Here’s what a Doctor’s Bag should ALWAYS contain

A doctor’s bag is very important as well as the contents inside the bag, however the equipment may vary according to each individual doctor and what they specialise in.

Besides containing essential medical equipment, a doctor’s bag should also be sturdy, lockable but still portable enough to carry around. Always remember that a doctor’s bag should be stored in a cool, dry place and never in the boot of a car.

Here is a list of the necessary equipment that should always be included in a doctor’s bag…

- Stethoscope
- Pulse oximeter
- Aneroid sphygmomanometer
- A diagnostic set
- Tongue depressors (wrapped)
- Tourniquet
- Scissors
- Alcohol wipes
- Gloves
- Reflex hammer
- Specimen bottles
- A small torch
- Syringes and needles
- Thermometer
- Disposable scalpel
- Peak flow meter
- Glucometer
- Face mask
- Space (for asthma)

What else do you think should be stored in a doctor’s bag?

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11 Types of Doctors and What They Do

A doctor is someone who helps people, gives hope to the sick and ultimately saves lives. However, there are a range of types of doctors, each treating different medical conditions according to what they specialise in.

Do you know which doctor you need to see? Here are the 11 types of doctors and what each of them do…

1. Family Practitioner/General Physician – Your friendly neighbourhood doctor who provides treatment for general illnesses and non-emergency conditions.

2. Internist/Internal Medicine Doctor – This doctor specializes in adult medicine, prevention and treatment of diseases that affect adults.

3. Emergency Doctor – Offers medical services in the emergency room and are on call 24/7.

4. Hospitalist – A doctor you’ll see in the hospital that looks after the patients who are hospitalized.

5. Pain Management/Palliative Care Specialist – Helps in reducing the suffering and improving the quality of life of the patients who experience any sort of pain.

6. Infectious Disease Specialist – Studies and treats diseases that are caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites.

7. General Paediatrician – Studies, treats and specializes in general medical problems in infants, children and adolescents.

8. Critical/Intensive-care Specialist – Studies, diagnosis, and treats life-threatening conditions requiring organ support and invasive monitoring.

9. Geriatrician – Provides treatment for the diseases and health problems related to geriatrics or seniors.

10. Anaesthesiologist – Studies and administers anaesthesia during surgical procedures.

11. Surgeons – This doctor performs surgeries related to different sub-specialties of medicine.

There are many specialties of medicine and each specialty has a different type of doctor or surgeon.

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4 Easy Ways to Take Control of your Health in 2019

Do you want to change your health for the better in the New Year, but you just don’t know where to begin?

Well, to help you out a bit, here are 4 easy healthy habits that you can adopt to help you take charge of your health and general wellbeing in 2019!

1. Come up with a meal plan

It is so much easier to eat healthy, well-balanced meals if you have the ingredients on hand with all your meals planned out. Make a meal plan for the week and then do one big shop for everything – this makes it easier to plan what you’re going to eat, plus the kids can help so everyone feels involved.

2. Always have a water bottle on hand

It is so important to stay hydrated, so be sure to always try and drink 4 – 6 glasses of water a day! When you carry around a water bottle with you you’ll be less likely to choose a fizzy, sugary drink when you need to quench your thirst.

3. Eat the colours of the rainbow

Always include produce of a range of different colours into your daily diet such as spinach, carrots, beetroot, tomatoes, strawberries,bananas, etc. These fruits and vegetables are packed full of nutrients and fibre and can help you stay health and protect you against illnesses.

4. Enjoy what you eat

This tip is an important one, but it is often lost amongst all the new diets and fads that come and go so often. Cooking together with your loved ones, sharing and finding joy in the food that you eat is vital when it comes to staying healthy and happy.

Use these 4 easy, helpful tips to take control of your health and wellbeing in 2019!

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7 must-haves for your First Aid Kit

Whether it’s a skinned knee or a sprained ankle, having the correct medical materials in your first aid kit is essential. Packaging your first aid kit doesn’t have to be expensive or take up a lot of room at home or in your car.

Take a look at Supply Doctor, an online medical supplies website, for a wide range of first aid equipment as well as bags and boxes.

Here are 7 important must-haves for your first aid kit:

First aid manual – You may not want to waste space in your kit, but having a manual is important as it can offer essential tips and guide you on how to treat certain wounds, etc. Learning how to treat injuries while waiting for professional help can really make a difference.

An assortment of bandages – Whether you need gauze for a large wound or a simple adhesive strip for a small scratch, having assorted bandages in your first aid kit is essential. Bandages come in a range of shapes and sizes, so be sure to pack a variety.

Antiseptic and ointments – Should someone injury themselves, it is vital that everything is sterile to avoid infections. Be sure to include antiseptic, hand sanitizer and sanitary cloths in your first aid kit. Toss in a pair of non-latex gloves to safely apply any antiseptic or ointments.

Instant Compress – Aches and pains also need to be treated, so make sure your first aid kit includes a heat pack as well as an ice pack. An instant compress is recommended to reduce any swelling.

Scissors – A good pair of scissors is a necessity in your first aid kit. In addition to cutting gauze you may need to cut other material like clothing during an emergency. A regular pair of scissors is fine along as they are sharp enough!

Medication – Pain is a big deal, especially to little children, so it’s a good idea to have children’s pain reliever as well as pain relieve for adults in your first aid kit to reduce fevers, headaches, sprains and other pains.

Tweezers – This device isn’t just for plucking stray hairs. Tweezers can come in handy in your first aid kit, especially if you need to remove splinters, glass and ticks.

Accidents of any kind are bound to happen, anytime or anywhere. So, it is crucial for you to have a well-stocked first aid kit on hand at all times!

Do you know what an Ultrasound is, and what it is used for?

Well, an ultrasound is a medical test that uses high-frequency sound waves to capture live images from inside your body. The ultrasound scan will allow doctors to see if there are any problems with your organs, vessels and tissues – without having to operate or make an incision.

An ultrasound isn’t just for pregnant women; it has a range of different medical uses. Your doctor may suggest an ultrasound if you are experiencing pain, swelling and other symptoms that need an internal view of your organs.

An ultrasound scan can provide a view of your:

- Bladder
- Brain
- Eyes
- Gallbladder
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Ovaries
- Uterus
- Blood vessels

An ultrasound is also a useful way to guide surgeon’s movements during certain medical procedures, such as a biopsy.

There will be some steps to take in order to prepare for an ultrasound, but it all depends on the area or organ that is being examined.

Your doctor may tell you not to eat for eight to 12 hours before your ultrasound. For an examination of the gallbladder, liver, pancreas or spleen, you may be told to eat a fat-free meal the night before your test.

Always be sure to tell your doctor about any prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements that you have taken before the ultrasound.

Luckily, an ultrasound carries no risks at all. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, they use no radiation, that’s why they are the best method for examining a fetus during pregnancy.

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Here’s how easy it is to take your own Blood Pressure at Home!

It may seem like a complicated task, however taking your own blood pressure in the comfort of your own home is simpler than you think.

First of all, you’ll need a reliable blood pressure meter – If you don’t have one, Supply Doctor offers a range of affordable, high quality blood pressure meters you can use from home.

Once you have your blood pressure meter, all you need to do is follow these easy steps…

BEFORE you take your reading:

- Make sure you are not stressed out or that you haven’t just finished a big meal
- Do not take your reading if you have just smoked a cigarette or had a cup of coffee
- Wear loose clothing or a short sleeved shirt
- Make sure to always use the same arm every time you take your reading
- When you take your reading you should be in a quiet area with your arm on a flat surface and both your feet flat on the ground
- The blood pressure cuff around your arm should be at the same level as your heart

How to take your reading:

1. Put the cuff on and make sure to read and follow the instructions that came with your monitor
2. If you are tense or stressed this will affect your reading, so stay calm and relaxed
3. When you are busy with your reading, be silent and keep still
4. Take two or three readings, take a two minute break between each one, and then work out your average reading
5. Be sure to keep a record of your blood pressure reading – write it down in a journal or on your computer

Don’t waste your time going all the way to the doctor’s office to find out what your blood pressure is – get yourself a reliable blood pressure meter from Supply Doctor and use these easy steps to take your reading from the comfort of your own home!

Using a Nebulizer for Asthma Treatment

A nebulizer is an electric atomizer used to deliver medicine to help control severe asthma. It contains the same medicine that is found in your inhaler, except it delivers it in a different, more effective way. A nebulizer is often only used on people who are too sick or too young to use an inhaler.

So how does a nebulizer work? A nebulizer is a device that compresses the medicine and turns it into an air mist that you can breathe in easily using the mouth piece or mask. There are a range of different nebulizers available including convenient, portable nebulizers (click here for an affordable one from Supply Doctor) that you can move around with you when need be.

Here’s how to use a nebulizer…

1. Always check with your doctor first for any specific instructions and read through the package details.

2. Get familiar with every part of the nebulizer before you use it.

3. Find somewhere comfortable, sit down and relax.

4. Hold the mask in place and breathe in and out evenly until the medicine is completely vaporized out of the cup.

5. If you are using a face mask, put it in place over your nose and mouth.

6. Be aware that the process of using a nebulizer can take up to 10 minutes.

7. When you are done, clean the mouthpiece or face mask as well as the medicine cup – not cleaning your nebulizer can result in bacterial infections!

Nebulizers can provide instant relief when your inhaler fails to work. Always ask your doctor first and keep in mind that when it comes to asthma it’s always good to be one step ahead!

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