Medical Supplies Blog

When stroke symptoms begin to show up immediate treatment is crucial to insure the stroke patient makes the best possible recovery. Especially with elderly stroke victims, a stroke can have serious consequences unless treated immediately.

Often stroke victims ignore early warning signs until it is too late. When the paralysis associated with stroke strikes, it can quickly leave them unable to reach a phone and call for help. Elderly stroke victims who live alone are especially at risk, since it can be hours or even days before they are found.

To help prevent a tragedy, it is important that senior citizen who live alone and those who are at risk for stroke have an emergency notification system in place such as the Philips Lifeline Medical Alert Service to notify emergency medical personnel when they need help.

The Philips Lifeline Medical Alert Service helps over 500,000 seniors live independently without having to worry about an emergency in their own homes. In the medical alert service industry for over 30 years, Philips Lifeline personnel respond the push of a button worn around the patient’s wrist or neck. Trained associates, who have critical information on the patient, can dispatch an ambulance, a family member, or even a neighbor to help in seconds. Whether it is heart attack, stroke, or fall, the Philips Lifeline Medical Alert Service provides fast response to prevent an accident from turning into a tragedy.

For more information on Philips Lifeline Medical Alert Service, click here: Philips Lifeline Medical Alert Contact Form

Many of us have experienced the frustration of our vision diminishing over time. We have difficulty reading fine print and so we squint our eyes, hold the literature at arms length or just give up and have someone else read it to us. So often we are on the go and need assistance reading labels in the grocery store or reading menus at the dimly lit restaurant. Well, we are now blessed to live in a day and age where many products have been created to help make our lives easier.

Take the Traveller+ Portable Flat Screen Video Magnifier for example. This Magnifier is lightweight and designed for travel. It helps those with macular degeneration and impaired vision by magnifying images up to 16 times on its 6.25″ high quality video screen. It offers full color, black and white, and reverse settings for maximum contrast. Whether you are reading magazines, writing checks, taking notes, or reading maps, this compact low vision device will suit your individual vision needs at home or on the go. Click this link to read more about this helpful magnifier.

Another exciting product to be aware of is the Compact+ Handheld Electronic Magnifier. Small enough to fit in a purse, briefcase, or schoolbag, the Compact+ Handheld Electronic Magnifier is a high-quality low vision device that you can take with you anywhere. Featuring superior image quality on its own integrated 4.3″ widescreen, the Compact+ Handheld Electronic Magnifier is great for reading small print and looking at pictures anytime and anywhere. Read prescription bottles, menus from your favorite restaurants, credit card receipts, and your mail. You can view more details by clicking this link.

To check out other low vision aids and low vision products, be sure to visit http://www.activeforever.com

Companies from all over the country are selling air purifiers these days. And why not? Even though they are not cheap, the health benefits associated with using an air purifier make it worth every penny to have an air purification system in both your home and office. People spend the majority of their lives indoors where they are subject to pollens, dust mites, bacteria, germs, viruses… even dead human skin! The EPA estimates that the air quality indoors can actually be up to 50% worse than the air quality outdoors.

Spring is just around the corner. While Spring means warmer weather and blooming flowers, it can also be a miserable time for those with asthma and allergies. Air purifiers help remove pollutants from the air that can create havoc in your sinuses, helping you to breath better and not sneeze as often.

So when it comes time to purchase an air purifier, you are stuck with the inevitable question: “Which air purifier is best for me?” An assortment of models exist, each with their own features, benefits, and air cleaning method. It can be difficult to decide which one is best for you.

The folks over at ActiveForever have created an easy to read “How to Choose the Best Air Purifier” Air Purifier Comparison Article that spells out the differences between the more popular models for both home and office use.

Click here to read the comparison: How to Choose the Best Air Purifier for Your Home or Office - An Air Purifier Comparison Between the Top Brands

Read the comparison and make a note of what your specific needs are before you choose an air purifier for your home or office.

Because so much of your weight rests upon your ankles, an ankle injury, such as an ankle sprain, can be tough to make a full recovery from. As someone who has to deal with weak ankles and has been plagued by ankle injuries for years, I understand the difficulty associated with getting back on your feet again after a sprain, strain, or break.

The BAPS Board (Biomechanical Ankle Platform System) introduces a safe, effective, and fully adjustable way to do ankle exercises during the recovery process. You can enjoy controlled, calibrated, and predictable stress on your lower leg, foot, and ankle to help strengthen the joint and speed up recovery. Five different hemispherical attachments allow the user to increase or decrease the range of motion while the included weights create different levels of resistance.

This product is great for Physical Therapists - the BAPS Board can be kept in the office to be used by patients with sprained ankles, strains, and trauma from overuse as well as patients in post-operative and post-immobilization situations. Coaches, personal trainers, and athletes will find the BAPS Board to be a useful tool for screening, training, conditioning, and preventing injuries.

All in all, the BAPS Board is great tool for recovery from and prevention of lower extremity injuries. For more information on the BAPS Board, visit http://www.activeforever.com

The flu season has been rough this year. It has swept through our office, causing almost everyone to miss work at some point, and keeping the flu from spreading has been nearly impossible.

What many people fail to realize is that the cold, flu, and other illnesses can be spread by germs in the office and home. Taking proper precautions to prevent the spread of germs can help the cold and flu season pass without you, your coworkers, and your family getting sick.

The Zadro Nano UV Wand Disinfection Light Scanner uses the principles of ultraviolet light to help rid surfaces of germs quickly. It kills germs quickly with no side effects, and features a timed switch to help conserve battery life. Use it on counters, mattresses, pillows, and bathroom surfaces. The UV Wand folds for easy storage and is battery operated so it can be taken anywhere.

Sometimes a good, old-fashioned disinfectant cleaner is the best solution to prevent the spread of germs. Agion SilverClene 24 offers hospital-grade cleaning ability in an odorless, colorless, and non-corrosive formula. Agion SilverClene 24 helps rid surfaces of bacteria, germs, and viruses, but also has the ability to help protect you from infectious diseases like MRSA, VRE, and HIV. Besides being ideal for the home or office, this product is found in long-term care facilities, hospitals, gyms, and restaurants.

“Clean air leads to clean living.” I’m pretty sure some wise person said that. In any case, they were right. An effective air purifier can pull germs, bacteria, and allergens out of the air, helping to prevent the spread of illness. The Airfree Onix 3000 Air Purifier is one of the most effective models, destroying 99.9% of mold, mildews, viruses, bacteria, and airborne allergens in a 650 square foor area. It draws the dirty air in, heats it up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, then dispenses the air at a relatively warm temperature. There are no filters to replace so the Airfree Onix 3000 is maintenance free, and the sounds of the fan are hardly noticeable.

Taking the proper precautions to help prevent the spread of germs, such as using the products mentioned above, can prevent you, your coworkers, and your loved ones from getting sick. For more information on these and other products to help prevent the spread of germs, visit: http://www.activeforever.com

While the Medical Supplies Blog is a great resource for information and reviews on products for a variety of conditions, those who have had a stroke or know someone who has should check out the Stroke Rehab and Recovery Products Blog.

The Stroke Rehab and Recovery Products Blog is a new blog that focuses on products specifically designed for stroke victims. They discuss products for the bathroom, the bedroom, the kitchen, physical therapy, and mobility. Each of the products they feature is designed to either help stroke patients rehabilitate and recover motor functions, lead an independent lifestyle, and prevent future strokes from occuring.

Serving as a resource of information and a forum for discussion, the Stroke Rehab and Recovery Products Blog is open to stroke survivors, loved ones or friends of stroke patients, doctors, therapists, and healthcare providers. Be sure to check it out and leave a comment!

If you work in a somewhat crowded office like those of us here at the Medical Supplies Blog, you know how quickly one person’s illness can affect the entire staff. Bacteria and viruses, combined with mold and dust, can travel through the air quickly, infecting everyone in an enclosed area.

Because we have access to several models of air purifiers, it was difficult to decide which one would be best for our office. After researching several models, we selected the Airfree Onix 3000 Air Purifier from ActiveForever. Because we work in cubicles in a relatively large room, the Onix’s ability to clean air in a 650 square foot space was perfect.

The Airfree Onix 3000 Air Purifier is completely silent so it does not interrupt our conversations, phone calls, or train of thought. The attractive design, with its black finish and soft blue lights, blends well with our office décor and equipment. It is completely maintenance free, uses very little power, and does not use filters or UV lamps. It is great for the home or office.

For more information on the Airfree Onix 3000 Air Purifier and how it works, go to http://www.activeforever.com.

Madonna uses it to stay in incredible shape well into middle age. Shaquille O’Neal used it to recover from surgery for the 2002-2003 NBA season. The NFC Champion New York Giants use it to keep their players out of the training room and on the field. Finally, in a recent independent research study, it helped senior citizens in a retirement home regain lost balance and mobility after only 6 weeks of use.

The Power Plate is an incredible machine that offers a variety of benefits for users from all walks of life by using Acceleration Training and Whole Body Vibration. Athletes enjoy the ability to get an effective strength training workout without the need for heavy weights in a fraction of the usual time. The Power Plate also helps them to heal from muscle and tendon injuries faster by improving blood pressure and helping oxygen to reach inflamed areas.

Elderly patients and caregivers have enjoyed the Power Plate’s ability to give them greater mobility, better blood pressure, improved balance, and increased bone density while personal trainers and those looking to get in shape enjoy the way the power plate helps them to lose fat and cellulite. When used in conjunction with treatments such as Far Infrared Heat Therapy, whole body vibration can be even more effective for improving the patient’s way of life.

For more information on the technology behind the Power Plate and the health benefits of whole body vibration, click the link here: Power Plate and Whole Body Vibration Information

The Power Plate is available in 4 versions depending on your preferences and whether the machine will be for personal or commercial use. Visit http://www.activeforever.com for more information on each version of the Power Plate.

When the average athlete, such as myself, first looks at a Pilates workout, they usually think, “That’s not a workout, it’s just stretching.” Then they try it… and find out that it really is a great workout!

Often thought of as a boutique form of exercise for the wealthy, Pilates is quickly becoming one of the most popular forms of exercise and stress relief amongst all age groups and fitness levels regardless of income. Many celebrities, ranging from young actresses to middle-aged rock stars attribute their health and enviable bodies to Pilates workouts. Unfortunately, the costs of Pilates instruction can be expensive. Between the equipment, studio rental, and the instructors expensive education, the cost of Pilates classes still discourages many from trying it or continuing a program.

Now there is an afforable solution that enables anyone to enjoy the health benefits of a Pilates program: the PilatesStick. Developed by physiologist and personal trainer Charles Blount, the Pilates Stick offers users the ability to perform Pilates workouts in a studio or at home. The high quality covered elastic tubing protects your skin from being pinched while the comfortable foot straps keep your feet secured, allowing you get the most from your Pilates workout. The PilatesStick is easily attached to other pieces of workout equipment or can be shut in a door with the foam door anchors. It includes an instructional DVD to get you started as well as a workout mat and carrying case.

If you are looking to keep your New Year’s resolution to get fit, need a healthy way to unwind from a stressful day, or are simply looking for a low impact exercise for fitness or rehabilitation, we recommend the PilatesStick for all of your fitness needs. For more information on this device, please visit: http://www.activeforever.com.

When most people hear the word “sauna”, they think of a miserably hot room where people sit and sweat in silence. No entertainment of any sorts, just a small room kept at a suffocating temperature full of stale air. Despite this lack of comfort and amenities, saunas are widely used due to the health benefits of sweating out toxins.

Thanks to the Far Infrared Home Sauna, sauna therapy has becomes more comfortable and much more cost effective to have in your home. Using roughly the same amount of power as a high dryer, the Far Infrared Home Sauna heats your body without heating the air around it by using far infrared heat technology. The infrared rays penetrate deep into the soft tissue of your body, heating and loosening tight muscles and providing warm relief to sore joints. As explained in the article “Far Infrared Heat Therapy - The Latest Innovation in Pain Relief, Blood Circulation and Healing” and an earlier blog that we posted (click here to view our far infrared heat therapy blog), infrared heat therapy offers users a variety of health benefits including reduction of cellulite, restoring elasticity to skin, removing toxins from your body, and increasing blood circulation.

Far infrared heat therapy is available in a variety of applications, but I have found the far infrared sauna to be the most enjoyable. Besides the adjustable heat levels and timer, the far infrared home sauna includes an AM/FM Stereo CD Player and an integrated reading light. With the use of an FM transmitter you can even get your iPod to play through the sauna’s stereo system! Whether you suffer from arthritis, are sore from work or a tough workout, need a way to relieve stress and tension, or deal with back pain from an old injury like me, nothing compares to the effectiveness of spending time in a far infrared sauna.