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If you have a chronic medical condition such as diabetes, stocking up on medical supplies is never a bad idea. Make sure you take some basic safety into account when you do store these items, however.

First, make sure you read the labels for information about how the medical equipment is supposed to be stored. The temperature requirements have to be followed exactly for any medical equipment to be stored safely. If you’re storing extra equipment in a property that you only use part time, such as at a cabin or vacation house, you’ll want to make sure that anything that could freeze isn’t left there over the winter. (more…)

There are a variety of products that can be purchased to assist those who have issues with incontinence. Having the correct medical supplies when you need them is essential to enjoying a normal quality of life when facing these difficult issues. There are a number of products available and you should thoroughly research each of them to find the right solution based on your own personal needs.

Some of the products available include catheters, mattress covers, bed pads, bed liners, protective underwear and other garments, and disposal briefs or adult diapers. A catheter can be an alternative solution to wearing protective garments or using protective bed linen. These are used to drain the bladder and trap the urine in a draining bag for emptying into the toiler later. You will need a doctor’s prescription in order to purchase a catheter, and you will want to receive thorough instructions regarding its use.

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When suffering chronic pain or illness, going to the hospital or looking into some form of hospice care is often the last thing that you want.  Not only can the care from these institutions be extremely expensive, but there is also nothing that provides comfort more than being at home.  Fortunately, the online revolution has made it possible for you to care for yourself or your loved ones in the comfort of your own home.  With several Internet companies available, you can now order almost any medical supplies for your needs and have them shipped directly to your door.  With so many possibilities, the need for a trip to the hospital can sometimes be completely eliminated.

With so many companies from which to choose, the possibilities can sometimes be overwhelming.  Your first option is to speak to your doctor about which brands and designs will work best for your condition.  Chances are your doctor does have a particular preference for your care, and he or she will be more than happy to share.  If there is no preference for the supplies to be used, then it may be up to you to do a bit of research. (more…)

The world of medical supplies and equipment carries with it a whole range of words and expressions that will be very alien to those unfamiliar with the industry. Here we continue our guide to some of the more widely used terms, with everything from anesthetics to a Foley catheter and beyond.

BILBAO-DOTTER TUBE – This refers to an intestinal tube which is inserted, with the assistance of a stiffening guide wire, into either the duodenum or the jejunum in order to aid the performance of various studies of gastrointestinal radiologic issues. (more…)

Most often referring to a urine-containment device, an external catheter is affixed via sheath over the penis, carrying urine to an attached drainage bag. The sheath or sleeve that fits over the penis is like a condom. So other names for an external catheter can be urinary sheath, penile sheath or condom catheter.

Why would I need an external catheter? (more…)

More than a third of the American population over the age of sixty is affected with at least some level of urinary incontinence.  Though men are only half as likely to suffer from the very stressful problem, there are still many men who need assistance in coping with urinary incontinence.

The structural differences between the urinary tracts of men and women account for the great difference in percentages of men and women who suffer incontinence, but many of the causes can be the same.  Injuries to the brain, certain conditions and diseases and age related physical deterioration can contribute to urinary incontinence in both men and women.  There is a common cause of urinary incontinence that only pertains to men though and that has to do with problems with the prostate. (more…)

When creating an emergency kit, first decide on what your kit will be used for. Will you use it for a camping trip or to keep in your car or home? From there, you’ll need to do a bit of research on what will be appropriate for each situation.

If you’re interested in customizing your own emergency kit, first consider the practicality of the size of your emergency kit. You obviously won’t be able to take as many medical supplies with you on a camping trip as you will be able to store in your home or even your vehicle. It is a good idea to keep a replenishing station in your home that you can supply your various emergency kits with as needed. (more…)