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 loss and...
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 heavy objects....
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 visit...
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 from...
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 good...
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...
Complete Physical Therapy as Instructed at Home
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....
Restore Independence from Diminished Hearing and Vision
As a person gets older their hearing and vision may start to weaken. It is a common occurrence among seniors, and it does not make life easy, particularly if that person has always been independent. Diminished hearing and vision could tug at pride and may be quite depressing. Seniors may try to deny that their hearing […]
Find the Right Crutches for Mobility and Comfort
Mobility limitations can come on suddenly, requiring loved ones to assist with the ordinary activities of life without warning. Crutches can become helpful when a person can bear some weight and needs to remain active, but cannot walk as they did before. It's critical to the healing process to find the right crutches for each person, and then to size them correctly for maximum comfort to encourage correct use to prevent delays in healing.