Kansas City Home Medical Equipment Blog and Product Reviews

31DecDecember 31, 2020

National Blood Donor Awareness Month

National Blood Donor Month has taken place each January since 1970. Donating blood saves many lives and improves health for many people. Blood donations are needed all over the world to ensure individuals and communities have access to safe and quality-assured blood and blood products in both normal and emergency situations. It can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions live longer and with a higher quality of life and supports complex medical and surgical procedures. According to the World...

28OctOctober 28, 2020

Sleep Apnea

What is sleep apnea Sleep apnea is a condition marked by abnormal breathing during sleep. These temporary breathing lapses cause lower-quality sleep and affect the body’s supply of oxygen, leading to potentially serious health consequences. There are three types of sleep apnea: -Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) -Central sleep apnea (CSA) -Mixed sleep apnea Common Symptoms: -Disrupted breathing in which a person’s respiration can become labored or even stop for up to a minute at a time -Excessive daytime sleepiness -Snoring, including snoring that is especially loud and involves...

13OctOctober 13, 2020

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of women each year and affecting countries at all levels of modernization. According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage,the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. There are over 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Adult women of all ages are encouraged to perform breast...

30JunJune 30, 2020

Brain Awareness Month

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month A few facts about Alzheimer’s: • 50 million people are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias worldwide. • Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. • Every 65 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease. • One in 10 people age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s disease. • Two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women. What is Alzheimer’s Disease? Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for memory...

25JunJune 25, 2020

Hernia Awareness

What is a hernia? A hernia is a condition in which a portion of organ or soft tissue pushes through a hole or weak spot in a muscle or surrounding connective tissue that lines your abdomen or groin. It can be caused by an action that puts pressure or strain on an organ in that weak spot. Sometimes you can see the hernia, depending on its location and size. Certain activities can worsen the condition, like bending over or lifting...

19MayMay 19, 2020

Symptoms of a Stroke

Symptoms of a Stroke A stroke is caused by blockage or interruption of blood flow into or inside of the brain. Without a constant supply of oxygen, the tissue starts to die. Unless prompt medical treatment is given the sufferer may die or be left with permanent disability. Quick action can make all the difference. The American Stroke Association suggests the use of the F.A.S.T. acronym to recognize the symptoms of a stroke and to seek help if seen. Please...

01MayMay 1, 2020

ALS Awareness Month

ALS Awareness Month What is ALS? ALS is an abbreviation for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It is a chronic degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in both the brain and spinal cord. It is also commonly known as Lou Gerhig’s disease after the legendary baseball player who eventually succumbed to the illness. The term “amyotrophic” comes from the Greek language and translates to “no muscle nourishment,” referring to the deterioration of muscle control that occurs with ASL. Nerve transmission follows a path...

27AprApril 27, 2020

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment The volume of information we see and hear on a daily basis regarding the Covid-19 pandemic can be overwhelming. It has become increasingly difficult for the general public to determine what is relevant to know for the protection of their families. Guidelines for the public from agencies such as the CDC and the WHO are fairly consistent and can be utilized as a trustworthy reference. These sources have stated that the use of facial coverings, efficient hand...

19MarMarch 19, 2020

How to prevent infections

Infections are caused by microscopic organisms known as pathogens—bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites—that enter the body, multiply, and interfere with normal functions. Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Handwashing with soap removes germs from hands. This helps prevent infections because: People frequently touch their eyes, nose, and mouth without even realizing it. The first line of defense is to keep germs at bay by following...

19FebFebruary 19, 2020

Urinary Incontinence

Urinary Incontinence What happens in the body to cause bladder control problems? The body stores urine in the bladder. During urination, muscles in the bladder tighten to move urine into a tube called the urethra. At the same time, the muscles around the urethra relax and let the urine pass out of the body. When the muscles in and around the bladder don’t work the way they should, urine can leak. The loss of bladder control, or leaking urine, is...