Lymphedema is a medical condition causing chronic swelling of the body. Doctors often recommend compression sleeves to lower the inflammation after the patient receives other therapy.
Features of Compression Sleeves
These sleeves can come in Lycra and nylon and should be worn each day under a medical professional's direction. Compression sleeves may be bought without a prescription through a pharmacy or online store. Different sizes and elasticities are on the market to fit both men and women. Custom-designed sleeves may be special ordered for those who cannot find the exact model suggested buy their doctor.
Compression sleeves used to come in only white but are now found in many colors and styles. Some brands even offer zebra stripes, festive designs and floral prints, which look more like a fashion statement than for treating edema. These newer versions are a lot more comfortable than the older styles. Depending on the manufacturer, moisture wicking is also featured to prevent excess perspiration beneath the sleeve.
Trying to pull on these special garments may be challenging for those who suffer hand and finger swelling. Donning gloves are helpful in putting sleeves on, allowing for better grip on both stockings and sleeves. Resembling dishwashing gloves, they are made of rubber and usually extend just above the wrist. Ridges on the exterior help catch the slippery, stretchy fabric, making it faster and easier to pull on.
Another product available that assists with putting on compression sleeves is a slippie. The arm is placed into an oversized sleeve, and the compression sleeve is slipped over it. The slide is easily pulled out by hand or hooking it onto a fixed object, like a doorknob. The compression sleeve stays on the arm and the slide comes out.
For those with poor circulation or medication issues that result in easy bruising, slides and donning gloves also prevent fabric from snapping back against the skin while pulling and losing grip on sleeves.
Compression Gloves
Edema may be limited to the wrists and hands, making sleeves ineffective or cumbersome. Specially made gloves are worn in these cases. The fingertips or area beyond the knuckles are removed to allow for finger dexterity, mobility and functional grip. While fabric choices are usually limited to various shades of tan rubber or nylon, some manufacturers also offer Lycra material that is in color.
Lymphedema Medical Conditions
People with damaged lymph nodes are most vunerable to lymphedema. This can be caused naturally or by surgery for cancer or other health problems. Common swelling areas include the arms and upper body, especially for breast cancer survivors. Risk for lymphedema is also hereditary, especially where poor circulation is a factor. In some remote parts of the world, a parasite called filariasis may cause the condition, as can cellulitis.
Lymphedema can also be called elephantiasis, or misnomered elephantitis, for the disfiguring effects in extreme cases.
If you would like to learn more about compression sleeves then please visit http://www.brightlifedirect.com where you can find additional information.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Be Pain Free By Using A Chiropractor!
Sports athletes have come to rely on their chiropractors more than just about any other medical professional. Once the news was out and that chiropractic care could treat more than sore backs their waiting rooms were filled to overflowing with people eagerly awaiting their turn for treatment. Chiropractic care has become a sort of hidden secret for success in sports.
The use of this type of care has been examined thoroughly across National Football League teams in the US. When asked about chiropractic care use and referral most answered that they had been treated personally by a chiropractor.
A big percentage of NFL teams use chiropractors in an official role, as part of their personnel, but almost all trainers had referred a patient to a chiropractor outside their payroll for evaluation or treatment. Not that the NFL players actually need a referral, with a hefty percentage of them seeking out a chiropractor of their choice without any referral at all.
Many of the trainers also agreed that players with suspected spinal subluxations (the technical term for spinal misalignments) must be referred to a chiropractor; but even more trainers agreed that there is a place for a chiropractor in the NFL. What is more significant is that athletes understand the difference between the team doc and the team chiropractor.
Chiropractic care is not a privilege of football athletes; many other athletes engaged in many different sports count on chiropractic care. John Stockton for one. While admitting his lack of knowledge regarding chiropractic, he also noted that the continued treatment offered by his chiropractor has helped keep him healthy. He knew it dealt with balancing muscles and general health. He claimed that in tandem with is family, he has benefited so much from chiropractic treatment that it is the single most contributing factor in the length and success of his career.
The consultative value and direction a professional chiropractor can and does provide, it is easy to see how people ranging from professional athletes to the leisure athletes all the way to grandparents that are not active can benefit by utilizing a chiropractor.
The use of this type of care has been examined thoroughly across National Football League teams in the US. When asked about chiropractic care use and referral most answered that they had been treated personally by a chiropractor.
A big percentage of NFL teams use chiropractors in an official role, as part of their personnel, but almost all trainers had referred a patient to a chiropractor outside their payroll for evaluation or treatment. Not that the NFL players actually need a referral, with a hefty percentage of them seeking out a chiropractor of their choice without any referral at all.
Many of the trainers also agreed that players with suspected spinal subluxations (the technical term for spinal misalignments) must be referred to a chiropractor; but even more trainers agreed that there is a place for a chiropractor in the NFL. What is more significant is that athletes understand the difference between the team doc and the team chiropractor.
Chiropractic care is not a privilege of football athletes; many other athletes engaged in many different sports count on chiropractic care. John Stockton for one. While admitting his lack of knowledge regarding chiropractic, he also noted that the continued treatment offered by his chiropractor has helped keep him healthy. He knew it dealt with balancing muscles and general health. He claimed that in tandem with is family, he has benefited so much from chiropractic treatment that it is the single most contributing factor in the length and success of his career.
The consultative value and direction a professional chiropractor can and does provide, it is easy to see how people ranging from professional athletes to the leisure athletes all the way to grandparents that are not active can benefit by utilizing a chiropractor.
About the Author:
The author enjoys writing articles about boise idaho chiropractors & chiropractors in Boise idaho. Click on the links above to learn more about these topics! Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service
Monday, December 14, 2009
TMJ Pain and TMJ Exercises
It can be quite annoying to suffer from TMJ disorder. Not only does this disorder cause great pain, it can also be tricky to diagnose. TMJ disorder has a wide range of symptoms and many of these symptoms are observed away from the jaw joints. This makes it difficult for medical professionals to determine whether a person is truly suffering from TMJ or if that person is suffering from some other medical condition. Nevertheless, there are several experts you can turn to if you suspect that you are suffering from TMJ disorder. These experts can recommend ways on how you can lessen the pain brought by TMJ and how you can rid yourself of such a condition. There are lots of ways of treating TMJ and TMJ exercises are among the most popular methods of treatments.
TMJ exercises do not require you to do any fancy movement or use any expensive equipment. All you need is a room or space where you can be comfortable and few minutes each day. You might be surprised at how simple the exercises might be and you will even be more surprised at how effective they can be in lessening the clicking and popping in your jaw joints, relieving you of the pain you feel, and realigning your jaw joints.
Depending on how severe your condition is, there are some exercises that you can do at home. To be sure that you will not be aggravating your present condition, you can seek help from your doctor. Most exercises for your jaw joints will require you to face a mirror so you can observe your jaw as you move it. In doing so, you will need to open and close your mouth in a slow manner. If it is moving from side to side, you might want to proceed with exercises for your jaw joints.
Simply opening and closing your mouth slowly, evenly, and smoothly can already help much in keeping your jaw joints in their proper alignment. While this kind of exercise might appear to be simple, this can be quite difficult to do if you are really suffering from TMJ. What is good about this exercise is you can do this practically anywhere as long as you are free from distractions.
There are still tons of TMJ exercises out there that can help you relieve yourself of TMJ pain. You can learn more about these exercise in home medical books, health and fitness journals, and in several websites that discuss TMJ disorder and TMJ treatment.
TMJ exercises do not require you to do any fancy movement or use any expensive equipment. All you need is a room or space where you can be comfortable and few minutes each day. You might be surprised at how simple the exercises might be and you will even be more surprised at how effective they can be in lessening the clicking and popping in your jaw joints, relieving you of the pain you feel, and realigning your jaw joints.
Depending on how severe your condition is, there are some exercises that you can do at home. To be sure that you will not be aggravating your present condition, you can seek help from your doctor. Most exercises for your jaw joints will require you to face a mirror so you can observe your jaw as you move it. In doing so, you will need to open and close your mouth in a slow manner. If it is moving from side to side, you might want to proceed with exercises for your jaw joints.
Simply opening and closing your mouth slowly, evenly, and smoothly can already help much in keeping your jaw joints in their proper alignment. While this kind of exercise might appear to be simple, this can be quite difficult to do if you are really suffering from TMJ. What is good about this exercise is you can do this practically anywhere as long as you are free from distractions.
There are still tons of TMJ exercises out there that can help you relieve yourself of TMJ pain. You can learn more about these exercise in home medical books, health and fitness journals, and in several websites that discuss TMJ disorder and TMJ treatment.
About the Author:
Treatments for TMJ treatment starts with knowledge. Research as much as you can on treatment for TMJ and stop living in pain from day to day. Too many people just accept TMJ as part of life, you don't have to settle for that pain. Look into a cure today.
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