Monthly Archives January 2015

If you were recently diagnosed with diabetes, it’s very important to keep on top of your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about testing blood glucose.

When Should I Test?

While you should double check with your healthcare provider, the best time for testing blood glucose is before every meal and two to four hours after eating if possible. This means you’ll be testing three to six times per day. Additional times to test include:

• During periods of stress or illness
• While pregnant
• When you suspect your blood glucose is low
• When you change medications

How Do I Find a Good Glucose Meter?

Ask your doctor which one he or she recommends. Then, find a glucose meter with features important to you, such as portability, ease of use, a b...

If you rely on a power scooter to get around, you want to take proper care of it so it lasts for many years. Regular cleaning and maintenance is important for your scooter to remain in good working condition. Here’s how to maintain, inspect and clean a power scooter.

The first step before performing any maintenance is to turn off the scooter’s power and disconnect the power cord. Remember, these are general tips for caring for your power scooter. Always refer to the manufacturer’s product manual for more information about your specific mobility device.

Dust and Clean a Power Scooter

Keeping your scooter dusted and clean helps it look great and run smoothly. Here’s what you should do:

• Dust all exposed surfaces with a soft, dry cloth.
• Apply glass cleaner or liquid soap to a cloth an...

When your arthritis acts up, do you pick an ice pack or a heating pad to soothe your aching joints? Both hot and cold can relieve chronic joint pain. The trick is to know when to apply one or the other. Learn more about hot and cold therapy to help you make the right decision in every situation.

Heat Therapy

When your joints hurt more than usual, it’s natural to reach for something warm to soothe it. Heat is the answer when your joints are stiff, tense and sore. Your options include using a heating pad, hot pack, warmed hand towel or hot water bottle. You can also soak in a hot bath to warm your entire body.

Heat therapy relaxes your muscles, stimulates blood flow, improves circulation, helps increase your range of motion, and reduces joint stiffness and pain.

Make sure you implement hea...

When you think of allergies, you probably picture pollen and grass. These aren’t problems in the winter, but that doesn’t mean you’re free from allergies this time of year. Here’s some important information to help you feel better when dealing with winter allergies.

Sources and Symptoms of Winter Allergies

Indoor triggers set off your allergies in the winter, leading to coughing, sneezing, irritated eyes, itchy throat, runny nose and dark circles under your eyes. The most common sources of winter allergies include:

• Mold: This fungus grows in dark, moist places, such as the basement and bathroom. Spores are swept up into the air and cause allergies.
• Dust: Comprised primarily of dead skin cells, dust mite droppings and textile fibers, dust is a major indoor irritant.
• Pet dander: Whe...