Hollister Premier Drainable Cut-To-Fit Transparent Pouch: 8331

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on April 9, 2015 under Ostomy Care | Be the First to Comment

Today we continue our look into ostomy items with the Hollister Premier Drainable Cut-To-Fit Transparent Pouch, with the item number 8331. Please note that this pouch is transparent. Additionally, you may see the words “cut-to-fit” shortened to CTF.

This is a one-piece system: the pouch and the flange. The type of adhesive used is a Flextend adhesive. This type of adhesive protects the skin over extended wearing time from irritating discharge.

Many of the features that make this pouch easy to use and easy to close are similar to the features of the two-piece pouch system by Hollister. To empty this one-piece pouch, lightly pinch the sides of the leak-proof outlet for easy control of content flow. When you stop pinching, there are firm reinforcing strips that shut. Then, you can simply wipe the tail of the pouch closed with some bath tissue, and begin to seal the pouch. To do so, roll it three times in the same direction and press from the middle out. You should be able to feel the seal close up your pouch.

This pouch provides the highest level of discreetness and comfort provided by odor-barrier, rustle-free film and ComfortWear Panels. There is also an integrated filter.

When cutting the flange for proper sizing, this item can be used for stomas up to 2 ½ inches.

We hope you’ve been enjoying our Ostomy Items Series, and we’re happy to let you know that there are more on the way!

Series: Alzheimer’s in Other Countries

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on April 6, 2015 under Caregiver Corner | Read the First Comment

This is the third post in a series on Alzheimer’s disease in places beyond the borders of the United States.

COSMOS is an Australia-based science magazine that has a global reach. Today, they published an article called “An Ultrasound Cure for Alzheimer’s?” The article discusses how clumping proteins in the brain have been linked to Alzheimer’s, and how using ultrasound technology that can break up those proteins has shown intriguing results on mice with memory problems.

This research took place at the University of Queensland in Australia and is generating a lot of interest and buzz. You can read more about the study in the article on COSMOS.

Accidental Bowel Leakage Products

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on March 31, 2015 under Caregiver Corner, Resources | Be the First to Comment

The word incontinence refers to more than just bladder leakage: it can also refer to what is known in the medical world as fecal incontinence, but is now being termed as accidental bowel leakage (ABL). Some of the products that we sell on TotalHomeCareSupplies.com can be used for ABL – let’s take at products that work well for ABL.

There are products out there that are specific to ABL, but the Washington Post reports that most people have incontinence and bowel leakage, instead of just bowel leakage by itself. For that reason, we suggest trying First Quality’s Adult Briefs. They are excellent for urine incontinence, but they also feature a specifically targeted Fecal Containment Zone that eliminates odor by locking in loose stool.

Both of Prevail’s Bariatric Diapers (in sizes A and B) feature an Advanced Zoning System that has fecal containment zones right where they are most needed. These briefs work well with liquid stool, as they also have OdorGuard technology, meaning all liquid is absorbed and trapped before becoming an odor problem, and they have QUICK WICK™ with MaxSoft that pulls the moisture quickly into the core of the diaper.

For youths with ABL, Prevail offers the Youth Brief. This is also a great product for adult individuals who are petite or slender. Again, this item features the Advanced Zoning System, making sure the areas most affected by urine or fecal matter are extra protected against leaks.

Be sure to seek out medical treatment for your ABL if you have yet to do so.

Ingredients in Skin Care Products

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on March 30, 2015 under BladderMatters, Caregiver Corner, Resources | Be the First to Comment

At TotalHomeCareSupplies.com we sell many different types of skin care products. Each one of these contain ingredients that help with different skin conditions. So let’s take a look about what is in our products and what they can do for you.

Vitamin A:
Vitamin A, when used in a cream or an ointment, exfoliates skin. This makes it a drying agent, and can be used for treating acne. When used in conjunction with vitamin D, which is a skin protectant, it can be used to treat diaper rash and minor burns. Try Medline’s Vitamin A and D Ointment for these skin issues.

Vitamin D:
This vitamin, when applied as a cream, helps to slow down the too much proliferation of skin cells that can create psoriasis and skin dryness. For those with scaly skin, or for those who have a pressure point from a brace or other medical item, daily application of a cream with vitamin D might prove helpful. Try Bard’s Special Care Cream with vitamins A, B5, D and E, along with Aloe vera, safflower oil and glycerin.

Calamine:
Calamine is actually a mixture of two other ingredients, generally zinc oxide and ferric oxide. These ingredients are what makes calamine an anti-itching agent. This is why calamine is recommended for use on skin that has been exposed to poison ivy or oak, and some people find it helpful when they have a bug bite. For those who are looking for something that is helpful with itchy, dry skin, try FNC’s Medical Ca-Rezz Cream.

We’ll continue this series in another post. If you have any questions about skin care product ingredients, let us know in the comments below and we’ll try to address them next time!

Baby Picture Taking Tips

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on March 27, 2015 under Everything Baby | Be the First to Comment

You know the ones. The sweet pictures of a sleeping infant posed adorably. Oftentimes in the buff. So precious. But they’re always lying on top of something, right? And how will that item fare if that cute little one decides now is the right time to relieve themselves?

The answer is: underpads! Or chux, as their also known. They can still be used when the baby is lying on a fluffy white blanket: just put the underpad underneath the blanket to save the bed or floor underneath.

When taking shots with the diaper on the baby, our best advice is to make sure the diaper fits. During a photo session, you don’t want to see a loose diaper or one that’s just too tight. Not sure which size your baby is at the moment? Order a few samples from TotalHomeCareSupplies.com and you’ll always have the right size at hand.

The above is also a good idea for taking photos of your baby or toddler with clothes on – a poorly-fitting diaper will look bunchy under clothes. And a diaper that fits well is one of the best ways to prevent leaks!

Also, when trying to get the perfect shot, keep in mind that many pictures of very tiny babies are Photoshopped. If you’re looking at a too-sweet picture of a tiny baby that’s holding their head up, and you’re wondering, “how is that possible at that age?” – it’s probably not! The photographer will use the parents to hold an infant’s head or body, and then Photoshop the parent out. So don’t worry! All photos of your little one are perfect – because they are.

Hollister New Image Lock ‘n Roll Drainable Two-Piece Pouch: 18182, 18183, 18184

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on March 26, 2015 under Ostomy Care | Be the First to Comment

As part of our series about ostomy items, today we’re looking at Hollister’s New Image Lock ‘n Roll Drainable Two-Piece Pouch with Filter. This product is nearly identical to product items 18193, 18192, 18194, which we wrote about here, but this one is beige instead of transparent.

One of the valuable features of this product is that opening, draining and closing this pouch is altogether a very simple process. First unroll it and empty it by squeezing lightly on the sides of the opening. To close, take the end, roll or fold it three times in the same direction, then, while pressing from the middle outward, you can actually feel the pouch seal and become leak-proof. This process is intuitive enough for those with vision problems, and is not overly–complicated, so those with dexterity issues can complete the process.

Now let’s check out a couple of reviews that have been written on our site about this product:

“Easy for me and my daughter to use after I came home from the hospital. Stays put!”

“Definitely the best bag I have used. It is durable, comfortable and quiet. The two-piece system is easy to maintain and practical for venting and regular use. Suggest switching off between two bags during the week for longer life. I was skeptical about the Velcro closure at the bottom, but now prefer it to all others – its more flexible (better comfort) and it is easy to open and clean.”

Incontinence Risk Factors in Women over 50

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on March 25, 2015 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Original post by Dr. Mary H. Palmer for LiveConfidently.com

After repeated exposure to print, television, and internet advertising, many people may think that all women, sooner or later, are destined to develop urinary incontinence. The truth is that women of all ages can experience involuntary urine loss, and age alone is not a contributing risk factor to incontinence. As women age, however, they do face special challenges to maintaining bladder control. Women over 50 who have not previously had urinary incontinence episodes may begin to experience urine leakage in association with a sneeze or sudden urge to void, or both.

The two most common types of incontinence in women over 50 are stress incontinence and urge incontinence. Stress urinary incontinence, where a small amount of urine escapes, may occur with laughing, coughing, or changing from a sitting to standing position. With urge incontinence, a moderate to large amount of urine may escape because of a strong urge to empty the bladder that cannot be overcome. Women may also experience symptoms of several types of incontinence, called mixed urinary incontinence.

Women over 50 can experience heavier leakage based on other medical conditions. Reflex incontinence can cause sudden and unexpected loss of urine due to stroke, brain tumors, or spinal cord injuries. Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder feels full and there is constant leakage of urine. It can be caused by certain medications, urethral obstructions, nerve damage from diabetes, or other factors.

Common Incontinence Risk Factors

Though different types of incontinence have varying causes, some of the most commonly reported urinary incontinence risk factors in women over 50 are as follows:

Menopause: Post-menopausal women are at increased risk of incontinence due to estrogen depletion in pelvic floor muscle tissue, although estrogen replacement therapy has not proven to benefit women in treating urinary incontinence.
Surgery and Medications: A history of pregnancy, pelvic surgery, or hysterectomy can increase the risk of urinary incontinence due to damage to nerves and tissues in the pelvic floor. The use of certain medications and diuretics has also been associated with incontinence.
Diabetes: Over time, diabetes damages the bladder’s nerves and blood vessels, leading to disruptions in bladder function.
Weight: Excess body weight can put stress on the muscles and ligaments that support the bladder, contributing to bladder leakage and more frequent trips to the bathroom.
Smoking and Drinking: Coughing caused by smoking can strain pelvic floor muscles, leading to increased risk of bladder leakage. Alcohol has a direct effect on the bladder, reduces nerve control, and acts as a diuretic. It interferes with the messages your brain sends to your bladder so you’re more likely to have an incontinence episode.
Race: Caucasian women are more likely to experience urinary incontinence than African American women. Stress incontinence is most commonly reported among Caucasian women, while urge incontinence occurs more frequently among African American women.

How to Reduce Incontinence Risk Factors

Fortunately, some incontinence risk factors may be reduced through lifestyle changes, like giving up smoking or losing weight. Findings from research studies show that overweight and obese women who are already incontinent and lose 5 – 10% of their body weight see improvements in their urinary incontinence. Maintaining a healthy weight to attain normal body mass index may also help to prevent diabetes.

In an attempt to control hunger while dieting, some women will drink large amounts of water throughout the day. Excess water consumption can lead to urinary incontinence by rapidly overwhelming the bladder with a large volume of urine. Reducing caffeine intake may help women avoid the urgency and frequent urination associated with overactive bladder, and could possibly remove the threat of urinary incontinence altogether.

It’s important to remember that incontinence is not a disease, and can be a symptom of other medical issues. Although there are some incontinence risk factors that cannot be changed, women can take actions to prevent bladder leakage. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about maintaining or restoring bladder control. They can assess your unique risks, identify medications or surgical side effects that may cause incontinence, and develop a treatment plan specific to your needs.

Have any tips to add? Head over to our living with incontinence forum and join the conversation about incontinence risk factors for women over 50.

Original article can be found at Live.confidently.com.

Closer Look Series: Protective Underwear

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on March 23, 2015 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

At TotalHomeCareSupplies.com we carry over 20 different types of protective underwear items (or pull-ups) in sizes ranging from Small (20 inches) to XXL (up to 80 inches). But what are the special features that make these items different from adult diapers – and different from one another?

Many of our protective underwear items have “cloth-like” material. This material does not make them more likely to leak than plastic material. The absorbency for these items comes from the material that is inside the underwear, generally small, ultra-absorbent beads. What the cloth-like material does do is protect your skin because it allows more air circulation in the underwear. The absence of all that plastic also helps the underwear stay quieter when you move and look and feel more like regular underwear. Many of our Prevail products are made with the cloth-like material.

We sell several adult pull-ups that are gender specific – this means that the “Stay-Dry” zones are positioned in a place that makes sense for that person’s anatomy. If you have been experiencing leaks while using a pull-up, but, after removal, find that parts of the pull-up are dry, a gender specific pair of protective underpants may be the answer. Both Prevail and Depend offer these types of pull-ups.

While some pull-ups feature “stay dry strips,” others feature a “full mat,” meaning that all parts of the protective underwear are absorbent. Tranquility offers a daytime pull-up and a night-time pull-up with this feature, and each of these products provides a full waist, which some individuals find more comfortable.

What are the questions you have about different types of protective underwear or adult diapers? Ask below and we’ll answer in later posts in our Closer Look Series.

Happy Certified Nurses Day!

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on March 19, 2015 under Caregiver Corner, Ostomy Care | Be the First to Comment

Every March 19^th, certified nurses are celebrated. This date was picked because it’s the birthday of Margretta ‘Gretta’ Madden Styles, who was an expert in nurse credentialing. Board certified nurses help their employers stay on top of the changing medical world and bring new perspectives to old problems.

If you head over to Twitter and search for #CertifiedNursesDay or #CertifiedNursesRock, you’ll find all sorts of smiling faces, fun photos and enthusiasm.

There are a staggering number of credentials and certifications that a nurse can receive. Wikipedia has quite an extensive list, but they admit it is incomplete. Just a few of those different types of nursing certifications include Certified Health Education Specialist, Licensed Practical Nurse and a WOCN: a Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse, who recently had their own shout-out here on the TotalHomeCareSupplies.com blog.

For all you certified nurses out there: thank you so much! We know you do so much to care for your patients. Check out the fun video below from American Nurses Credentialing Center:

#ElderCareChat

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on March 17, 2015 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

On the first and third Wednesdays of every month OurParents.com and Caregiving.com host a Twitter discussion called #ElderCareChat. TotalHomeCareSupplies.com has been participating in these chats for the last few months and we’d like to give you an idea of how the chats work and what they’re about.

The chats take place at 1PM Eastern Time and last an hour. The two hosts co-moderate on differing weeks between @OurParents and Denise, who has the @Caregiving Twitter handle. On occasion, a guest moderator will be invited who is an expert on that week’s topic!

Past topics have included “Legal Issues,” “Self-Care and Accountability in Caregiving,” and “Finding the Joy in Growing Older.” Generally, seven or eight questions are asked to the group, signified by, “Q1,” “Q2” and so on. When the participants of the chat answer, they put “A1” or “A2” into their answer, along with #ElderCareChat so everyone participating will be able to see their answer. At the end of the chat, participants are invited to tweet links to relevant sources or their own sites.

Getting to participate in and observe these chats is very rewarding and educating. Sometimes the questions are ones to think about and process – other times the answers are easy and fun to give! Even if the question seems overwhelming or personal, there’s always at least one participant who has the perfect answer.

The next #ElderCareChat takes place tomorrow, and the discussion topic is “Solving Caregiving’s Financial Conundrums.” You can find more information here and we hope to see you tomorrow on Twitter!