The View from Where I Sit

Tag: prevention is better than cure

  • Pressure Ulcer Prevention Poem

    That pressure injury or sore was 7cm deep, it resulted in me being in bed rest for seven months to heal, that was quite a traumatic experience in its own way and I can talk more about that

    I think I spend a large proportionate of my time either managing my care situation, or managing the medical situation that I’m in so dealing with appointments, dealing with scheduling appointments, dealing with getting hold of doctors, chasing things up when things don’t happen, all that sort of thing.  That I think I consider these days to be my full time job. 

    I do try to keep it as consistent as I can only because with the number of carers that come through, we do struggle to find continuity of care, we do struggle to find people who are consistent that come back and I think that is again, back to the pressure side of things, that can be a challenge too when you’ve got new people coming in.

    The quality of the care varies just depending, I’ve had some very good carers and some of them will have done very minimal care, they will have just come from domiciliary and then gone to a training course in an office and then shipped out there. So I do end up doing a lot of the training if you will myself because everybody’s routines are slightly different. 

    Interviewer: It sounds like you’re carrying a huge amount on your shoulders, that you’re managing your care package, you’re managing your own health, you’re having to train carers who are coming into you where the knowledge isn’t the standard that you require, on top of running your life like everyone has to do which isn’t straightforward.  That’s a huge amount for one person to carry.

    It is and I can do that now, if you ask me that in 10 years’ time, I don’t know if that answer would be the same.  I don’t know how I’m going to be doing this in 20 years from now, you know? 

    There’s only so much you can physically you can do yourself, there’s only so much bandwidth that you’re bringing and if you’re in pain, which I am sometimes, that becomes even more difficult because the pain is your focus, it’s not really necessarily the carers, again that’s when mistakes get made because you’re just trying to deal the acute rather than you need to be able to see something, say something, whatever. 

    So yeah, mental health wise, I think fortunately, I do speak to a therapist, a speaking therapist weekly, that helps me sort of destress in a way or at least get out all the frustrations and whatever that are going on.  What I’ve found since I’ve been talking to her and I’ve known her for a while now, is that I would say if we have four monthly conversations, out of those, at least two of those would be spent talking about care and that’s not really where I want it to be.  I would like be talking about other things rather than, “this is what’s going on this week because of my care ..”, blah blah blah. 

    That’s how much of an impact and an influence if you will the care situation has in my particular life. It’s difficult, it is difficult.

  • The frequency of lymphoedema in an adult Spina Bifida population

    The Fight Against Pressure Ulcers

    Lymphoedema


    Lymphoedema is a swelling often of your legs which is due to fluid collecting in the tissues under the skin. This can leave you prone to cellulitis and skin breakdown, and can interfere with independence as your legs get heavy and difficult to move. Ask your GP to arrange treatment with pressure stockings or appliances, which are very effective.

    The National Lymphedema Network (lymphnet.org) defines lymphedema as “an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the interstitial tissue that causes swelling, most often in the arms and/or legs, and occasionally in other parts of the body. Lymphedema can develop when lymphatic vessels are missing or impaired or when lymph vessels are damaged or lymph nodes removed.

    Feet
    It is suggested that you see a podiatrist/chiropodist regularly to have your toenails cut and hard skin removed if you have loss of feeling or poor circulation in your feet. Use a foot-softening cream on your feet and moisturiser on your legs to prevent cracking as bacteria can enter this way. If your skin is very dry, use aqueous cream instead of soap when bathing. Dry carefully between your toes and treat athlete’s foot straight away. Creams and sprays are available from pharmacies and larger supermarkets.

    There have been very few studies to date documenting the occurrence of lymphedema in the Spina Bifida population, despite a case series in 2001 that suggested that the occurrence may be higher than in the general population. A total of 240 electronic medical records from the Adult Spina Bifida Clinic from January 2005 to August 2008 were retrospectively reviewed.

    This is why incontinence/ moisture management, movement, and sensation are important for Spina Bifida patients.

    10 Methods to tackle swollen feet

    1. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day
      Though it might seem counterintuitive, getting enough fluids actually helps reduce swelling. When your body isn’t hydrated enough, it holds onto the fluid it does have. This contributes to swelling.
    2. Buy compression socks
      Compression socks can be found at a drug or grocery store or even bought online. Start with compression socks that are between 12 to 15 mm or 15 to 20 mm of mercury.

    They come in a variety of weights and compressions, so it might be best to start off with lighter-weight socks and then find the kind that provides the most relief.

    1. Soak in a cool Epsom salt bath for about 15 to 20 minutes
      Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) may not only help with muscle pain. It may also reduce swelling and inflammation. The theory is that Epsom salt draws out toxins and increases relaxation.

    Just make sure to get Epsom salts marked with the USP designation. This means that it meets standards set forth by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is safe to use.

    1. Elevate your feet, preferably above your heart
      Prop your feet on cushions, pillows, or even things like phone books, when you sleep. If you’re looking to reduce foot swelling while pregnant, try elevating your feet several times a day as well. Aim for about 20 minutes at a time, even on an ottoman or a chair.

    Try to avoid standing for long periods of time and stay off your feet when you can.

    1. Get moving!
      If you sit or stand in one area for a long period of time (like at work), this can lead to swollen feet. Try to move a little bit each hour, even if it’s a walk to the break room, a walk around the block at lunch, flexing your knees and ankles, or a lap around the office.
    2. Magnesium supplements can be helpful for some people
      If you retain water, you might have a magnesium deficiency. Eating foods high in magnesium can help. Magnesium-rich foods. Trusted Source to add to your diet include:
    • almonds
    • tofu
    • cashews
    • spinach
    • dark chocolate
    • broccoli
    • avocados
    • Taking 200 to 400 milligrams of magnesium daily might help with the swelling. But before you take any kind of supplement, ask your doctor. Magnesium supplements aren’t right for everyone, especially if you have a kidney or heart condition.
    1. Make some dietary changes
      Reducing your sodium intake can help decrease swelling in your body, including in your feet. Opt for low-sodium versions of your favourite foods, and try to refrain from adding salt to meals.
    2. Lose weight if you’re overweight
      Being overweight can cause reduced blood circulation, leading to swelling of the lower extremities. It can also lead to extra strain on the feet, causing pain when walking. This can result in being more sedentary — which can also cause fluid buildup in the feet.

    Losing weight can help ease the strain on your feet and possibly reduce foot swelling as well. Talk with your doctor about whether you need to lose weight and healthy ways to go about doing so.

    1. Massage your feet
      Massage can be great for swollen feet and can also promote relaxation. Massage (or have someone massage them for you!) your feet toward your heart with firm strokes and some pressure. This can help move the fluid out of the area and reduce swelling.
    2. Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods
      A potassium deficiency can contribute to high blood pressure and water retention. If you have no dietary restrictions, consider eating foods containing potassium. Some potassium-rich foods. Trusted Source include:
    • sweet potatoes
    • white beans
    • bananas
    • salmon
    • pistachios
    • chicken
    • Try drinking orange juice or low-fat milk instead of soda, too. If you have any medical conditions, especially kidney issues, talk with your doctor before adding lots of potassium to your diet.

    How long should I elevate my feet to reduce swelling?


    The more the swelling and the longer there has been swelling, the longer and more frequently your need to elevate your legs. Start with 20 minutes twice a day. This might do the trick. If not, go to 30 minutes or even an hour.

    LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO STOP THE PRESSURE!!!

    https://www.shinecharity.org.uk/self-care/skin-and-tissue

    https://mobilitymgmt.com/Articles/2011/06/01/Lymphedema.aspx