Common Conditions That Require Oxygen Services

For more information on the author HCR Manorcare Health Services Fort Myers, CLICK HERE.Did you know that the food you eat may affect your breathing? Your body uses food as fuel to power all the activities you do. Oxygen and food work to process the food you consume. The process of changing food into fuel is called metabolism. Carbon dioxide is the waste product produced from this process. Metabolism of carbohydrates produces the most carbon dioxide and fat produces the least. If you have been diagnosed with COPD, consuming a diet with less carbohydrates and more fat might help you breathe easier.Proper mix of nutrients will help you breathe easier. A well-nourished body is better able to handle infections that might result in serious ailments. A healthy weight also helps manage your breathing and lung health. You should work with your health care team to ensure you have a good variety of foods and a healthy diet plan.HERE ARE SOME NUTRITION GUIDELINES TO CONSIDER FOR HEALTHY BREATHING*:Choose complex carbohydrates such as whole grain bread and pasta, fresh fruits and vegetables.Limit simple carbohydrates such as table sugar, candy, cake and regular soft drinks.Eat 20-30 grams of fiber each day. This can be found in bread, pasta, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables.Eat a good source of protein twice a day. This helps keep respiratory muscles strong. Protein includes milk, eggs, cheese, meat, fish, poultry, nuts and dried beans or peas.Choose mono- and poly- unsaturated fats that don't contain cholesterol. Examples are canola, safflower and corn oils.Limit foods that contain trans-fat and saturated-fats such as butter, lard, fat and skin from meat, hydrogenated vegetable oil, shortening, fried foods and cookies.Check your weight regularly. If you continue to significantly lose or gain weight while following a recommended diet, see your health care professional.If assisting a loved one with breathing or other chronic lung issues, offer to help them shop for food. Choose foods that are easy to prepare. Encourage them to rest before eating and to eat earlier in the day to ensure that they eat before they get tired. Avoiding foods that cause gas or bloating will help make breathing easier. Eating smaller meals four to six times a day helps the diaphragm move freely and lets lungs fill easier. Consider drinking liquids an hour after eating to prevent feeling full.While recuperating in a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center such as Heartland or ManorCare, the dietitian will help to create a meal plan to meet nutritional goals and provide education and assistance on continuing this when returning home. Assisted living centers such as Arden Courts memory care communities will also provide a meal plan that meets the residents nutritional goals as well as the desire for independence while eating.*American Lung Association

Are you or a loved one struggling with a CPAP to treat obstructive sleep apnea?The sad truth is that many people who have had CPAP therapy prescribed to treat their obstructive sleep apnea are unable or unwilling to wear their CPAP every night for their entire length of sleep. While some patients are very compliant and use their CPAP faithfully every night as prescribed, there is research that suggests that non-tolerance/non-compliance with CPAP is over 80%. Once prescribed, there is usually little follow-up for these patients and like Supreme Court Justice Scalia, many will die in their sleep with their unused CPAP on the night stand or in the bedroom closet.Oral appliance therapy (OAT) is becoming the primary treatment for mild and moderate obstructive sleep apnea when patient preference is taken into consideration. When effectiveness is coupled with actual compliance, the true effectiveness of oral appliances meets or exceeds the effectiveness of CPAP therapy.There are over 100 FDA-approved custom made oral appliances for obstructive sleep apnea and both Medicare and standard medical insurance plans cover oral appliance therapy performed by a qualified sleep dentist.Oral appliances need to be both custom-made and adjustable by the treating dentist over a series of visits with a home sleep test administered after 3-4 months treatment to validate effectiveness.It is important to make sure the dentist is qualified to treat obstructive sleep apnea in that they have one of the following designations:Sleep-Qualified Dentist of the American Academy of Dental Sleep MedicineFellow or Diplomate of the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders DisciplinesOSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) is found in over 92% of stroke patients and may be a primary cause of A-fib. Treating your obstructive sleep apnea can play an important role in the prevention of cardiac deaths and strokes.If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with A-fib, stroke, recent onset high blood pressure or congestive heart failure and have not yet had a sleep study, it is important to request your physician order one right away.___________________________________________Editors Note: This article was contributed by Terry M. Gordon, DDS Dental Director of PA Center for Dental Sleep Medicine and Sleep-Qualified Dentist of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Pennsylvania Center for Dental Sleep Medicine.

Hearing plays an important role in how we communicate, connect with others, and experience the world around us. Because hearing loss often develops gradually, many people do not realize their hearing has changed until it begins affecting their daily lives.You may find yourself asking people to repeat themselves, turning up the television, or having difficulty following conversations in busy restaurants. These may seem like minor inconveniences, but they can be signs of hearing loss.Recognizing the early signs of hearing loss is an important first step toward getting the help you need. Here are 10 common signs that it may be time to have your hearing checked.1. You Frequently Ask People to Repeat ThemselvesOne of the most common signs of hearing loss is frequently asking others to repeat what they have said. You may hear that someone is speaking but have difficulty understanding the words clearly.If this happens regularly, especially during conversations with family members, friends, or coworkers, it may be worth scheduling a hearing evaluation.2. You Turn Up the Television or RadioDo family members or friends tell you that the television or radio is too loud? You may not notice that the volume has gradually increased because it seems comfortable to you.Needing higher volume to hear your favorite programs can be a sign that your hearing has changed.3. Conversations Are Difficult in Noisy PlacesRestaurants, family gatherings, sporting events, and other busy environments can be challenging for people with hearing loss.You may be able to hear someone when you are in a quiet room but struggle to understand them when there is background noise. This happens because hearing loss can make it more difficult to separate speech from competing sounds.4. You Have Trouble Hearing on the PhoneIf you find yourself struggling to understand conversations over the telephone, hearing loss could be a contributing factor.You may notice that you need to turn up the phone volume, switch the phone from one ear to the other, or ask the person on the other end to repeat themselves.5. You Feel Like People Are MumblingPeople may seem to be speaking clearly to everyone else, yet their words sound muffled or unclear to you.You might hear the sounds of speech but have trouble distinguishing individual words. This can be especially frustrating when talking with children or people who have softer voices.6. You Avoid Social Situations Because Hearing Is DifficultHearing loss can make social activities more challenging. If you have difficulty following conversations at restaurants, parties, family gatherings, or community events, you may begin avoiding those situations altogether.Unfortunately, withdrawing from social activities can lead to feelings of loneliness or isolation. Addressing hearing difficulties can make it easier to remain engaged with the people and activities you enjoy.7. You Have Difficulty Following Group ConversationsFollowing a conversation with several people can be difficult when you have hearing loss.You may lose track of who is speaking, miss parts of the conversation, or find yourself watching people's faces closely to understand what they are saying.If you frequently feel lost during group conversations, a hearing evaluation may help determine whether hearing loss is contributing to the problem.8. You Rely More on Watching People's Faces or Reading LipsPaying attention to facial expressions and lip movements is a natural way to supplement what you hear. However, if you find yourself relying heavily on watching someone's face to understand a conversation, your hearing may not be providing enough information on its own.You may notice that communication becomes particularly difficult when someone turns away from you or when you cannot see their face.9. You Have Difficulty Hearing Certain SoundsHearing loss does not always mean that every sound becomes quieter. Some people have difficulty hearing particular frequencies or speech sounds.For example, high-pitched sounds may become harder to hear. You may have trouble understanding children's or women's voices or distinguishing certain consonants when people speak.These changes can make conversations difficult even when you feel like you can still hear most sounds.10. Friends or Family Members Notice Your Hearing DifficultySometimes the people around you recognize a hearing problem before you do.A spouse, adult child, friend, or coworker may point out that you frequently misunderstand conversations, ask for repetitions, or keep the television volume higher than usual.If someone you trust has expressed concerns about your hearing, it is worth taking those concerns seriously.Why Early Hearing Care MattersHearing loss can affect more than your ability to hear sounds. It can influence communication, relationships, confidence, and participation in everyday activities.The good news is that hearing difficulties do not have to prevent you from enjoying conversations and staying connected with the people around you. A professional hearing evaluation can help determine whether hearing loss is present and provide information about options that may help.It is also important to remember that hearing loss is not necessarily just a normal part of getting older. While age-related hearing changes are common, hearing difficulties can have many causes and can affect adults at different stages of life.When Should You Have Your Hearing Checked?If you recognize several of these signs yourself, or if friends and family have expressed concerns about your hearing, consider scheduling a hearing evaluation.A hearing professional can evaluate your hearing and help you better understand what you are experiencing. Depending on the results, they can discuss appropriate options for improving communication and hearing.You don't have to wait until hearing loss significantly interferes with your life before seeking help. Identifying hearing changes early can help you take steps toward staying connected, communicating more comfortably, and continuing to enjoy the sounds that matter most.If you or someone you love is experiencing signs of hearing loss, contact Darrell M. Sipe Opticians & Hearing Aids to learn more about hearing testing and hearing care services.