Category Archives: Health

How to Manage Lymphedema Swelling

12/14/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

The thing about lymphedema is that you must learn how to manage the swelling that comes with it. It’s not easy, but there are various ways for you to manage your lymphedema so that you can avoid complications and reduce fluid buildup. Here are some ways you can effectively manage lymphedema swelling:

A lymphedema pump

Whether you have upper extremity lymphedema or lower extremity lymphedema, there is something that can help you with any type of swelling you may have: a lymphedema pump.

While those with lymphedema have to learn how to treat their issues with a massage at home or with a physical therapist, there are devices designed to do it for them. The process is more relaxing and effective for those already dealing with pain and discomfort. It helps stimulate lymphatic function while decreasing swelling, significantly improving a patient’s quality of life.

Compression garments help

Compression garments are common among those dealing with lymphedema as they can greatly reduce swelling and discomfort. Patients with lymphedema are encouraged to wear them throughout the day while taking them off to sleep at night.

It may take some time to get used to wearing them. For those who are fashion-forward, the good news is that there are designs made to be easily hidden, depending on your affected area. For those who have to show their affected area, for example, your arms, you’ll find that there are some garments that have been designed with fashion and trends in mind. Beyond the stylish factor of these garments, you want to be sure you’re wearing the right compression level for your needs.

Don’t forget your exercise

Getting daily exercise can help manage the swelling as well. It can be focused exercises for the affected area, as well as daily movement like going for a walk with your pup or going to a gym with an indoor pool to get some laps in.

Movement helps blood flow, but more importantly, the flow of fluids to avoid them collecting in the affected area. Join a gym, buy weights and exercise equipment for your home, or simply practice yoga with online fitness classes in the comfort of your home.

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Eat well and manage your stress

From the foods you eat to the way you live your life, it’s important to decrease stress along with inflammatory foods if you want to manage lymphedema swelling effectively. Foods you should be eating include ginger, garlic, turmeric, berries, fish, greens, and more.

A diet rich in antioxidants could be especially beneficial. When you don’t have time to cook, consider ordering a food subscription designed for healthy eating. Practice things in your life that help you decrease stress, whether that looks like meditation or spending more time with friends. Not only will it relieve your swelling, but your overall health.

CDT

This is basically a therapy designed with everything you should be doing to care for your swelling. This includes a skincare routine, daily exercise, and manual lymphatic drainage. You may only need to focus on this type of therapy to avoid swelling by doing it for two weeks, or in more severe cases, it could take months to help you decrease swelling.

Skincare is helpful because it helps prevent infection caused by dry, chapped skin or cuts.

In Conclusion

Managing your swelling and pain is essential. If left uncared for, your swelling could result in more severe issues. You want to avoid surgery if at all possible, so try practicing these different methods for managing your swelling and discomfort. From healthy food to exercise, there are ways to keep swelling down and ensure you live a relatively comfortable life. Speak to your healthcare provider about the best treatment for you.

Going Healthy, Health, Life, Tips

5 Safety Tips to Consider When Using Blood Thinners

12/14/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

You may be required to take blood thinners for a number of different reasons. Commonly, a diagnosis of abnormal heart rhythm, like atrial fibrillation, or afib, may mean that you need to consider taking blood thinners, to ensure that there is a reduced risk of experiencing a clot. This can also lower any chances you may have of having a stroke.

Alongside going down the route of taking natural blood thinners to help with this, you must be aware of some of the safety tips and recommendations that you need to follow, in order to protect your health.

This is because if you hurt yourself while taking blood thinners, you could be suffering from internal bleeding, even if it is not apparent on the outside. So, let us learn more about what these safety tips are.

Try Natural Blood Thinners

Instead of taking blood thinning medication, you may decide that ingesting food that has blood thinning properties may be the best route for you to consider. Ginger, cayenne peppers, cinnamon, and even red wine are just some of the foods and drinks that can help to prevent blood clots from forming in the brain and heart, as a blood clot in these areas can significantly damage your health.

Alongside reducing the risk of your blood clotting, most of these ingredients have other health benefits too such as reducing inflammation, relaxing the muscles, and increasing circulation. So, if you want to take advantage of all these benefits, then you should take the time to look into the many different natural blood thinners that are on the market.

Be Aware of Internal Bleeding

Sustaining an injury to any part of your body while on blood thinners can increase the risk of internal bleeding. It can be hard to know if you are bleeding internally, as there are no firm symptoms to suggest that this is what is happening. However, there are some signs that you can look out for. These include fatigue, shortness of breath and a pale skin colour.

Rapid internal bleeding can cause symptoms of a stroke, or increased pain in the abdomen and back, although this will depend on where you are bleeding from. If you think that you are bleeding internally, seek medical attention immediately.

Avoid Alcohol

Many people like having a drink or two after a long day at the office, or while they are relaxing at the weekend, however, if you are on blood thinners, this can further damage your health. As most of us know already, the liver is responsible for processing alcohol, as well as many different types of medications.

Moreover, if the liver is breaking down the alcohol instead of the blood thinner, or any other type of medication that you are taking, the level of medicine in your blood can increase, which can cause detrimental health effects if not treated as soon as possible.

Take Care When Mixing Medications

If you are taking blood thinners and different medications at the same time, you should be aware that some antibiotics and anti-fungal medications can increase the potency of blood thinners, thus increasing the risk of further bleeding.

If you are required to take more than one medication, along with your blood thinners, then you should consult with your doctor at the earliest convenience. Advice in this area is paramount if you want to make sure your health is protected at all times.

Relax When You Can

This is probably the most important thing to take into consideration when you are on blood thinning medication. This is because it is imperative that you take all the precautions that are needed, in order to reduce the risk of any falls or trauma, that could lead to any significant bleeding. It may be hard to hear that you need to take it easy, especially if you are missing out on the opportunity to take part in activities that have an element of risk attached to them, but it will be beneficial in the long run.

If you have any worries or concerns, don’t be afraid to consult with your doctor or any other health practitioner, who will be able to offer you help and advice if you would like to participate in things that are known to be higher risk. It is important to check, after all.

Living a life that involves taking blood thinners comes with its risks, but if you follow the tips and regulations that have been put in place, making this adjustment will come swiftly and easily. The most important thing to remember is that you shouldn’t be afraid to reach out for advice if you need it.

Going Healthy, Health, Life, Lifestyle

The Adverse Effects of Stress on Your Body

12/11/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

The word “stress” is often used to describe a feeling of pressure and tension, but there can be many different causes of stress. When you feel like you’re running on empty and everything is an effort, it’s time to take a look at your life and see what might be adding unnecessary stress. Stress affects the body in various ways- learn about some of the most common consequences below.

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#1 Can cause headaches

Stress is a leading cause of headaches, which can be accompanied by tension in the neck and shoulders. Migraines are one type of headache that can be brought on or made worse by stress. If you’re experiencing regular headaches, it’s important to identify any potential triggers, including stress. You may need to make some changes to your lifestyle or find ways to manage stressful situations better.

Some people find relief through relaxation techniques such as yoga or deep breathing exercises, while others prefer over-the-counter medications or prescribed treatments from their doctor. Stress has also been linked with other types of pain, such as joint pain and back pain. In fact, research has shown that stress can affect the immune system, which makes it harder for your body to fight off illness.

#2 May lead to mental health problems

Stress can be caused by many factors, such as work or school expectations and pressures. However, this type of stress is usually temporary and may even help motivate you to achieve your goals. However, constant feelings of anxiety frequently brought on by sources such as family life (e.g., overbearing parents) or an unpredictable economy can lead to mental health problems like depression or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Depression makes it difficult for the sufferer to carry out everyday tasks and activities – which interferes with their ability to function at home and work. GAD causes excessive worry about a variety of topics, including personal relationships, money matters, and one’s own health; this chronic condition often occurs without warning signs in between episodes when everything seems fine. If you feel like you struggle with anxiety or even substance abuse in order to cope with your anxiety, feel free to have a look at Sunshine Behavioral Health for expert advice on the subject.

#3 Gastrointestinal issues

Stress can also lead to gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, constipation, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS is a condition that causes stomach pain, cramps, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. These symptoms can be very disruptive to one’s life and may cause a great deal of stress in addition to the original problem.

If you’re experiencing any of these problems, it’s important to seek help from your doctor. Managing your stress levels may bring some relief. This could include relaxation techniques, exercise, and changes to your diet- avoiding caffeine and alcohol, which can make symptoms worse.

#4 High blood pressure

Stress can also have a negative impact on your blood pressure, which may lead to heart disease. Too much stress over a long period of time without any relief can cause high blood pressure or hypertension. The underlying causes of hypertension aren’t fully understood, but it’s believed that several factors, including genetics and salt intake, play a role in its development.

The good news is that keeping your stress levels under control could help prevent the early onset of other serious health conditions such as coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, or kidney failure. In fact, research has shown that reducing one’s own perception of stress through relaxation techniques like yoga lowers cortisol production- lowering blood pressure in turn.

#5 Skin conditions

Stress has also been linked with skin conditions, including acne, psoriasis, and dermatitis. In addition, cortisol can cause your body to produce excess sebum- triggering the development of pimples in those prone to breakouts. Psoriasis is a condition where patches appear on different areas of the body; these lesions are typically red or silvery-white in color and may be accompanied by scales. Stress triggers inflammation, making it harder for the immune system to fight off disease; this leaves sufferers more susceptible to serious infections like HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

Dermatitis is an inflammation that causes dryness, itching, scaling, and even cracking; chronic stress can make symptoms worse, leading to worsening outbreaks over time if left untreated. If you’re experiencing any of these skin problems, it’s best to consult a dermatologist who can help treat the issue and relieve some of the stress.

#6 It Can Lead To Addiction

While the initial decision to use drugs or alcohol is usually voluntary, addiction is a complex condition that can quickly take over a person’s life. Once addiction sets in, drug use becomes compulsive and chaotic, despite the negative consequences. One of the biggest risk factors for addiction is stress. People under chronic stress are more likely to turn to substances as a way to cope. Additionally, stress can lead to changes in the brain that make a person more vulnerable to addiction. For example, chronic stress has been shown to increase the risk of developing an addiction by altering the brain’s reward system. As a result, it’s crucial for people struggling with stress to get help before it leads to drug abuse or addiction. Fortunately, many drug rehab programs can provide treatment and support for people who are struggling with addiction. With the right help, it is possible to recover from addiction and build a healthy, drug-free life.

Stress can have a number of adverse effects on your body, including mental health problems, gastrointestinal issues, high blood pressure, and skin conditions. However, by finding ways to manage your stress levels, you may be able to avoid these health concerns altogether!