Check out my latest slideshow on HealthCentral. Included are ten practical tips to making the most of your doctors' visits.Top 10 Things to Tell Your Doctor If You Have MS
Showing posts with label Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tips. Show all posts
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Make the Most of Your Doctors' Visits
Check out my latest slideshow on HealthCentral. Included are ten practical tips to making the most of your doctors' visits.Top 10 Things to Tell Your Doctor If You Have MS
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Winter Survival Tips
Surviving winter is about more than keeping warm taking extra pain
medication with you live with RA, it is about being proactive and keeping ahead of the dangers
and/or negative effects of winter.
Gloves vs. mittens.
Avoid gloves that are too tight as they can restrict blood circulation and aggrevate Raynaud’s syndrome. Consider wearing mittens instead. Mittens allow your fingers to warm each other and provide extra room in which you can insert disposable “hand warmers” to keep arthritis joints warm and toasty.
Exercise.
Too easily, people can become less active during the winter months; however, immobility works against RA. Muscles contribute to the strength and stability of joints and need regular activity to stay healthy. Stretching and gentle range of motion exercises are essential. Exercise can decrease RA pain by keeping joints and cartilage healthy, while also helping to reduce symptoms of depression which are common during the winter months.
Heated pools are good.
Clear snow and ice.
To prevent frost from forming on your car’s windows, spritz the outer surface of the window with a mixture of 3 parts vinegar and 1 part water once you are done with errands for the day. To make snow shoveling easier, spray your shovel with aerosol cooking spray beforehand to help the snow glide right off.
Stay safe.
Wet conditions of winter can be treacherous and we want to avoid falling to reduce the risk of injury. Wear sturdy, supportive shoes with good tread (sometimes tennis shoes are the worse shoes to wear on slippery surfaces) and try to avoid walking on ice. You may be better off walking through fresh snow, providing natural traction. Also, ask your doctor about obtaining a ‘handicapped’ parking permit to allow you to park closer to your destination and consider using a mobility aid such as a walking cane for the added stability.
Rest up and relax.
Hydrate and moisturize.
Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated from the inside out. Protect your skin by keeping it moisturized. As a musician, it is important that I keep my lips, part of my playing instrument, soft and supple by locking in moisture. I like to use plain vaseline or A+D® Original Ointment as Chapstick makes my lips feel dry.
Avoid getting sick.
Take medication as prescribed.
Have fun and watch for longer days to come.
Read this post in its entirety:
Surviving Winter with RA
Gloves vs. mittens.
Avoid gloves that are too tight as they can restrict blood circulation and aggrevate Raynaud’s syndrome. Consider wearing mittens instead. Mittens allow your fingers to warm each other and provide extra room in which you can insert disposable “hand warmers” to keep arthritis joints warm and toasty.
Exercise.
Too easily, people can become less active during the winter months; however, immobility works against RA. Muscles contribute to the strength and stability of joints and need regular activity to stay healthy. Stretching and gentle range of motion exercises are essential. Exercise can decrease RA pain by keeping joints and cartilage healthy, while also helping to reduce symptoms of depression which are common during the winter months.
Heated pools are good.
Clear snow and ice.
To prevent frost from forming on your car’s windows, spritz the outer surface of the window with a mixture of 3 parts vinegar and 1 part water once you are done with errands for the day. To make snow shoveling easier, spray your shovel with aerosol cooking spray beforehand to help the snow glide right off.
Stay safe.
Wet conditions of winter can be treacherous and we want to avoid falling to reduce the risk of injury. Wear sturdy, supportive shoes with good tread (sometimes tennis shoes are the worse shoes to wear on slippery surfaces) and try to avoid walking on ice. You may be better off walking through fresh snow, providing natural traction. Also, ask your doctor about obtaining a ‘handicapped’ parking permit to allow you to park closer to your destination and consider using a mobility aid such as a walking cane for the added stability.
Rest up and relax.
Hydrate and moisturize.
Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated from the inside out. Protect your skin by keeping it moisturized. As a musician, it is important that I keep my lips, part of my playing instrument, soft and supple by locking in moisture. I like to use plain vaseline or A+D® Original Ointment as Chapstick makes my lips feel dry.
Avoid getting sick.
Take medication as prescribed.
Have fun and watch for longer days to come.
Read this post in its entirety:
Surviving Winter with RA
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Stay Cool This Summer
Summer is my husband’s favorite season. He absolutely loves the
heat. I personally enjoy springtime when the air is crisp and the
plants are blooming.
Keeping cool is the key to enjoying those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.
Cover up:
Strategies for Keeping Cool with MS in the Summer Heat
Keeping cool is the key to enjoying those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.
Cover up:
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes that cover more of your body, and protect your skin from the sun’s rays, to help keep cool in low humidity heat.
- Choose loosely-woven natural fabrics (cotton, silk, linen), rather than polyester, rayon, or other artificial fibers which don’t “breathe”.
- Wear light colored clothing to help reflect heat. Darker colors absorb the sun’s heat and stay warmer longer.
- Articles of clothing designed to wick moisture from the body and dry quickly may be helpful in high humidity environments.
- Sit in the shade and avoid strenuous activity during peak sunlight hours (10 am - 3 pm).
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine. A hydrated body is better able to regulate temperature. Try drinking at least 8 ounces of water every hour to stay hydrated in the heat.
- Run cold water over your wrists for 10 seconds on each hand to help cool down.
- Fill an inexpensive spray bottle with water and use it to mist yourself. In a breeze, water on the skin evaporates and helps to cool the body in a similar manner to perspiration.
- Wrap a wet handkerchief, towel, or cloth around the back of the neck.
- Take a cool bath or jump in the pool and go swimming.
- Drink iced beverages. Frozen beverages, such as “slurpees”, or popsicles can help provide temporary relief.
- Freeze bottles of water and sip on the water as it melts throughout the day.
- Hold ice cubes, ice packs, or anything frozen against the inside of the wrists, back of the neck, or top of the head to provide quick relief.
- Snack on frozen bite-sized pieces of fruit, such as pineapple chunks, banana slices, blueberries, or grapes.
Strategies for Keeping Cool with MS in the Summer Heat
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