Tag Archives: healthy

How to Manage Lymphedema Swelling

12/14/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

The thing about lymphedema is that you must learn how to manage the swelling that comes with it. It’s not easy, but there are various ways for you to manage your lymphedema so that you can avoid complications and reduce fluid buildup. Here are some ways you can effectively manage lymphedema swelling:

A lymphedema pump

Whether you have upper extremity lymphedema or lower extremity lymphedema, there is something that can help you with any type of swelling you may have: a lymphedema pump.

While those with lymphedema have to learn how to treat their issues with a massage at home or with a physical therapist, there are devices designed to do it for them. The process is more relaxing and effective for those already dealing with pain and discomfort. It helps stimulate lymphatic function while decreasing swelling, significantly improving a patient’s quality of life.

Compression garments help

Compression garments are common among those dealing with lymphedema as they can greatly reduce swelling and discomfort. Patients with lymphedema are encouraged to wear them throughout the day while taking them off to sleep at night.

It may take some time to get used to wearing them. For those who are fashion-forward, the good news is that there are designs made to be easily hidden, depending on your affected area. For those who have to show their affected area, for example, your arms, you’ll find that there are some garments that have been designed with fashion and trends in mind. Beyond the stylish factor of these garments, you want to be sure you’re wearing the right compression level for your needs.

Don’t forget your exercise

Getting daily exercise can help manage the swelling as well. It can be focused exercises for the affected area, as well as daily movement like going for a walk with your pup or going to a gym with an indoor pool to get some laps in.

Movement helps blood flow, but more importantly, the flow of fluids to avoid them collecting in the affected area. Join a gym, buy weights and exercise equipment for your home, or simply practice yoga with online fitness classes in the comfort of your home.

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Eat well and manage your stress

From the foods you eat to the way you live your life, it’s important to decrease stress along with inflammatory foods if you want to manage lymphedema swelling effectively. Foods you should be eating include ginger, garlic, turmeric, berries, fish, greens, and more.

A diet rich in antioxidants could be especially beneficial. When you don’t have time to cook, consider ordering a food subscription designed for healthy eating. Practice things in your life that help you decrease stress, whether that looks like meditation or spending more time with friends. Not only will it relieve your swelling, but your overall health.

CDT

This is basically a therapy designed with everything you should be doing to care for your swelling. This includes a skincare routine, daily exercise, and manual lymphatic drainage. You may only need to focus on this type of therapy to avoid swelling by doing it for two weeks, or in more severe cases, it could take months to help you decrease swelling.

Skincare is helpful because it helps prevent infection caused by dry, chapped skin or cuts.

In Conclusion

Managing your swelling and pain is essential. If left uncared for, your swelling could result in more severe issues. You want to avoid surgery if at all possible, so try practicing these different methods for managing your swelling and discomfort. From healthy food to exercise, there are ways to keep swelling down and ensure you live a relatively comfortable life. Speak to your healthcare provider about the best treatment for you.

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5 Safety Tips to Consider When Using Blood Thinners

12/14/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

You may be required to take blood thinners for a number of different reasons. Commonly, a diagnosis of abnormal heart rhythm, like atrial fibrillation, or afib, may mean that you need to consider taking blood thinners, to ensure that there is a reduced risk of experiencing a clot. This can also lower any chances you may have of having a stroke.

Alongside going down the route of taking natural blood thinners to help with this, you must be aware of some of the safety tips and recommendations that you need to follow, in order to protect your health.

This is because if you hurt yourself while taking blood thinners, you could be suffering from internal bleeding, even if it is not apparent on the outside. So, let us learn more about what these safety tips are.

Try Natural Blood Thinners

Instead of taking blood thinning medication, you may decide that ingesting food that has blood thinning properties may be the best route for you to consider. Ginger, cayenne peppers, cinnamon, and even red wine are just some of the foods and drinks that can help to prevent blood clots from forming in the brain and heart, as a blood clot in these areas can significantly damage your health.

Alongside reducing the risk of your blood clotting, most of these ingredients have other health benefits too such as reducing inflammation, relaxing the muscles, and increasing circulation. So, if you want to take advantage of all these benefits, then you should take the time to look into the many different natural blood thinners that are on the market.

Be Aware of Internal Bleeding

Sustaining an injury to any part of your body while on blood thinners can increase the risk of internal bleeding. It can be hard to know if you are bleeding internally, as there are no firm symptoms to suggest that this is what is happening. However, there are some signs that you can look out for. These include fatigue, shortness of breath and a pale skin colour.

Rapid internal bleeding can cause symptoms of a stroke, or increased pain in the abdomen and back, although this will depend on where you are bleeding from. If you think that you are bleeding internally, seek medical attention immediately.

Avoid Alcohol

Many people like having a drink or two after a long day at the office, or while they are relaxing at the weekend, however, if you are on blood thinners, this can further damage your health. As most of us know already, the liver is responsible for processing alcohol, as well as many different types of medications.

Moreover, if the liver is breaking down the alcohol instead of the blood thinner, or any other type of medication that you are taking, the level of medicine in your blood can increase, which can cause detrimental health effects if not treated as soon as possible.

Take Care When Mixing Medications

If you are taking blood thinners and different medications at the same time, you should be aware that some antibiotics and anti-fungal medications can increase the potency of blood thinners, thus increasing the risk of further bleeding.

If you are required to take more than one medication, along with your blood thinners, then you should consult with your doctor at the earliest convenience. Advice in this area is paramount if you want to make sure your health is protected at all times.

Relax When You Can

This is probably the most important thing to take into consideration when you are on blood thinning medication. This is because it is imperative that you take all the precautions that are needed, in order to reduce the risk of any falls or trauma, that could lead to any significant bleeding. It may be hard to hear that you need to take it easy, especially if you are missing out on the opportunity to take part in activities that have an element of risk attached to them, but it will be beneficial in the long run.

If you have any worries or concerns, don’t be afraid to consult with your doctor or any other health practitioner, who will be able to offer you help and advice if you would like to participate in things that are known to be higher risk. It is important to check, after all.

Living a life that involves taking blood thinners comes with its risks, but if you follow the tips and regulations that have been put in place, making this adjustment will come swiftly and easily. The most important thing to remember is that you shouldn’t be afraid to reach out for advice if you need it.

Going Healthy, Health, Lifestyle

6 Surprising Benefits of Tea

12/09/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

You may have heard that drinking tea can be good for you, but do you really know why? Beyond the idea that a cup of tea is a healthy coffee alternative and an addition to your eight glasses of daily water, what is it about tea that is so beneficial for our health?

Here, we go over six surprising benefits of tea that will make you whistle to the happy tune of your tea kettle.

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1. Tea Contains Antioxidants

Antioxidants are supercharged healing compounds found in natural foods like berries, leafy greens, and, yep, you guessed it: tea! Antioxidants help our bodies fight disease, ease digestion, and improve the look and feel of our skin. Tea also helps us destress and let off some steam whenever we need it. To get your antioxidant fix without all that fiber, tea is a great alternative.

Although most teas contain antioxidants, some herbal teas are more beneficial than others. Avoid black teas, which have a diuretic effect that can cause the body to expel electrolytes and minerals, and instead go for nutrient-packed alternatives. To get the awesome benefits of green teas, stick to bitter green teas like matcha green tea or jasmine tea variations.

2. Tea Alkalizes the Body

Have you ever wondered why tea is so effective for a sour stomach? Well, that’s because the properties of tea work to alkalize the body and rid the digestive system of imbalanced acid production. You may have heard about the powers of eating healthy, alkalizing foods, but these benefits can be obtained by drinking tea as well.

To reduce morning nausea or indigestion, go for cooling teas like peppermint. Ginger tea is also known for soothing upset stomachs and indigestion due to its alkalizing and anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Tea Is Self-Care

In dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), one of the crisis skills taught to clients is how to use temperature to calm down. Both hot and cold temperatures can impact our nervous systems and assist us with calming down from stress.

While cold temperatures are best for relief, anger, and stress, hot temperatures (like those from a hot cup of tea) can provide anxiety relief as well as comfort and safety. Tea is more than a beverage; it is self-care in a mug!

4. Tea Is a Sleep Aid

Certain teas can actually help prevent insomnia. By drinking calming herbal teas on a regular basis, such as chamomile, vanilla, and rooibos, many people find that it is easier to fall asleep.

These herbal teas have a relaxing effect on the body and gently calm the muscles to ease you into relaxation and, eventually, sleep. Many herbal teas also contain magnesium, which is known to promote feelings of calmness and muscle relaxation throughout the body.

5. Tea Can Improve Overall Health

Many teas are rich in flavonoids, which relieve stress and inflammation in the body. Tea can also lower blood pressure and may reduce risk of stroke. Although more research is needed to confirm the additional benefits of drinking tea, it is considered by researchers to be a “health-prompting” drink when enjoyed regularly.

6. Tea Is a Laxative

Herbal teas like senna and moringa provide relief from constipation and bloating. What’s more, the caffeine content in other teas like black tea, green tea, and chai also support healthy bowel movements. Caffeinated teas can speed up the digestive process and signal elimination.

The Bottom Line

What we know for sure is that tea can work wonders for our health. Indeed, for a hot beverage that handles everything from congestion to self-care, lean on tea to work its natural magic.