Facial Sweating - 5 Tips to Control Your Excessive Facial Sweating Problems
Posted on December 9, 2007
Filed Under Health | Comments Off
Having a sweating face is no joking issue, and for the people who suffer from this problem, there is no readily available treatment to deal with their excessive facial sweating worries.
It is not entirely safe or even possible to use antiperspirants on your face, besides which they do not always work. In fact, these methods are more of a hindrance than a help.
However, there are few ways for you to control your excessive facial sweating woes. To start with, here are five of them.
#01 — Stop Using Facial Creams One thing that you can do to help you control your sweating is to stop using facial creams entirely, or use only very light creams sparingly. Heavy creams of the type normally used in the harsher winter months can have a sickly sweet effect on your skin and cause you to sweat even more, even in winter.
#02 — Ask Family Members for Help You need to ask yourself whether your sweating face is a genetic trait. Is it something that has been passed down through the family line? If so, talk with a family member first to see what remedy or treatment they have resorted to that helps with their excessive facial sweating problems.
#03 — Carry a Handkerchief Of course some people would rather not take too much notice of these things and take it in their stride. These people are the ones who always tend to have a handkerchief in their hands and are always lightly dusting their face with it.
#04 — Use Talcum Powder A good practical alternative to using antiperspirants is to use talcum powder. Apply a very light dusting and try to avoid your eyes, nose and mouth when applying it. It can help to keep your face dry and free from sweat, at least for a little while.
#05 — Use a Loose Compact Powder If you prefer to use make up than talcum powder, then compromise. Use a loose compact powder instead of the creamier compact versions. The coverage might not last as long, but since you have a sweating face anyway, it becomes a moot point, right?
A sweating face does not need to be the end of the world as you know it. You can still have a thriving social life, you just need to find the simplest of treatment that can help you to control or even prevent your excessive facial sweating.
Do you know that you can control your excessive sweating simply by changing your eating habits? Sign up for a FREE 5-Part lesson now to learn the natural treatment for excessive sweating here at “Treatment for Excessive Sweating”.
Night Sweating Problems - Seek Proper Treatment for Excessive Night Sweating
Posted on December 7, 2007
Filed Under Health | Comments Off
Have you ever waked up in the thick of the night all drenched and wondering if you had just ran a marathon in your dreams? Only, you would find that you were all wet just by sleeping through on your comfy bed.
In most cases it is nothing more than an overactive system, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. Night sweating, especially excessive night sweating could be a symptom for a medical condition of which you are unaware.
Cause of Excessive Night Sweating Of course, some people experience bouts of night sweating if they have eaten hot or spicy foods before coming to bed. And the best thing that can be done in these circumstances is to avoid such foods that you know will trigger an attack of excessive night sweating.
Some people on the other hand, experience excessive night sweating as part of their normal biological functions. It is also common for these people to have only sporadic bouts of night sweating that can even be triggered by a number of factors other than that of food.
These include factors such as extreme stress, anxiety, and even the prevailing weather conditions. Some people will experience excessive night sweating even in the coldest of winter. But then again, that is not as strange as most people will have not only the heating turned on, but also thick blankets covering them to ward off the chill!
As you can see, especially in a person prone to night sweating, these factors can all lead to that person sweating excessively in the night. This does not however, mean that night sweating is experienced by a vast majority of people. Indeed, relatively speaking, the number of people who suffer from excessive night sweating is rather low.
Treatment for Excessive Night Sweating If you suffer from night sweating, you might want to consult with your physician to see what kinds of treatment are available for your excessive night sweating. No one wants to contend with sweaty sheets and nightclothes, day after day, or rather night after night!
You can also try using antiperspirants in the night time to help you control any night sweating problems. Or you could try changing your overall diet as well. It might not be just one food which is the problem, but your entire diet. On the other hand, you can also try relaxation methods just before you go to bed to help you relax. These can all have a beneficial effect on you and might be able to help you prevent excessive night sweating.
Do you know that you can control your excessive sweating simply by changing your eating habits? Sign up for a FREE 5-Part lesson now to learn the natural treatment for excessive sweating here at “Treatment for Excessive Sweating”.
Does an Orthodontist Need to Know Your Age?
Posted on December 4, 2007
Filed Under Health | Comments Off
Are you old enough to remember Cher? If so, do you remember what her teeth looked like when she first started out? I am probably the only person on earth with the same crooked teeth.
The good news: she got hers fixed, and so did I.
The bad news. I don’t know what her teeth look like now but I am having a problem with mine. In my case, it seems Mother Nature doesn’t like being shoved around and is trying to put my teeth back where she originally placed them.
My unattractive teeth have been the bane of my existence all of my life. As a child I remember looking in the mirror trying to decide how to smile so no one would notice my crooked upper teeth. My lower teeth are straight so I figured out how to smile showing my lower teeth while keeping the upper teeth covered. What a talented kid I was!
As a teenager, I was so bummed out by my teeth that I was convinced I would never find a husband. Of course, I did. While in pharmacy school, I picked off one of the choicest bachelors on the faculty. Dr. Morris knew a good thing when he saw it. (He claims he never noticed my teeth. Love is blind.)
As the years passed by, a procedure called “bonding” came into use that was effective in improving the appearance of crooked teeth. The only problem with bonding is that after a while, it wears off and you are back to square one.
At age 69 I decided to bite the bullet and had braces put on my teeth. Metal braces are ugly on kids and they were especially unattractive on me. (I could have believably played the role of “Ugly Betty.”) But it was okay. I knew that eventually, I would look fabulous. And indeed, the anticipated miracle finally took place.
Here I am at 78 and noticing that my two front teeth are “heading back home.” It’s pretty obvious so I decided that rather than wait for them to shift completely to their original position, I’d go to an orthodontist and try to stop what was happening.
But I’m thinking, “At 78, am I am crazy?” Imagine, I was thinking that even though I preach that you shouldn’t allow awareness of your age affect decisions you make about how you live your life. So I gave myself a mental smack on the side of the head and made an appointment with the orthodontist recommended by my regular dentist. (He knows my age and thought it was a great idea.)
Here’s where it gets cute. The young girl who answered the phone in the orthodontist’s office was very nice. She asked me some inoffensive questions and then proceeded to ask my age. I thought, “I’ll be damned if I’m going to tell her. What does my age have to do with straightening my teeth?”
I told her, “I’m ageless.”
“Excuse me?” she chirped.
Trying to be equally chirpy, I repeated, “I’m ageless. My chronological age is meaningless. I live my perceived age.”
She paused, probably never having heard that line before and with a little less chirpiness in her voice, countered with, “But when I mail the information you will need, I need to know how to address you. Should I say “Dear Parent”?
I laughed and assured her, “That’ll work!”
She laughed too, and reverting to full cheerful chirpiness, she chirped, “Well, okay!”
And okay it is.
My point in telling you all this is that I’m tired of being asked for information that is not necessary. If you pay cash or with a credit card, much of the information on a “new patient” form is not needed. So in addition to not divulging my age, I did not give up my social security number or driver’s license number.
Be fearless. Know when it is appropriate to provide requested personal information, and when you know it’s not necessary, don’t cave in. Sure, anyone can find anything they want to know about you in an instant. Privacy laws are a joke. But why make it easy?
And above all, never reveal your chronological age. If you are pressed to do so, tell your perceived age.
I don’t know about you, but I’m forty. On good days, I’m thirty. How old are you? I don’t need to know, but you should be ready with an answer when someone with a “need to know” asks, but doesn’t really need to know.
Barbara Morris is a pharmacist and author of Put Old on Hold. Visit her web site, http://www.PutOldonHold.com and sign up for her free content-rich newsletter and receive a complimentary copy of special report, “Thirteen Diva Tested Tips for Fabulous Skin.”
Cold Sore Herpes - Virus of Mass Destruction
Posted on December 1, 2007
Filed Under Health | Comments Off
The cold sore herpes virus will cause mass destruction when and where this virus gets the chance to do so.
In a minute you will know why this virus causes so much damage. You will learn what you can do to prevent it from happening to you or loved ones. Yes. In spite of what you might have heard, your painfully embarrassing cold sores can be prevented. It really is not that hard or expensive.
There are eight different types of herpes viruses. The cold sore herpes virus most often responsible for a cold sore is the herpes simplex type 1. The type 2 version causes about 20% of cold sores. It does not really matter. The cold sores are identical in looks, pain, and healing time.
Is it not true? Cold sores seem to come at the worst of times. Some of the most common trigger events are weddings, dates and job interviews. These are particularly stressful events. Cold sore outbreaks will often take place whenever there is some physical or mental stress. Mental stress will always affect you physically, even if you do not notice it at the time. Quite likely, if you backtrack from your outbreak, you will find a stress trigger occurred two or three days prior.
The cold sore herpes virus is a sub-microscopic living particle. It is so tiny that it can hide inside your nerve cells. When latent, the virus will hide in the nerve fibers near your ear. Scientists recently discovered that, when hiding, the herpes virus can shut down nearly all function. This makes the virus all but invisible to even our own body defenses. This is also the reason medical science has not yet found any way to remove cold sore herpes from your system.
When the virus senses the conditions are right, it moves quickly. It will travel through the nerve fibers like a highway to the surface target area. It is this travel along the nerve that you feel just prior to an outbreak. This virus movement will produce an itching, burning or dryness sensation at the target location. From the time of the first itching to actual blister formation could be two hours or two days.
The only reason the cold sore herpes virus becomes active is to create new virus. It cannot reproduce itself, like bacteria. The herpes virus, once it gets to the surface, will enter a nerve cell. It will then take control and force the cell to make perfect clones of itself. Once the cell is filled to capacity, the original virus then explodes the nerve cell. The fresh virus clones spill out looking for a new home. When millions of neighboring cells are destroyed like this, you have an open cold sore ulcer. Your healing system then creates a fluid to cleanse the now open wound and wash away the new viruses.
What are the right conditions that encourage the cold sore herpes virus to become active? Living in the nerve cells, the herpes virus surely has an early warning system to any condition of your body.
Stress causes changes in our immune system, hormones, bodily functions and pH balance. A person who is in excellent physical health can take a lot more stress changes before cold sores occur. If you get frequent cold sores, or colds, you really should analyze your nutritional intake. Many folks have eliminated cold sore herpes events by merely taking a good vitamin supplement program. Some other nutritional improvements to prevent cold sores could be more fresh vegetables, particularly broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. Also, increasing lysine intake by eating fish or taking a supplement has helped many.
The one trick that others use to prevent cold sore herpes outbreaks is to apply ice, or garlic oil, to the target area immediately at the first sign of itching or dryness. The coldness acts to repel the herpes virus and often send it back into hibernation. The garlic oil is excellent for repelling herpes virus. It may also help repel people, which may not be all that bad. You may be contagious during this period, so avoid kissing.
Now you know how this virus is so destructive. And you have seen those ideal conditions for the herpes virus are low immunity, and a low pH balance. You have also learned that the herpes virus hates cold and garlic. Armed with this information, you should now have a good start at preventing the mass destruction of cold sore herpes.
Denny Bodoh is a 35-year newspaper veteran and dedicated natural health research writer. Get the latest facts on Cold Sore Herpes and amazing Cold Sore Treatments at Denny’s popular site: www.3daycoldsorecure.com
Overcoming Setbacks - 5 Tips to Help You Hit Life’s Curveballs
Posted on November 28, 2007
Filed Under Health | Comments Off
We’ve all been there at one point or another. Our training was going great, things were humming along, personal records were falling left and right when suddenly “BAM!”. Life throws you a monkey wrench and you’re wondering what just happened. A setback can happen at any point, to anybody. It could be a freak injury, a family situation, or even just one of your officemates bringing in a dozen donuts on a weak will day. The next thing you know you’re walking around with your arm in a sling bailing your son out of jail and covered from head to toe in confectioner’s sugar. Finding success in your fitness program can be tough in such a situation.
The path to fitness is a long one, and one of the best keys for success isn’t doing the right thing all of the time. That’s an unrealistic expectation. What’s more important is how you limit what goes wrong and overcome the situation when it does. Here are five methods to consider when things arent going according to plan.
1. Own the situation. It happened. Whatever “it” was that derailed your training and diet, accept it. Maybe it was a poor decision on your part or maybe it was unavoidable, but regardless of how you got there it’s the situation you’re now in. Accepting the situation allows you to analyze it and formulate a solid plan to overcome your situation.
2. Get back on the horse and move on. I see this all of the time with my clients. They’ll cheat on a meal, miss a meal, or otherwise mess up their nutrition. When this happens they’ll throw their hands up and either pig out the rest of the day, or under nourish themselves in penance to attempt to make up for it with their future meals. Just pigging out doesn’t help anybody. Attempting to compensate isn’t much better. All that does is set up an ugly cycle of missed meals and overeating. When this happens they’re better off owning the bad meal, see Tip #1, and just work on making sure their next meal is as it should be. This helps kick start the success pattern.
3. Remember past positive experiences. I’ve had a client that had lost about 20 pounds in my working with her when she slipped on some ice and sprained her ankle. She wasn’t able to move much for a couple of weeks and gained a few pounds back. When she returned she was very upset with the weight gain and her slight reduction in fitness capacity. I reminded her that when we started she was barely able to make it up the stairs and had already lost 20 pounds. Recovering ground for a couple of pounds wasn’t a big deal at all, since she’d already come so far!
This is another reason why keeping a journal can be so important. Since we see ourselves every day, we at times don’t realize how far we’ve come. A journal is your memory book and road map to success. You’ll see how far you’ve come and, more importantly, how you got there.
4. Have a lousy short-term memory. One of the best compliments that a baseball pitcher can receive is that they have a bad short-term memory. Think about it. Baseball is largely mental game and it can be very hard on the psyche when a pitcher throws his best pitch and gives up a home run. When that happens he has to face another batter and its still his responsibility to get them out. If he can’t get past what happened and keep his confidence up an inning can get ugly in a hurry. A great pitcher will give up the long ball, shrug it off, and pitch to the next batter as if nothing happened.
Bad things happen sometimes. Guess what? Life still goes on and the next moment is a fresh moment. What are you going to do with it? Wallow in the past and let it sour the future? No, you’re going to forget about it, move on, and consider the next moment on its own merit.
5. Don’t be afraid to enlist help. Why go through a hard time alone? Everyone, and I mean everyone, has a support network out there just waiting to help him or her. Heck, Tom Hanks only had a volleyball in Castaway, but it worked for him. There are people that will want to help you through a tough time and move you towards your goals. They could be a workout partner, friends, family, councilor, or a personal trainer but they’re all there to help support you.
A good support structure is encouraging while holding you accountable for your actions. Don’t waste your time with people who seek to belittle your goals and tear you down, regardless of how you feel about that person. Surround yourself with honest, positive people and you’ll go far.
Life isn’t perfect so don’t expect your road to fitness to be. When something negative happens then look back to a few of these basic tips to overcome it. If things were going right before then they most certainly can again, it’s just up to you to turn it around.
Isaac Wilkins, M.Ed, CSCS, NSCA-CPT is a private performance coach and personal trainer operating online and in Charleston, SC.
Isaac enjoys working with clients of all levels and helping them achieve their athletic, fitness, and health goals.
He can be reached for further consultation at http://www.wilkinspower.com or http://www.gotstrengthblog.com
Recovery Tips After Breast Augmentation Surgery
Posted on November 26, 2007
Filed Under Health | Comments Off
Breast augmentation surgery is helping women around the world to obtain the figure they desire. While there are still some drawbacks to the procedure, it has become extremely safe and efficient over the years.
The recovery time after breast augmentation surgery is now relatively short; however, by following a few simple steps you can make sure that you increase your heal time and reduce your chances of complications.
Get The Facts
The first step to a great recovery is planning well. Before visiting a plastic surgeon, decide what look you want. You need to be able to describe you desired look to the your doctor so that she can decide what type of procedure is needed.
Additionally, once you have decided to have your surgery, you need to get all your directions in writing. What are you supposed to do before the surgery? What prescriptions do you need to have filled? What are your instructions for after surgery? You cant remember everything so either write it down or have your doctor write it for you.
Plan for Comfort
You need to plan to be comfortable after your surgery. Make sure you have lots of pillows, books, and movies within your reach. You will also want to purchase groceries for the next couple of weeks. Additionally, you should plan for your transportation to and from the procedure as you wont be able to drive yourself home after surgery. Make sure that there is someone who can come by or call and check on you each day for the first week.
Purchase a Compression Garment
A compression garment is an item that most surgeons will want you to purchase. While you may receive one after your surgery, you will usually need to order this on your own. Compression garments help improve the blood flow in the area, and they also help reduce swelling more quickly.
Compression garments can be found at certain medical supply stores and online. If you can find a store that sells compression garments, you can have them custom size you based on your future look. Make sure you know your exact measurements after the procedure so that you can order a correctly size compression garment.
Avoid Infection
In order to stave off infections, you need to follow your doctors orders to the tee. You will probably need to start taking an antibiotic a few days before your surgery and continue after the procedure. You should take the antibiotic until its finished or until your doctor tells you to stop; otherwise, you might be opening yourself to infection.
The Three Rs: Rest, Relax and Recuperate
After your breast augmentation surgery, you will definitely need time to recover. After receiving your breast implants, most patients need a week off before returning to a normal routine and you may need a month or more before you can be involved in strenuous exercise. Remember to stay elevated during your breast augmentation recovery as that will reduce the swelling and pain. Otherwise, sit back and relax for a week or so after your breast enhancement surgery.
Rhinoplasty Costs and What Insurance May Cover
Posted on November 24, 2007
Filed Under Health | Comments Off
Rhinoplasty, more commonly known as a “nose job,” is becoming more common, but it is still a costly procedure - especially if it is being performed solely for cosmetic reasons. The only way to know the exact cost of rhinoplasty is to consult with a plastic surgeon, but you can bet on some average costs.
Initial Consultation Fee
In order to find out whether rhinoplasty is right for you, you will need to talk to a plastic surgeon who will evaluate your skin and facial features. During this consultation, he will also determine whether or not your surgery is medically necessary. Cosmetic surgeries are not covered by insurance, but if you need the surgery in order to improve your breathing insurance may pay all or part of the cost.
The initial consultation must be set up through the doctors office, and you should consider getting recommendations from friends and associates before making the appointment. A consultation can run from $150 to $300 or more depending on the area of the country and the quality of the surgeon.
If you really want or need to have a rhinoplasty procedure, you must be willing to pay for this cost out of pocket. Some insurance companies will reimburse the cost of the consultation, but most will require that it come out of your pocket.
Average Rhinoplasty Cost
Rhinoplasty procedures in the United States average between $3000 and $8000 for the entire procedure, though some specialty plastic surgeons may charge even more. This average cost includes the surgical procedure, the anesthesia fee, and the facility fee. Initial consultations and follow-up visits may add to the total cost. The cost will depend on the type of procedure you are having as well, so ask your surgeons office to give you a breakdown of the numbers.
What Insurance Does NOT Cover
Insurance does not cover purely cosmetic rhinoplasty surgeries. If you think your nose is too big or too crooked, the insurance company isnt likely to care. They will refuse to pay any related costs.
What Insurance Does Cover
Insurance will usually cover any procedure that is considered medically necessary. For example, if a child is suffering from a birth defect like a cleft palate, most insurance companies are willing to pay part or all of the cost. If you are having difficulty breathing due to some type of accident or illness, insurance companies will often agree to pay at least a portion of the cost of a rhinoplasty.
Check with Your Insurance Provider
Always double check the numbers and rules with both your doctor and your insurance provider. Most doctors offices will handle all the insurance claims for you, but you may need to double check on coverage with your insurance company before the procedure. Remember to get their agreement (how much theyll pay and when theyll pay it) in writing so that they cant change their minds.
Dealing with the Cost
Rhinoplasty cost can be very high for certain procedures. One solution is to talk to your rhinoplasty surgeon about a financing program; many doctors will offer this option to their patients, particularly those who want rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons. Gather the information and then make an educated decision about rhinoplasty.
Risks And Limitation Of Body Lift Procedures
Posted on November 22, 2007
Filed Under Health | Comments Off
Body lift procedures allow patients to obtain a tighter, firmer body by removing and lifting areas of excess skin and fat. As with any medical procedure, however, there are risks and limitations of body lift procedures of which all patients should be fully aware. While many of these risks are relatively rare, it is important to understand all possible eventualities and to discuss your concerns with your doctor in order to determine if a particular procedure is right for your needs and goals.
Possible Risks and Complications
Potential risks of body lift procedures include infection, blood clots and bleeding. Infections are treatable with the use of antibiotics, while blood clots and bleeding will require further medical attention in order to ameliorate the problem. Always discuss these concerns with your doctor before your surgery to determine if you have other risk factors that might make these possible complications more likely, such as smoking and family history of these conditions.
In rare cases, the surgical area may heal slowly or poorly. This problem can lead to unwanted scarring, so additional surgery may be needed to correct the problem. You can minimize the risk posed by this potential complication by following the after-care directions provided by your surgeon.
Reducing Potential Risks
While there will always be risks for any type of surgery, there are steps that you can take to reduce the potential for complications. One of the best approaches is to always thoroughly assess whether you are truly a good candidate for body lift surgery. The best candidates for this type of surgery are people who are in good health who have maintained a stable weight for a year or longer. Body lift procedures are not intended for weight loss, and overweight patient may often be directed to lose weight before having the procedure.
Another way to reduce risks is to always follow your doctors order for what you should do both before and after your surgery. Patients are typically advised to begin walking as soon as possible after surgery to reduce the risks of blood clots and help the healing process. Depending on the type of surgery and the extent of the procedure, you may also need to wear compression garments to help the area heal properly. In most cases, you will be able to return to most daily activities in two to three weeks.
Limitations of Body Lift Procedures
Being aware of the risks is only part of the process. It is also essential fully understand the limitations of body lift procedures. In order to be satisfied with the results of your surgery, you need to have realistic expectations for what a body lift can achieve. Remember that body lift surgery is no substitute for weight loss. In fact, you will achieve the best results if you follow a healthy lifestyle and have a stable body weight. Additionally, it is also important to remember that a body lift is not a way to instantaneously transform yourself. By having achievable goals and a good outlook on your possible results, you likely feel more satisfied with the end results of your surgery.
Cosmetic surgery can be a great way to improve your appearance and increase your self-confidence, but it is important to understand all aspects of a cosmetic procedure before making a decision. Consider everything from the potential risks to cosmetic surgery cost and discuss these concerns with a qualified surgeon. Careful research and realistic expectations can help you make the most of your cosmetic plastic surgery experience whether its laser hair removal or cosmetic laser surgery.
Risks And Limitation Of Cheek Augmentation Procedure
Posted on November 19, 2007
Filed Under Health | Comments Off
While cheek augmentation procedures are generally very safe, there are some risks and limitations that you should consider. These factors may be more or less likely given your general health and the health of your skin. Only your plastic surgeon can provide you with information about your specific situation.
Limitations
Cheek augmentation procedures cannot do everything some people desire. They can help fill out your cheeks and help you to look more awake, alert and youthful. However, they wont change the look or texture of your skin.
Potential Risks: Movement
One potential risk is that a cheek implant, or any facial implant for that matter, can shift out of alignment unexpectedly. After several months, the inner tissues of your face will grow and conform around the implants; however, until that time, there is a chance that the implants can move.
If an implant moves to a different spot in your face, there is a good chance that you will need a second surgery to repair any damage and move it to the proper spot. This second surgery may be discounted if the surgeon is at fault but if the move is simply a natural occurrence, you will have to pay.
Potential Risks: Infection
Another potential risk with any surgery is infection. If an infection forms in your incision or in the tissue around the implant, you may experience severe pain. Infections should be able to be treated with antibiotics; however, if the infection does not get better, the implant may have to be temporarily removed and replaced at a later date.
Unlikely Risks: Silicone
Many implants are made from solid silicone. At some point in the future, these implants could begin to leak. Though there has been no conclusive research proving that silicone is harmful, many patients are concerned about having silicone implants. If you are concerned, inform your doctor so that he can choose a different type of implant.
Before Your Surgery
Before you even make the decision to have surgery, be sure you consider what you want. What type of look are you going for? If possible, have your surgeon use a computer program to show you the possible changes using several types of implants and procedures. You need to find out whether or not your expectations are reasonable before you agree to the surgery, not after.
Additionally, you need to give your doctor all of your medical history. Even the most minuscule events and illnesses could greatly change what he wants to do in your situation. You will also need to be familiar with your family history as some problems are inherited.
Bed Rails That Kill
Posted on November 17, 2007
Filed Under Health | Comments Off
As attorneys, many of us have consulted with clients and their families as a result of a fall from a hospital or nursing home bed. These falls result in fractured arms, legs, and hips, and often even more serious injuries such as skull fractures. The patients (or familys) immediate reaction to these unfortunate injuries is to blame the hospital, nursing home, nursing staff, or attending physicians for the failure to have bed side rails raised and in place to prevent such falls. This typical reaction is based upon the assumption that bed rails, when properly used, will prevent the patient/resident from falling out of the bed and suffering injury. However, bed rails are not benign safety devices and this article will address the dangers created by their use.
Bed side rails have been in existence for years and are manufactured by several different companies with numerous configurations and designs. A quick search of the Internet discloses a number of medical supply companies which manufacture and sell these products. The most common bed rail designs include full-length rails, three-quarter-length rails, half-length rails, quarter-length rails, and split-rail configuration (often the most dangerous design).
Bed rails are used extensively in hospitals and nursing homes. In hospitals, their use is typically a nursing decision rather than based upon a physicians order. However, in nursing homes, Federal regulations require a physicians order if bed rails are to be used, as the regulations recognize side rails as a form of restraint. Notwithstanding the requirement for nursing homes, physicians orders are often not obtained because of the belief that bed rails are simply a safety device. This is a misconception: bed rails often cause injury or death.
There has been little study or publication about the risks and benefits of bed rails. However, the reports of adult deaths and injuries from bed rails on file with the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) (incidents from 1993 to 1996) provide significant information for attorneys investigating a potential negligence claim. The CPSC information reflects that seventy-four patients died as a result of the use of bed rails. Moreover, it in not unrealistic to conclude that the actual number of patient deaths far exceeded the reported deaths. Regardless of the true frequency of deaths, 70% of the reported patient deaths resulted from entrapment between the mattress and the bed rail such that the patients face was pressed against the mattress. 18% percent of the reported deaths were the result of entrapment and compression of the neck within the bed rails. Finally, 12% twelve percent of the reported deaths were caused by being trapped by the rails after sliding partially off the bed, resulting in neck flexion and chest compression.
The second source of significant information comes from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA issued a Safety Alert in August of 1995 regarding the entrapment hazards and safety concerns which accompany the use of bed side rails. The Safety Alert was communicated to hospital administrators, hospital associations, nursing homes, risk managers, bio-medical/clinical engineers, and directors of nursing. The Alert was not specific to any one manufacturer or particular design of side rail but warned health care providers that the FDA had received 102 reports of head and body entrapment incidents involving side rails between 1990 and 1995. The 102 reports of entrapment resulted in 68 deaths, 22 injuries, and 12 entrapments without injury. These unfortunate events occurred in hospitals, nursing homes, and private homes. The majority of the entrapments involved elderly patients.
In part, the FDAs Safety Alert recommended the following actions to prevent deaths and injuries from entrapment in hospital bed side rails:
Inspect all hospital bed frames, bed side rails, and mattresses as part of a regular maintenance program to identify areas of possible entrapment. Regardless of mattress width, length, and/or depth, alignment of the bed frame, bed side rail, and mattress should leave no gap wide enough to entrap a patients head or body. Be aware that gaps can be created by movement or compression of the mattress which may be caused by patient weight, patient movement, or bed position. Be alert to replacement mattresses and bed side rails with dimensions different than the original equipment supplied or specified by the bed frame manufacturer. Not all bed side rails, mattresses, and bed frames are interchangeable.
The entire FDA Safety Alert may be found at: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/bedrails.html. In 1999 the FDA, in conjunction with representatives from the hospital bed industry, national healthcare organizations, and patient advocacy groups formed the Hospital Bed Safety Workgroup. The Workgroups goal was to improve the safety of hospital beds for patients in all healthcare settings who are most vulnerable to the risk of entrapment. In April of 2003 the Workgroup published the results of its research in an article entitled, Clinical Guidance for the Assessment and Implementation of Bed Rails in Hospitals, Long Term Care Facilities, and Home Care Settings. The guidelines published by the Workgroup are too lengthy to discuss in detail in this short article but do set forth valuable considerations with regard to patient choice, nurse training and education, policy considerations, and specific bed rail safety guidelines. The bed rail safety guidelines recommend:
1. The bars within the bed rails should be closely spaced to prevent a patients head from passing through the openings and becoming entrapped. 2. The mattress to bed rail interface should prevent an individual from falling between the mattress and bed rails and possibly smothering.3. Care should be taken that the mattress does not shrink over time or after cleaning. Such shrinkage increases the potential space between the rails and the mattress.
4. Check for compression of the mattress outside perimeter. Easily compressed perimeters can increase the gaps between the mattress and the bed rail.
5. Ensure that the mattress is appropriately sized for the selected bed frame, as not all beds and mattresses are interchangeable.
6. The space between the bed rails and the mattress and the headboard and the mattress should be filled either by an added firm inlay or a mattress that creates an interface with the bed rail that prevents an individual from falling between the mattress and bed rails.
7. Latches securing bed rails should be stable so that the bed rails will not fall when shaken.
8. Older bed rail designs that have tapered or winged ends are not appropriate for use with patients assessed to be at risk for entrapment.
9. Maintenance and monitoring of the bed, mattress, and accessories such as patient/caregiver assist items should be ongoing.
For information about the Hospital Bed Safety Workgroup, see the FDAs web sight at http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/beds/. If you are confronted with a serious injury or death as a result of a patients entrapment in a bed side rail, the information contained in the FDA Safety Alert as well as the guidelines established by the Hospital Bed Safety Workgroup are essential. Consideration should be given to naming both the hospital/nursing home facility as well as the manufacturers and distributors of the side rails as defendants if a personal injury or wrongful death action is pursued. First, nurses often receive little, if any, training on the proper use of side rails. Secondly, it has been this authors experience that facilities often mix and match beds, mattresses, and side rails from different manufacturers leading to poor and unsafe integration of the various parts. Finally, the manufacturers have known of the dangers posed by bed side rails since the late 1980s or early 1990s and have taken few steps to make the bed rails safer or warn the end user of the danger. A quick search of Lexis or Westlaw will reveal prior litigation against the manufacturers.
T. Daniel Frith, III is an attorney with Frith Law Firm in Roanoke, Virginia. He concentrates his practice on medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, nursing home neglect, lead paint poisoning, and business torts. You may view his complete profile at http://www.frithlawfirm.com/frith.htm and the firms home page http://www.frithlawfirm.com
keep looking »