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Doctors Recommend Using TENS Units for Pain Management

Last Updated December 31, 2019 By Julie Durham

Doctors recommend using TENS units for pain management

What do you instinctively do when there’s a pain on your back or anywhere on your body?

Most people would intuitively stroke, rub or massage the painful areas to relieve the pain.

What if the pain is acute, chronic, or won’t subside after a while? You will have to rely on the doctor’s recommendation to find other pain controlling method.

Among them, TENS is the most effective and quick choice for pain relief. It is trusted by doctors and stands strong through various researches.

In this article, we will explore applications of TENS in professional medical uses.

Read on to know why doctors from all over the world trusts in TENS devices to rehabiliate their patients.

Tens Units as Useful Means of Pain Control

Throughout history, mankind has used many methods to stimulate the skin to relieve painful conditions. The most common methods include heated packs, cold ice, massage, laser, and acupuncture.

Last but not least, the recent year has seen the rise of using electrical currents to ease the pain.

Electrical currents have the capacity to excite the body tissues, including tissues in nervous system. Hence, the electrical currents can be used to stimulate local areas on the body to reduce pain, which is also called electrotherapy.

TENS units as useful means of pain control
TENS units as useful means of pain control

The pain relief comes quickly and effectively because the electrical currents come in direct contact with the skin.

With a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation device, as known as TENS units, the electrotherapy is made more accessible for everyone who needs them.

In fact, since the launch of TENS units, the products have become one of the most used non-pharmacological devices to relieve pain.

Let’s examine the efficiency of TENS in medical practices.

Tens Units Overview

Different Types of TENS

There are three common types of TENS that are often used in medical treatments. They are:

1. Low TENS: has electrical pulses that are of low frequency and high intensity. When applied, the patient feels a sharp, twitching stimulus. The low TENS also induce the brain to release feel-good substances, like an opiate, at a low level.

2. High TENS: has electrical currents that are of high frequency and low intensity.

3. Bursting TENS: has electrical pulses that are short, of high intensity and high frequency. They can provide up to 1 – 5 pulses in a second. This type of TENS combines the benefits of both conventional and electroacupuncture TENS.

What Is TENS, and What Are Its Indications?

Generally speaking, TENS work by delivering electrical currents to the surface of the skin, stimulating the nerves existing there. People can use TENS by itself, or adjust it to serve as the core treatment for the management of any type of pain.

Some common categories of pain that TENS can provide soothings including:

  • Acute pain
  • Chronic Pain
  • Malignant pain
  • Musculoskeletal pain
  • Neuropathic Pain
  • Nociceptive Pain.

TENS units are also commonly used to manage the symptoms that associate with pain, such as ileus, vomiting, nausea, incontinence, constipation, nerve damage, healing of wounds and disturbances in psycho-motor.

Why Is TENS Trusted by so Many?

One reason that makes TENS popular with many people is that it is non-invasive, therefore easier to administer. Compared to other drugs or therapies, TENS has fewer side effects and no drug interactions.

One reason that makes TENS popular with many people is that it is non-invasive...
One reason that makes TENS popular with many people is that it is non-invasive…

Anybody can use TENS by themselves for self-administration, and can up the dose as much as they need because TENS won’t cause overdose or toxicity.

In most patients, the effects of relieving the pain of TENS are immediate. With that said, there are still some patients who have to wait for the pain relief to take effects. In all case, the prolonged effects after treatment are evident.

The benefits of TENS does not end at that. In comparison to other long-term drugs for pain management, a TENS unit is more affordable. It only costs an upfront price of buying the unit and a small running cost for batteries.

TENS units are used by people all around the world. In every country, the device can be bought directly over the counter. The appearance of the Internet helps people in need to buy TENS in just a click. TENS is readily available for those who have the small sum to buy it.

It’s Better to Consult Medical Workers Before Using TENS

However, this also poses the problem that some individual uses TENS to relieve their artificial symptoms of pain and doesn’t address their deeper cause of illness.

If you are going to buy a TENS units, we strongly recommend looking for medical professionals consultants before purchasing the product. That way, the health-care practitioner can access whether a TENS unit is appropriate for your condition, and how to get maximum benefit from TENS therapy.

Where can I find a consultant about the use of TENS?

To ensure that you can use TENS techniques safely and effectively, find a practitioner who is experienced in the practice of TENS to receive assessment, and trials are of utmost importance. “But where do I find an experienced medical practitioner of TENS?”, you may ask.

The health-care specialist should be professionally qualified well enough to supervise your use of TENS. On the other hand, health-care trainers and senior patients who have used the devices for a long time are also capable of the task.

Controversy Regarding the Use of TENS Units

Despite the popularity and evident efficacy of TENS there still lies skepticism about whether the device works well.

Some researchers have tried to determine the actions of TENS on a human body is a mere placebo effect, or if TENS really deliver beneficial effects in pain management.

The experiment they conducted to find out the results involving using two TENS unit, one with batteries and one without batteries to place on the pain area of the patients.

The theory was that if TENS devices only give out placebo response, then the unit without batteries will work as well as the one who doesn’t have batteries in it.

The results come out with the advantages lie with the running TENS unit that has batteries in it. Which proves that the effects of a TENS unit is real, and it can really affect the tissue artificially and under the skin.

In fact, the UK National Health Institute recommends using TENS for short-term pain relief.

The UK National Health Institute recommends using TENS for short-term pain relief
The UK National Health Institute recommends using TENS for short-term pain relief

In America, The Spine Society officially recommends using TENS for chronic lower back pain.

There are mixing comments for evaluating the clinical effectiveness of TENS, however, the vast majority conforms with its use for back pain management.

Researches Proclaim TENS Units Are Effective for Pain Management

Historically, the TENS units was developed by Dr. C. Norman Shealy. Nowadays, it is used widely by both bio-physical practitioners and conventional medical practitioner to manage pain.

The TENS unit has been sold commercially since the 1970s.

Now, let’s look into scientific trials that have shown how well TENS units can help patients deal better with pain.

First off, let’s look into the mechanisms of pain and how TENS stop the brain from feeling pain.

What is Pain?

Pain is a sensory, or emotional experience, that is unpleasant.

It associates with potential or actual tissue damage. Pain evokes human to feel unpleasantness. It makes us “want to do something” in response to the pain sensation.

The treatments of pain all focus on reducing the activity of the system of nociceptive, whether in pharmacology and non-pharmacology. This applies true to the TENS units.

The Problem With Pain Management

Pain is one of the biggest problems in health-care. In fact, more than 30 percent of the general adult population in the world has a problem with chronic pain.

Even in the European countries – the more developed countries of the world, 40% of the population reports that they don’t have adequate means of manage pain. The same number of respondents report that they don’t feel satisfied with the pain management provided by public health care centers.

Even more alarming, 64% of those who were surveyed says that they couldn’t control their pain with only drugs in the past. TENS units stand as a common, reliable and affordable method of relieving pain for these patients.

Pain Can Be Controlled Effectively by Tens Units

TENS units work by blocking the pain signal so it won’t transmit to the brain. Some researches have shown that the TENS stimulate endorphins productions, which is a hormone that reduce pain in human body.

This electrotherapy device sends pulsed electric currents to the electrodes. Electrodes are attached to the skin, these electric signals, in turn, displace the pain signals from the affected nerves. Thus, the pain messages no longer reach the brain, and you won’t feel pain anymore.

Low Back Pain and TENS

Physical therapists recommend using TENS for low back pain management

Why Do You Experience Back Pain?

Low back pain happens when your back is not in its orginal condition. Most commonly, it comes when your back muscles are in strain for a long period of time.

Minor injuries cause derangement in your lower back. It happens when you lift a heavy object inappropriately. Sudden deceleration also often leads to back pain, the most common examples are in car accidents.

These patients arere often infected with acute pain, and stay in unusual postures because of the spasms coming from he sacrospinal muscles.

In such conditions, the pain is majorly confined to the lower part of the back, and always subside when the person takes a rest.

Another major cause for chronic back pain is the protrusion of lumbar intervertebral discs. The pain, in this case, is recurrent, and affect both the lower back and the leg.

The patients can experience relief immediately with the help of electrotherapy such as TENS, with an anesthetic agent, or with local infiltration.

How Useful Is TENS for Managing Lower Back Pain?

The patients who suffer from low back pain have been soothed by the use of TENS since its launch more than 50 years ago. This type of electrotherapy is considered one of the biggest advances in the medical world.

People from all over the world have reported:

  • The relief of spams in the muscle
  • The promptness at which the device takes effect
  • How well it accelerates the patient’s recovery.

TENS is most useful when installing in the acute phase. The patient should keep using it for 1 – 3 days in this acute period. Instruction for proper posture in mobility and activity also enhance the success probability.

Statistics

Many doctors also report the usefulness of TENS for chronic low back pain for their patients. The case is especially true for straining pain, and post-traumatic low back pain.

After TENS treatment, 45% of patients are reported without a disability, and another 36% are capable of rejoining the workforce. When the researchers follow up 6 months later, 89% of the respondents report that they still benefit from the use of TENS, more than half of them (57%) need less medication for their pain and 59% experience better-sleeping patterns.

Scientific Researches for TENS Units Effectiveness With Other Conditions

A lot of researches also support this statement. in 1983, a report showed that TENS relieve upper back pain effectively, which the pain reduction effectiveness higher than 50% in a few days time basis. In two years, one in five patients continues with the daily treatment of TENS.

In another experiment aims to compare the effectiveness of TENS, electroacupuncture and placebo, the patients in treatment with TENS show a higher percentage of pain relief.

Moreover, the patients who were applied with TENS has long-lasting relief, and the soothed period is much longer than when using electroacupuncture. After the experiments, the patients who were trialed with TENS units wanted to continue using them.

TENS Use for Acute Spinal Cord Injuries

There are significant benefits for acute spinal cord injuries patients when treated with TENS. In this case, experts recommend placing the electrodes on two sides of the abdomens.

It is more ideal to place the electrodes on the lower quadrants of the site of injuries. The operation should be on for three consecutive days until the patient won’t feel any more pain, or until the patient experience bowel movements again.

TENS use for acute spinal cord injuries
TENS use for acute spinal cord injuries

The extent that TENS work for acute spinal cord injuries is significant. All patients with this unpleasant condition can benefit from treatment with TENS.

TENS Use for Wrist Pain

In 1979, a study on 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis that leads to severe wrist pain was conducted. After treatment with the highest intensity TENS possible for wrist pain, patients report significant improvement. A 25-minute session produces 50% more pain relief than the group that gets placebo treatment.

TENS Units Are Useful for a Multitude of Conditions

From this article, we can conclude that the medical use of TENS is good for pain management in varied conditions. These conditions include chronic pain, phantom pain, post-operative pain or obstetric pain. The effectiveness is confirmed by researches, professional medical use and by patients for the last 50 years.

We hope you have more confidence in buying and using TENS unit for pain management with this post.

Top 7 Most Reputable Essential Oil Companies | Unbiased Reviews and Buying Guide

Last Updated December 31, 2019 By Julie Durham

doTERRA

Before, essential oils are considered as luxury: only a few household appreciate its prowess in the healing and stress-relieving department. How times have changed: in the year 2014, the market demand for global essential oil is 165 kilo tons; come 2018 it became almost 227 and experts are saying that the compound annual growth rate could be as high as 8.6% up to the year 2025. With the growing demand, essential oil brands keep coming into the market so fast that consumers like us are having great difficulty in choosing the best brands.

More than knowing about how you’ll choose a brand, in this article you will also know about the top 7 best essential oil brands in the market. Are you ready?

Signs of a Good Essential Oil Brand

Most of the time, we use customer reviews as a guide on what to buy and what to just remain in our cart for the foreseeable future. Still, we both know that doing that is like going through the endless isle of brands half blind because we’re looking at what worked for them and praying that it will work for us too. So here’s the game changer; look at these elements next time you plan to buy an essential oil.

  • Purity – the effectiveness of essential oil depends largely on its purity. Take note: some companies use chemical fillers to increase the volume of the product AND sell it at lower price (since 100% is expensive); some even suggest that mixing additives boosts the potency of the oil. Unless they reveal scientific research, don’t listen to them. Essential oils are still best when they are bottled 100% pure.
  • Membership in reputable institutions – other brands may lie about the authenticity of their essential oils but that is less likely if they (or their retailers) are a member of a renowned, regulatory institution such as the NAHA or the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy.
  • Safety – since some essential oils are meant to be ingested, FDA has released brands that are “Generally Recognized as Safe”. If the brands say their oils are not food grade, then check for other tests they underwent to prove that they are safe to be inhaled or be applied on skin. Do this checking especially if you see labels such as “Therapeutic Grade” because this term is unregulated – meaning anyone can claim that their essential oils are of therapeutic grade quality.
  • Customer Service – A product is more reliable if their customer service can be reached easily. In a brand, look for toll-free hotlines, website, or email address. Contact one or more of them and ask specific questions about the oil you are thinking of purchasing. Gauge their response and see how well they know their product.
  • Price – Last, but definitely not the least, look for the price. Premium high quality and 100% pure essential oils are generally expensive than the others, so if you see such labels and note that their price is cheap, be careful. Still a lot of brands offer affordable oils without compromising the quality; you just need to check the reviews and of course see for yourself.

We’ll make it easier for you to choose your next brand by enumerating and reviewing the 7 best essential oil companies in the market according to our product research and multiple customer reviews.

1. Young Living

 

Young Living Essential Oils

As of now, this brand is in the market for 25 years! That’s a great accomplishment since essential oils only became viral these past years. What’s great about Young Living is that they make sure of the quality of their product by supervising it from the start up to the point when they are marketed by their retailers. Their seeds are harvested from various farms worldwide giving them the advantage of producing more arrays of oils. Their manners of production range from steam extraction for distillation, cold pressing, and resin tapping – all of which produce effective essential oils and are in accordance with the DSA ethics. One of the most impressive things about Young Living is that they give personal customer support. The only thing considered a downside in this brand is its price; compared to others, this brand is costly. Still, with excellent quality, it’s a great trade off.

2. Healing Solutions

Healing Solutions

Healing Solutions may not be a staple if you always read essential oil reviews, but head over to Amazon and you’ll realize that they are one of the best-selling brands, with more than 5,000 reviews on just one product. Their website says that they have a full-time, in house Essential Oils scientist which guarantees the purity in every bottle. Additionally, their products underwent extensive in-house GCMS testing; currently the company is planning to publish the results for all their products. GCMS, short for Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometry, tests the individual components of an essential oil to check for its purity and quality. A company that does this test gets points for diligence. Read the appraisal and endorsement for this brand here.

3. Edens Garden

Edens Garden

This brand is fast becoming a staple in many households. In their website, Edens Garden pledges that their products are 100% unadulterated. Moreover, the essential oils’ test results including the Materials Safety Data Sheets are available upon request. As for safety, they have a 3rd party GCMS testing centre which checks their oils at the highest standards. Built in 2009, this company is relatively newer, but their confidence on their product is commendable; offering a 30-day Money Back Guarantee should consumers not like their oils. The customer service is also approachable, offering as many channels as they can to accommodate questions. If you’re looking for affordable, high-quality products that come in a set, Edens Garden is the way to go.

4. doTERRA

doTERRA

doTERRA is taking quality checking to a whole new level by creating an internal CPTG testing process. CPTG stands for Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade. This means that in every bottle, there is only 100% pure essential oil. They also undergo the GCMS test as explained in their website. Founded in 2008, the pioneers of this company are known science professionals, some of whom previously worked in Young Living. The most impressive thing, however, is their Global Botanical Network. This scheme allows them to work with distillers and farmers from across 40 countries. The most common way of production is steam distillation and cold pressing. Two things about doTERRA though: they are quite expensive and the test results are not published in their site.

5. NOW Foods

NOW Foods

Since NOW Foods are already in the market for 5 decades, it’s not surprising that they have an assortment of natural food products and dietary supplements up their sleeves. It’s also not shocking that they enter in the essential oils business since oils are also ingested for therapeutic purposes. The products are 100% pure, except for the jasmine blend which uses synthetic scents due to the extremely expensive price of jasmine oil. Transparency-wise, NOW Foods have published their Materials Safety Sheets in their website for each of their product. Aside from having an in-house quality testing, they also use third-party laboratories when needed. The only problem about NOW Foods is how they handle customer service: there is a list of phone numbers, but there’s no toll-free line. What they have is a feedback form to be responded to via email.

6. Plant Therapy

Plant Therapy

This company made its launch in 2011 with the goal of providing premium quality essential oils at affordable price. Even though Plant Therapy is relatively young, they know the importance of transparency in the market, thus, if you want to know about their oils, all you need to do is go to the product page and scroll down for Test Results which you can download in PDF format. More than that, you can also see the Materials Safety Sheet for each essential oil. Plant Therapy uses a third-party testing center for their quality checks. While it’s true that this company is still a baby and in great need of customer reviews, the quality of their product and its affordability make up for it.

7. Rocky Mountain Oils

Rocky Mountain Oils

Like NOW Foods, Rocky Mountain Oils not only specializes in essential oils – they also have products for skin care, wellness, and nutrition. Although they started way back 2004, only 6 of their products are organic according to the USDA; but no worries because they use a third-party laboratory to check for the purity of their oils through the GCMS. Because they are confident with the grade of their oils, they offer a 90-day Refund Policy should you find anything unsatisfactory with their products. When it comes to customer service, they have a 1-800 number which you can call on weekdays from 7 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon.

That’s it! The 7 Best Essential Oil Brands in the market as of now. My suggestion is for you to make a quick tour to their website to see for yourself. Remember that you can test their oils by purchasing their least expensive variant. Don’t hesitate to contact their support team and download the resources available in their site to facilitate your own, little investigation. Live better with essential oils!

References:

  • Market demand of essential oils worldwide from 2018 to 2025 (in kilotons): https://www.statista.com/statistics/750725/global-essential-oils-market-demand/
  • Top 10 Most Respectable Essential Oil Companies – Ratings and Evaluation By Brenda: https://www.airlifebetter.com/best-essential-oil-brands/

Essential Oils for Elderly People: Safe Ways to Use

Last Updated December 31, 2019 By Julie Durham

Essential Oils For Elder

If you’ve been around for a decent amount of time, you’ve likely heard of essential oils and their various benefits. You’re also probably at least somewhat aware of the fact that essential oils can be applied and ingested in multiple fashions. However, what you might not know is that essential oils should be used differently for individuals in various categories. This is especially true as it pertains to the elderly.

Benefits of Using Essential Oils to Care for the Elderly

As you’ve probably guessed, there are several benefits associated with using essential oils to care for the elderly. Essential oils have been known to help the elderly overcome the following health ailments:

  • Muscle soreness
  • Stress and nervous tension
  • Dry, cracked skin
  • Sore, tired feet
  • Arthritis
  • Common cold
  • Restlessness/poor quality of sleep

While essential oils can be helpful for the elderly, it’s important to note that all essential oils are not created equally. When allowing the elderly to come into contact with these substances, it’s very important that they only have exposure to the best essential oils companies.

How to Use Essential Oils

Before we cover the best essential oils companies and the oils which heal various ailments, it’s important to note that there are various methods of applying essential oils. Some methods are better than others, depending on the oil and the purpose of taking them. Ultimately, the various method of use comes down to a judgment call. Check this post to learn more about how to use essential oils effectively.

Suitable Essential Oils for the Elderly

At this point, you’re probably wondering which essential oils are most suitable for the elderly. However, this depends upon the purpose behind the use. As previously stated, essential oils are not created equally; this means that different oils serve different purposes.

Lavender Essential Oils

Lavender Essential Oil

If improving sleep quality and calming down emotionally are your goals, then you may find lavender to be one of the best essential oils. Lavender essential oils are widely known to improve emotional states and serve as antidepressants. Due to the nature of lavender essential oils, they are best applied topically or via inhalation. Elderly people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, restless sleep, anxiety, or disempowering emotional states will find lavender essential oils to be helpful.

Peppermint Essential Oils

Peppermint essential oils are well-known as substances which calm nerves, improve concentration and memory functions. For these reasons, peppermint essential oils can be incredibly advantageous for elderly people, particularly those who are dealing with certain health issues, such as dementia, depression, anxiety, etc. Peppermint essential oils are best applied via inhalation; one of the best ways applying this method to elderly people is via a nebulizer essential oil diffuser that uses no water. This allows elderly people to gradually ingest essential oils without overdoing it or upsetting their bodies by taking in too much at one time.

Rosemary Essential Oils

Similarly to lavender and peppermint essential oils, Rosemary essential oils have been known to provide great benefits to elderly people. This particular oil is a great fit for elderly people who sometimes struggle with their memory or with successfully carrying out daily tasks. Rosemary essential oils have furthermore been known to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and improve the recollection of past memories. This particular essential oil is best applied topically or via indirect inhalation.

Safe Use of Essential Oils for Older People

Regardless of how many benefits are associated with any particular essential oil, it’s absolutely critical to ensure that the right precautions are taken. As a general principle, elderly people should be sure that the essential oils of their choice are most advantageous to the ailment which they are seeking to rid themselves of.

Even more important is the certainty that essential oils are applied and consumed in a safe manner. The topical application of essential oils is not necessarily ill-advised for older people, but it should be done cautiously.

Moreover, it’s very imperative to make sure that there are no “overdoses” when older people consume essential oils. Consuming more than the recommended amount of essential oils will not strengthen or speed up positive results; conversely, “overdosing” on essential oils can actually cause great harm and be physically upsetting, especially for older people.

References:

  • Using pure essential oils to care for the elderly: https://www.inessence.com.au/how-to-use-pure-essential-oils-for-elderly
  • Manage Dementia’s Side Effects with These 7 Essential Oils: https://www.alzheimers.net/10-10-14-essential-oils-dementia/
  • Top 15 Most Popular Essential Oils to Get Started: https://aromatalking.com/most-popular-essential-oils/

Top 3 Ways to Use Essential Oils Safely and Effectively

Last Updated December 31, 2019 By Julie Durham

How to use Essential Oils

Essential oils are a subject of intrigue for many consumers. Individuals who are fascinated with these oils often wonder which oils are best for them and how they should be applied. It goes without saying that there are many essential oils which currently exist on the market. Each oil comes with its own benefits; some promote the alleviation of pain and cold/flu symptoms, while others are better for balancing hormones, remedying unwanted skin conditions and more. Nevertheless, anyone who wishes to make the most of essential oils must first know the best ways to use them.

When most people think of the possible ways to use essential oils, various application methods usually comes to mind. This typically involves one or more of the following options:

  • Inhalation
  • Application to the skin
  • Steam inhalation
  • Aromatherapy massages
  • Application of essential oil diffusers
  • Use in a bath

While each of the aforementioned steps can be employed for essential oil usage, they fail to scratch the surface. Whether you are a longtime user of essential oils or brand new, there are precisely three avenues in which essential oils can be used. The preceding application methods merely serve as extensions of the three main avenues.

The three avenues of using essential oils are as follows:

  • Aromatically
  • Topically
  • Internally

If you’re looking for detailed and thorough explanations of the aromatic, topic, and internal uses of essential oils, you’ve come to the right place. Stay with me.

How to Use Essential Oils Aromatically

How to use Essential Oils Aromatically

As the name suggests, the aromatic use of essential oils involves purposeful inhalation. People who choose to aromatically use essential oils generally do so by diffusing them into the air, adding drops of the oil to cotton balls, pillowcases, or other household objects which they may frequently come into contact with. Additional aromatic methods of essential oil use include the use of humidifiers, natural room deodorizers, placing the oils in a fan/vent, or even treating the oils as perfumes or fragrances.

In most cases, aromatic use of essential oils is generally regarded as the easiest and safest method. This is especially applicable for individuals who are not familiar with essential oils. However, like any other method, people who chose aromatic use need to be careful. In the initial period, you’ll want to be sure that your body has a positive reaction to the essential oils which it’s being exposed to. Too much exposure, especially in short time periods, can upset the body, cause headaches, or prompt other undesirable reactions. Moderation is paramount.

How to Use Essential Oils Topically

How to use Essential Oils Topically

The topical use of essential oils involves direct application to the skin. In most cases, the oil would be applied on areas of the skin which are in need of improvement or aid. Some common examples of topical application include placing modest portions of the oil on the wrists, palms, back of the ears. However, these are not the only places where essential oils can be applied.

Individuals who are looking to engage in the topical use of essential oils can place small amounts of the oils on the following areas of the body:

  • Temples/neck/forehead
  • Face
  • Base of skull
  • Chest
  • Abdomen
  • Roof of mouth
  • Soles of feet

Of course, it goes without saying that the designated area of topical application should align with the purpose of the chosen essential oil. For instance, if you’re looking to rid your body of tension, then placing small amounts of essential oils on your neck, temples, or forehead would be advisable. Conversely, if you require essential oils for the sake of clearing up your breathing patterns or reducing body sensitivity, then the best places for topical application would be the chest or soles of your feet.

Before diving into the topical use of essential oils, proceeding with caution is absolutely paramount. For this reason, you are advised to engage in partake in an exercise known as the “patch test.” The patch test is very simple; all you need to do is take two drops of the essential oils and apply them to a small spot of skin on your forearm. After doing this, monitor the area to see if any allergic reactions take place. Employing the patch test as a means of caution is always critical. You’re unlikely to experience allergic reactions from topical application of essential oils, but if you do, it’s better to occur on a small area of skin, rather than on a larger scale.

How to Use Essential Oils Internally

How to use Essential Oils Internally

The internal use of essential oils involves literally ingesting them into your body. In most scenarios, internal use of essential oils is done by cooking them into foods, mixing them in with drinks, or even placing drops of the oil in capsules and later swallowing them. When regarding this particular method of consumption, it’s important to understand that less is more. When used internally, just a few drops of essential oils at one time can work wonders. You should never consume an entire bottle at once.

Different people use essential oils for various reasons and purposes. Most users have their own preferences and desired methods of consumption. However, not all essential oils should be consumed internally. For this reason, doing your research and ensuring that the oils of your choice are safe for internal consumption is strongly recommended. As the old saying goes, it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.

Which is Best for You?

How to use Essential Oils

If you are not particularly well-versed with essential oils, you may be wondering which method of use is most advisable. The truth of the matter is that there is no one answer. Each essential oil comes with its own purpose. Being aware of the product you’re purchasing and knowing which methods of use are best will prove to be helpful throughout your journey with essential oils.

If you’re still getting acclimated to essential oils, you may find that aromatic use is the best method, at least for now. As previously stated, aromatic consumption of essential oils is generally regarded as the safest. Even if you are familiar with essential oils and trying out a new one, you may also benefit from initial aromatic use. Topical and internal consumption usually work well with familiarity.

At the end of the day, only you can determine which method of use is best for you. Hopefully, this article was helpful and provided some relevant and useful information.

What Causes High Potassium Levels In The Elderly?

Last Updated December 31, 2019 By Julie Durham

What Causes High Potassium Levels In The Elderly

Potassium is one of the several minerals which are essential to the health and optimal function of the body. It contributes to strong healthy muscles as well as keeping the heart in a good state. However, the amounts of potassium consumed and the levels in the body need to be the right balance because too much potassium in the body is harmful. In fact, for those with some conditions like kidney disease, too much potassium in the body is dangerous. This is a problem with older persons, therefore, we shall look at what causes high potassium levels in the elderly.

See also: Activities For The Elderly

Having too much potassium in the body leads to a condition called hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia occurs when the potassium levels in the blood go beyond the normal range of 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter of blood. The elderly are particularly prone to high potassium levels and should ensure that they keep the levels of potassium in their body within the right range to stay healthy and prevent the risks.

Having too much potassium in the body leads to a condition called hyperkalemia
Having too much potassium in the body leads to a condition called hyperkalemia

High potassium levels affects the muscles leading to muscles fatigue and weakness of the muscles which can result in paralysis. It can also cause other dangerous problems for the body such as fluctuation of heart rhythm which can cause a condition called ventricular fibrillation- this condition causes the lower chambers of the heart to flutter rapidly instead of pumping blood as it should, and other heart problems which can be deadly.

Read more: Best Positioning Pillows for Elderly 2019

Causes of Hyperkalemia

Kidney Problems

The common cause of hyperkalemia is kidney disease or interference with kidney function. The kidney works to ensure that there is a right potassium balance in the body by filtering out excess potassium from the blood, therefore, in a case where the kidney does not work properly, the right balance will not be maintained.

The hormone aldosterone monitors the levels of potassium in the blood and alerts the kidney to any irregularities- where the production of the hormone is interfered with such as Addison’s disease which leads to a decrease in the levels of the hormone. Reduced hormones means that the kidney will not regulate minerals properly and allow a buildup of potassium in the body.

Medications

Some medications can lead to high potassium levels by interrupting the kidney’s potassium filtration and secretion process. Some diuretics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines interfere with the kidney’s ability to filter out excess potassium from the blood.

Excess Potassium in Diet

The other way of having high levels of potassium is by eating a lot of potassium rich foods such that the body has a high concentration of the mineral. Foods like prunes, raisins, high-potassium yogurt, tomatoes and bananas are great to eat because they are nutritious and soft but have high in potassium content.

Excess Potassium in Diet
Excess Potassium in Diet

Salt Substitutes

Salt substitutes are often used for lowering blood sodium levels but also increase potassium levels in the blood. The higher concentration of potassium may not be a problem for many people but can be a problem for those who already have a potassium filtration problem in the kidneys such that not enough is excreted.

Potassium Supplements

Potassium supplements is often prescribed to the elderly to help correct low levels of potassium and this can lead to elevated levels of the mineral in the body. However, as much as it is helpful, taking potassium supplements can lead to high levels of potassium in the blood.

Symptoms of Hyperkalemia

There are several indicators that can help you and doctors determine if you are suffering from high levels of potassium in the blood. We have already mentioned signs like irregular heart beat or rhythm but there are more signs which point to the problem of hyperkalemia.

The following are the common symptoms of hyperkalemia:

  • Irregular heart beat or rhythm, also called arrhythmia, which can be life threatening. High potassium levels in the blood affects how the heart works.
  • Apart from arrhythmia, high potassium levels causes the heart rate to slow down.
  • You will have a general feeling of weakness.
  • Apart from general weakness, muscle fatigue is a common occurrence in those who are suffering from a high concentration of potassium in the blood.
  • In extreme cases, the muscle weakness can result in paralysis.
  • Potassium elevation in the blood will also lead to nausea and vomiting in some cases.

Control and Treatment of Hyperkalemia

If you suspect that you have a problem with high potassium levels, you should consult your doctor for a diagnosis and advice if you are proven to have elevated levels of the mineral.

Control and treatment of Hyperkalemia
Control and treatment of Hyperkalemia

Get on a Low-Potassium Diet

If you are found to have high potassium levels, you will have to look at your diet and ensure that you stick to a low potassium diet by avoiding the consumption of too many foods with a high potassium content. Get information on the right diet for you and avoid eating too many bananas, potassium yoghurt, milk etc. which can cause hyperkalemia related problems.

Avoid Potassium High Salt Substitutes

Salt substitutes are often prescribed for elderly people and some which have been found to be bad for people with kidney problems because they interfere with minerals filtration and secretion. Slat substitutes that are high in potassium should be avoided.

Keep Away From Herbal Remedies and Supplements

Most herbal remedies and supplements are made from ingredients which can lead to a rise in blood potassium levels. In fact, people who are already dealing with kidney problems should not take herbal remedies or supplements. You should consult your doctor before you take any herbal products.

There are water pills or potassium binders which you can take to help flush out the extra potassium in the blood if your kidneys are not up to the task for one reason or another. The potassium flushing medicines are:

  • Diuretics or water pills will help you excrete excess potassium from the body by triggering the kidneys to produce more urine thus flushing out the excess mineral in the urine.
  • The other potassium flushing medicines are called water binders, which is a powder. The binders are mixed in a small quantity of water and is then consumed with food. They are called binders because once swallowed, the powder binds to the excess potassium in the gut and excretes it.

Conclusion

Now you have the answer to “What causes high potassium levels in the elderly?”. The good news is that there are remedies to the problem of elevated potassium levels in the elderly which you can adapt to control and treat the problem.

The best way to dealing with and avoiding the problem is to prevent it in the first place- mind your diet, medications and any supplements you take to ensure that they do not cause an elevation of potassium in the body. Get more insights here:

Activities For The Elderly

Last Updated December 31, 2019 By Julie Durham

Are you stranded on what activities you can engage senior people in? Well, I know it is quite a task to establish a definite activity that will benefit them without putting them to a risk of getting hurt or getting harmed. Worry no more. I have compiled a collection of activities that you can engage your elderly loved ones in without having to risk their lives.

As people get older, their mobility is restricted from medical condition like stroke and arthritis or an injury resulting from a fall. When this occurs, the activities they used to enjoy when they were in a healthy condition are now limited and they can not do them anymore. However, not all elderly people get affected by these conditions hence they can still enjoy their activities as before. Below is a list of all the activities which can be practised by senior people with a health condition and those without.

See also: What Causes High Potassium Levels In The Elderly?

Sports – Activities to Build the Body

Senior Olympics – these are sports organized and governed by National senior games association who have a goal of promoting the health and lifestyle of the elderly people above the age of 50. You should encourage and train senior persons for senior Olympics as it a good exercise for their bodies. However, you should be careful and observe their health status before allowing them to engage in the activities as it might be strenuous

Dancing – dancing is among the most enjoyable activities anyone can partake in. most the elderly folks like socializing through dance sessions like Zumba, tap and many others. You can set aside dancing sessions for the seniors in a home care or if you have an elderly one in your home, you can sign them up for such sessions and ensure that they attend them consistently.

Swimming – this is the only non-weight bearing form of exercise that gets rid of the risk of accidents as a result of falls among elderly people. It strengthens the core muscles and advances the body posture. If done well under good supervision, it gets rid of the risk to cardiovascular diseases.

Swimming is the only non-weight bearing form of exercise that gets rid of the risk of accidents as a result of falls among elderly people
Swimming is the only non-weight bearing form of exercise that gets rid of the risk of accidents as a result of falls among elderly people

Games – Activities That Challenge the Mind

Bingo – this is an interactive activity common among seniors where a game master will draw number and all the players will be required to create an identified pattern in their card of the numbers which will be announced. This game does not limit the number of players. Everyone can participate as long as they there are enough cards for the players

Scrabble – this is a word game that involves two or even more players. This is a strategic board game that tests one’s vocabulary skills and memory. This is a good way to keep elderly people’s minds active.

Monopoly – this is one of the oldest games that has ever existed. This is where one monopolist controls the game. It was well known in the 1930s and most seniors got addicted to playing this game.

Senior moments – this is aboard game that challenges memory strength. It is suitable for two to eight players. The game is played by players by memorizing a list from a game’s booklet then one is required to recall it correctly. This is a great training for memory strength for elderly people.

Read more: Best Positioning Pillows for Elderly 2019

Activities That Sharpen the Mind – Puzzles

Sudoku – sudoku is a well known logic game that sharpens skills for solving problems. Although it is composed of various numbers, it does not require arithmetic or arithmetic skills. You are only required to come up with a pattern that you can fill out the right set of numbers in the empty boxes of that game. It has been popularized in the past years and has become very specialized even narrowing down to puzzles meant for older people.

Sudoku is a well known logic game that sharpens skills for solving problems
Sudoku is a well known logic game that sharpens skills for solving problems

Crossword – this is another mind challenging game which was first started in magazines and newspapers. It is common among many seniors because it became popular in the 1950s. Providing seniors with various crossword puzzles will fine tune their thinking skills and keep their minds sharp and active.

Jigsaw – there are jigsaws mainly meant for seniors. They are larger than the normal jigsaw and the elderly ones will find them better in case their vision is a bit blurry. Assembling jigsaws instills one with skills of problem solving as they try to figure out the right jigsaw which will fit into the specific part. This video explains on how to assemble a jigsaw.

Activities Which Promote Creativity – Art And Craft

Painting – having painting activities is a good redirection activity for seniors. It is a good way of expressing thoughts and emotions. It also aids in boosting their eye-to-hand coordination and improving their confidence. The painting activities which can be done by seniors include watercolor, oil painting and acrylic.

Mosaic – most senior have fun when coming up with mosaics out of flower pots, tiles, eggshells and other tiny elements. Eye and hand dexterity is very key for this activity. It shapes creativity and imagination skills as they mae colorful items out of assembled parts of art

Scrapbook – Giving this to seniors is like taking them back to memory lane as this is a creative and fun activity where one can document memories immortalized in memorabilia pieces and photographs. It exercises the mind well as the seniors will be able to remember vital moments in their lives.

Scrapbook
Scrapbook

The above highlighted activities are very essential for a elderly and planning one for them can go a long way in exercising their minds and body and even making them more creative during their free time. However, there are a number of factors you should put in place when engaging the elderly in these activities. They include sense of cooperation, physical tolerance and interests. Despite that elderly people are not as energetic as young people, they need an opportunity to have fun and engage in activities. If you found this information helpful, share it with a friend or two and implement it in your home care for the elderly.

Best Positioning Pillows for Elderly 2020

Last Updated December 31, 2019 By Julie Durham

A pillow is a person’s best friend. It helps us achieve a good sleep position and get the rest we deserve. However, there are different types of pillows on the market today.

And there are different sleeping positions that can help us deal with different health issues. But in order to get the best results, we recommend you buy a positioning pillow.

If you wonder what type of pillow is this and why do you need it, know that this type of pillow will help you improve your posture, reduce back pain, neck pain, arm or ankle pain.

High-quality pillows for elderly are hard to find. However, we have made research and compared the best pillows on Amazon in order to help you choose the best fit for you.

What Is the Function of Positioning Pillows and Why Do I Need One?

The name of these pillows says it all. They help you improve posture, meaning, they will help you keep your body in the right position while sleeping, reading, or simply relaxing.

Also, this type of pillows can improve your sleep and make you feel comfortable during the night or day. Most pillows of this kind are made of polyester or polyurethane foam.

Positioning pillows can improve your sleep and make you feel comfortable during the night or day
Positioning pillows can improve your sleep and make you feel comfortable during the night or day

They usually come in a white cotton shell. However, we will talk about the features of these types of pillows after we explain all the great benefits they have for the elderly.

Not surprisingly, people in senior years are the ones who need these pillows the most because most of them do not move enough during the day as when they were younger.

This may increase the risk of pressure ulcers. However, if they change their sleeping position continuously, the risk might reduce and their level of comfort might increase.

Benefits of Positioning Pillows for Elderly

Different types of pillows offer different benefits for the elderly. There are pillows you can place beneath your legs, between your knees, under your arms, neck, and knees.

Positioning Pillow for Neck and Body Pain

This pillow is often placed a long way to keep your body in a comfortable position and reduce the neck pain. No matter if you are dealing with respiratory issues, back pain, neck pain or shoulder pain, positioning this type of pillow down under your shoulder neck and head, you will feel a lot more comfortable. And the pain you feel will start reducing.

Positioning Pillow for Sleeping on Your Tummy

If you prefer sleeping on your tummy, placing body pillow or many pillows to hug in your sleep is recommended. Just place the pillow next to you and get on top of it. However, place only half of your body on it, while placing your top arm and leg up over the pillow.

Positioning Pillow for Your Knees

There is a pillow you can place between your knees and under your knees. If you sleep on your side, it is recommended that you place this type of pillow between your knees.

Positioning pillow for your knees
Positioning pillow for your knees

It will prevent you from developing pain in your hips and knees. Also, it makes a perfect position if you had a knee/hip surgery. If you need to sleep on one side only, you should place a pillow behind you. It will stop you from rolling over and keep you in one position.

However, if you deal with back pain, you need to find the best position that will help you reduce the pain. You can try to sleep on your stomach. Or on your back with legs raised.

If you choose the second way, on your back with legs raised, it is recommended to place this type of pillow under your knees. It will offload the spine and reduce the back pain.

This is also a great position for people who had surgery and have to sleep on their back.

Positioning Pillow for ARMS and Shoulders

If you recently had surgery, sleeping in your bed can be a challenge, especially if you do not have the right pillow. Most patients, after surgery, are told to sleep on their back.

And if you are one of them, in order to feel comfortable in this position, you can place a pillow behind your arm or under the arm to support your shoulders and reduce the pain.

As you can see, being creative with pillows might help you reduce pain in different parts of your body. However, before you buy a pillow, you should consult your therapist for a suggestion on sleeping positions. After, pick the right pillow from our table down below.

If you want to learn more about sleeping positions and how to reduce pain while sleeping, watch this video:

Best Positioning Pillows for Elderly: Comparison chart 2019

Product Name
Material
Dimensions
Maintainance
Rating
Cushy Bed Wedge Pillow
Memory foam
26 x 25 x 7.5
Removable washable cover
4.3/5
Queen Rose Comfy Pillow
Polyester
55 x 31 x 7.8
Machine washable
4.4/5
Xtra Comfort Wedge Pillow
Memory foam
26 x 10 x 10
Machine washable cover
4.4/5
InteVision Ortho Wedge Pillow
Memory foam
8 x 21 x 24
Machine washable cover
4.3/5
Cozy Nut Soft Pillow
Memory foam
9.9 x 5.9 x 4.8
Machine washable cover
4.2/5
Zaraki Large Plush Cut Foam
Shredded foam
21 x 8.5 x 8
Spot clean
3.5/5
Wedge Leg Pillow (Editor’s Choice)
Memory foam
27 x 20 x 10
Removable washable cover
4.0/5
Light Ease Pillow (Editor’s Choice)
Quality Foam
31 x 13 x 9.5
Machine washable cover
4.4/5
ComfiLife Orthopedic Pillow
Memory foam
9.8 x 7.9 x 6.3
Machine washable cover
4.5/5
Wowmax Large Pillow
Cotton
22 and 23 inches
Removable washable cover
New Product

Top 10 Best positioning Pillows for Elderly 2019

After doing our research on best pillows on Amazon that help elderly reduce pain while sleeping and improve posture, we found these among the top-rated pillows. Take a look.

Cushy Bed Wedge Pillow: For Sleeping, Reading, Acid Reflux, Post Surgery

Cushy Bed Wedge Pillow
Cushy Bed Wedge Pillow

If you want to turn your bed into a cozy, comfy recliner, this wedge pillow is perfect for you. It is ideal for sleeping, reading, acid reflux or post surgery because it is made to improve your posture and support your head, neck and shoulders to reduce the pain.

With this pillow, you will definitely solve the snoring or breathing issues you have at the moment. This nice bed wedge pillow will help you improve your sleep and overall health.

Both adjustable and multifunctional, this pillow is also known as an anti-snore pillow. It will keep your body in the ideal angle degree and solve your snoring and breathing issue.

The memory foam maximizes your comfort and fits your body’s shape ideally in order to provide restful experience. It is not too soft. And it is not too firm. It is just perfect.

The Cushy form wedge is 26 x 25 x 7.5 inches and some use it for leg elevation as well. However, it is suggested that you place an extra pillow on top of it for better support.

Do not worry about maintaining the pillow because it comes with a breathable, washable cover. Designed to maintain ideal temperature, the cover is easy to remove and wash.

It weighs only 5.4 pounds and will become your new best friend. Feel free to use it for sleeping, reading, making love, acid reflux, post surgery, leg elevation or just relaxing.

Pros:

  • It is easy to maintain because it comes with a washable and breathable cover.
  • It is not too soft and not too hard but medium soft. It is perfect for people who sleep on their back and have back pain or deal with snoring and breathing issues.
  • Hypoallergenic and antibacterial material will help you with allergies or illnesses

Cons:

  • It arrives highly compressed in a small box. You have to give it time to take the original shape. It has a temporary chemical smell because of the memory foam.

Features:

Comfortable, washable, medium soft (perfect support), hypoallergenic, antibacterial. It is multifunctional, so you can use it for different purposes. The best anti-snoring pillow.

Read the full review on Amazon

Queen Rose Comfy Arthritis and Pregnancy Pillow: Full Body Pillow

Queen Rose Comfy Arthritis and Pregnancy Pillow
Queen Rose Comfy Arthritis and Pregnancy Pillow

Made of 100% velvet, the Queen Rose pillow has a unique design. The pillow is U shaped and ergonomic. Meaning, it follows the natural shape of the body for pregnant women.

You might wonder why do we suggest it for the elderly if it is designed for pregnant women. We discovered that it is also good for arthritis. It reduces the pain and offers comfortable sleep. You can use it for watching TV, reading, sleeping and reducing pain.

It is multifunctional and provides great support to your entire body. Makes the perfect Christmas gift or birthday gift for your pregnant sister, wife, girlfriend, mom and best friend. But if you have parents who suffer from arthritis, it makes an ideal parent gift.

Don’t worry about maintenance because the pillow is machine washable and arrives with a washable pillow cover. It is easy to remove and easy to clean. Made of polyester, this pillow is the best choice for pregnant women or older people who suffer from arthritis.

It is 55 x 31 x 7.8 inches and weighs only 7.09 pounds. Definitely a must-have pillow.

Pros:

  • It is a full body pillow that reduces every type of pain and improves posture. Also, it arrives with a washable pillow cover. So, it is very easy to maintain.
  • The best pillow for elderly who suffer from arthritis and pregnant women.

Cons:

  • According to some reviews, we found online, it is not as soft as described. But let’s not forget that everyone has a different taste and certain expectation.
  • If your height is lower than the average height, it is possible that your belly will not fit the gaps in the pillow and provide you with the full support. But if you look for a pillow that will reduce your pain and help you with arthritis, this is it.

Features:

Multifunctional, ergonomic pillow that follows the natural shape of your body. It does not smell. Designed to provide you with body support, reduce pain and improve posture.

Read the full review on Amazon

Xtra Comfort Bed Wedge Pillow: Best for Back and Leg Pain

Xtra Comfort Bed Wedge Pillow
Xtra Comfort Bed Wedge Pillow

If you search for the best bed wedge pillow you can use for different purposes, Xtra comfort bed wedge pillow is a perfect choice. Versatile 3 in 1 design that will allow you to put it under your head or the back of your legs. It is compact. You can travel with it.

It is suitable for any bed and will provide additional support and comfort to your back, neck or legs. It is up to you how you will use this simple but functional and comfy pillow.

Made of supportive breathable memory foam, this pillow is neither too soft or too hard. It is medium soft and provides optimal support. You can use it with your regular pillows.

Do not worry about maintenance because the pillow arrives with a washable, zippered cover that is easy to remove. It is made of soft, breathable polyester in neutral beige.

It can be used for sleeping, reading, improving posture, reducing pain, providing a more comfortable sleep, or you can buy it as a present for someone’s birthday or Christmas.

Xtra is 26 x 10 x 10 inches and weighs only 4.7 pounds. It elevates the head perfectly.

Pros:

  • A versatile design that allows you to use it for different purposes. It elevates the head with the right amount of pressure, to prevent stiffness in your neck.
  • Easy to maintain. Breathable and comfy cover. Made of supportive memory foam.

Cons:

  • The pillow cover comes in neutral beige. However, considering all the health benefits you get with this pillow, the color should not be much of a problem.
  • It may have a weird odor during the first night. Air it outside before using.

Features:

Comfortable. Multifunctional thanks to the 3 in 1 design that allows you to use it for sleeping, reading, reducing neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain or improve your posture.

Read the full review on Amazon

InteVision Ortho Wedge Pillow for Legs: It will improve your circulation

InteVision Ortho Wedge Pillow for Legs
InteVision Ortho Wedge Pillow for Legs

Made of memory foam layer on top, InteVision Ortho wedge pillow will provide the best support for your legs, thanks to the firm base. It is very comfortable and will help you reduce pain in the legs and you improve sleep. It has a bit salty price but it is worth it.

It is not too soft. However, it is not too hard either. It is perfect and provides the full support you need after leg surgery. You can also use it to rest your legs while reading or relaxing after a long day at work. Most people buy it because it improves circulation.

InteVision Ortho wedge pillow is 8 x 21 x 24 inches and weighs 3.45 pounds. It does a good job at relieving back pain, improving circulation or allowing the spinal cord to relax.

And the best part of it is that the cover is 100% Egyptian cotton and it is easy to wash.

Pros:

  • Firm base but also comfortable. Made of memory foam. It will support your legs but also improve your posture, circulation, and allow your spinal cord to relax. It is definitely worth the price. Perfect for reading, relaxing or post leg surgery.

Cons:

  • Some complaint about the cover. They say it is oversized for the pillow. It appears to be firm for some people, but every person’s taste is different.

Features:

High-quality product. Firm but comfortable. Pricey but worth it. Made of memory foam. Ideal for sleeping and relaxing. It improves the function of your spine and circulation.

Read the full review on Amazon

Cozy Nut Soft Memory Foam Pillow: Best for Lower Back Pain and Posture

Cozy Nut Soft Memory Foam Pillow
Cozy Nut Soft Memory Foam Pillow

Made of medical grade memory foam, the cozy nut soft pillow is the best one on the market for reducing lower back pain and improving posture. It never loses shape thanks to the medical grade memory foam. Offers the proper balance of comfort and support.

It is hypoallergenic, dust mite-resistant and anti-bacterial pillow that is loved by many.

Do not worry about maintenance because it arrives with a super soft velour cover. It will make you feel like sleeping on a cloud. The cover is breathable, washable with moisture-wicking properties and absorption ability.

It has the perfect dimensions, 9.9 x 5.9 x 4.8 inches and weighs only 1.1 pounds. It will fit different sleeping positions while providing the best support. Unlike other pillows, it will let you sleep in your favorite position. But this time, you will sleep a lot better.

Cozy Nut Soft memory foam pillow is specially designed to reduce the pain in your lower back, prevent a strain of lumbar muscles, reduce pressure while sleeping, provide and best support or relieve lumbar pressure. It is best for pregnant women or older people.

The versatile design will not only protect your waist but also prove comfort. Feel free to use it below the knee or between your legs. No matter if you are a side sleeper, back sleeper or tummy sleeper, you will absolutely love this magical pillow with memory foam.

Pros:

  • Made of medical grade memory foam that provides the best support and fits any sleeping position. Comfortable. Multifunctional. Thanks to the memory foam, it will relieve lumbar pressure, prevent a strain of lumbar muscles and reduce pain.
  • It is not too high. Or too low but perfectly designed to fit any sleeping position.

Cons:

  • Some customers have found this pillow too low. However, if you prefer sleeping on your stomach, it is perfect. It is also great for back and side sleepers thanks to the medical grade memory foam that allows the pillow to provide the comfort you need. However, if you find it low, you can combine it with your regular pillow.

Features:

High-quality medical grade memory foam pillow. A comfortable, multifunctional and orthopedic pillow that will prove the best support and become your new best friend.

Read the full review on Amazon

Best Body Pillow: Zaraki Large Plush Shredded Foam That is Perfect for Adults, Teens, Kids, Pregnant Women, Reading, Watching TV or relaxing

Best Body Pillow
Best Body Pillow

The name of the pillow says it all. It is one of the best body pillows on the market. High-quality pillow with cut foam which provides better airflow. Flexible and comfy.

It does not matter what relaxing position is your favorite because the Zaraki pillow fits just any relaxing position and will provide comfort and body support to every individual.

Maintaining this pillow will not be a problem for you because it arrives in soft plush grey velour cover. Do not worry because it is a comfortable, cozy cover that is easy to clean.

If you deal with head pain, arm pain or back pain, this is the pillow for you. It provides the greatest support to your head, arms and back while watching TV, reading, relaxing or napping. You can use it on your favorite chair and bed. Or you can put it on the floor.

Zaraki pillow is a compact pillow. Meaning, you can wear it with you wherever you go and enjoy your travel with your new best friend. When you find it dirty, take a damp cloth, detergent and clean it. Zaraki pillow is 21 x 8.5 x 8 inches and weighs only 5.65 pounds.

Pros:

  • Compact and made of shredded foam. It provides full support to your head, neck, and back. One of the best comfortable pillows for relaxing on Amazon.

Cons:

  • Some find the non-removable cover of this pillow as a disadvantage because they cannot wash it in the machine. But it is very easy to clean with a damp cloth and a detergent. Also, it arrives compressed. Meaning, it needs some time to get in the original form. Some customers find the waiting unexpected and frustrating.

Features:

Good quality for the price. Perfect for reading, napping and relaxing. Comfortable and made of shredded foam. You can take it wherever you go and use it wherever you want.

Read the full review on Amazon

Editor’s choice: Wedge Leg Pillow: For Back Pain, Sleeping and Relaxing

Wedge Leg Pillow
Wedge Leg Pillow

Clinically proven to help reduce back pain, the angle memory foam wedge pillow is the best choice for the elderly who suffer from lower back pain and other health issues.

However, it will not only reduce the pain in your lower back and provide comfort but also help you with muscle spasms, tension, stress, fatigues, arthritis, edema, sciatica, phlebitis, bulging disc, and strain. It is the ideal therapy pillow for improving the sleep.

Thanks to the perfect design, it provides support to the spine and reduces pressure on discs and muscles. According to many positive reviews, it proves that it helped millions.

It is 27 x 20 x 10 inches and weighs only 3.5 pounds. The pillow has a 5-year warranty.

You will get a pillow that will support both your knees and legs at once. Meaning, it is a 2 in 1 pillow. An American product that will definitely meet your expectations and needs.

Pros:

  • Eco-friendly. Clinically tested. Comes with a 5-year warranty and you can choose from 4 different sizes. Washable and easy to maintain. Hypoallergenic. Comfy.

Cons:

  • It might have a strong chemical smell the first time you use it. Also, some find it too high. But it depends on your choice of size. Make sure you pick the right one.

Features:

A nice pillow for the price. Easy to wash. Hypoallergenic, eco-friendly and comfortable. However, give it time to lose the chemical odor. Considering all the benefits, the smell does not seem like a problem. Clinically tested. It is proven that it helps with back pain.

Read the full review on Amazon

Editor’s choice: Light Ease Pillow: Wedge Pillow for legs, knee, and ankle

Light Ease Pillow
Light Ease Pillow

If you have an injured leg or had an ACL surgery, femur or hip replacement, this light ease memory foam pillow is the right choice for you. It will provide the best elevation support to your leg and knee joint.

It improves circulation which helps in healing and reduces pain. It is perfect for legs, knee or ankle. It helps reduce the swelling and speed up the recovery process for 30%. Made of quality memory foam, it will make your leg, knee or ankle feel well protected.

It is 31 x 13 x 9.5 inches and weighs only 2.8 pounds. You do not have to worry about hurting your leg, knee or ankle while sleeping. This pillow will keep it protected for you.

Pros:

  • It improves circulation. Speeds up the healing process for 30% and makes you feel protected. Made of memory foam. Reduces swelling. Easy to carry around.

Cons:

  • It arrives vacuum packed. Meaning, it will take some time until it expands in the real original shape. Also, it might have a strong chemical smell after unpacking.

Features:

It provides the best elevation support to your leg and knee. It will help you heal faster and reduce the swelling while providing protection. It has a comfy, soft and short plush.

Read the full review on Amazon

ComfiLife Orthopedic Pillow for Knee, Reading, Legs, Hip, and Joint Pain

ComfiLife Orthopedic Pillow
ComfiLife Orthopedic Pillow

Designed for sciatica, back, and hip pain relief while sleeping, the ComfiLife Orthopedic pillow is the best solution for your problems.

It provides the best support that will help relieve pressure on the lower back and reduce sciatica pain.

Made of long-lasting, high-quality cut memory foam, it will not lose the original shape after some time.

The ergonomic design will keep your leg, hip, and spine in the perfect alignment at night and improve your circulation.

It is 9.8 x 7.9 x 6.3 inches and weighs only 8 ounces. Do not worry about maintenance because it arrives in a nice, removable cover that does not allow the pillow to get warm.

Pros:

  • Made of high-quality, long-lasting material. Weights 8 ounces, meaning it is very easy to move around your home. Perfect alignment for the leg, hip, and spine. Improves circulation. Will not lose the original shape after time. A must-have.

Cons:

  • Some customers find it too soft, while others claim it is too firm. However, it all depends on the person’s taste or perception. Also, it may have a strong chemical smell the first day. The zipper is fragile, so you need to be extra careful with it.

Features:

Orthopedic pillow made of durable quality shredded memory foam. Definitely a great product for the price. Easy mobility and provides the best alignment to your leg, hip or spine. It will also improve your circulation and keep the original shape for a long time.

Read the full review on Amazon

Wowmax Large Bolster Triangular Support Wedge Pillow: For Back Rest

Wowmax Large Bolster Triangular Support Wedge Pillow
Wowmax Large Bolster Triangular Support Wedge Pillow

If you were searching for the perfect pillow for reading in bed and improving posture, this is it. Made of cotton, Wowmax wedge pillow will meet your expectations and needs.

It provides an excellent neck/back support. You will feel comfortable while reading in bed. However, you can also use it for napping, watching TV or just relaxing. Decorative. Functional. Ideal for college students who prefer to study in their beds. Easy to wash.

It comes in two different sizes such as 22 and 23 inches and weighs only 5.51 pounds.

Pros:

  • Amazing back and neck support. Comfy. Perfect for reading, napping or relaxing. Ideal for those who want to add some color and comfort to their life and sleep.

Cons:

  • The only disadvantage of this pillow is that you cannot sleep on it. Easy to wash and maintain. Definitely a must-have product. Amazing quality at a great price.

Features:

Perfect for resting, reading and watching TV. Colorful. Fun and easy to move around. A nice product that will improve your posture and make a great decoration to your home.

Read the full review on Amazon

The Only Buyer’s Guide you need: How to pick your positioning pillow?

If you don’t know what type of pillow you need and how to pick the best one, we have you covered in this guide. Read on to learn more about how to pick the best product.

Ultra Slim or Slim Pillow?

If you prefer to sleep on your belly, it is recommended that you buy an ultra slim or slim pillow. It will help you breath more easily and help reduce your back or neck pain.

Buying a fluffy pillow is not recommended because it can interrupt your breathing. A flat, low-quality pillow won’t do you any good either because it won’t support your neck.

The best option is to pick a pillow that is not very thin but thick enough to support both your head and neck. Consider buying the one that is thin on the top part for the head.

And if you sleep on your back, don’t buy a pillow that is too high or too low but medium.

Soft or Hard Pillow?

If you buy a medium-soft pillow, it will curve with the neck just perfectly. Avoid pillows that are too hard because they won’t let the neck curve naturally, while too soft pillows won’t provide any support to your neck/back. Look for an elastic and thin sleeping pillow.

What Type of Material Should I Look For?

Positioning pillows come in different sorts of materials. However, the best ones are made of memory foam or shredded memory foam, fiber padding, water-filled or gel filled, and microbead. However, every material stands for a different purpose like:

  • Memory foam and shredded memory foam will help with your head and neck pain.
  • Gel or water-filled pillows are cool and will provide you with the best sleep ever.
  • Down pillows aren’t recommended by experts because they lose their shape with time and contain allergens. It is best to pick a memory foam or gel-filled pillow.

Universal Features of Positioning Pillows in Elderly

These are the 6 features you should look for in sleeping pillows to pick the best one.

1. Waterproof

If you live in a hot or humid region, buying a pillow that is not waterproof and gets wet easily, is not a good idea. You should always buy a waterproof pillow or slipcover for it.

2. Cooling Technology

You should buy a pillow mace with cooling technology like the ones filled with gel/water in order to reduce the moisture and heat. The cooler your pillow, the better your sleep.

3. Comfort

Never pick a pillow that is too hard or easy to scratch because you will not enjoy a nice sleep. A comfortable pillow that is medium-soft will provide both, comfort and support.

A comfortable pillow that is medium-soft will provide both, comfort and support
A comfortable pillow that is medium-soft will provide both, comfort and support

4. Washable

We did not have to mention this feature because you know how important it is for your pillow to be washable and easy to clean. Chose a pillow that you can clean in the washer.

However, buying covers is also a good option. This way, you will only wash the covers. It is a lot easier and a lot simpler. Plus, you will not need to wait for your pillow to dry to use it again. Also, keep in mind that most memory foam pillows get ruined in the washer.

5. Antimicrobial Microfiber and Hypoallergenic Fill

This is an essential feature you should look for in a sleeping pillow or any other pillow because if you don’t, and you buy a bad pillow, it might develop bacteria and allergies.

This happens because if the pillow isn’t with hypoallergenic and antimicrobial microfiber fill, you will breathe in dust mites when sleeping, especially if you sleep on your tummy, with your face in the pillow. Always pick the pillow specifically made to resist bacteria.

6. Ventilation System

Another feature you should pay close attention to when buying this type of pillow or any other pillow is the ventilation system. If you prefer to sleep on your tummy, you need a pillow that is breathable. Avoid pillows that will possibly suffocate you while sleeping. Buy pillows with a ventilation system, instead of buying the fluffy ones.

How Much Should I Spend on Positioning Pillows?

This is not a question that we should answer, considering the fact that we do not own information about your income. However, it is always better to invest in a quality pillow once, rather than buying a cheaper one and stressing over it because it is not comfy.

If you want to improve your sleep and reduce some type of pain you are dealing with, we suggest you buy a good positioning pillow, according to your needs from the table above.

Amazon has the simplest system you can use to compare prices and select the one that you can afford. However, keep in mind that the better the pillow, the better your sleep.

If you still wonder how can you improve your sleep and health with the proper sleeping posture, watch this:

Final Thoughts on Positioning Pillows for Elderly 2020

We hope you find our guide on best sleeping pillows for elderly 2019 helpful. We have done research and compared the best pillows and shared their pros and cons. Do not hesitate to ask your questions in the comment section and follow us on social media.

A Comprehensive Guide on How to Choose a Mattress Topper

Last Updated December 31, 2019 By Julie Durham

Is your mattress already feeling a bit soft? Or maybe you purchased the wrong mattress and found yours to be a bit firmer than what you need? If this is the case, then you should replace it right away.

That is indeed the easiest way to solve that, but of course, it is not the most practical option. If you are short on budget, buying a new mattress topper may not be the best option for you. But before you succumb to sleepless nights, back and neck aches, there is one other solution that you can try—buy a mattress topper.

What is a mattress topper? How can you benefit from it? How to choose a mattress topper? We will answer all of those in this short yet comprehensive guide.

What is a Mattress Topper and What are its Benefits?

A mattress topper is a bedding accessory that looks like a sheet and is placed on top of a mattress to provide the following benefits:

Improved sleep surface

If your old mattress already has indentations or sagging, putting a mattress firm over it can solve that issue. Moreover, it can help the sleeper to customize the thickness, firmness, and softness of the mattress.

Improved sleep surface
Improved sleep surface

Better support

Memory foam is the most supportive mattress filling, but it can be a bit expensive. If you can’t afford memory foam mattresses, your next best option is to buy mattress toppers that are made of latex and memory foam filling which can boost the mattress’ support.

Relief from pain and pressure

Another benefit of memory foam is it is shape conforming and can alleviate unwanted pressure on the body. With a mattress topper, you have a more economical way of aligning the spine and relieving pressure from the neck, lower back, hips, and shoulders.

Longer durability

Placing a topper on top of your mattress can protect it from sagging and indentations.

Reduced noise

If you are using a mattress that is made of featherbeds, you are aware that it can get a bit noisy. Using a mattress topper can address that problem.

More affordable method

If you plan on replacing your mattress, buying a mattress topper is a much more economical option.

To further understand the benefits of a mattress topper, please watch this video:

When to Buy a Mattress Topper

Is a mattress topper a good option for you? Before you decide to buy a mattress topper, it is vital that you understand when and who should buy a mattress topper. With that in mind, a mattress topper is useful for the following conditions:

When you find the mattress to be a bit too firm

As mentioned, a mattress topper can create a softer and more comfortable sleeping surface, making it a perfect option for people who want their beds to be less firm.

When you want to make your RV bed more comfortable

We all know how uncomfortable and unsupportive RV beds can be. A mattress topper can remedy that problem.

When the sleepers have different comfort preferences

If you and your partner have different comfort preferences and you find dual firmness mattress to be a bit expensive, a mattress topper can help one sleeper to modify his side of the bed (make it softer or more supportive). This is a more cost-effective solution to your sleeping disputes.

When you are staying on a different accommodation

Are you a picky sleeper? Do you find it difficult to fall asleep when the surface of the bed is different to your comfort preferences? If that’s the case, then a mattress topper would come handy for you.

You can bring a mattress topper to make the beds in hotels, your friend’s home, and even, a tent to become more suitable for your preferences.

Mattress Topper Vs. Mattress Pad

When buying a mattress topper, one thing that you should keep in mind is that a mattress topper is different than that of a mattress pad. In this section, we will not just discuss what mattress topper but also the information you need to differentiate it from a mattress pad.

To begin with, a mattress pad is a thin sheet that is designed to protect the mattress from water, and also offer either cooling or heating features. On the other hand, a mattress topper is a thicker sheet that is designed to boost the cushioning, softness, and support that the mattress can give.

Everything You Need on How to Choose a Mattress Topper

If you did not luck out on your process on how to choose a mattress, you could still save your investment by buying the best mattress topper. Here is all the information that you need to know to find the one!

Types of Mattress Toppers

One of the most important things that you should pay attention to when choosing a mattress topper is the material used. Mattress topper materials come in various styles, and we will cover the differences of those materials in this section.

Latex

Latex is made from the liquid extracted from rubber trees and can get a bit expensive, but it offers an amount of support and comfort that is comparable to that of memory foam.

Pros
  • Firmer than memory foam
  • Durable
  • Prevents motion transmission which is perfect for couples
  • Offers comfort and pain relief
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Not suitable for people with latex allergy
  • May feel a bit hot during the warmer months

Memory Foam

This is the most common mattress topper material of all and is known for a lot of amazing features.

Pros
  • Conforms to the shape of the user’s body
  • Provide support especially for people with joint and muscular pain
  • Reduce both movement and noise
  • Available in wide array of densities
  • Durable
Cons
  • Gives off strong chemical odor initially
  • Expensive

Wool

This is the most expensive mattress topper material, and this is due to good reasons!

Pros
  • Naturally soft and comfortable
  • Durable
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Resistant to bed bugs and mites
  • Keeps the user feeling cool throughout the night
Cons
  • Most expensive
  • Does not have the same level of cushioning as memory foam

Cotton and Polyester

This is a popular choice due to its affordability.

Pros
  • Soft
  • Available as synthetic or organic
  • Easier to clean and maintain
  • Highly affordable
Cons
  • Not as durable as other materials

Things to Consider When Choosing a Mattress Topper

Now that you are familiar with the different materials used for manufacturing mattress toppers, we can now proceed with the other factors that you should take into account to find the best mattress topper for your needs.

Sleeping Position

One critical personal considerations would be your sleeping position. With these in mind, here are the things you need to know:

– Side Sleepers

When you sleep on your side, your spine creates an unnatural curvature which may place too much pressure on your shoulders, hips, and neck. With that in mind, you should go for a topper that will sink underneath these areas and can keep your spine in proper alignment.

– Back Sleepers

When you sleep on your back, your spine is in its natural alignment, and thus, unnecessary pressure can be avoided. Despite this, you would still need a high-density topper as it can provide you with more support. A medium-firm topper would be great for you as it can prevent your hips and back from sinking too deeply without creating a gap between the lower back and bed of the sleeper.

– Stomach Sleepers

People who sleep on their stomach do not just misalign their spine—it can also deeply sink the pelvis and hips which can put your body at risk of pressure and pain. You can prevent these issues by using a slightly, thin and low-density mattress topper.

Body weight

The next most important factor would be your body weight. If you weigh less than 130 pounds, a comfortable option for you would be low-density soft toppers. If you weight more than 130 pounds, you should go for firmer toppers so they won’t sink under you.

Thickness and firmness

The thickness of mattress toppers range from 1 to 4 inches. When choosing the thickness of the topper, you need to consider your purpose for buying one. If you wish to make the mattress firmer and more supportive, you should go for a thicker topper. On the other hand, a thinner topper is recommended if you only need minor changes.

When choosing the thickness of the topper, you need to consider your purpose for buying one
When choosing the thickness of the topper, you need to consider your purpose for buying one

Durability

We know that mattress toppers are much more affordable than mattresses, but despite this, it is vital for you to ensure that you will be able to make the most out of your investment. When it comes to durability, the materials of choice are memory foam, wool, and latex. The least durable materials are feather and fibers.

Softness and comfort

We know that comfort is subjective so this factor is dependent on the user. But as a guide, you have two options to choose from—shape-conforming comfort of latex and memory foam or naturally soft surface of cotton and down.

Density

High-density toppers have better edge support and shape conforming capabilities. On the other hand, lower density models do not have heat-retaining capabilities and gassy odor that are common with lower density toppers.

Price

Generally, mattress toppers are cheap, but of course, their prices vary. Because of this, it is crucial for you to establish how much money you are willing to shell out for a mattress topper.

As mentioned, wool, memory foam, and latex are the expensive toppers while cotton and polyester are at the lower end of the spectrum when it comes to price.

Pain Relief

If you usually wake up with aches and pains all over your body, you need a mattress topper that can conform to the shape of your body and keep the spine in proper alignment. This is one feature that memory foam mattress toppers are known for.

Body Heat

If you wish to prevent yourself from waking up all hot and sweaty at night, you need a mattress topper that promotes proper airflow.

Among all the materials used for mattress toppers, wool, feather and down materials deliver extra warmth during the colder seasons and reduce heat during warmer months.

On the other hand, latex and memory foam toppers trap body heat which can be a disadvantage for you. If you decide to go for these materials, you should make sure that the manufacturer has added gel cooling elements or ventilation tubes to the toppers.

Maintenance and Portability

Keep in mind that you have to remove the topper from the box and put it over the bed. You also have to remove it from the bed to clean it from time to time. That is why you need to make sure that the mattress topper is not heavy.

You should also take into consideration the method of cleaning of the mattress. Some toppers are machine washable while others need to be hand washed.

Maintenance and Portability
Maintenance and Portability

Extra Features That You Would Need

If you have a bit of money to spare, then you may want to look for a mattress topper that has these special features:

Hypoallergenic

If you have a wide array of allergies, you must go for a mattress topper that is hypoallergenic. The materials that have the greatest risk at triggering allergies are latex and feathers.

You should also go for a mattress that is resistant to mildew, molds, bed bugs, and dust mites.

Motion Isolation

Some mattress toppers are great at absorbing motion or isolating it at certain parts of the mattress. Because of this, sleep disruptions can be minimized. When it comes to motion isolation, memory foam and latex are your best bets while fiber, feather, and wool offer the least motion isolation capabilities.

In Summary

There is no doubt that mattress toppers can be useful for you in keeping your mattress more supportive, durable, comfortable and firmer. If you wish to enjoy all the benefits that a topper has to offer, you should be careful in choosing one. Make sure to keep in mind all the pointers on how to choose a mattress topper that we have provided in this article.

The All-in Guide on How to Clean Memory Foam Pillow

Last Updated December 31, 2019 By Julie Durham

The all-in guide on how to clean memory foam pillow

Memory foam pillows are well loved by a lot of users because of their softness, shape conforming abilities and the level of support that they can provide. But if there is one thing that users hate about using memory foam, it is the fact that it is hard to maintain.

Should you place the pillow in the washing machine? Can you tumble dry it? Or should it be hand washed? What are the other things that you should think about when cleaning your memory foam pillow? These are some of the questions that we will address in this article.

If you have found the best memory foam pillow, you surely would want to make sure that it will last for long. The only way to do that is to make sure that you properly maintain and wash your pillow. If you want to know how to clean memory foam pillow, continue reading!

The Five Different Ways on How to Clean Memory Foam Pillow

There is not one way to clean memory foam. In this article, we will share with you the different ways on how to clean your memory foam pillow. The technique you will choose should depend on the current condition or issue of your pillow.

How to clean memory foam pillow
How to clean memory foam pillow

Technique #1: Removing Spills

If you have spilled liquid on your pillows, you need to wash it right away to prevent it from getting stained. With that in mind, here are the steps and items that you need:

What You Will Need:

  • Towel
  • Basin with Cold Water
  • Mild Detergent
  • Dry Towel
  • Alcohol-free dish soap

Step 1.1: Remove the pillowcase.

Remove the case of the pillow and read the wash instructions stated on its label. Wash the pillow following its care instructions. If no care instructions are provided, try wetting the pillow a bit with cold water. Do this step as soon as possible to prevent the pillow from staining.

Pro Tip: To avoid spill problems in the future, it is recommended that you use a liquid-proof pillowcase. After all, prevention is always better than cure.

Step 1.2: Soak up the liquid.

Moist the towel with a mixture of water and mild detergent. Afterward, dab the moist towel to the affected area to soak up excess liquid. If you have removed the liquid, but a stain has been left behind, you can squirt two drops of alcohol-free dish soap to the towel and continue dabbing the portion that has been spilled on.

Pro Tip: Never use hot water for this purpose as the heat will cause the stain to set, making it even harder to get rid of.

The towel should only be moist—not dripping wet—as too much water can damage the memory foam.

Step 1.3: Blot and dry the pillow.

Once you are able to clean up the spill and remove the stain, use a dry towel to blot the pillow. Wring out the towel once it is already too wet but avoid wringing the pillow as the filling might get damaged.

When you are able to remove enough dampness from the pillow, let it air dry before putting on its pillowcase.

Pro Tip: You can use a blow dryer (in low temperature setting) to facilitate the drying process.

Technique #2: Getting Rid of Stains

If unfortunately, you found some stains in your pillow, you need to wash it right away. The earlier you fix the stain, the easier it would be for you to remove it.

What You Will Need:

  • Mild Detergent
  • Enzymatic Cleaner
  • White Vinegar
  • Damp Cloth

Step 2.1: Dab the pillow with a mixture of water and mild detergent.

If the stain has already set, the only thing that you can do is to blot and dab the stain with cold water and mild soap.

Pro Tip: Use only as little water as possible to avoid damaging the filling of the pillow.

Step 2.2: Spray enzymatic cleaner over the stain.

If the stain remains, your next step is to spray enzymatic cleaner on the stained portion of your pillow. Once again, you should avoid wetting the pillow too much so spray the cleaner few inches away from the pillow.

Spray enzymatic cleaner over the stain
Spray enzymatic cleaner over the stain

Let the cleaner sit on the pillow for five minutes.

Step 2.3: If you don’t have an enzymatic cleaner, use a white vinegar solution instead.

If you have no enzymatic cleaner on hand, create your own vinegar solution. You can do this by mixing one part of white vinegar with one part of cold water. Place the resulting solution in a spray bottle.

Lightly spray the pillow with the vinegar solution and let it stand for about five minutes.

Pro Tip: To cancel out the unwanted smell of vinegar, add a teaspoon of lemon juice into the spray bottle and shake it well.

Step 2.4: Use a damp cloth to blot the area.

Slightly moist a towel with cold water and dab it into the pillow and slowly work out the stain. If the stain remains, you can spray it again with either the enzymatic cleaner or the vinegar solution, let it sit and dab it with a moist towel. Continue doing this until you have removed the stain.

Pro Tips: No matter how stubborn the stain is, refrain from scrubbing the pillow or soaking it in water. You should also avoid using the harsher cleaner as it can easily damage the pillow.

Step 2.5: Dry the pillow.

Air dry the pillow for 12 to 24 hours. Once again, you can also use a blow dryer set on the lowest temperature.

Pro Tip: Avoid putting its pillowcase while it is still wet as doing so can lead to mold growth.

Technique #3: Removing Unwanted Odors

If the pillow has no stain but already smells bad, then you need to clean it. You can do that by taking the following steps.

What You Will Need:

  • Fabric Freshener
  • Baking Soda or Borax
  • Handheld Vacuum

Step 3.1: Slightly mist the pillow using fabric freshener.

The easiest and fastest way to neutralize unwanted odors is to make use of a fabric freshener. But keep in mind that you should only slightly mist it—not wet it. To do this, place the freshener a few inches away from the pillow and spray it once in a specific part of the pillow. Spray the different parts of the pillow only once.

Slightly mist the pillow using fabric freshener
Slightly mist the pillow using fabric freshener

Step 3.2: Sprinkle baking soda over the pillow.

Generously sprinkle baking soda on both sides of the pillow. Allow the powder to sit on the pillow for 15 minutes if you are just dealing with basic odors. If the smell is too strong, let it sit for about 30 minutes.

Pro Tip: If you do not have baking soda on hand, you can use borax instead.

Step 3.3: Vacuum the baking soda.

Using a handheld vacuum cleaner, remove the baking soda after letting it sit. This simple step can also get rid of unwanted dust and dirt that have accumulated on your pillow.

Pro Tip: If you do not have a handheld vacuum cleaner, you can also use a floor vacuum by putting the hose attachment on it.

Step 3.4: Leave the pillow under the sun.

The sunlight can get rid of the bacteria and remaining odors from the pillow.

Technique #4: Dealing with Stubborn Stains

If you are dealing with stubborn stains like blood or wine but do not wish to wash the entire pillow, you can easily spot clean it through the following steps:

What You Will Need:

  • 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Clean Cloth
  • Old Toothbrush
  • Cold Water

Step 4.1: Remove the pillowcase.

Wash the pillow case separately.

Step 4.2: Apply hydrogen peroxide.

Add a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide to the stain. The peroxide will bubble. When it does, dab it with a clean cloth until it stops bubbling.

Apply hydrogen peroxide
Apply hydrogen peroxide

Step 4.3: Lightly brush the pillow.

After dabbing the pillow, lightly spray it with cold water. Afterward, use an old toothbrush to brush it gently.

Step 4.4: Air dry the pillow.

Expose one side of the pillow to air for 12 hours. Afterward, flip it over to dry the other side for 12 more hours. Make sure that the pillow is already properly dried before putting on a pillowcase.

Technique #5: Removing Pet Urine

Pet urine is the worst thing that you will have to deal with because you need to address both the stain and its foul smell. Lucky for you, you can quickly get rid of it through the following steps:

What You Will Need:

  • White Vinegar
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Baking Soda
  • Cold Water

Step 5.1: Remove the pillowcase.

If you wish to achieve the best results, it would be best if you will wash the pillow and the pillow cover separately.

Step 5.2: Mix vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda.

Mix two tablespoons of baking soda, one cup of hydrogen peroxide and one tablespoon of white vinegar. Apply the resulting mixture directly to the stain. Let it stay overnight.

If you wake up the next morning and the stain and odor are still there, do the entire process all over again.

Step 5.3: Blot the area with a moist towel.

Slightly wet a clean towel with cold water. If you wake up to a stain-free pillow the next morning, proceed on blotting the area with the moist towel until you have removed the solution.

Step 5.4: Dry the pillow.

Air dry the pillow for a day, flipping it halfway to ensure that both of its sides are already thoroughly dried.

To know if you can place the pillow in a washer, watch this video:

How Often Should You Clean Your Memory Foam Pillow?

Of course, you shouldn’t only clean your memory pillow when it gets stained, wet or peed on. It is crucial that you regularly maintain its cleanliness so you can prolong its life and functionality.

Changing your pillowcase at least once a week is recommended. But when should you wash your pillows? According to experts, you need to deep clean your pillow every two months to maintain proper hygiene. But if you have time to spare, you can vacuum and deodorize it at least once a week.

In the event that one of your family members have fallen ill, you should clean the pillow right away to prevent the virus or bacteria from spreading.

When to Replace Your Memory Foam Pillow

But no matter how much you take care of your pillow, there will come a time that you have to replace it due to normal wear and tear. When is this? One great thing about this type of pillow is that they are much more durable and will definitely last longer than polyester pillows.

While polyester pillows have to be replaced every six months, memory foam pillows are advised to be replaced every eighteen to thirty-six months, depending on its condition.

Some of the signs that it’s time to replace your memory foam pillow are sagging, lumps and bumps, permanent stains, needs to be constantly re-fluffed, and undone seams. If you are already waking up with aches and pains and usually dealing with headaches in the morning, these are also some good indications that you need a new memory foam pillow.

Aside from old age, there are also other reasons why you should replace your memory foam pillow. If you decide to switch to another sleeping position, you may need a pillow that is thinner or thicker and bigger or smaller, so you also need to keep that into consideration.

In Summary

Memory foam pillows provide fantastic support and keep our spine in proper alignment. However, this pillow material is also well known for its high price. If you have decided to invest in it, it is a must that you figure out how to clean memory foam pillow properly so you can make the most out of your investment.

Frequent Urination At Night

Last Updated December 31, 2019 By Julie Durham

Frequent urination at night

Do you experience this annoying nag from your bladder every night as you sleep? If you are forced to go to the restroom more than two times within your 6-8 hours of night’s sleep then you are likely to be experiencing Nocturia. This is a medical term for excessive urination. This maybe as a result of your bladder being unable to hold too much urine or your body making too much urine.

Enuresis (bed-wetting) is another condition where you are unable to control your urination at night. This might happen unconsciously without one having to wake up and go to the washroom. However, it is different from frequent urination because in the latter case, one is not able to sleep because of the urge to urinate.

Frequent urination at night can be as a result of many factors where some of them need medical attention while others can be managed by the individual. After realizing the need in creating awareness of frequent urination at night, I combined information on the possible causes, preventive and treatment measures for this condition.

Do you experience this annoying nag from your bladder every night as you sleep
Do you experience this annoying nag from your bladder every night as you sleep

Check on What You Are Drinking

High consumption of alcohol and caffeinated drinks risks your body to frequent urination. This is because the two drinks are diuretics meaning when taken in excess, the body is forced to produce a lot of urine. To avoid this, avoid taking the drinks and if that is not possible, don’t take the drinks later in the day and ensure you use the bathroom before retiring to bed. Also avoid taking any drinks just before going to bed.

Old age

Age is a major factor in this condition. As we get older, the anti-diuretic produced in the body gets less weakening the body’s ability to retain urine especially at night and it also causes increased urine production. In older age, the bladder is also weakened making it very hard to retain the urine in the bladder. Health problems associated with old age also play a big role in frequent urination at night for older people.

Older men are prone to getting an enlarged prostate which really keeps them on their feet to empty the bladder. For women, Estrogen secretion becomes limited as they grow older. This may cause changes in the urinary tract and may make them pee often. For women who have given birth, the pelvic muscles also get weaker as they grow old and risk them to frequent urination.

Read more: Causes of Sleep Problems in Elderly

Medications

When under a doctor’s prescription, the kind of pills you take may influence your rate of urination. Some medicines have a tendency of pulling fluid out of your system and may make you to pee more. This mostly happens for water pills which are used to treat high blood pressure. If you notice this side-effect in your medication, take your medicine earlier in the day or consult your doctor to change your medication.

Sleep Problem

Sometimes it’s not the urge to pee that keeps you awake. You may just be experiencing sleepless nights and you need to keep moving therefore you prefer visiting the restroom. This sleeping problem may be as a result of depression, chronic pain, hot flashes, or restless leg syndrome. Getting a treatment for sleeping disorder may be able to solve your peeing at night problem.

Pregnancy

For expectant mothers, frequent peeing may happen in the early stages when he womb presses against the bladder. However, this may also be experienced in later days in pregnancy. This condition may act as an indicator of pregnancy.

Pregnancy
Pregnancy

Heart Problem

When the heart doesn’t pump blood around the body the way it is supposed to pump, fluids build up and it is noticeable at the ankles as they may swell. The moment you lie down to sleep, your body is forced to flush out the extra fluids forcing you to wake up out of the urge from your bladder to pee.to prevent the swelling, the best way is to rest while your feet are elevated especially during the day or wear compression socks. This way, chances of your body wanting to flush out extra fluids are minimal and you can be able to enjoy your sleep.

Medical Conditions

A wide variety of medical infections can cause frequent urination at night. The most common infection which causes urination is Urinary Tract Infection(UTI) as well as infection in the bladder. These infections are accompanied by a burning sensation during urination and increased frequency in urination both day and night.

Tumor of the bladder, pelvic area or the prostate may also cause frequent urination at night because they cause the urinary tract to malfunction and the most probable result is that the bladder may not be able to contain much urine and always force you to visit the restroom frequently.

Organ failures like liver, kidney, and the heart often lead to malfunctioning of the urinary tract and this may result to frequent urination during both day and night.

These medical conditions are threat to your health and your sleep. Some of them might be treated using antibiotics while some of them require you to seek medical attention as soon as you spot the symptoms.

Anxiety And Stress

When experiencing stress and anxiety, frequent urination at night may come up as a result. This is because when the body behaves in a apprehensive manner, the stress response is activated. The stress response causes secretion of hormones into the bloodstream which travel to different parts of the body and cause physical, emotional and psychological changes which help the body fight or flee away from the threat. One of the major changes stress response makes is to make the body to eliminate waste immediately. That is why many people always visit the washroom when they are anxious or stressed up. It is a common reaction to anxiety and stress.

When experiencing stress and anxiety, frequent urination at night may come up as a result
When experiencing stress and anxiety, frequent urination at night may come up as a result

Frequent urination at night is a very uncomfortable experience. It makes you lack enough sleep during the night hence it might lower your activity levels during the day. It often leads to drowsiness, fatigue and mood changes. It also puts your health at stake. Your concentration during the day is also affected and may result to adverse effects in your school work if you are a student or poor performance at your workplace.

Everyone always longs for night to fall so that they can relax their bodies but if one knows that they will not be able to rest well because of having to wake and visit the bathroom, then it becomes a nightmare and it becomes disturbing. To get rid of this annoying feeling, follow some of the guidelines i stated above to overcome the causes of frequent urination. Always remember to see a doctor if the situation becomes severe and get advised accordingly on the right steps to take.

If this article helped you, then share it with others so that they can also get knowledgeable on this topic and help someone get a good night’s sleep. Don’t forget to give your feedback in the comments section below.

Causes of Sleep Problems in Elderly

Last Updated December 31, 2019 By Julie Durham

Causes of sleep problems in elderly

Sleep has an immense importance in our routine lives and it is known that you might survive without eating or drinking but you will never survive if you are sleepless. Quality of sleep is important at every stage of life but it is important for children and elderly to get the best sleep because of their reduced bodily functions. We just assume that disturbed sleep patterns are caused by old age while it is not always the case. Contrary to the popular belief, it is not necessary for older people to have severe sleep problems in old age. However, sleep problems do occur in majority of the older adults.

Quality of sleep keeps deteriorating as we grow older and there are a lot of reasons behind. Sleep problems in the elderly can be caused by physiological changes or psychological changes or even other medical conditions related to old age. To solve the problems related to sleep one should keep the record of sleep patterns. If you are a caregiver or an older adult, then you should keep track of your sleep-awake cycle as well as insomnia, dementia and sleep apnea.

Quality of sleep keeps deteriorating as we grow older
Quality of sleep keeps deteriorating as we grow older

Find out Your Sleep Pattern and Problems

First of all, you need to find out how much affect is on your sleep, you should keep a diary and keep record of your every night sleep. The first and foremost step to solve a problem is to identify it completely. So you should keep journal and write every single sleep related habits and patterns in this journal. This journal does not only include your habits of night time but also write your daytime habits. It will help you find out your effects of sleep on your body during the day.

Read more: Frequent Urination At Night

You should have following things written in your diary in order to get a clear picture as well as you can easily explain it to your sleep doctor. First of all, note down your timings of going to bed and waking up then number of hours. You should also be clear that going to bed and actually falling asleep are not the same things. You should also note the time between going to bed and actually falling asleep. Your moods and eating habits before sleep, type of drugs you are taking and any specific life events which are affecting your mood.

Sleep Problems in the Elderly

Sleep problems in the elderly are mostly related to circadian rhythm which is the biological clock of our body. Circadian rhythm plays crucial role in our sleep-awake cycle and your whole body system is disturbed if your circadian rhythms are not right. Our body’s biological clock is affected mainly by light as it is the cue to action for our circadian rhythm. Darkness produces a hormone known as melatonin which helps you sleep better. This is one of the reasons that quality of our sleep is not as amazing in the day as it happens during nighttime. Disturbed circadian rhythms cease the production of melatonin and you are likely to feel disturbed and depressed if your circadian rhythms are disturbed.

Causes of Disturbed Circadian Rhythm

Some of the problems which cause disturbances in circadian and in turn it changes our sleep pattern and make us cranky are given below:

Night Shift Workers

If you are a night shift worker or you work early shifts or even you work on rotation you might have faced this problem. Our circadian rhythm gets disturbed when you don’t have a specific time for sleep or awake. This loss is not even compensated if you increase your quantity of sleep. Your body’s clock is set on a specific time and it needs to be shut down on a proper time and wake up accordingly. It also affects your performance at work and makes you less productive during your shifts. One should take measures to solve the problem and try avoiding shift changes frequently.

Night shift worker
Night shift worker

Jetlag

This is not much serious problem and it is rather temporary. It happens when you cross a time zone to get to the next one. Most of the time jetlag is gone in as many days as you have crossed time zone. For example, if you have crossed four time zones, your jetlag will be gone in 4 days. You might feel sleepy during the day, fatigued and cranky most of the time. Stomach problems are associated with jetlag. It is also said that travelling to east causes most awful jetlag than travelling to a western country. However, it is mostly faced by travelers and do not invite much trouble.

Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder

It is a sleep disorder which makes you go to sleep late night and wake up late. It is not by choice and most of the time you can’t control your sleepiness. This is mostly a teenager problem because they face this problem more often than the elderly. However, if an elderly faces this problem he/she should visit a sleep clinic and talk to a doctor as soon as possible.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is most commonly known as snoring and it is one of the most commonly occurring sleep problems in the elderly. In some cases, you have trouble breathing due to sleep apnea and it causes regular awakening during night sleep. It decreases the quality of sleep significantly and one should visit a doctor if one has this problem.

Restless Leg Syndrome

The uncontrollable urge to move your feet during night is known as restless leg syndrome (RLS). It is also a most commonly occurring problem in the elderly. You can visit a doctor for your problem and you can also use self-help solutions for this problem.

Restless leg syndrome
Restless leg syndrome

What Can You Do to Help Yourself With Sleep Problems?

It is good to seek professional help if you are facing any sleep problems but there are few self-help remedies which you can do to help improve your quality of sleep.

  • Make a sleep schedule and stick to it.
  • Improve your eating habits and do not take caffeine, nicotine on any other substance which could be harmful for peaceful sleep.
  • Keep your room dark and peaceful
  • Exercise

Conclusion

Sleep disturbance is a major problem and it affects all the domains of your life and health. However, you can control this problem by simply changing a few habits in your lifestyle and sticking to healthy habits. If the problem still persists talk to a sleep doctor and sleep tight.

Yoga for Seniors: The Only Guide You Need

Last Updated December 31, 2019 By Julie Durham

Yoga for seniors the only guide you need

Yoga is an easy and safe way to improve both your mental well-being and overall health, especially for people over 60. Yoga for seniors can improve their balance and flexibility.

However, that is not all. The benefits of doing yoga when you’re over 60 are countless. Read on to learn everything about yoga for seniors and all the benefits that come along.

Can I Practice Yoga As a Senior?

Yes, you can practice yoga as a senior. If you are in good health, there is no reason for you not to practice yoga. In fact, yoga is highly recommended for seniors. You will be surprised to hear that in the United Kingdom, 12 million people over 65 practice yoga.

Meaning, the popularity of yoga in constantly increasing in the last 3 decades. Physical fitness is important when it comes to preventing illnesses that usually strike people over 60. Also, it improves the mental well-being of the person who’s constantly active.

You can practice yoga as a senior
You can practice yoga as a senior

As you can see, you can practice yoga at any age. According to an American study made by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance in 2016, over 14 million people over 50 who live in the United States practice yoga. It is believed that yoga for seniors is the perfect activity and key to good health and quality life in the golden years.

Read more: How To Stay Young

Which Type of Yoga Is Right for Me?

It depends on your age, health, level of fitness and physical condition which type of yoga is suitable for you. These factors play an important role in choosing the best type of yoga you can practice without any difficulties and health consequences. But keep in mind that before you begin practicing any type of yoga, you should consult your doctor.

Where Can I Find Classes for Seniors?

You can learn how to practice yoga from videos and books. But visiting yoga classes has its benefits. And it is also advisable, especially for beginners. It is better to learn how to practice yoga with the help of a qualified yoga instructor, rather than starting on your own. Plus, you will get useful tips and poses on how to reduce the risk of injury.

As for where can you find classes for seniors, because yoga for seniors has become a very popular activity, it is easy to find classes for yoga. You can check the next spots:

  • Retirement communities
  • Health clubs and gyms
  • Community centers
  • Local senior centers
  • Religious organizations
  • Wellness magazines and local newspapers

What Do I Need to Know Before My First Yoga Class?

If you already consulted your doctor and found the perfect yoga type, it is important to know what to wear, what to bring and how to act right before your first yoga class.

What to Wear?

Fitted and comfortable clothing is perfect for yoga because different types of yoga require different types of stretching. This is why baggy clothes aren’t recommended. However, your leggings or exercise pants will do the job. Also, keep in mind that yoga is done barefoot. However, you can bring your non-slip socks until you get comfortable.

What to Bring?

You can attend your first yoga class not wearing anything special, however, it’s a good idea to bring your medical ID bracelet, a bottle of water, your doctor’s details to give to your teacher in case you injure yourself or something else happens, a towel and mat. Usually, most places provide a mat for their practitioners for free or at a minimal cost. Keep in mind that you have to take off your shoes, so it is best if you arrive in sandals.

What to bring
What to bring

How to Act?

We have a few etiquette tips for you when it comes to yoga, although yoga etiquette varies from site to site. In general, it is suggested that you arrive 10 minutes earlier. Also, in order to keep the place hygienic, leave your shoes outside or put them in a bag before you enter the class. Turn your phone to silent mood or turn it off completely.

Extra Useful Tips for Seniors

In case you’re still feeling insecure and don’t know what to do before your first yoga class, we provided extra tips you will find useful, especially if you’re a beginner at yoga.

  • Keep yourself well-hydrated: drink a lot of water before and after yoga class.
  • Have a light snack an hour or two before class: heavy food can make you feel sick while practicing. Also, it will decrease your current stretching capacity.
  • Balance trick: If you have a hard time maintaining your balance, try focusing on one spot only. Or simply ask for your yoga instructor to help you out and don’t push yourself. Take your time and ask for advice on best poses to avoid injury.

Benefits of Yoga for Seniors

As we mentioned at the beginning, the benefits of yoga for seniors are countless. Not just for seniors but everyone who’s a fan of this practice. Here are some of the main health benefits of practicing yoga from time to time, especially in your golden years.

Yoga for Seniors Helps You Lose All the Extra Weight

Yoga is the last activity that comes in mind when you want to lose weight, however, it is ideal for seniors who want to lose a few pounds. According to experts, if you practice yoga regularly, it will speed up your metabolism. Slow metabolism is one of the common reason for gaining weight. It also helps you build muscle and increase your heart rate.

Yoga for Seniors Improves Your Posture and Balance

Practicing yoga can also help you maintain your balance and will improve your posture. And all this results in fewer falls. Balance represents one of the first things all people start to lose when they get older. And balance is important for preventing falls because falls are the leading cause of death among seniors, according to an old report published in 2014 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in America. Doing yoga might improve your agility and mobility thanks to the precise and slow yoga movements.

Practicing yoga can also help you maintain your balance
Practicing yoga can also help you maintain your balance

Yoga for Seniors Can Help You Reduce Pain

Chronic pain is a common issue among seniors, especially the pain that’s associated with joint problems and arthritis. However, thanks to yoga, you can say goodbye to the pain. It’s a natural remedy for chronic pain. According to a study made by Sonia Gaur of the psychology department at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, it was proven that people who practiced yoga for 90 minutes, 3 times per week for 4 weeks, experienced a decrease in aches and pain. Also, most of the patients reduced their intake of pain medications.

Yoga for Seniors Boosts Your Brain Function and Cognitive Ability

Practicing yoga for seniors isn’t just good for the body but also for the brain in seniors. According to research made by a graduate student, Neha Gothe and her colleagues at the University of Illinois, it was discovered that doing yoga boosts brain function and cognitive ability. If you practice yoga 3 times per week for two months, it will improve your mental flexibility, improve memory, boost your brain function and cognitive ability.

How To Stay Young

Last Updated December 31, 2019 By Julie Durham

According to research, people who feel younger than their ideal age tend to live longer and better lives. However, no one knows a single method or process to stay young. The best way to achieve this is by actively engaging in social and physical activities. The tips below won’t deprive you of your money and will help you achieve the best results in your endeavor to stay young.

You should focus on planning for outings, dinner and coffee dates with your family. This is part of creating a ‘family time’ and catching up with one another and even spending quality together. You can also choose to accompany your friends to parties and club meetings.

Join Groups Which Share The Same Interests As You

If you love art, consider joining a group which focuses on the kind of art you like, as well as book clubs. Spend time with people discussing about things you are majorly interested in. if you cannot be able to identify people with the same interest as you, try looking for them online.

Join groups which share the same interests as you
Join groups which share the same interests as you

Try Connecting With People Online

Many people who feel younger have reported to continuously interact with different people. This is linked to the fact that people rarely feel isolated and lonely when in the company of other people. Linking up with people over the web may not be as effective as meeting them in person. However, making use of social media to make new friends and post pictures of family and friends is associated with young age. Therefore, if you do so you tend to feel young doing what young people involve themselves in.

Participate In Volunteering Programs

participating in such programs has proven to make people valued and appreciated. You can offer to help in hospitals, schools and join community outreach groups

Try Doing New Things

Join a book club, dance groups, singing or hiking groups. This contributes a lot to keeping a youthful appearance in life. Do all these things with joyfulness. Also try listening to music as it helps raise your energy and dopamine levels.

Attend Educational Classes

There are multiple of local community colleges which offer courses that deal with teaching people new skills. You can dedicate time and learn on the subjects you haven’t touched on for a long time. This helps in keeping your mind active.

Do Something Larger Than Yourself

Many people like focusing on their life only and thinking on how to improve their lives. While this is not unacceptable, it is good to spend quality time doing activities that develop other people and the community too. You can start mentoring young people or training older people on how to manage their lives after retirement. Focusing on other people’s needs helps you feel important in other people’s lives.

Avoid Drinking Alcohol And Smoking

Alcohol is known to dehydrate your body, reap of its important nutrients and dilate facial appearance. It makes the skin look wrinkled with red spidery veins. It also risks your body to develop chronic organ failures. Smoking is also hazardous as it leaves your skin saggy and wrinkled because it breaks down collagen and elastin. You have to quit smoking and taking alcohol if you want to look young and vibrant.

Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking
Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking

Stay Physically Active

Don’t spend your free days sleeping. Move around the house doing house chores, take a walk or involve yourself in vigorous exercise like jogging and doing aerobics. You can also choose to have work out sessions in your house as directed in this video. Staying physically active boosts your blood flow different cells in the body including the skin cells making your skin look smooth. Exercise has also been proven to reduce aging of cells for up to one decade

Don’t Act Your Age

Studies have proved that people who thrive in old age often think younger because the mind tunes the body to be what you think. The people who have a positive-perception about their age and they don’t esteem themselves as old, feel 20% younger than their normal age

Have A Close Companion

Having a spouse or a close pet can have positive results on aging because it improves your mood, immunity, brain function, and helps lower stress. This is definitely the testament of the power of love and it makes us live longer lives.

Get Rid Of Excess Fat From Your Body

Keeping up with a healthy weight helps you feel younger and vibrant. That fat which develops at the belly may risk you to dementia. Being overweight is said to reduce your lifespan for up to 8 years. Therefore, do as best as you can to cut off unwanted fat and reduce your body weight if it becomes too much.

Get rid of excess fat from your body
Get rid of excess fat from your body

Stay Away From The Sun

UV rays from the sun are known to damage the skin and they are associated with aging. This is because the rays destroy elastin which is known to always keep the skin elastic resulting to saggy and wrinkled skin. It also causes uneven skin tone. Therefore, whenever you are out in the sun, ensure that you wear sunscreen to protect your skin.

Read more: Causes of Sleep Problems in Elderly

Get Enough Sleep

Naturally, the skin is known to repair itself when you are sleeping. Getting adequate sleep make you look younger but sleeping less makes you look dull and less attractive. It results to dark spots forming around your eyes. The recommended sleeping time is a minimum of six hours. Those who sleep for a shorter time than six hours have been reported to age faster.

Drink Plenty Of Water

In order to make your skin look supple and maintain optimum health, drink 6-8 glasses of water on a daily basis. Dehydration makes the skin look wrinkled while a well hydrated skin looks smooth and young because it replenishes the skin cells.

In A Nutshell

Staying young is everyone’s desire and it is recommended for one to live long, they should find out natural ways to stay young forever. I hope that the above tips helped you. Please share with a friend or two and leave your feedback in the comment section below.

Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factor and Treatment of Depression in the Elderly

Last Updated December 31, 2019 By Julie Durham

Depression in the elderly

As we grow older our lifestyle changes with every passing day and so does our physical and mental health. Physical health is easier to notice when it deteriorates but decline in mental health is a little difficult to notice and most of the people don’t pay much attention towards it. There are number of problems which can affect an old person’s mental health and most common among all is depression. Depression in the elderly has become an issue which affects a large number of people all around the world. Masses need to understand that mental health is every bit as important as the physical health.

Geriatric Depression

It is a combination of emotional and mental disorder and it affects a large fraction of older population. One might feel sad and gloomy more often than not but persistent feeling of sadness is not normal. If caregivers are a little mindful of the signs of depression then it can treated if not prevented. However, knowledge about the symptoms and causes of depression can always be a big help for older people. Clinical depression can only be diagnosed by a mental health practitioner but people should also look for its signs in their grandparents and older people living around them. It is associated with poor quality of life in older adults and that’s why one must pay attention to mental health generally.

Geriatric depression
Geriatric depression

Prevalence of Depression in the Elderly

According to Center for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 1 to 5% of older adults suffer from depression and 13.5% of them are the ones who require home care while 11.5% are those in hospital. The problem is the fact that there are a few signs of depression which can also be thought of as age-related problems so they can lead to misdiagnosis and ultimately deteriorating mental health. Moreover, most of the older adults are not comfortable while talking to other people about their feelings which make it difficult to reach out for help and causes a problem.

Symptoms of Depression in the Elderly

To meet the full fledge criteria for depression, one must face symptoms of depression including low mood and sadness for at least two weeks nearly every day. These symptoms are not specific for older adults as these symptoms are found in both younger and older adults. If you are trying to screen out someone for depression, you should look out for the following symptoms in them.

  • Constant feeling of sadness and dismay
  • Crying spells
  • Excessive worry and stress
  • Feelings of worthlessness and helplessness
  • Sudden weight loss or weight gain
  • Problem in concentration
  • Sleep problems like difficulty sleeping or regular awakening during sleep cycles or not able to achieve REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.
  • Fidgeting and pacing
  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Other unexplained psychosomatic symptoms like pain and aches
  • Isolation and withdrawal from social activities and patient feels lonely most of the time
  • Irritability
  • Apathy
  • You will feel restless almost all the time
  • Suicidal ideation is also present in most of the patient
  • Feeling of hopelessness
  • The patients become tired and fatigued all the time

If someone faces any of these problems for more than two weeks, he should consult a mental health practitioner and get the symptoms checked for depression.

Causes of Depression in the Elderly

Causes of depression in the elderly
Causes of depression in the elderly

Depression cannot be explained by a single cause, and there is more than one cause to depression. Most of the time the biopsychosocial model is used to explain the underlying causes of depression. All factors including biological, psychological and social are combined to play a major role in the development of depression. However, to further explain the causes of depression following causes are theorized.

  1. The family history of depression is one of the major causes of this disorder. You are at more risk of depression if one of your close relatives or first-degree relative is suffering from depression. It runs in families most of the time, and people suffer from depression if their parents or siblings are suffering from the same disorder.  This can also lead to the hypothesis that depression also has underlying genetic causes. Genetics play an important role in the development of depression, but there are more to this disorder than only genetic and family history.
  2. Depression can also be caused by the disturbance in the levels of neurotransmitters including serotonin and norepinephrine. Increase or decrease in the levels can cause depression in both younger and older adults.
  3. A life event which is traumatic in nature can also trigger depression in elderly like the death of significant other or any kind of abuse like physical or sexual abuse. This traumatic event can be a triggering factor for depression, but there are more than one underlying causes or predisposing factors for this disorder.

Aging and Depression

Cause of depression can be biological or psychological, but there are complications related to aging which can be linked with higher risk of depression. These are as following.

  1. When people grow older, they tend to stay in their homes or even in their bedrooms, and that’s why they go out less and feels alone and isolated. Isolation can ultimately lead to depression.
  2. Mobility is restricted in older adults, and they feel left out in most of the activities which lead to depression.
  3. Retirement is a transitional phase, and people tend to feel depressed about having nothing to do in their life after depression.
  4. Divorce or widowhood can also be linked with depression because of the feeling of loneliness and isolation.
  5. Financial and health problems can also be linked with depression because these problems cause frustration and in turn depression in the long run.
  6. Most of the older adults suffer from chronic medical conditions, and long, persisting medical conditions are reasons of frustration in the elderly which can be a strong indicator of depression.
  7. In order to fight depression both physical and mental health should be taken care of.

Read more: Here are types of Elderly Sleep Disorders Common in Older Adults

Risk Factors of Depression

Depression affects all the people equally, but there are certain demographic characteristics which put you at more risk of depression. One should be really careful if he or she falls under the following categories. These risk factors include the following.

  • If you are a female, you are at higher risk of developing depression.
  • If you are single or widowed you can also at higher risk of depression.
  • Loss of a loved one or any other traumatic life event
  • If you don’t have people to take care of you
  • Medications’ side effects
  • Fear of death in the last stage of your life can also lead you towards depression.
  • If you have a history of suicide attempts you are more likely to develop depression
  • History of depression
  • Reduce blood flow towards the brain can also be a risk factor of depression
  • Physical condition likes stroke, hypertension, dementia, and diabetes are also linked to a higher risk of depression in the elderly

Diagnosis of Depression

Self-diagnosis like self-medication is dangerous for your health. One must consult a psychologist, a psychiatrist or a mental health practitioner for diagnosis. The mental health practitioner will give you a proper diagnosis after looking at the history of your disease and asking you some questions. However, if you are facing any two symptoms mentioned above for at least two weeks, you should consult a qualified mental health practitioner as soon as possible and take any treatment necessary.

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Treatment of Depression in the Elderly

There is not a single treatment for depression because of different causes behind depression. It takes a lot of effort and time to find out perfect treatment for a patient. Since researchers use a biopsychosocial model to explain the causes of depression, similarly, a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and social change can be the perfect treatment regimen. The details of these treatments are given below.

Medication

Following medications can be used to treat depression in older adults as well as the younger ones.

  • Tricyclic Antidepressants
  • Mirtazapine
  • SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
  • Monoamine Oxidase  Inhibitors (MAOIs)
  • SNRIs (Selective Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors)
  • Bupropion

Psychotherapy

Depression is considered mainly as a psychological disorder and that’s why psychotherapy can have a tremendous effect on patients suffering from depression. Psychotherapy is used both ways including individual therapeutic sessions as well as group therapy sessions. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is considered the most effective one in treatment of depression.

Social Changes

A patient has to make some lifestyle changes in his life too, in order to get rid of depression. One can start from being more physically active and then take it to more socialization and increasing social interaction with friends and family.

Conclusion

Depression in the elderly is a serious problem and people should be more mindful of it. However, it is not totally uncontrollable, and a caregiver can prevent and treat depression by being more careful and getting more information on the subject. One should take care of both mental and physical health of the elderly to combat depression.

Read more: Tips To Improve Senior Sleep By Reducing Pain And Discomfort

Lack of Vitamin D Symptoms (in Elderly)

Last Updated December 31, 2019 By Julie Durham

Lack of vitamin D symptoms (in elderly)

A few years back, doctors were mostly worried about vitamin D deficiency in kids. Food was boosted with vitamin D in order to put a stop to bone disease also known as rickets.

However, today we know that this disease doesn’t strike children only but seniors too. Meaning, they also lack vitamin D and according to a new study in the magazine Age and Ageing, this causes muscle weakness, cancer, diabetes, hip fractures, and osteoporosis.

It also contributes to heart diseases and poor overall health in the elderly. We assume you wonder why vitamin D is important and how it affects their system. Keep on reading to find out because this article is dedicated to the lack of vitamin D in the elderly.

What is Vitamin D and Why do People Need it?

If you were not familiar with the function of vitamin D, let us tell you that vitamin D is very important because it has a big effect on different systems throughout our body.

Meaning, it operates as a hormone and every single one of the cells in our body owns a receptor for it. Every person gets vitamin D mostly when exposed to sunlight. Meaning, your system produces vitamin D from cholesterol when your skin is exposed to the sun.

Vitamin D is very important
Vitamin D is very important

You can also find vitamin D in different foods, however, it is hard to get enough of it from food only. We are going to mention some of the foods rich vitamin D at the end.

According to health experts, the suggested daily intake of vitamin D should be between 400 and 800 IU. However, some experts say that you should probably take more of this vitamin if you do not want to experience difficulties later in life.

Vitamin D deficiency is trendy these days. And if you lack it in your system, it is hard to tell. You probably will not notice until you make a blood analysis. Approximately one billion of the world population has vitamin D deficiency. An alarming number, right?

According to a study that took place in 2011 in the USA, even 41.6% of adults in the country have vitamin D deficiency. This number reaches 82.1% in the African-American population and 69.2% in Hispanics. As we mentioned at the start, this vitamin is crucial in muscle and bone health mostly in elderly and children. However, in average adults too.

It helps our body to fight with different infections and maintains the nervous system function steady and stable. However, as we grow old, our ability to synthesize vitamin D from food and the sun decreases. This factor along with going out less than before and not being exposed to sunlight enough results in vitamin D deficiency in elderly. And this can lead to the development of sarcopenia and falls due to decreased body strength. It might also lead to osteoporosis. It is a common bone disease where bones don’t grow no more. Meaning, it leads to bone fractures due to low bone density. However, if seniors have enough vitamin D, it will boost the development and maintenance of their bones.

Why do Elderly Suffer from Vitamin D Deficiency?

As we mentioned before, individuals over age 50 suffer from vitamin D deficiency more often than others because the risk of vitamin D deficiency increases with their age.

The older they get, the less we go out (with exceptions). Meaning they are less exposed to the sun and the natural production of the vitamin D in their system is also declined.

Also, it needs to be activated in their kidney before their body can use it. However, unfortunately, this ability also depends on the age and decreases as people get older.

Read more: Ideal Room Temperature For Elderly

Older people don’t spend too much time outside and don’t exercise as they did before due to lack of motivation and tiredness. And it all leads to vitamin D deficiency.

Elderly suffer from vitamin D deficiency
Elderly suffer from vitamin D deficiency

According to health specialists, it is enough to receive at least 30 minutes of sun twice a week to produce the suggested amount of vitamin D from the sunlight in your system.

When seniors suffer from vitamin D deficiency, they notice muscle weakening. They are tired and fatigued all the time. They might mistake it for the aging symptom. However, it is not. It might be vitamin D deficiency. And instead of ignoring this, they should do a blood test and check their overall health more often. Other common symptoms of this may include bone pain and getting sick more often due to their declined immune system.

What are The Common Risks of Vitamin D Deficiency?

Children and elderly are not the only two group of people prone to vitamin D deficiency. Everyone who is exposed to the next common risks might have to vitamin D deficiency.

  • Having a dark skin
  • Living in a place without many sunny days
  • Being obese or overweight
  • Using sunscreen all the time
  • Not consuming dairy products or fish
  • Not moving much/staying indoors

As you can notice, people with dark skin might suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Also, if you stay indoors and don’t move much, you might also lack vitamin D in your system.

People who use sunscreen every time they go out or don’t consume fish and dairy, or other products that represent a substitute for fish and dairy, might lack vitamin D.

You may not suspect you suffer from vitamin D deficiency because symptoms are hard to recognize, however, it may have a negative impact on your quality of life, in general.

If you want to learn more about the risks of vitamin D deficiency, check out this video.

What are the Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency?

We have already mentioned bone pain, fatigue, and tiredness as some of the common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. However, there are a few others you need to pay attention to, especially if you are an older person and you suspect you lack vitamin D.

  • Getting sick very often

If you are getting infected or sick often than before, you might suffer from vitamin D deficiency. This vitamin plays an important role in maintaining your immune system and keeping it strong. Meaning, it interacts with the cells responsible for dealing with the infection. If you are sick or infected often, it is not a bad thing to make a blood test.

  • Anxiety and depression

If you are feeling anxious or depressed more than you usually do, it might be a signal that you lack vitamin D in your system.

According to recent studies, experts believe that vitamin D deficiency leads to depression, especially in elderly.

Even 65% of the studied subjects had a low level of vitamin D and depression. Other studies have shown the opposite result and no connection between the two conditions.

You might experience depression during winter, known as seasonal depression caused by vitamin D deficiency.

  • Weakened wound healing

If your wounds heal slower than before, you might lack vitamin D in your system. It is proven that vitamin D helps in healing wounds faster. Meaning, if your levels of vitamin D are low, you might experience slower surgery wound or injury healing in the future.

  • Hair and bone loss

Vitamin D plays an important role in bone metabolism and calcium absorption. Meaning, if you lack it in your system, you might experience bone and hair loss. Many seniors are diagnosed with bone loss thinking they lack calcium, when in fact, they lack vitamin D in their system. As for hair loss, is often associated with stress. However, it might also occur due to a nutrient deficiency or some disease. In women, hair loss is connected to low vitamin D levels. It may also lead to alopecia areata and help it develop this disease.

  • Muscle pain

If you experience back pain or muscle pain, it might point out that you lack vitamin D in your system. According to a study, 71% of individuals experiencing chronic pain also had low levels of vitamin D. Meaning, vitamin D deficiency may lead to muscle and back pain.

To learn more about the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, watch this educative video.

How can Elderly Optimize Vitamin D Levels?

If you check your overall health and you’re diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency, you can optimize vitamin D levels by following the next steps and applying our simple tips below.

  • Eat food rich in vitamin D such as cheese, beef liver, salmon, cod liver oil and egg yolks. You can also consume foods fortified with vitamin D such as cereals and juice drinks. This is one of the natural ways to boost the levels of vitamin D.
  • Go out more and enjoy the sun. This is the second natural way to increase the levels of vitamin D. The sunlight turns cholesterol to vitamin D in your system.
  • Vitamin D supplement. Take it every day to reduce the risk of bone fractures.
  • Don’t use sunscreen when exposed to the sun if you lack vitamin D in the body.

What Healthy Food is Rich in Vitamin D?

If you wonder which food to consume when you lack vitamin D in your system, we have prepared a list with food rich in vitamin D. Feel free to consume whatever you like best.

  • Mushrooms
  • Salmon
  • Herring and sardines
  • Cod Liver Oil
  • Canned tuna
  • Oysters
  • Shrimp
  • Egg yolks
  • Soy milk
  • Orange juice
  • Cereal and oatmeal

To learn more about the foods rich in vitamin D, check out this educational video.

Final Thoughts on Vitamin D Deficiency

As we have noticed by our research on this topic, vitamin D plays an important part in our system and functioning. To speak honestly, we did not know it is that important until we noticed that the number of individuals who lack vitamin D their system is constantly increasing. As mentioned before, vitamin D maintains our immune system.

Meaning, if you feel tired, depressed or notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is not a bad idea to make a blood test. We honestly hope you find this article helpful, especially if you are an older person who is suspecting you lack vitamin D in your system.

Feel free to share this article with your friends on social media and follow us on social media pages to stay updated with informative and well-researched articles like this one.

Here are types of Elderly Sleep Disorders Common in Older Adults

Last Updated December 31, 2019 By Julie Durham

Types of elderly sleep disorders common in older adults

As we grow older, we face a lot of difficulties and changes in our routine pattern. These changes include physical, cognitive and psychological changes. Similarly, our sleep pattern also changes with the passage of time as we grow older. Sleep disturbances are also caused in most of the population over the course of time. However, it becomes a commonly occurring phenomenon in most of the older adults. People in their teens or early adulthood are also likely to suffer from sleep disturbances, but older adults are more at risk. According to an estimate, almost one half of the elderly population has not less than one sleep disorder.

Different Types of Elderly sleep disorders

It is not necessary that sleep disorder of sleep disturbance in adults occur because they are not able to sleep. At times, people are not able to maintain the sleep cycle and keep waking up during night. There are a few types of sleep disorders which are among the most occurring elderly sleep disorders.

1. Insomnia

It is the most occurring sleep disorder among others. Complaints of insomnia occur in older women more than older men who are 65 years or older. Its symptoms include difficulty falling or staying asleep. People who are suffering from insomnia also have early awakenings or arousals in the middle of the night. It is considered a primary sleep disorder. However, it is also found to be occurring co-morbidly with other psychological conditions like depression, chronic pain or dementia.

It has been found out through researches that psychotherapy and more specifically cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is the most effective one for treatment of insomnia. Physician and therapist prefer psychological treatment and psychotherapy for insomnia more than medications and physical treatment.

Insomnia
Insomnia

2. Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty breathing or complete blockage of respiration. Most of the people suffering from sleep apnea face shortness or complete cessation of breath. It is found mostly in older men than in older women, and older age is known to be the most important risk factor of sleep apnea.

Obesity, genetics, medications and alcohol consumption are some of the other risk factors of obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring and sleepiness during day are considered to be the most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. It has also seen that dementia increases the incidence of sleep apnea as well as other cognitive problems are related to obstructive sleep apnea in older adults.

3. Rapid Eye Moment (REM) Sleep-Behavior Disorder

It is one of the most dangerous disorders because older adults may act out their dreams if they are suffering from this disorder. Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder is most commonly occurs in men and it is a manifestation of their aggressive of violent behavior. With the passage of time our normal skeletal muscles named atonia are degenerated and that’s why it is difficult for patient to control their movements during sleep and they might jump, yell or kick something during their sleep. REM sleep behavior disorder is important to diagnose and to cure because it might be one of the early signs of more complex neurodegenerative disorders.

4. Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep (PLMS) and Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

This is also a commonly occurring sleep disorders in older adults. In periodic limb movements in sleep, there are repetitive leg movements, jerking or kicking by the patient during his sleep. The duration between two continuous movements during PLMS is 20-40 seconds. This can go on for the whole night and each jerk will wake the patient up causing a restless sleep and sleep fragmentation. It can be found comorbidly occurring with dementia and obstructive sleep apnea. RLS is associated with an aching sensation in legs which can only be relieved by walking and these two disorders also cause awakening and disturbed sleep in older adults.

5. Circadian rhythm sleep disorders

Our body system is control by internal clock which works with the daylight and darkness of night. Our body produces melatonin at night which is important for our body to sleep at night and wake up during day. However, with the passage of time the internal clock of our body weakens and production of melatonin is also decreased which is why circadian rhythm is disturbed causing sleep problems in older adults. One of these sleep disorders include Advanced Sleep Phase Syndrome which is the most occurring one and the patient has involuntary sleep and awake times.

Our body produces melatonin at night
Our body produces melatonin at night

6. Dementia and Sleep Disturbance

The process of dementia, which is a neurodegenerative process, is responsible for disturbed sleep patterns in people suffering from dementia. However, there are other comorbidities which can be the cause of sleep disturbance in patients of dementia. These comorbidities include REM sleep-behavior disorder, RLS, PLMS or even depression.

Patients with dementia also have primary sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea, and they should be treated accordingly. Patients can be treated with drugs as well as psychological treatments including therapies and session for disturbed sleep patterns. If the problem persists, the need for institutionalization increases for the patients.

Read more: Sepsis Symptoms In Elderly People

7. Sleep Disturbances due to Medications or Substance Abuse

It is harder to identify the main cause of sleep disturbances because of a number of contributing factors. However, it is of high importance to identify the real cause and treat the problem to remove the problem from its roots. It is necessary to look at the medications a patient is taking and look out for the side effects because sleep disturbance can be one of the side effects of these medications. Moreover, substance abuse is also reported to be one of the sleep disorders like caffeine can be a stimulating factor for 8 to 14 hours straight for an older adult.

Causes

There are a number of causes for a disturbance in sleep pattern, a few of them are given below.

  • Age

As we grow older, our brain structure also changes to some extent which can cause a problem in our sleep patterns. For example, neurodegenerative disorders can cause sleep disturbance in the elderly.

  • REM sleep

It is important for a person to achieve rapid eye movement sleep in order to get a fulfilling and refreshing sleep. However, in most of the older adults, it is not possible for them to REM sleep which is the deepest phase sleep, and they remain in light sleep which cause awakening and sleep fragmentation.

  • Melatonin

Production of melatonin is crucial in our sleep patterns, but melatonin production decreases with the passage of time. This is the main reason of circadian rhythm being disturbed and causing disturbed sleep pattern.

Substance abuse
Substance abuse

Treatment

Problems with sleep pattern and sleep disturbances cannot only be cured by pharmacological treatment as some of these are problem psychological. Hence, a combination of psychopharmacology is the best possible treatment for elderly sleep disorders. An older adult with sleep problem is in need of a psychiatrist as well as a psychologist.

Conclusion

It is of supreme importance to find out the underlying problem of a disturbed sleep pattern and then treat the problem instead of giving away sedatives. An older adult’s complete care is only possible if his sleep pattern is taken care of.

Sepsis Symptoms In Elderly People

Last Updated December 31, 2019 By Julie Durham

According to researchers, people get prone to sepsis as they age because their immune system gets weak. In the older age, there is a high probability of getting a chronic disease like diabetes, arthritis, heart failure, or kidney disease. As the body tries to fight these infection, it risks the person to acquiring sepsis. However, sepsis can be caused by any infection even flu but it is mostly caused by respiratory diseases like pneumonia or genitourinary infections like Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).

Most people don’t know the symptoms of sepsis in elderly people. I have come to a realization that the reason behind this is the assumption that old people often get sick and that these symptoms are just normal illnesses. Therefore, I have highlighted different symptoms below to help you save your elderly ones from death resulting from sepsis. I have highlighted the symptoms in the three stages of sepsis disease and indicated the symptom for each stage:

Stage 1

This is the first stage in the sickness
This is the first stage in the sickness

This is the first stage in the sickness. At this stage, when the symptoms are diagnosed the doctor should initiate treatment with immediate effect and there are high chances of the patient surviving. The patient may behave as I have indicated below:

The patient may have an increased heart rate mostly above 90 beats in one minute as opposed to the normal heart rate of 72 beats per minute. The patient experiences increased body temperatures of 101.1 degrees Farad. They may also experience reduced body temperature below the normal body temperature. The temperature can go as low as below 95 degrees Farad. The patient’s’ breathing rate also increases to above 20 breaths per minute.

Once you spot these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention because it is still early to save the situation and consulting a doctor immediately is very vital as it may help in preventing further infections and help save the situation from getting worse. However, for a doctor to conclude that you have sepsis, you must have displayed two or more of these symptoms.

Stage 2

This is the second stage in the infection and it is known as the severe stage

At this stage, the chances of successful treatment and survival are minimal but the patient’s life can still be saved. A person with stage two sepsis is likely to display the following symptoms:

Discolored skin patches are areas in the skin with a different skin color and they are spread irregularly. The patient also changes in their mental ability and often times get confused. This should not be taken as a normal memory lapse that comes with old age but it should be taken as a serious symptom to severe sepsis.

As a result of decreased body temperatures, the patient may be experience chills and start shaking. The patient may also experience decreased urination. The patient may also experience problems when breathing and extremely high heart rates. The patient may also experience severe stomach pains.

Low platelet count also known as thrombocytopenia is also a symptom of stage two sepsis. In this symptom, the blood is not able to form clots and in case of a cut, it is hard for bleeding to stop. At some instances, the victim may lose consciousness and not become aware of whatever is happening around them. The patient may also become extremely weak and lose strength in their muscles to a point where they cannot stand for too long or take a long distance walk.

The heart of the patient may also start to function abnormally like experiencing increased heart rates and faster or slower pumping of blood to the other parts of the body. In this scenario, if there is no sufficient supply of blood and oxygen to the other body organs, it may make one of the body organs to fail and if it is not checked well, it may lead to death.

It is not advisable to allow sepsis to reach the second stage. Once the first stage symptoms are diagnosed, it is vital to take action. However, if by bad luck the patient gets to stage two infection, it is good to seek for specialized medical treatment.

Stage 3

This stage is referred to as septic shock. This is the final stage in the sepsis disease infection. In this stage, the main symptom is very low blood pressure. This is extremely dangerous and it is considered as an emergency when one is taken to the hospital. In this stage, it is very hard for a patient to survive. All the symptoms of the second stage can also be very vivid in this stage.

This is the final stage in the sepsis disease infection
This is the final stage in the sepsis disease infection

According to statistics, sepsis is very common for seniors and it’s very dangerous to them because they are prone to many infections. Before the modern ICUs were put in place, sepsis patients used to succumb to the infection. In the recent past, the death rate has reduced from 50% to 25%. This is a great improvement. However, we still need to save elderly people from dying as a result of sepsis.

According to my research, I have come to a conclusion that most elderly people together with those who take care of them are not aware of sepsis and its signs and symptoms. The tips stated above will help elderly people or the ones taking care of them realize that they are at a risk of sepsis disease. If you spot any of them, immediately take medical action. We should focus on reducing the death rate from 25% to almost 0%. Therefore, share the article with friends and relatives and create awareness on the symptoms of sepsis. If you liked the article, give your feedback in the comments section below.

Activities for People with Dementia

Last Updated December 31, 2019 By Julie Durham

Dementia may affect a person’s day to day functioning. That is why certain activities can be beneficial for persons with dementia. Individuals living with dementia need to feel loved, valued and included. Although dementia may be characterized by various declines and limitations, not all the abilities are lost, particularly in the initial and middle stages of the disease.

Seniors with this condition can make significant contributions to a community and experience joy. Therefore, providing opportunities for people with dementia to have such experiences is vital.

Research suggests various activities that are beneficial and enjoyable for persons with dementia. These activities provide these people with chances to; engage with life, relieve stress, express themselves, recover some memory and create social and emotional bonds.

Below are some activities for people with dementia.

1. Art

Seniors with dementia remember better when they draw. In the art class, teachers do not let learners to use erasers for every stroke, even made mistakenly, is part of what makes the art what it is.

This as well applies to persons with dementia, in their art, there is no right or wrong. Art programs for people with dementia together with their caregivers have been proven to improve the individual’s quality of life.

Art also reduces some emotional and behavioral symptoms of dementia. The care-giver and the care-recipient can also participate in art together, which is an opportunity to interact as friends, peers or family.

Seniors with dementia remember better when they draw
Seniors with dementia remember better when they draw

Examples of these programs include here:now and Meet Me at MoMA.

Other hand-work activities such as mixing paints, arranging brushes or even threading a needle come in handy. The care-giver, during these activities may trigger a conversation to help the care-recipient remember earlier times.

2. Enjoying nature

This goes a long way to assist persons with dementia, especially if the person enjoyed outdoor activities prior to diagnosis of dementia. The individual may derive pleasure from planting seeds, weeding a garden and even harvesting.

The caregiver may work with the person on a regular basis and together they can maintain a whole backyard garden. The person with dementia may as well enjoy cycling, taking a walk or hiking. These activities may reduce some behavioral and emotional symptoms of the disease and they also help the person to stay healthy.

Other simple activities such as feeding fish in a pond or a tank, watching birds at a feeder or tending an indoor garden can also be fulfilling.

3. Enjoying Music

Music is an incredible and safe way to engage people with dementia. Interestingly, music has an incredible effect on the parts of the brain damaged by dementia. Music helps people with dementia to involve in more meaningful interactions.

They can engage in creating music by playing an instrument or even singing. The persons can also enjoy listening to personalized playlists and this may help with their memory from earlier years. In most kinds of dementia, implicit or procedural memory; (which is the memory of something one performed practically unconsciously like playing a guitar or riding a bicycle) is the sort of memory the takes longer to erase.

Music is an incredible and safe way to engage people with dementia
Music is an incredible and safe way to engage people with dementia

Playing an instrument or soft music to the person with dementia may soothe agitation through stressful times.

4. Cooking

Cooking is a great way for a person with dementia to interact with his/her loved ones. Research also shows that cooking helps an individual with dementia to eat better, and consequently, live a healthier life. However, safety in the kitchen should be a number one priority when cooking.

To assist the person with dementia, the caregiver can give direction and supervise the person as he/she cooks. To avoid confusing the person, one can make the kitchen setting simple and only remove only the things to be used during that session.

5. Dementia jigsaw puzzles

Including jigsaw puzzles as part of dementia care is an incredible way of providing an entertaining activity to the person with the condition. Jigsaw puzzles slow down decline and this helps by delaying worsening of symptoms of the condition.

Engaging in mental stimulating activities such as jigsaw puzzles also help a person with dementia to lead a better quality of life and to improve his/her communication, thus better interactions with the people around them.

Solving jigsaw puzzles also stimulates the release of a feel-good chemical known as dopamine which gives the person a natural feeling of happiness and enjoyment. Jigsaw puzzles may also help to calm down a person with dementia, in that it helps the person to meditate and thus it has a therapeutic effect on the individual’s brain.

6. Reading stories and creative story telling

Reading stories is a light exercise for the mind and imagination. This is a great activity for persons with dementia.

They can read short stories rather than long books and preferably, the stories that relate with their past. This will enable them to apply their long-term memory.

On the other hand, creative storytelling is another good activity for someone with dementia to connect with loved ones. You can use fun images and ask the individual about his/her thoughts on the image. You can use TimeSlips which is a free website to assist you during the story telling sessions.

Reading stories is a light exercise for the mind and imagination
Reading stories is a light exercise for the mind and imagination

It is important to give the patient ample time to express their thoughts and tell their story.

7. Doing House Chores

Activities around the house give fulfillment to someone with dementia, and they also help the person maintain the life skills learn prior to the diagnosis. Organizing household or even office items is also a stimulating activity for someone with dementia.

However, they may need assistance from a caregiver or a loved one for their safety as they participate in the chores.

Conclusion

A dementia diagnosis means that the individual has to live differently. However, in order to live well with dementia, one can still continue to enjoy his/her hobbies together with family and friends.

Tips To Improve Senior Sleep By Reducing Pain And Discomfort

Last Updated December 12, 2019 By Julie Durham

Tips to improve senior sleep by reducing pain and discomfort

Consult A Doctor

As people get older, it is common to sleep less during the night. However, this should not be taken as a normal situation. If you have a responsibility of taking care of an older person, ask for advice from a doctor.

Enquire if certain medication could be having pain as side effects and if that’s the case, find out whether reducing, increasing or changing the medication and its timing will help to calm the situation.

Responsibility of taking care of an older person, consult a doctor
Responsibility of taking care of an older person, consult a doctor

Consult if taking painkillers before going to bed helps one get better sleep. Because according to research drugs like antihistamines help. You should also take them to be tested for any ailments which affect older people like arthritis.

Change Their Beverage Intake

It is good to reduce their caffeine intake. If they addicted to coffee or tea, switch it with decaf without their knowledge because caffeine is known to make someone lose sleep at night. Their liquids intake before going to bed should be regulated and you should make sure they pee just before retiring to bed. You should also encourage them to take more water during the day and less at night.

Read more: Ideal Room Temperature For Elderly

Check On Their Routine

If you make an elderly person stick to a regular daily routine, their body will get used to it. Therefore, establish a specific duration in which they go to bed. For example, if you decide they should sleep from 10pm to 7am, make sure they achieve that everyday and with time, they will adapt to the schedule.

Also ensure that they sleep less during the day especially in the afternoon so that they can get enough sleep at night. In order to calm them down and ensure that they get enough sleep at night, play some soothing music an hour before bed or do some light massage on their bodies as this loosens up their muscles and helps them sleep quickly.

Focus On Their Comfort

To ensure that they sleep comfortably, ensure that the room temperature where they sleep is moderate and not too cold or too hot. Keep their rooms clean and ventilated to prevent discomfort when they are sleeping. Also check their mattresses and ensure that they are comfortable enough and supportive as well. It is also good to ensure that they sleep with a pillow or a stuffed animal as cuddling the animal when sleeping makes them feel warm and safe.

Ensure that the room temperature where they sleep is moderate
Ensure that the room temperature where they sleep is moderate

Minimize Distractions During The Night

When older people get to sleep, it is advisable to ensure that the environment is peaceful and silent enough. Get rid of loud music and any form of noise that will affect them. Holding a party in a house with an elderly person and especially during their sleep time is totally uncouth as it gives them discomfort making them lack sleep.

Take Care Of Their Bodies

Everyone feels comfortable when they are clean and warm. Make sure that the aged person you are taking care of takes regular baths. When going to sleep, encourage them to take a warm bath because after taking a warm bath, the body temperature drops and makes one feel tired. On the brighter side it also helps one feel relaxed and more ready to go to bed. In a cold season, ensure that they a warm enough. You can help them warm up their bodies when it’s too cold by having them sit next to a fire or installing a heating system in the house to regulate the temperatures and ensure that they are comfortable with the current room temperature.

Keep Them Away From Allergies

Establish the allergies which affect the elderly person and keep them away from them. If it is dust, keep their environment free from dust. If they like pets and have a habit of sleeping with them in the same room, make another room for the pets to sleep in.

Check Their Sleeping Positions

Different people have different ways of sleeping. However, the elderly normally suffer from various body pains. Therefore, their sleeping positions should be dictated by whether they suffer from any pain in their body. As indicated in this video, different sleeping positions have different ways of being handled to prevent spinal injury.

There are three different sleeping positions: there are those who sleep on their sideways, those who sleep on the back and those who sleep on their stomach. For the side sleepers, ensure that they have a pillow under their neck and on their shoulders to align their spinal cord well. For the back sleepers, a pillow shouldn’t be added under the neck to prevent their neck from bending forward. For the stomach sleepers, care should be taken to ensure that the spine is well aligned.

Check their sleeping positions
Check their sleeping positions

In as much as the older person may be used to a certain sleeping position, if they are undergoing any type of pain, it should be the one to dictate their sleeping position in order to prevent more injuries. For someone with back pain, it is advisable to sleep on their side or on their backs.

For those suffering from isthmic spondylolisthesis, they are advised to use a reclined bed or an adjustable bed. If an adjustable bed is more expensive, there is a mimic which works the same way known as a bed wedge for those suffering from neck pain and knee pain, they are advised to sleep on their backside or sideways. For general hip pain, they should sleep on their side with their knees bent and for those with a heartburn, it is good to sleep on the sideways in an inclined position.

Observe The Time They Spent In Bed

This can be done by ensuring that they are only in bed when they are sleeping. Once they wake up, they should leave the bed and sit somewhere else. Therefore, they can’t be tempted to go back to sleep again and use the sleep meant for the night.

Improve On Their Diet

Health is a major factor in anyone’s life. Considering old age, poor diet is a major drawback and can make them uncomfortable, sick and weak. It is good to feed old people with plenty of fruits and vegetables as this boosts their metabolism and helps them acquire good sleep and gets rid of any prospective infections.

Improve on their diet
Improve on their diet

Finally, it is good to take care of the elderly in all manner of ways and make sure they are comfortable, warm and cosy. It is disturbing to wake up every night and cut off your sleep to take care of them whenever they wake up because of a discomfort or pain. Because this is inevitable among old people, we should focus on improving their sleep and cut down on their discomfort and pain by using the tips I highlighted above. If you have a friend who needs assistance in helping their elderly ones, share this article with them. If it benefited you, please give your feedback in the comments section given below.

Ideal Room Temperature For Elderly

Last Updated December 12, 2019 By Julie Durham

The Ideal Room Temperature For The Elderly

The average room temperature for a normal human being is 370C. However, the room temperature specifications vary with age, gender and health status of an individual. According to research, the ideal room temperature for the elderly people is estimated to be 36.10C. Any temperature much warmer or colder than the given value may affect them negatively. Therefore, I will herein discuss different ways on how to maintain the ideal room temperature in elderly people’s bedrooms.

Dressing Warmly

The clothes we put on determine how warm we are. Have you ever tried to put on two thin cardigans and compare the warmth you feel with when you put on a single thick cardigan? According to science, it is advisable to dress elderly people with many thin layered clothes as opposed to one thick clothing. This is because many thin layered clothes trap more warm air close to the body. Woolly clothes and thermal clothing also serve the same purpose to keep the elderly warm.

Dressing Warmly
Dressing Warmly

Bedrooms are known to be the coldest rooms in a house and the floor may be way too cold for elderly people. It is advisable that they put on a pair of socks on their feet to keep their toes warm when walking around. It is said that most heat is lost through the head and the neck and in order to get rid of that, elderly people should put on a scarf and a hat when indoors in a chilly weather.

Design Of The House

In order to keep warm, an elderly person’s house ought to be well insulated. The walls should be resistant to heat loss so as to maintain enough heat in the rooms. Curtains should be drawn the moment it gets dark to prevent heat from escaping and cold air flowing in. It is recommended that the minimum room temperature for a bedroom should be 180C. Therefore, heating systems should be installed in a house and turned on to ensure there is enough warmth as required. However, they should be checked regularly and turned off when necessary to avoid extreme temperatures in the house.

Keeping The Bed Warm

The bed is well known as the main asset in a bedroom. In a chilly weather especially during winter, beds tend to be too cold hence mechanisms to warm them have to be applied in order to make them comfortable for elderly people to sleep in.

Keeping The Bed Warm
Keeping The Bed Warm

Electric blankets can be used and they should be checked regularly to see if they are worn out. There are water bottles specially designed to provide warmth in the bed and they should be put into use. However, great care should be taken when using electric devices to provide warmth for the elderly because they might not be conversant with the operation of the devices and in case of a fault, their safety may be at a risk.

To ensure safe operation of these devices, proper maintenance should be done twice a year to ensure that they are in a good working condition.

When going to bed, it is advisable that we ensure they put on warm clothes like a thermal underwear, a hat and bed socks. The beddings they use should be warm enough and able to retain heat throughout the night.

Moving Around

Walking generates heat. Since during cold seasons elderly people can hardly step out of the house for a walk, we should give them small duties which will make them move around the house. We can give them house chores to do and send them to get snacks from the kitchen.

Walking generates heat
Walking generates heat

Eating Healthy

There are plenty of healthy foods and drinks recommended by experts which are able to keep the body warm for a long time. To keep the elderly people’s energy levels up, we should give them plenty of fruits and vegetables during the day. Similarly, giving them one hot meal in a day and plenty of drinks serves the same purpose.

We should always ensure there is a flask with hot water or hot ginger tea throughout the day which is accessible to them whenever they need to warm up their bodies with a drink. Generally, proper diet should be the first priority when feeding an elderly person because it majorly aids in maintaining their ideal room temperature

Read more: Tips To Improve Senior Sleep By Reducing Pain And Discomfort

Keeping Their Minds Active

During winter seasons, it is hard for elderly people to go out and interact socially with people. In order to maintain an ideal room temperature for them, engaging them in social activities within the house like playing mind games and telling stories keeps their minds active and they shun away boredom. This way, they can’t concentrate on the cold weather.

Engage them in social activities within the house
Engage them in social activities within the house

Finally

Ensuring there is ideal room temperature for elderly people is a responsibility we should all take up because these are special people in our lives who need special care. Exposing them to very cold temperatures makes them susceptible to infections and makes them uncomfortable. We should always strive to keep them warm in all situations and ensure their bedrooms are warm enough because that is where they spend most of their time.

I hope you enjoyed reading my article. Did you find the article useful? Please share your views in the comments section below and share the article with a friend and let us spread awareness on how to keep our elderly relatives and friends warm.

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