and disrupted. RLS is when you get uncomfortable sensations in your legs, sometimes even in your arms such as a tingling sensation, “pins and needles”, and even pain. This usually happens when lying or sitting down. As a result, it affects your sleep dramatically, causing you to feel extremely tired during the day.

Underactive Thyroid

Medically defined, an underactive thyroid also known as hypothyroidism, means that the body produces too little thyroxine. With an underactive thyroid gland, you’re likely to feel tired, gain weight and experience severe muscle aches. To diagnose this condition, doctors usually do a full blood cell count test. Hypothyroidism is more common in older people and also more common in women. Sometimes children and babies are also affected.

Sleep Apnoea

This is a condition where your throat closes or narrows, affecting your breathing while you sleep. These breathing pauses may last for a couple of seconds and sometimes up to minutes, and have a great effect on your sleep. It can cause the oxygen levels in your blood to drop and may bring about excessive snoring. This condition is particularly prevalent in overweight, middle-aged men. Doctors have confirmed that drinking and smoking aggravate the condition, and advise patients to quit.

Anaemia

This common condition is brought about by the lack of iron in the body. Iron is necessary to transport oxygen in the blood and low iron levels are a common reason for feeling rundown. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) affects about one in 20 men and post-menopausal women, and may even be common in women who are still menstruating. Typical symptoms of IDA include: tiredness, shortage of breathe, heart palpitations and a pale complexion.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition that causes extreme tiredness, but whose cause is unknown. Experts believe that it can be brought on by a host of factors including viral infections and psychological stress. There is no test that can diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome, therefore a series of tests need to be conducted to rule out other medical issues before a diagnosis can be made.

Coeliac Disease

This disease is a reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat and a number of other grains. NHS reports that in the UK one percent of people have coeliac disease, but many aren’t even aware that they have it. Symptoms include the typical tiredness and diarrhoea as well as anaemia and weight loss. Doctors are usually able to detect whether you have the condition by means of a blood test.

Diabetes

A common condition is diabetes, where there is too much sugar in the blood as a result of the lack of the hormone insulin produced in the body by the pancreas. Symptoms of diabetes are exhaustion, extreme thirst and frequent urination. Your GP can pick this up by means of a simple finger prick blood test. 

Depression

By definition depression is categorised as feelings of extreme sadness and despondency, but apart from these feelings it also makes you feel really drained. It has the potential to make it difficult for you to sleep, or wake you up early which leaves you feeling extremely tired during the day. 

Why laughter really is the best medicine

Cat videos. A tickle attack. Tina Fey doing basically anything.

Chances are at least one of these things has reduced you to a fit of giggles or you can think of something else that’s left your eyes watery and your abs aching. Think about how that felt — did all your muscles turn to jelly and your entire body relax? Did you momentarily forget your annoying day at the office?

However you’d describe the experience, it probably felt great. And there are plenty of reasons why: a good laugh can do everything from soothing tension by taming stress and stimulating circulation to boosting endorphins, the feel-good brain chemicals responsible for that post-hilarity high. A study even found that participants had a higher tolerance for pain after watching funny clips from South Park, The Simpsons, and Friends.

Cracking up is also a great way to bond — studies show it’s 30 times more likely to happen in a social context than when alone. Sharing a joke or a laugh helps us connect on a personal, human level, it builds and strengthens relationships. These strong bonds have been shown to be possibly the most important piece in long and healthy lives. There’s always time for a good joke.

But laughter isn’t just a temporary fix — research shows it has long-term benefits too. Some studies indicate that a sense of humour is associated with enhanced immune function and one study found that depressed patients who took part in a Laughter Yoga group (which is exactly what it sounds like) experienced a significant decrease in depression and a significant increase in life satisfaction, suggesting the laughing practice was at least as effective as group exercise for boosting mental health.

It may not come as a surprise then that laughter plays a pretty important role in health care too. In fact, it’s a sneaky way many doctors get nervous patients to relax and the tactic is often hugely successful.

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Did you know Defibrillators are tied to long-term complications?

Implantable defibrillators devices that detect and correct an abnormal heart rhythm are associated with a high risk of long-term complications, a new study suggests.

•  High rate of complications

"An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is a highly effective treatment option to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death," said lead researcher Dr Isuru Ranasinghe, a senior cardiologist at the University of Adelaide in South Australia.

"However, there is a substantial and persistent risk of device-related complications and re-operations in the years after implantation."

These complications include device malfunction, infection and inflammation.

Ranasinghe said the rate of complications is higher than previously reported. "The continued occurrence of complications long after the initial implantation indicates the need for vigilance and ongoing surveillance of ICD-related complications," he said.

But one cardiologist not involved with the study called the risk of complications "modest" and added that the benefits offered by the devices outweigh the risks.

ICDs are battery-powered devices placed in a "pocket" under the skin to keep track of a patient's heart rate. When an abnormal or chaotic heart beat occurs, the device is meant to shock the heart and restore a normal heart rhythm.

•  Simpler may be better

For the study, researchers analysed the performance of three types of implantable defibrillators – single-chamber, dual-chamber and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices (CRT-D). The investigators found the chances for trouble were greater with more complex devices, especially CRT-D devices.

Compared with simpler devices, CRT-D devices have a 38 percent higher rate of complications, and quadruple the risk for procedures such as battery replacement and upgrades, the researchers determined.

"This is important because choosing a simpler device at the start may help patients by reducing complications and delaying the need to replace the device," Ranasinghe said.

The ICD lifespan is typically up to seven years, depending on when the battery needs replacing, Ranasinghe said.

"More complex devices are more active, and their battery needs replacing earlier, compared with simpler devices," he explained.

"There is considerable debate as to the added benefit of more complex devices compared with simpler, single-chamber ICDs," Ranasinghe said. "Where possible, using a simpler device may reduce the risk of ICD-related harm."

One expert believes the risk of complications is "modest", not significant enough to change current practice.

"Clinical trials have shown that implantable defibrillators prolong life, with benefits that outweigh potential risks," said Dr Gregg Fonarow, a professor of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles.

•  Higher risk for women and blacks

These new findings "further reinforce current guideline recommendations for the use of these implanted devices in patients at risk for sudden death who are eligible and without contraindications," Fonarow said.

For the study, Ranasinghe and colleagues collected data on more than 114,000 men and women aged 65 and older who received an ICD between 2006 and 2010. The patients were followed for three years.

The researchers found that women and blacks had a somewhat higher risk of complications compared to men and whites. In addition, younger seniors – those 65 to 69 at implantation – had more complications than people 85 and older, Ranasinghe said.

Why women and blacks are more susceptible to complications isn't clear and requires further investigation, he said.

"Still, our findings can be used by physicians and patients to make an informed choice when weighing up the risks and benefits of an ICD," Ranasinghe added.

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How to cope with seasonal allergies

Your nose is runny, you have a scratchy throat and itching eyes, and yet it's not quite a cold or the flu. It could well be allergies.

According to the South African Allergy Society, scores of people across the globe suffer from Allergic Rhinitis, otherwise known as hay fever.

“Over 500 million people worldwide suffer from hay fever, with children and adults 30 to 40 years old, experiencing the worst symptoms, says Allison Veinings, Executive Director of the Self-Medication Manufacturers Association of South Africa (SMASA).

What are seasonal allergies?

“Allergies result when the immune system identifies a foreign substance, such as dust or pollen, incorrectly, then classifies it as harmful and treats it as such,” explains Veinings.

Hay fever in particular is the result of outdoor allergens such as pollen, and is periodic in nature. Grass is one of the main triggers of hay fever in summer, with allergic conjunctivitis (the allergic inflammation of the delicate membrane covering the inner and external part of the eyelid) being the most common seasonal allergy.

More prevalent among those with asthma, eczema and hay fever, its symptoms include redness and excessive watering of the eyes, swelling of the eyelids and whites of the eye, and itchiness.

Winter allergies cause similar symptoms to summer allergies i.e. an itchy nose and eyes, sneezing and watery eyes, and are generally triggered by the use of heaters or fireplaces – the mould spores and insect parts that are often trapped in these objects are released into the air and find their way into the nose, setting off a reaction. Other indoor triggers are animals and mites.

The problem with winter allergy symptoms is that they can easily be misdiagnosed as a common cold or flu. If symptoms persist for longer than 10 days, it is more likely an allergy than a cold or flu. If not treated and medicated correctly, allergies can linger for weeks or even months.

Diagnosis and treatment

“Following the timeline of how and when irritations start can highlight whether someone is a seasonal allergy sufferer,” says Veinings.

“The best remedy for allergies would obviously be to avoid allergens completely, however as this is not always possible, a sound knowledge of self-medication and responsible self-care is key for hay fever sufferers,” she concludes.

SMASA, which advocates responsible self-care throughout the year, suggests the following actions to maintain a solid self-care routine during allergy season:

•  Keep a pack of tissues on hand for days when allergies are at their worst.
•  Use eye drops to relieve itchy, watery eyes. 
•  Use an antihistamine to reduce nasal itching, sneezing and discharge.
•  Use a decongestant during winter to clear mucus.

As with any ailment or illness, prevention is better than cure. Consult your local chemist, nurse or health professional for the correct over-the-counter products to manage hay fever and other seasonal allergies and schedule an appointment with your doctor if symptoms persist. 

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The top five simple ways you can improve your health

Whether you're trying to get in shape or simply looking to lead a healthier lifestyle, it only takes a few simple changes to dramatically improve your wellbeing. 

1. Embrace the outdoors

If you want to improve your health, clear your mind and decrease the risk of heart disease, it's important to ensure you have enough vitamin D – and the best source is simply from sunlight. Studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency can increase your risk of heart disease by 64 per cent and can also help to lower blood pressure – so spending just 20 minutes each day outside could help protect your heart. Try adding a brisk walk to your daily activities – you will also be improving your respiratory and joint health.

2. Pack your plate with colour

The more colourful your plate, the more nutritious the food you're eating. If you're watching your sugar levels, try blueberries and raspberries which are lower in fructose but are full of powerful phytonutrients. Search for foods packed with Lycopene such as carrots, sweet potatoes, squash and red tomatoes – it's great for helping to protect you from heart disease, strokes and high blood pressure. Also found in peppers, papaya and even watermelons, Lycopene is in its most usable form when cooked and combined with healthy fats – it does need to be consumed in large supplies.

3. Up your Omega intake

Our body needs a range of healthy fats, especially omega 3 found in oily fish, nuts and seeds. Not only can a diet rich in essential fatty acids aid joint health, it can also benefit brain health, concentration, protect against heart disease, boost the immune system and speed up healing. The Mediterranean diet is packed with fresh fruit and vegetables, alongside fresh fish and plenty of healthy oils – they also eat far less junk food! A diet rich in healthy oils also enables us to absorb and utilise many vitamins and phytonutrients.

4. Stay hydrated

Our bodies are made up of approximately 60 per cent water, essential for flushing out toxins. Staying hydrated can help the blood pump more efficiently, and can also lead to suffering from less aches and pains after exercise. Because our kidneys play a vital role in regulating blood pressure, keeping hydrated and monitoring your sodium intake could reduce high blood pressure significantly. Many people confuse thirst pangs for hunger pangs so often just drinking a glass of water whenever you are hungry can help to control cravings.

5. Reduce stress

Turn off your phone, hide the laptop and find some time for you. Stress is one of the biggest threats to our overall health as it can lower the immune system, as well as making it easier to rely on stimulants such as caffeine and refined carbohydrates such as sugar for an artificial 'feel good' boost.

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