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What is clean intermittent catheterization ( CIC ) at Home ?

What is clean intermittent catheterization? Clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) is a procedure for people who have trouble urinating the “normal” way. In a CIC procedure, you insert a catheter, a thin, hollow tube, into your bladder to help you urinate. People who need to perform CIC include those who have certain medical conditions, including: Stroke Parkinson's disease Multiple sclerosis Spinal cord injuries Spinal surgeries Erectile dysfunction Trauma/accidents Central nervous system tumors Cerebral palsy Heavy metal poisoning If you have to perform CIC, you will be inserting and removing the catheter several times a day; your doctor will tell you how many times. By performing this procedure every day, you will not have to wear a catheter all the time. In addition, you will help prevent kidney infection and keep your bladder from stretching. Key points Clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) is a technique that your loved one will have to do several times a day...

What is the symptoms of Covid 19 ?

What is the symptoms of Covid 19. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear  2-14 days after exposure   to the virus.  People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache New loss of taste or smell Sore throat Congestion or runny nose Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea This list does not include all possible symptoms. WHO will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19. When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention Look for  emergency warning signs*  for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs,  seek emergency medical care   immediately Trouble breathing Persistent pain or pressure in the chest New confusion Inability to wake or stay awake Bluish lips or face *This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your...

The Need For Supplemental Oxygen at Home.

The Need For Supplemental Oxygen. Why did my doctor prescribe oxygen for me? Every body needs oxygen. In fact, every tissue and every cell in the body needs a constant supply of oxygen to work properly. Oxygen gets into our cells and tissues via the lungs. The lungs breathe in oxygen from the air, then pass the oxygen into the bloodstream through millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli. Hemoglobin in the red blood cells then picks up the oxygen and carries it off to the body's tissues and cells. Interstitial lung disease can cause inflammation and/or scarring (aka fibrosis) in the part of the lung tissue where oxygen passes into the bloodstream — the alveoli. This inflammation and/or scarring make it difficult for oxygen to move into the bloodstream. Therefore, the amount of oxygen in the blood drops, and the body's tissues and cells may not receive enough oxygen to keep functioning properly. Not enough oxygen in the bloodstream is called  hypoxemia . How did my d...

Traveling With Oxygen.

Traveling With Oxygen Traveling with oxygen has become much easier with the development of portable oxygen concentrators (POCs). These devices run on a battery pack, can be recharged, plugged into the wall or a cigarette lighter in a car, and can be taken on airplanes. There are several makes and models, with widely differing features, so it is important to choose the one that is best for you, that delivers enough oxygen to keep your saturation 90 percent or greater at rest and with activity. POCs can be rented or purchased from various oxygen suppliers. Oxygen Needs at High Elevation Some people may become hypoxemic while traveling to or living at high elevations. A simple pulse oximeter reading while you are at high altitude, at rest and during activity, can determine if oxygen is needed at altitude. Alternatively, some pulmonary function labs can perform an altitude simulation test to determine your oxygen saturation at altitude. This test involves breathing a mixture of...

How do I choose the right oxygen equipment for me?

How do I choose the right oxygen equipment for me? You, your health care provider and your oxygen supplier should all work together to choose the oxygen system that is right for you — one that takes into account your lifestyle and activities, as well as the amount of oxygen you need. The goal is to have oxygen equipment that you can and will wear, so you can keep enjoying your usual activities. Some of the factors to consider when choosing your system and equipment are listed below: The amount of oxygen your doctor has prescribed for you (written as liter flow of oxygen per minute, such as 2 liters/min) How often and for how long you leave your house What activities you do while you are out Your size, strength and endurance versus the weight of the equipment The size and layout of your home (for instance, whether your house has two or more stories) Whether you breathe through your nose or your mouth Your dexterity Your personal preferences What type of equipment is availabl...

What is oxygen therapy at Home ?

What is oxygen? Oxygen is a gas that your body needs to work properly. Your cells need oxygen to make energy. Your lungs absorb oxygen from the air you breathe. The oxygen enters your blood from your lungs and travels to your organs and body tissues. Certain medical conditions can cause your blood oxygen levels to be too low. Low blood oxygen may make you feel  short of breath , tired, or confused. It can also damage your body. Oxygen therapy can help you get more oxygen. What is oxygen therapy? Oxygen therapy is a treatment that provides you with extra oxygen to breathe in. It is also called supplemental oxygen. It is only available through a prescription from your health care provider. You may get it in the hospital, another medical setting, or at home. Some people only need it for a short period of time. Others will need long-term oxygen therapy. There are different types of devices that can give you oxygen. Some use tanks of liquid or gas oxygen. Others use an oxygen concentrat...

What are the symptoms of Low Blood Oxygen?

Benefits of Oxygen Therapy Oxygen therapy is beneficial to people with frequent low oxygen levels due to an underlying disease. It provides a more active lifestyle by decreasing shortness of breath.  Oxygen therapy can save lives in case of emergencies and also increases life expectancy. It is beneficial in symptoms like headaches, irritability, confusion, fatigue and swollen ankles. These symptoms may be due to low oxygen levels in the body. Oxygen therapy is also helpful to children with congenital chronic lung diseases thereby improving their quality of life. What are the symptoms of Low Blood Oxygen? Coughing or wheezing Rapid breaths Confusion Sweat Changes in skin color Short breath Increased heart rate You must seek for immediate medical help if you experience these symptoms. Medical professionals use pulse oximetry to determine whether a person qualifies for an oxygen therapy treatment or not. Some people require to be oxygenated all the time while others need i...