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...
Bedridden or immobile patients are at risk of developing many different complications, including highly dreaded pressure sores. If developed, they can severely diminish the quality of life of the affected patient. The development of pressure sores also leads to an increase in patient care needed, as well as an increase in medical costs. It is estimated that the cost of treating pressure ulcers range from $9 billion to $12 billion annually. Pressure sores, also known as pressure ulcers, develop when...
Millions of Americans face the daily struggles of balancing family, career and home. As our population ages many of us are left to manage a loved one’s medical needs as well. Illness and injury are not something that most families consider until it is upon them. The unexpected brings with it many critical decisions that must be made during what can be a very emotional time. Many families live great distances apart, are struggling financially or are otherwise unable to...
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 loss and...
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 heavy objects....
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 from...
After an illness, injury, or surgery, you might work with a physical therapist to restore physical movement. Of course, all the work isn't done in the clinic: chances are, your therapist will give you instructions on how to do certain exercises and therapies at home. Your recovery rate and ability depend upon your commitment to following your therapist's instructions. Unfortunately, this isn't always easy though. Sometimes the demands of home and life distract us from sticking to the rehabilitation schedule....
Dementia is a debilitating condition that can affect just about anyone. As dementia progress in a person, they begin to lose their ability to react quickly. Their memory declines, and they begin to have problems with communication, mobility, and recognizing things that were once familiar. People with the condition also begin to have incontinence problems. With the deterioration of the mind, they sometimes do not realize when their bladder or bowel is full, nor do they have complete control to...
Family members and caregivers play an important role in facilitating healing when a patient is discharged from the hospital and can go home. This task can be daunting, as it often requires specialized equipment and some modifications to the home to help the patient live comfortably and heal safely. Make a list of the things you'll need before you leave the hospital, and prepare your home with the right equipment and supplies. We often take things for granted in our everyday...
Proper in-home care with safe treatment procedures and dressing wounds are essential to ensure that wounds heal better and infections do not occur. Proper wound dressing is a serious matter; precautions must be made to reduce risks of further health complications.
