Perhaps the first and best treatment of all venous ulcers is the use of compression stockings. Once leg pain has subsided and the ulcer is clean and dry, compression stockings should be worn on a daily basis. Compression stockings immediately relieve pressure in the veins and help heal the ulcer. There are a variety of compression stockings based on their gradient, size, color, and size. For the most effective results, these compression garments must be worn daily during the daytime. One should not worry if there is fluid discharge from the wound while wearing stockings. These stockings should be hand washed and air-dried. The majority of people who wear compression stockings will notice the ulcer decrease in size and have much fewer symptoms in a few months. Compression garments are not a one shot deal and do require getting used to. Patience, motivation and dedication is the key to success when it comes to healing of a venous ulcer.
In the beginning, compression stockings are quite difficult to get used to. There may be a little pain from the ulcer; the stockings may feel tight and hot. Further stockings have to be worn all day. In any case, if compression stockings are worn regularly, the venous ulcer will definitely heal in a few months. At present, there is no treatment which is better than compression stockings for venous ulcers.
Final Note
All consumers who have a venous ulcer should first of all avoid going to the fancy wound clinics. The first step in treating a venous ulcer is keeping legs elevated and wearing compressive garments. If you have varicose veins, you can elect to get them treated.
One should control venous pressure first before your ulcer will heal. The best and most effective way to control your venous pressure is to wear compression stockings. Varicose veins can also be treated surgically if they are large and incompetence has been demonstrated by ultrasound. Once the venous pressure is controlled, your ulcer should heal within 6-12 months. Do not expect miracles, but if you remain, persistent and motivated, you will get the desired result.
For more on support hose and socks, please visit http://medicalsuppliesandmore.com/
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Treatment of venous ulcer: part 3
Occlusive dressings: There are hundreds of dressings on the market for treatment of venous ulcers. Each company hypes up claims that their product is the best at healing venous ulcers. However, in reality, there is no difference among these occlusive dressings. Many of these occlusive dressing have fancy chemicals and antibiotics impregnated in them, -some even claim to have healing growth factors. In reality all these dressings work in the same way and there is no difference in healing time. One should be aware that the latest occlusive dressing with fancy antibiotics are exorbitantly expensive and there is no evidence that they can heal a venous ulcer faster than a simple wet gauze and a compression bandage.
Skin grafts: In a few people, the venous ulcer does decrease in size but does not completely close. As long as the ulcer is open, one may still feel pain. For these individuals an option is to close the open wound with a skin graft. However, skin graft will only work if the venous pressure is treated at the same time. Skin grafts fail in each and every case if the venous pressure is not controlled. Skin grafts are generally applied by plastic surgeons. The procedure is painful, requires skin from another part of the body and bed rest for a 1-2 weeks is required. It is imperative that the plastic surgeons treat both the varicose veins and the ulcer at the same time to ensure that the skin graft works.
Almost every wound clinic in North America claims to have growth factors that can help heal venous ulcers. Growth factors do work but only in a few cases. In the majority of cases, growth factors are over utilized and are not required for healing of venous ulcers. These expensive exotic treatments are never required if one first controls the venous pressure. A venous ulcer will heal if the pressure inside the vein is decreased. Growth factors are generally useful for more resistant ulcers induced by radiation.
Skin grafts: In a few people, the venous ulcer does decrease in size but does not completely close. As long as the ulcer is open, one may still feel pain. For these individuals an option is to close the open wound with a skin graft. However, skin graft will only work if the venous pressure is treated at the same time. Skin grafts fail in each and every case if the venous pressure is not controlled. Skin grafts are generally applied by plastic surgeons. The procedure is painful, requires skin from another part of the body and bed rest for a 1-2 weeks is required. It is imperative that the plastic surgeons treat both the varicose veins and the ulcer at the same time to ensure that the skin graft works.
Almost every wound clinic in North America claims to have growth factors that can help heal venous ulcers. Growth factors do work but only in a few cases. In the majority of cases, growth factors are over utilized and are not required for healing of venous ulcers. These expensive exotic treatments are never required if one first controls the venous pressure. A venous ulcer will heal if the pressure inside the vein is decreased. Growth factors are generally useful for more resistant ulcers induced by radiation.
Treatment for venous ulcer: part 2
Bona fide treatments for a venous ulcer include:
Once a venous ulcer has developed, try and elevate the leg every chance you get. When sitting down or lying in bed, try and keep the leg up on a pillow. Leg elevation reduces pressure in superficial veins and allows the ulcer to heal. Further, leg elevation reduces swelling, pain and discomfort in the calf and ankle. However, leg elevation alone will not cure a venous ulcer but does reduce the symptoms. One should not be misled into thinking that leg elevation for a few days or a few weeks is adequate. Leg elevation is part of long-term treatment and must be adhered to rigidly. Leg elevation is generally combined with other treatments.
The cause of a venous ulcer is due to long standing varicose veins. If varicose veins are not treated, then no matter what treatment is utilized the ulcer will not heal. Most health care workers treat the ulcer but never attempt to treat the varicose veins. One must treat varicose veins either surgically or non-surgically in order to heal the ulcer. The pressure inside varicose veins is high and once this pressure is eliminated, venous ulcers will heal.
Wound care of a venous ulcer requires frequent cleaning and debridement. The wound cleaning can be done at home but once in a while, a visit to a vascular surgeon may be required. The majority of wound clinics are run by individuals who know a very little how to manage a varicose vein appropriately. There are thousands of products for wound care and ulcers. There is no difference between any of them. These products also cost a fortune. For someone who has little money to invest in these expensive wound care products, rinsing the leg in warm water is adequate. Apply a slightly moist gauze on the wound and then dress it with a dry gauze on top of it. The principle is that Wet to Dry gauze will peel of all debris when you remove it. Do not soak the gauze with a lot of water; it will macerate the wound and skin. If the gauze is dry, it may stick to the ulcer surface and hurt like hell when you pull it off. Just a wee bit wet and then, dry gauze.
Twice a day cleaning with water and gauze is better than any product that is sold in wound care clinics. However, always let a vascular surgeon look a the ulcer to ensure that it is healing
Antibiotics are often written by physicians for venous ulcers. Unless an ulcer is infected, antibiotics are not needed. An infected wound will have foul smelling drainage, extreme pain and one may even have a fever. The ulcer will look hot and beefy red. If you have a clean wound, antibiotics are a waste of money.
Washing solution: The medical field is inundated with thousands of anti septic solutions. You do not need any of these. The more solutions you use, the greater is the probability that these chemicals will destroy your normal tissues and prevent healing. The best solution to clean an ulcer is warm water and a sterile dressing. Why the consumer is so preoccupied with medical antiseptics and disinfectants is hard to understand. The majority of these solutions are best reserved for hospital use.
Once a venous ulcer has developed, try and elevate the leg every chance you get. When sitting down or lying in bed, try and keep the leg up on a pillow. Leg elevation reduces pressure in superficial veins and allows the ulcer to heal. Further, leg elevation reduces swelling, pain and discomfort in the calf and ankle. However, leg elevation alone will not cure a venous ulcer but does reduce the symptoms. One should not be misled into thinking that leg elevation for a few days or a few weeks is adequate. Leg elevation is part of long-term treatment and must be adhered to rigidly. Leg elevation is generally combined with other treatments.
The cause of a venous ulcer is due to long standing varicose veins. If varicose veins are not treated, then no matter what treatment is utilized the ulcer will not heal. Most health care workers treat the ulcer but never attempt to treat the varicose veins. One must treat varicose veins either surgically or non-surgically in order to heal the ulcer. The pressure inside varicose veins is high and once this pressure is eliminated, venous ulcers will heal.
Wound care of a venous ulcer requires frequent cleaning and debridement. The wound cleaning can be done at home but once in a while, a visit to a vascular surgeon may be required. The majority of wound clinics are run by individuals who know a very little how to manage a varicose vein appropriately. There are thousands of products for wound care and ulcers. There is no difference between any of them. These products also cost a fortune. For someone who has little money to invest in these expensive wound care products, rinsing the leg in warm water is adequate. Apply a slightly moist gauze on the wound and then dress it with a dry gauze on top of it. The principle is that Wet to Dry gauze will peel of all debris when you remove it. Do not soak the gauze with a lot of water; it will macerate the wound and skin. If the gauze is dry, it may stick to the ulcer surface and hurt like hell when you pull it off. Just a wee bit wet and then, dry gauze.
Twice a day cleaning with water and gauze is better than any product that is sold in wound care clinics. However, always let a vascular surgeon look a the ulcer to ensure that it is healing
Antibiotics are often written by physicians for venous ulcers. Unless an ulcer is infected, antibiotics are not needed. An infected wound will have foul smelling drainage, extreme pain and one may even have a fever. The ulcer will look hot and beefy red. If you have a clean wound, antibiotics are a waste of money.
Washing solution: The medical field is inundated with thousands of anti septic solutions. You do not need any of these. The more solutions you use, the greater is the probability that these chemicals will destroy your normal tissues and prevent healing. The best solution to clean an ulcer is warm water and a sterile dressing. Why the consumer is so preoccupied with medical antiseptics and disinfectants is hard to understand. The majority of these solutions are best reserved for hospital use.
What is the best treatment for Venous Stasis Ulcers? Part 1
Venous stasis ulcers always occur on the inside of ankle in individuals who have varicose veins. These ulcers are very difficult to treat and do require long-term care. Unfortunately, the majority of health care professionals have no clue how to manage these painful ulcers.
Venous ulcers are not uncommon. Individuals who have varicose veins initially develop grayish brownish discoloration around the ankles. Over time, the skin becomes dry, thin, and itchy. Eventually, the skin breaks down and an ulcer results. The chief cause of a venous ulcer is high pressure in superficial veins of the legs. If pressure in the leg veins is not controlled, a venous ulcer will never heal with any type of therapy.
The best way to treat a venous ulcer is to prevent it in the first place. This starts the moment one recognizes brownish skin discoloration round the ankles. If treatment is delayed, a venous ulcer results and is almost impossible to cure.
Except for vascular surgeons, most health care workers are not familiar with management of venous ulcers. Applying the latest most expensive wound care products on a venous ulcer is a waste of money and never heals the ulcer. One of the chief reasons why venous ulcers are difficult to treat is because health care workers generally rely on traditional ulcer treatment approaches. Hundreds of treatments have been developed over the years for venous ulcers and the majority do not help at all. The most important aspect of treating a venous ulcer is to reduce venous pressure in the legs.
Venous ulcers are not uncommon. Individuals who have varicose veins initially develop grayish brownish discoloration around the ankles. Over time, the skin becomes dry, thin, and itchy. Eventually, the skin breaks down and an ulcer results. The chief cause of a venous ulcer is high pressure in superficial veins of the legs. If pressure in the leg veins is not controlled, a venous ulcer will never heal with any type of therapy.
The best way to treat a venous ulcer is to prevent it in the first place. This starts the moment one recognizes brownish skin discoloration round the ankles. If treatment is delayed, a venous ulcer results and is almost impossible to cure.
Except for vascular surgeons, most health care workers are not familiar with management of venous ulcers. Applying the latest most expensive wound care products on a venous ulcer is a waste of money and never heals the ulcer. One of the chief reasons why venous ulcers are difficult to treat is because health care workers generally rely on traditional ulcer treatment approaches. Hundreds of treatments have been developed over the years for venous ulcers and the majority do not help at all. The most important aspect of treating a venous ulcer is to reduce venous pressure in the legs.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Monitoring blood sugar levels
Testing for blood sugar is not difficult. At the moment, every single blood glucose monitoring kit available does require a sample of blood. There are many portable kits available today for home use. To test blood sugar levels, one needs a few items including a blood sugar monitor, test strips, a lancet and alcohol swabs. The majority of blood sugar monitors available today are lightweight and portable. Some blood sugar monitors also have fancy storage facilities like tracking time, date of each test and can also store your sugar level data. Some of the current devices also come with flash/zip drives so that the information can be transferred to your PC.
Monitoring of blood sugar unfortunately involves a pinprick on your fingertip with a special lancet. There are a variety of lancet devices which will allow you to adjust the depth of the skin prick. Those with thick skin need deeper penetration. It does sound painful but eventually one gets used to it.
For more on diabetic supplies, including blood glucose monitors, kits, lancets, infusion sets, test strips and glucose tablets, please visit http://www.medicalsuppliesandmore.com/
Disclaimer
The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. The Medical information is not proposed to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek advice of your physician or other qualified health providers if you have questions regarding your medical condition. You should not ignore professional medical advice or postpone in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
If you think you may have an acute medical emergency, call your physician or 911 STAT. Our website does not recommend or endorse any specific laboratory tests, pharmaceutical drugs, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the website. Reliance on any information provided by our Website is solely at your own risk.
Monitoring of blood sugar unfortunately involves a pinprick on your fingertip with a special lancet. There are a variety of lancet devices which will allow you to adjust the depth of the skin prick. Those with thick skin need deeper penetration. It does sound painful but eventually one gets used to it.
For more on diabetic supplies, including blood glucose monitors, kits, lancets, infusion sets, test strips and glucose tablets, please visit http://www.medicalsuppliesandmore.com/
Disclaimer
The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. The Medical information is not proposed to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek advice of your physician or other qualified health providers if you have questions regarding your medical condition. You should not ignore professional medical advice or postpone in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
If you think you may have an acute medical emergency, call your physician or 911 STAT. Our website does not recommend or endorse any specific laboratory tests, pharmaceutical drugs, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the website. Reliance on any information provided by our Website is solely at your own risk.
When should I measure my blood glucose levels?
All individuals who have been diagnosed with diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar levels on a regular basis. The monitoring of blood glucose should initially be done more frequently to ensure that the medications are working. Once the levels of blood glucose have been stabilized, one can check the blood glucose levels less frequently. However, all diabetic individuals should understand, that it is vital to maintain glucose levels at normal levels – if this is not done, devastating complications of diabetes can occur in a short time.
Individuals with type 1 diabetes need to measure blood sugar levels more often. Most individual needs to prick themselves at least 4-6 times a day, especially before and after each meal.
Diabetic individuals who exercise also need to monitor their blood sugar just before and after exercise. A drop in blood sugar is common after exercise and thus one should always carry a sugar drunk with them during exercise.
Blood sugar levels also change drastically in both type 1 and 2 diabetic during an infection, stress or a severe medical illness. At these times, blood sugars need to be monitored more frequently
Initially all type 2 diabetics need to monitor their blood sugars frequently once the dose of anti diabetic medications have been adjusted and baseline sugars have developed the frequency of blood sugar monitoring can be reduced. In any case, it is wise to monitor blood sugars at least once to twice a week to ensure that the medications are working.
For more on diabetic supplies, please visit www.medicalsuppliesandmore.com
Individuals with type 1 diabetes need to measure blood sugar levels more often. Most individual needs to prick themselves at least 4-6 times a day, especially before and after each meal.
Diabetic individuals who exercise also need to monitor their blood sugar just before and after exercise. A drop in blood sugar is common after exercise and thus one should always carry a sugar drunk with them during exercise.
Blood sugar levels also change drastically in both type 1 and 2 diabetic during an infection, stress or a severe medical illness. At these times, blood sugars need to be monitored more frequently
Initially all type 2 diabetics need to monitor their blood sugars frequently once the dose of anti diabetic medications have been adjusted and baseline sugars have developed the frequency of blood sugar monitoring can be reduced. In any case, it is wise to monitor blood sugars at least once to twice a week to ensure that the medications are working.
For more on diabetic supplies, please visit www.medicalsuppliesandmore.com
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