Thursday, May 9, 2013

Back Pain can be treated to give you relief

How Back Pain Starts 

When considering back pain we must concern ourselves with its variants. For instance, back pain can start with slip disks, which in medical terms is called “Herniated nucleus pulposa.” (HNP) Doctors define slip disks as ruptures of the “intervertebral disk.” The intervertebral rests between the vertebrae (Spinal Column) of the backbone.

The interruption has variants, including the “Lumbrosacral,” (L4 and L5) as well as cervical C5-7. The cervical is at the neck and belongs to other parts of the back and neck as well. When doctors consider slip disks they often look through etiology, which includes neck and back strains, trauma, congenital/inborn bone malformation, heavy lifting, degenerated disks, and/or weakness of ligaments.

After carefully considering, etiology doctors consider Pathophysiology, which includes protrusions of the “nucleus pulposus.” The center connects to the column or spinal canal and perhaps compressing the spinal cord or the nerve core, or roots, which causes back pain. If the spinal cord is compressed restraining the roots and cord often back pain, numbness, and the motor functions may fail.

The assessments in medical terms are based on Lumbrosacral, which may include acute or chronic pain at the lower back. The pain may spread out to the buttocks and move toward the legs. The person may feel weakness, as well as numbness. In addition, such pain can cause tingling around the legs and foot. The final assessment may include ambulation, which emerges from pain.

The cervical is considered. The symptoms experts look for is neck rigidity, deadness, weakness, and “tingling of the” hands. If the neck pain spreads the pain down to the arms and continue to the hands, experts will consider slip disks. Yet other symptoms may occur, such as weakness that affects the farthest points, or the higher boundaries of the body. The lumbar curves is at the lower back region and is situated in the loins or the smaller area of the back, which doctors consider also, especially if the patient has difficult straightening this area with the curvature of the spine (scoliosis) and away from the area influenced.

When doctors consider back pain, they will review the diagnostics after conducting a series of tests. Diagnostics may arise from tendon reflex, x-rays, EMG, myelograms, CSF, and/or Laséque signs. CSF helps the doctor to analyze the increases in protein while EMG assists experts in viewing the involvement of the spinal nerves. X-rays are used to help experts see the narrow disk space. Tendon reflexes are tested, which the doctors use tests to look deep into the depressed region, or the absent upper boundary reflexes, or in medical lingo the Achilles' reactions or reflex. Myelograms assist the expert in seeing if the spinal cord is compressed. The tests start if the Laséque signs show positive results behind etiology findings, Pathophysiology, assessments, and so on.

How doctors manage slip disks:
Doctors prescribe management in medical schemes to isolate or relieve back pain. The management schemes may include diet whereas the calories are set according to the patient’s metabolic demands. The doctor may increase fiber intake, as well as force fluids.

Additional treatment or management may include hot pads, moisture, etc, as well as hot compressions. Doctors often recommend pain meds as well, such as those with NAID.
The pain medications include:
  • Motrin
  • Naproxen
  • Dolobid, or Diflunisal
  • Indocin
  • Ibuprofen
  • and so on. 
Additional medications may include muscle Relaxers, such as Flexeril and Valiums. The common Relaxers are diazepam and cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride, which diazepam is valiums and the other Flexeril.
Orthopedic mechanisms are also prescribed to reduce back pain, which include cervical collars and back braces.

Stretching to Avoid Back Pain

back bracesStretch exercises is a great way to avoid back pain, since it stretches the muscles, joints, bones, etc, thus promoting fluid and blood flow. Stretch workouts include shoulder shrug, triceps, arm, leg, trunk, torso, and other stretches. To help you avoid back pain we can perform a few workouts to help you stretch those muscles.

Starting with the shoulders, stand erect. Rest your hands upon the hips and shrug them shoulders. Rotate the shoulders in slow motion and to the back up to ten counts. Next, perform the same actions; yet rotate the shoulders in slow motion toward the front.

Working the triceps:

Triceps is the extensor muscles, which require stretching to avoid tension. Stand erect and lift your arm (Right) and rest the tips of your fingers on the shoulder. (Right) Use your free hand and push it against the opposite elbow. If possible, lower the fingers down the length of your back while pushing the elbow. Count to eight and perform the same actions on the opposite side.

Next, stretch them arms. Form a circle. First, stand erect while keeping your feet at shoulder length. Level the arms and stretch them outward in sync with the shoulders. Circle and bring the arms ahead. Count to ten and perform the same actions on the opposite side. Circle the arms largely as feasible.

Now work that torso. Stand erect, keep your feet at in alignment with the shoulders and gradually rotate (Starting at the waist), and then stretching to one side. Stretch ahead and move your body in rotation to the opposite side. Extend back and around again to the opposite side. Continue on each side.

Work that trunk:

Stand erect, keep the feet the length of your shoulders and slightly apart. Bend the knees slightly. Lock the fingers behind the head, and bend starting at the waistline, touching your right knee, joining it with the elbow on the right side. Next, rotate the torso, or trunk, rotating it to the left and then touch your left knee. Extend backwards to you are standing erect again.

Once you are standing erect, slightly move your feet apart and bend the knees somewhat. Lift your arms to the height of your shoulders and grip the hands while turning to the side, starting at the waistline. Hold, count to five and do the same on the opposite side. Next, keep the hips and legs motionless as you turn the upper section of your body, only. 

  • Stand erect, while extending the hands down at the sides. Bend the knees somewhat and gradually lift the arm as far as you can reach over the head. Slowly, glide the free arm, sliding it down to the leg, and pull the arm so that it is over the head as high as you can reach. Push down and onto the thigh, returning to standing position. Continue on the opposite side and do three reps.
  • Stand erect, keeping the feet at length with your shoulders. Bend the elbows at the height of your shoulders. Join your fingertips and gently fling the arms toward the back, staying consistent with the height of the shoulders. Continue the action on each side, counting to ten as you move along.
  • Continue, Stand erect, and grip your hands, joining them and extending them behind the back. Lift the hands up and out as high as you can reach. Count to five and lower. Stand erect and keep the feet at the length of your shoulders. Bend the knees somewhat and lock your fingers, while raising the arms to the height of your shoulders. 
Once in position, push the arms ahead. Do not lean to the front. Stretch and count to ten. Perform the same actions, counting to five.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

OneTouch Glucose Meters come in various models

If you are looking for an new glucose meter, there are a lot of great options out there.  It's important to find an blood glucose meter that fits your needs. Asking your doctor what kind of meter will work best for you will help you find one that is going to fit you the best. Be sure that you are discussing all of the diabetes supplies options with your physician.

One of the most common brands of glucose meters is OneTouch. OneTouch is made by Johnson and Johnson and one of their smallest meters is the OneTouch UltraMini.  This glucose reader is so small it fits in little places and it is portable.  It is also very discreet; people don’t have to know that you are carrying a glucose meter or that you are using it.  The mini also comes in a variety of great colors so that you can have one that fits you.

Another OneTouch meter is the Ultra2.  This meter is fast and gentle.  It uses OneTouch Ultra test strips, give test results in a very short amount of time and takes a small amount of blood.  This is so great for getting fast results for your glucose levels, especially when you need to know what is going on with your sugar levels after meals.

For people that have an insulin pump, there is also a OneTouch meter that assists with that. It's called the OneTouch UltraLink and it will wirelessly communicate to a specific insulin pump to make it a lot easier to manage your blood sugar.  This helps you determine what insulin doses you are giving yourself through the insulin pump.

Aside from these meters, there are a few others that you can look at.  Be sure that you are shopping for the option that is the best for you, and find a quality glucose meter.  You’ll love being able to know exactly what your glucose levels are when you need to and that's what the OneTouch meters do.  So stop wondering what your blood glucose levels are and start managing your diabetes.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Can I keep my doctor when I get Medicare?

Under most circumstances when you are covered by Medicare Part B you will be able to keep your current doctor. However some doctors are not accepting new Medicare patients. This is occurring for many different reasons. Some of the reasons are related to the new health care program that is going to take effect in the near future.

When you do change from your current health care provider to Medicare you should ask your current doctor if they have a problem with being paid by Medicare. But you also should let them know if you have a secondary or supplemental insurance that covers the 20% that Medicare does not pay to the doctor if it applies.

Your Medicare Part B is intended to pay for the doctors services that you use. If you don’t have a secondary or supplemental insurance you will have to pay the amount that is not covered by Medicare.

If you move you have to take into consideration that you will have to find a new doctor. You can ask your current doctor if they have any recommendations in the town or city that you will be moving to. There are a lot of rumors about whether there are doctors in many parts of the country that will accept new Medicare patients. These rumors are not always true. You simply have to ask when you choose a doctor and also find out if they accept Medicare assignment. Of course, you can also ask your new neighbors when you move for recommendations also.

If you move or have to change doctors for another reason, you will have to authorize that new doctor to obtain your existing medical records. This is important so the new doctor can see what you have been treated for and what medications you are currently on and have been on in the past.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

One Touch Ultralink by LifeScan communicates with Insulin Pump

Advanced Diabetes Supply carries testing supplies for the OneTouch UltraLink Meter used with the MiniMed Medtronic Insulin Pump.
OneTouch UltraLink Glucose Meter for use with MiniMed Medtronic Insulin Pump

Wireless. Worry less.
The OneTouch UltraLink Meter wirelessly sends your test results to your MiniMed Paradigm insulin pump*, making bolus dosing easier and more accurate.† The OneTouch UltraLink Meter is now featured as part of the MiniMed Paradigm REAL-Time System!

Get supplies for your OneTouch UltraLink Meter from Advanced Diabetes Supply. Click Here.
Enjoy simplicity, convenience and confidence with the OneTouch® UltraLink™ Meter:

Fast and easy
  • Wireless communication of test results eliminates extra button pushes and simplifies bolus dosing
  • Results in just 5 seconds, plus up and down arrows for scrolling
  • Features such as before- and after-meal averages make it easy to manage your diabetes around mealtimes

Accurate
  • Proven to offer a high degree of accuracy across the full range of glucose values
  • Wireless transmission of results to the MiniMed Paradigm Bolus Wizard calculator eliminates data entry mistakes and reduces the risk of bolus dosing errors

Uses OneTouch Ultra Test Strips - The #1 selling test strip in the U.S.
  • OneTouch Test Strips are on the preferred list at the lowest co-pay by more health plans than any other test strip

Download test results to:
  • CareLink Wireless USB Device
  • OneTouch Diabetes Management Software

It comes with the accessories you need
  • OneTouch Lancing Device
  • OneTouch Ultra Control Solution
  • 10 OneTouch UltraSoft Lancets
  • Mini carrying case, batteries, and logbook
  • Owner’s Booklet and Quick Reference Guide
  • OneTouch AST Clear Cap for testing on forearm or palm‡


Get your OneTouch UltraLink Supplies! Order Online Here!

Friday, November 23, 2007

Glucose Meters on the market today!

Everyone out there wants the most accurate glucose meter, highest quality and don't forget a glucose meter that takes as little blood as possible. Well here you will find the newest glucose meters on the market. These meters take as little as 5 seconds to give you a test result and only require a speck of blood and by a speck I mean less than a microliter.
Some manufacturers include, LifeScan, Bayer, AgaMatrix, Diagnostic Devices Inc., Invictus Scientific, Sanvita, Abbott Diabetes Care, Roche, and many more.
LifeScan- A Johnson & Johnson company, they have numerous meters on the market today, the newest being the One Touch Select, which is exclusively for mail order customers, it is designed with the diabetic in mind. It has a test time that rivals the most expensive meters on the market but comes in at a price below the line. The line of One Touch meters include the One Touch Basic, One Touch Profile, One Touch Ultrasmart, One Touch Ultra, One Touch Ultra 2, One Touch Ultra Mini, and the newest addition, the One Touch Select.
Bayer- Another one of the powerhouse glucose meter companies on the market. Bayer, also known in the diabetes supplies world as "Ascensia" has a variety of different meters for people of all walks of life. No Coding meters is their main selling point, although they do also have a meter that allows a diabetic to load a disc of 10 strips and never have to handle a single strip. This No Coding meter is the called the Breeze. Bayer recently updated this meter and released a new version, the Ascensia Breeze 2, same concept except it takes less time to give you a glucose reading and takes less blood.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Welcome to the Glucose Post!

The purpose of the Glucose Post is to provide every Diabetic with information regarding their overall health as well as become a vast information source. The Glucose Post will be updated frequently by a CDE (Certified Diabetes Educator).
Articles will pertain specifically to issues that Diabetics and their friends, family, and caregivers are faced with.
The Glucose Post is here for you if you are a diabetic, so please stop by frequently, bookmark us and tell your friends.