LIFESTYLE CHANGES THAT CAN HELP YOU COPE WITH GERD AND ACID REFLUX -Â Written By: Aline Browning1/7/2022 There are many lifestyle options that can not only reduce the symptoms of Acid Reflux but also help you to improve sleep, improve your appetite, and create overall mental wellbeing. Even the steps you take toward better relaxation, can improve your symptoms. First, what is the difference between Heartburn and Acid Reflux and who does it affect?
Heartburn, Acid Reflux, and GERDHeartburn and acid reflux, while related, are not the same condition. According to the Cleveland Clinic (2021), “heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux.” Heartburn is fairly common as long as it doesn’t occur often and it can be managed easily. Heartburn is very acidic and can cause a burning sensation in the chest area. According to the American College of Gastroenterology (2021), “There is reflux that can be non-acidic” they define gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as, “regular symptoms caused by the flow of gastric contents into the esophagus.” GERD is a chronic disease that also happens to cause heartburn. GERD can produce deceptive symptoms that can lead to misdiagnosis. While heartburn can leave an unmistakably bad taste in your mouth, GERD symptoms can create even more confusion. The American College of Gastroenterology (2021) states, “Experts recognize that often the role of acid reflux has been overlooked as a potential factor in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with chronic cough, hoarseness, and asthma-like symptoms.” Chest pain and a lump-in-the-throat sensation are also symptoms that accompany GERD that do not necessarily give off a burning sensation. Of course, it is very important not to assume that the chest pain is esophageal, but instead have a doctor diagnose the cause of the chest pain. Who does Acid Reflux affect? While reflux can affect all ages, from infancy to senior aged individuals, the age group with the highest prevalence are people aged 20-29. The prevalence of GERD is higher among women and according to Yaseri (2017), “GERD occurs more in females than in males with an increase in age.” Two prominent risk factors for Acid Reflux in this age group are obesity and heavy alcohol consumption. Therefore, lifestyle changes are often recommended as one course of treatment. According to Chen (2010), “Alcohol consumption probably precipitates GERD. Exposure of the esophagus and stomach to alcohol may cause direct damage to esophageal and gastric mucosa. In addition, toxic acetaldehyde metalized from alcohol could affect the function of the esophagus and stomach. Furthermore, dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and esophageal peristalsis and abnormal gastric acid secretion may be involved in the pathogenesis of alcohol-related GERD.” Lift Chairs & ReclinersWhat you eat before bedtime can also contribute to the symptoms of acid reflux. Fatty foods, acidic foods, and spices such as chili powder or black pepper can damage the esophageal mucosa and create reflux. Gupta, MD. (2021) recommends high fiber foods in their place, “Whole grains such as oatmeal, couscous and brown rice. Root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots and beets. Green vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli and green beans.” How Golden Lift Chairs Can Help You Sleep Better While acid reflux can cause sleep disturbances, sleep disturbances can also further exacerbate the symptoms of GERD. According to Jung (2010), “There is a significant association between disturbed sleep and GERD, and this may be bidirectional. Sleep disorders may induce gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances, while GI symptoms also may provoke or worsen sleep derangements. Reflux of gastric acid is a less frequent event during sleep, however, acid clearance mechanisms (including swallowing, salivation and primary esophageal motility) are impaired during sleep resulting in prolongation of acid contact time. Nighttime reflux can lead to sleep disturbance and sleep disturbance may further aggravate GERD by prolonged acid contact time and heightened sensory perception. This may facilitate the occurrence of complicated GERD and decreased quality of life.” While a doctor may recommend changes in diet and interval changes between eat and sleep. They have also tested the efficacy of head elevation during sleep for reflux patients. According to Khan, MD. (2012), “Bed head elevation reduced esophageal acid exposure and acid clearance time in nocturnal (supine) refluxers and led to some relief from heartburn and sleep disturbance.” In fact, the study revealed that “sleep disturbances improved in 65% of the patients (13 of 24) in the study.” Golden Maxicomfort™ power lift recliners provide the ultimate comfort for head-elevated sleep with infinite positioning that is programmable. Once you find that elevated sleep position that alleviates your reflux, you can program it right into your Autodrive™ hand control so that searching for comfort doesn’t take so long at night. Electric hospital beds can take up a lot of space and may not be the most practical option for someone experiencing the symptoms of acid reflux. Golden power lift recliners are an option that provide you with the same elevation as a hospital bed, but fit better in your life and with your home décor.
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American Medical & Equipment Supply is a local medical supply store that has been serving the Bay Area since 1990. As our family members age, adult children often begin caring for their aging parents, while often also caring for their children or teenagers. By shopping locally at American Medical Equipment, here’s what you can expect:
Expert Product Knowledge Our team of experts constantly researches the best quality medical equipment whether it is walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, canes, lift chairs, adult diapers, or hospital beds. We are here to help guide family members and/or caregivers on the best solutions to help meet their needs. Best of all, you can save on the hassle of shipments and assembly. Come in and ask us – what is the best bed rail? Or what is the best lift chair? Or what are the best supplies I need while caring for my elderly grandmother? We will be happy to help! Furthermore, you can use your HSA/FSA card in store, as we are a medical supplies store. Immaculate and Gorgeous Showroom We take pride in ensuring our medical supplies store is hands down the cleanest and most organized store in the San Francisco Bay Area. Have you ever asked what elderly medical supplies exist for the bathroom? Bedroom? Living Room? We have organized our showroom so you can envision, touch, and feel bathroom safety products, lift recliner chairs, and hospital beds. Nearly 3 in 4 consumers prefer to shop in store so they can try before they buy. Some of the other products you will find in our store include adult diapers, incontinence supplies, knee braces, back support, scooters, wheelchairs, medical furniture, over bed tables, security poles, compression socks, medical socks, walkers and rollators, and orthopedic pillows. Medical Equipment Rentals Our medical supplies store offers the following rental products:
Repairs If you purchase from us, rest assured we are an authorized repair technician for all Golden Tech Lift Chairs, Scooters, and Power Wheelchairs. No more having to worry about calling someone from the internet for a repair. We are your neighborhood experts! We are also able to repair Nova Rollators and Transport Chairs. The most common problems we see are with the brake cables and wheels. Need spare parts? Contact us and we would be happy to help. Convenience Being able to pick up and use required medical supplies the same day is of utmost importance. Who wants to wait two days for items to be delivered? We pride ourselves in stocking the most amount of medical supplies inventory in the entire Bay Area. Many of our items are also already preassembled for your convenience, such as commodes, shower chairs, walkers, rollators, wheelchairs, transport chairs, bathroom safety rails, bed rails, and mobility scooters. If you need walker brakes tightened or walker ski glides installed, we can also help you with that. If you are purchasing a large item, such as a lift chair, hospital bed, mattress, or adjustable bed frame, we also offer delivery and set-up. Many items can be delivered the same day or the following day. Friendly and Caring Staff We know it can be difficult to care for an ailing family member. We are here to help guide you through difficult times. Whether you need advice on preventing falls in the bathroom or the best hospital bed mattress, we are here to guide you. Our genuinely caring staff will greet you with a smile. We are here to create lasting relationships. Many of our clients initially shopped for their parents and now have become clients themselves. It is with pride that we have been serving our Bay Area community since 1990. We look forward to meeting you soon! Call, Text, or Email us with any questions you may have. Vein Disease Anatomy:
Vein disorders occur when the body’s veins have been damaged. The damage is caused by a variety of factors ranging from lifestyle choices, such as being sedentary and smoking, to medical issues that include cancer, heart disease and blood-clotting disorders. Vein diseases typically occur in the extremities, often in the legs. Many venous disorders can be linked to patients with a history of deep vein thrombosis, a condition causing blood clots to form in the legs and, therefore, block blood flow. This will lead to painful edema caused by the breakdown of the layers of collagen and elastin that make up blood veins’ walls that inhibit blood flow. Venous disorders affect several veins throughout the circulatory system. Unlike arterial circulation, venous circulation disrupts the ability to pump blood back to the heart. In the case of DVT, if the blockage becomes dislodged it can travel through your circulatory system. This may lead to a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal if it goes undetected. Managing Vein Disease: Most vein diseases are not considered to be life-threatening conditions, and many can be controlled with management. The key to treating vein diseases lies in improving blood flow to the affected area. This can be accomplished several ways. There are a few things to consider when determining how to manage the disease, including the patient’s age, symptoms, tolerance for various management options and the expected progress of the venous disorder.
How often should I charge my battery?
For daily use of your scooters, your batteries should be fully charged. We recommend that you plug the battery into the charger at the end of a day’s use and allow 6 to 8 hours to fully charge. More information can be found in your scooter’s Owner’s Manual. The green LED light on my scooter’s control panel is flashing. What does that mean? When the LED light on the control panel flashes, that means there is some type of a malfunction with your scooter. It could be as simple as the scooter being in Freewheel Mode, where it can be pushed instead of driven, or it could be something more complex. The lights flash in a sequence and the flashes should be counted. Then you can refer to your Owner’s Manual, or under-carpet Troubleshooting Guide if your scooter is equipped with one, to determine the cause of the malfunction. I do a lot of gardening and would like to pull a cart behind my scooter through my yard. Is this recommended? Unfortunately, scooters are not designed for this type of use. Scooters are designed to transport one individual and their personal items, not to exceed the weight capacity of the scooter. It is not recommended to pull a cart or some other type of cargo. Do you sell battery replacements for my scooter? Yes - We have battery replacements for all Golden powered scooters and wheelchairs that we sell. If I buy the scooter from you and something goes wrong, do you have a technician to fix my scooter? Yes we have an in house technician who can diagnose and fix your scooter. If replacement Golden scooter parts are needed, we can also help you order those. Additional fees may apply. Like servicing a car, we recommend bringing in your scooter to our scooter store for a full evaluation. What scooters do you carry? We carry the best selection of foldable and portable Golden Technologies scooters. We offer the best quality scooters at competitive pricing! Please call us at (408) 559-5800 or email us at: [email protected] with any additional questions. Lift Chairs made by Golden are the best quality lift chairs in the market. When selecting a recliner lift chair, you have the choice between fabric, vinyl, and the ultimate comfortable Brisa material. Golden is pleased to offer the only lifetime warranty for all Brisa® breathable fabrics on lift chairs in the industry! Brisa® is an incredibly soft and luxurious faux leather fabric available on lift chairs exclusively from Golden Technologies. Brisa is the first polyurethane fabric designed with a unique ventilation system that enables it to breathe, keeping you cool and comfortable, no matter how long you use the chair. Brisa’s subtle grain pattern is created through a natural process that simulates the supple surface of genuine leather. You can choose from a tasteful assortment of colors.
Do you suffer from heel pain? Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, or inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia runs on the bottom of our foot and is designed to absorb shock while you walk. When it becomes inflamed or irritated it can often cause heel pain. This typically occurs in people who stand for prolonged periods of time, have flat feet, or weakness in their foot muscles. Symptoms typically are the worst first thing in the morning and with any weight bearing activities like standing, walking and running. Sometimes people will experience pain when standing up after sitting for a while. Below are some suggestions for ways to help ease your pain. To address the heel pain in the morning, roll your foot with a foot roller massager before getting out of bed. Repeat this rolling several times per day. If you are experiencing pain in both feet, you may simultaneously roll both feet with foot log roller massager. During the day, make sure to wear good, supportive shoes, arch supports, heel cups, and/or inserts. We have many options to choose from in our store. Throughout the day, ice the bottom of your heel for pain relief. Many people also feel relief from stretching their plantar fascia using the foot roller and by stretching their gastrocnemius and soleus muscles by using the foot rocker calf stretcher. At night, wear a plantar fasciitis night sock or night splint. This can often help relieve the morning heel pain. Most importantly, be consistent with all these treatment tools as plantar fasciitis can often take several weeks and up to 2 years to improve. Great! You have made a decision to purchase a lift chair either for yourself or for a loved one, but with so many different lift chair types, how do you choose the best one?
Below are things to consider and some of the most common frequently asked questions. Question: What is the difference between a two-position and a three-position lift chair? Answer: With a two-position lift chair, when the chair is reclining and the footrest is going up, the angle between the backrest and the seat does not change. With a three-position lift chair, when the chair is reclining and the footrest is going up, the backrest reclines back farther, opening the angle between the backrest and the seat. The chair can recline more fully into a “sleeper” or “napper” position. Question: My dad had a really big power lift chair. Is a small lift chair for my mom available? Answer: Yes! Golden Tech offers the widest range of sizes and styles from lift chairs. The MaxiComforter Lift Chair comes in six sizes including petite, small, medium, large, tall, and extra wide. Question: What is the weight capacity of Golden Lift Chairs? Answer: Most Golden Technologies lift chairs have a weight capacity of 350-375 lbs. The MaxiComforter Lift Chair in extra wide has a weight capacity of 500 lbs. Question: Should I buy a lift chair that swivels or rocks? Answer: Probably not. As we all age, it is normal to experience loss in strength, flexibility, mobility, balance, vision, and reaction time. Therefore, for client safety and fall prevention, we recommend having a sturdy chair that does not rock or swivel. It is harder to stand up from a chair that swivels. Question: Can I add heat and massage to a medical recliner chair? Answer: Yes – select models of lift chairs can be upgraded to include heat and massage. The Golden Technologies lift chairs have a separate remote for heat and massage. Some of the features include low and high heat settings, wave or pulse massage settings, and independent adjustable massage intensity and speed settings. Question: Can my loved one sleep in this chair? Answer: Yes! Many of the Golden Technologies lift chairs fully recline flat making it the perfect sleep chair. Question: What is a Zero Gravity Lift Chair? Answer: A Zero Gravity Lift Chair moves your body into a position to help relieve stress throughout your entire body. The Golden Technologies unique AutoDrive hand control for the MaxiComfort lift chairs comes with a factory programmed button for the Zero Gravity position. Come experience ultra comfort in these lift chairs today! Question: Do you have power lift chair recliners in stock available to buy today? Answer: Yes! We are the largest lift chair recliner store in the Bay Area. Come visit our store to test out all of our different recliners to find your favorite fit. We know everyone’s comfort preferences are different so we have options to try before you buy. If you are looking for a specific fabric color, we can even help you custom order a chair. We look forward to working with you soon! If you have loved ones not in the area, ask us about shipping options! We can ship nationwide! #lift assist chair #best lift chairs #aging in place #retirement community How to Choose the Best MattressAre you suffering from back pain or waking up with a stiff back? This may be a sign that it’s time to consider a new mattress. All mattresses are not designed the same. A sagging mattress places more stress through your spine. For the health of your spine, healthcare professionals (doctors, physical therapists and chiropractors) recommend to sleep on your back or your side. Avoid sleeping on your stomach as this places more stress on your spine. Back sleepers usually benefit from a firmer mattress compared to side sleepers. Side sleepers also can benefit from a thicker mattress (11”, 12” or 14”) so there is a thicker layer to conform and contour around the shoulder and hips. When considering buying a mattress, there are many things to consider. You can choose between memory form, gel, latex, cooling, and hybrid mattresses.
The Technogel mattresses are one of the best cooling mattresses. It is great for those individuals who sleep hot and/or for those who frequently toss and turn at night. Clinical tests revealed that Technogel mattresses help decrease time spent in light sleep by as much as 33%, while increasing deep sleep up to 45%. Technogel is a one-of-a-kind biocompatible material that adapts like water while providing the support of a solid. By molding uniquely to the contours of your body, Technogel helps alleviate pressure and maintain proper spinal alignment while allowing natural ease of movement. Technogel is more pressure relieving than standard foam or memory foam mattresses. It’s the perfect blend of comfort and ergonomic support. Brand new Technogel mattresses are available in Twin XL, Queen, King, and Cal King. Hybrid mattresses combine foam and individually encased coils. Hybrid mattresses are available with gel or latex material. The latex foam is naturally springy and responsive. The latex layer offers firm support that keeps your body floating on top of your bed instead of sinking into it. The latex hybrid mattress is firmer when compared to the gel hybrid mattress. The gel infused memory foam layers capture and dissipate heat for a cooler, more comfortable sleep temperature. The hybrid mattresses are available in 11" and 14" in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King, and Split Cal King. These hybrid mattresses are one of the best that come in a box. Wellsville mattresses are one of the best hybrid mattresses that are backed with a 10 year limited non-prorated warranty. Ask us about white glove delivery and in home set-up. For elderly individuals, those with mobility issues, or those looking for a low profile mattress – a thinner 8” gel memory foam mattress is a great option. (With thicker mattresses or a higher bed height, individuals can often face difficulty getting in and out of bed). The gel infused memory foam is designed to support, contour, and cradle the natural curves of the body while properly aligning the spine. It’s affordable luxury at it’s best. What’s great about all of these mattresses is that they can be used with any of our adjustable bed frames to find ultimate comfort. Reclaim your rest with a premium mattress today. Our expert staff will help provide you with a complete sleep solution. #no more back pain #no more sore muscles #new twin mattress #cooling memory foam mattress #best place to get a mattress Did you know falls happen most often in the bathroom followed by the bedroom? Attach a bed rail for adults next to your bed to remain safe and help prevent falls. Bed rails come in various sizes and styles. This bed rail for adults can fit mattress heights from 12-21” on twin, full, queen, and king sized beds. The Signature Series Sleep Safe Home Bed Rail features a pivot mechanism, a leather pouch, a safety strap that fits under the mattress, and an adjustable length bed rail guard. Keep your essentials (phone, remote control, books, etc) close by in the conveniently designed leather pouch. As you pivot the rail down, your belongings stay safely secured in the pouch and will not fall out. Come visit American Medical & Equipment Supply to see a live demo of the rail. Together - let’s help keep our seniors safe by having a bed rail by their side. Have any questions? Talk to our team of experts today and we can help answer questions.
Customer Reviews: Virginia: “I got this for my father when he fell out of bed one night. He LOVES it! What a life saver. Now it helps him all the time get out of bed safely, in addition to keeping him in the bed at night!” #electrical adjustable bed #medical supplies pillow #bed rails for elderly #lift chair recliner #compression stockings jobst #king gel memory foam mattress Bedside and 3 in 1 commodes are quite handy! They can be used as a portable toilet, a toilet safety frame, or an elevated toilet seat over your current toilet. The commode comes standard with legs that are height adjustable, a bucket, lid, and splash guard.
If you will be traveling or having a loved one visit, choose a folding commode that can easily be stored away in seconds. Lower the commode height and fold for easy transport in backseats or trunks. Folding commodes are also great for temporary use following a surgery. When using the commode in the bathroom no need to use the bucket. The commode over the toilet will add height making it easier for a user to get on and off the toilet. This is useful following any hip or knee surgeries (i.e. hip or knee replacement), strokes, and with many autoimmune diseases. When lower extremity muscles weaken, it makes it harder to stand up, especially from lower surfaces. Traditional toilet heights tend to be lower. Maintain your independence and dignity with being able to stand up from the toilet independently with the assist of a height adjustable commode. As your legs get stronger, simply change the height of the legs on the commode. Do you wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom? Rather than walking to the bathroom at night, move this lightweight commode into the bedroom at nighttime. Having this commode bedside can help improve safety and decrease falls. Simply place the commode next to your bed. When using the commode in the bedroom, we recommend using commode liners to easily dispose of waste and to reduce clean up time. During the daytime, this portable commode can be moved back into the bathroom or any room as desired. If you purchase from us and ever need replacement commode parts, we will be more than happy to help assist you. Most commodes have a 300lb weight capacity. If you require a commode with a higher weight capacity, shop the extra wide heavy duty commode that has a 500 lb weight capacity. Shop American Medical & Equipment Supply for the best commode prices and selections in the Bay Area. We have been helping our Bay Area community since 1990. We take pride in offering excellent service. We always have commodes assembled and in stock ready for pickup. Our store features a 10,000 square foot showroom should you need to touch, see, or feel other products. For hygiene reasons, always make sure you are purchasing and receiving a brand new unit. Commode liners sold separately. #bed rail #grab bar #rollator #walker #wheelchair #best adult diaper #portable urinal #sunnyvale #santa clara #san jose |
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