Key Things to Know About Portable Oxygen Concentrators

Key Things to Know About Portable Oxygen Concentrators

A portable oxygen concentrator is an effective and compact solution for people affected by respiratory conditions. This medical device can help reduce the difficulty in breathing. The machine provides extra oxygen to the lungs, so it is usually prescribed when the oxygen levels in the blood drop way below what is considered normal. One should use oxygen concentrators after consulting an expert healthcare professional. Here is everything to know about the device: What is a portable oxygen concentrator? Portable oxygen concentrators are devices used by individuals who suffer from any type of respiratory condition or disorder. These machines help provide supplemental oxygen, making breathing easy for the individual. Portable concentrators are unlike traditional oxygen tanks as they offer more flexibility, and they eradicate the problem of having limited access to oxygen. The compact size of these concentrators makes them portable and allows the individual to maintain their quality of life while continuing with their daily routine. Other than disease-related use, the machine can also be recommended for things like altitude acclimatization, breathlessness, headaches, and jet lag. How does it work? Typically, the air we breathe has a greater amount of nitrogen and small amounts of oxygen. If one’s lungs work well, this concentration is not a problem.
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10 Ways Portable Oxygen Concentrators Make Life Easier

10 Ways Portable Oxygen Concentrators Make Life Easier

Portable oxygen concentrators are devices designed to assist patients with respiratory conditions or other ailments that cause breathing difficulty. They help individuals breathe without straining their lungs or adding pressure to their brains. The most significant benefit is that portable concentrators do not have to be refilled frequently and can be charged anytime, anywhere. They filter the surrounding air and collect concentrated oxygen, which is delivered to the patient through a nozzle. Convenience of use There are different kinds of portable oxygen concentrators, each with a unique functioning system. But irrespective of the type, these portable devices are convenient and easy to carry around without impacting day-to-day life. Given the wide range of choices, the canned oxygen concentrator is a suitable pick among the ones that are the easiest to use. It requires just one attachment to connect the nose and mouth mask to the spray nozzle. If one has been advised oxygen therapy and needs to monitor their oxygen intake, they can add a portable oxygen concentrator control panel to the setup. These panels track the pulse and oxygen flow and inform the user if something is wrong. Control panels also show the battery life of the concentrators, reminding the person to have a backup at hand.
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Managing COPD – Safe Food Options and What to Avoid

Managing COPD – Safe Food Options and What to Avoid

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung condition that causes blocked airflow from the lungs. The signs and symptoms include wheezing, coughing up mucus (sputum), and breathing difficulty. While lung damage is a severe condition, lifestyle changes and medical care can help control COPD symptoms. They can help maintain a healthy weight, reduce breathing difficulties and flare-ups, and prevent further problems. Here is a list of foods that can help reduce COPD symptoms. High-protein food COPD patients frequently experience difficulty eating, resulting in unexpected muscle loss, weight loss, and malnutrition. As a result, they cannot meet their calorie and protein requirements. If there is a protein deficiency in the nutritional plan or insufficient calories are taken in, the respiratory muscles, which must be extremely strong during COPD, shrink, weaken, and worsen breathing problems. Therefore, it is advised to include protein in meals twice a day. Milk, eggs, cheese, meat, fish, etc., are excellent protein sources. Choose proteins with more fat, such as whole milk, cheese, and yogurt, to gain weight. Foods rich in vitamin D People with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease eventually develop a vitamin D deficiency. It might be caused by using COPD prescriptions, which can interfere with the absorption of vitamin D.
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Effective ways to cut down on sugar intake

Effective ways to cut down on sugar intake

A generous helping of dessert is considered the perfect conclusion to a sumptuous meal. But the next time you head toward the dessert counter after a meal, think about the perils of excessive sugar intake. A whopping 11.3% of the population in the country suffers from diabetes, reflecting the predominance of unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle patterns. On the bright side, some basic tips and tricks can help you maintain your sugar levels effectively: Cut down on carbs The body converts carbohydrates to glucose, which is stored and utilized with the help of insulin. Consequently, excessive consumption of carbohydrates can cause a spike in sugar levels. Regulating your carb intake can help you lower blood sugar and increase metabolic rate. However, it is not advisable to eliminate carbohydrates, as they contain many essential nutrients. Small portions of carbohydrates and more proportions of protein and other nutrients in your meal plan can help regulate blood sugar. Exercise portion control Overeating is one of the leading causes of autoimmune diseases like type-2 diabetes, cholesterol, and heart problems. It is a good idea to measure your portion size and practice portion-control strategies like using smaller plates, avoiding leftover foods, and reading food labels carefully.
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What is Rheumatoid Arthritis and How to Manage its Symptoms

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis and How to Manage its Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful chronic condition. Although the onset can occur between the ages of 30 and 60 years, this condition generally affects people above the age of 65. RA is a condition where the immune system attacks the tissue lining the joints on both sides of the body, causing inflammation and pain in the fingers, hands, wrists, knees, ankles, and feet. It can also affect the lungs, heart, and eyes. What is rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an auto-immune, inflammatory disease that causes the lining of a joint to become inflamed, causing damage to the joint tissue. This damage can cause chronic pain, lack of balance, and deformities. Early RA tends to affect the smaller joints, such as fingers and toes first. As the disease progresses, this pain and discomfort can extend to the wrists, knees, elbows, hips, and shoulders. About 40% of people experience symptoms that do not affect their joints. Affected areas may include the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, kidneys, salivary glands, nerve tissue, bone marrow, and blood vessels. However, the symptoms of RA vary from person to person and can come and go. A period of increased inflammation and pain is known as a flare, and a period of little-to-no symptoms is known as remission.
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Things to Know Before Opting for Non-surgical Spinal Decompression

Things to Know Before Opting for Non-surgical Spinal Decompression

One does not need to undergo complicated procedures to treat chronic back or sciatic nerve pain brought on by herniated or degenerating spinal discs. An effortless and safe alternative therapy called spinal decompression has been helping many fix their back pain non-surgically. The procedure involves simple but effective methods to stretch and realign the spine. This article provides an overview of this therapy, explaining who should opt for it, its types, benefits, and more. What is spinal decompression therapy? The spinal column acts as the main support structure of the body. It consists of the vertebrae, ligaments, and disks that help keep it erect and flexible. Any spinal trauma, wear and tear, or compression due to injuries, age, or bad posture can cause severe pain. However, this can be treated through an FDA-approved surgical or non-surgical therapy called spinal decompression. The non-surgical option is quicker. It uses a unique traction table and other motorized equipment to move and stretch the spine in the right place, relieving pain in the back or legs. It also promotes better circulation of spinal fluids, nutrients, and self-healing by providing a supportive environment for bulging, deteriorating, or herniated discs. What are the types of non-surgical spinal decompression therapies?
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Key Things to Know About Hepatitis C

Key Things to Know About Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus primarily causes inflammation in the liver, and it affects an estimated 58 million people around the world. The hepatitis C infection can be chronic or acute, depending on the progression of the disease. This is one of the few viral infections that does not have a vaccination yet. However, it is possible to identify the signs, understand risk factors, and learn about preventive measures and treatments to manage the condition better. Causes and risk factors Hepatitis C spreads through contact, and a person can get infected in multiple ways. The infection from an already affected person can spread after coming in contact with their blood— through an organ transplant or by sharing personal grooming items. It is possible to contract the virus even while getting a tattoo if infected needles are used. Also, engaging in unprotected physical contact or mothers passing down the infection to the fetuses are possible modes of transmission. Earlier, there was also an elevated risk of contracting the virus through blood transfusion carried out for surgical procedures. However, it is not possible to transmit the virus by sharing food or coughing and sneezing. The transmission is also unlikely when an infected mother nurses a child.
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Everything to Know About Kidney Problems

Everything to Know About Kidney Problems

For the body to stay healthy, it needs to be in a state of chemical balance and free of waste and toxins. Kidneys, a pair of fist-size organs, help the body remove excess fluids and filter waste through the urine. However, kidneys may stop working at their optimum capacity when affected by diseases or abnormalities, leading to waste and toxin buildup. To prevent these issues, one should know the signs and risk factors for kidney problems.  Understanding kidney diseases According to a study published in the Kidney International Supplements Journal, nearly 800 million people around the world suffer from chronic kidney disease. Each kidney has millions of nephrons, also known as filtering units of the body. Nephrons filter almost 200 quarts of fluid daily and remove it from the body in the form of urine, optimizing renal function. When the kidneys experience a gradual loss of function over time, it leads to chronic kidney or renal disease characterized by poor waste removal. The accumulated waste harms not only the kidneys but also other organs in the body. Unchecked chronic kidney disease may lead to kidney failure or complete loss of function of this organ. What causes kidney issues? Several factors put one at a higher risk of developing kidney diseases.
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Crohn’s Disease – Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Crohn’s Disease – Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Crohn’s disease is listed among the lifelong form of inflammatory bowel conditions. This inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is so powerful that it can cause chronic inflammation of a person’s gastrointestinal tract. This chronic disease affects large and small bowels and can affect the functioning of any part of one’s GI tract. Crohn’s disease can lead to diarrhea and stomach cramps. Here are a few things to know about this disease, including its symptoms, causes, and treatment options. O verview As mentioned above, Crohn’s disease is one of the lifelong form of inflammatory bowel disease. However, the reason for Crohn’s disease is still unknown.. It is said that it results from a combination of factors such as genetic, environmental, and a wayward immune system. Family history has a significant role to play in this. If there is a family history of irritable bowel disorder, there are more chances that a person can develop this disease too. Moreover, people who have Crohn’s disease are at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer.  There is no surgical cure for this disease. Surgery is only a temporary solution but is used when other treatment options are not enough to keep the disease under control. Crohn’s disease can take a severe toll 0n a person’s body, and health.
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Foods to Eat and Avoid for Better Kidney Health

Foods to Eat and Avoid for Better Kidney Health

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs responsible for maintaining and managing fluid balance in the human body. Kidney diseases are prevalent these days, and experts are conducting research to determine if a person’s nutrition plan could be causing them. Accordingly, they have come up with a few foods to have and avoid to manage kidney health and lower the risk of disorders associated with the organ. Consult a doctor before making these nutritional changes. Foods to eat It has been found that foods with less sodium, potassium, and phosphorus are ideal for keeping the kidneys healthy and functioning optimally. Some options to consider for managing kidney health in a better way are: Cabbage Cabbage belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family and has a wealth of potent plant compounds, several essential minerals, and vitamins C, K, and B. It also has less potassium, sodium, and phosphorus. You may either add cabbage to salads and soups or eat it as is after adding a dash of pepper and salt. Cauliflower Like cabbage, cauliflower has many essential nutrients like folate and vitamins K, C, and B. Further, it is loaded with fiber and anti-inflammatory compounds known as indoles. You may opt for mashed cauliflower as a low-potassium alternative for mashed potatoes for better kidney health.
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