Post #20 This will help you to remember to take your meds!

Many of us need to take daily medications, and to get the best results of course it's important to take them as directed.  Some have to be taken at very precise times in order to achieve the desired effect(s) and to prevent problems from taking doses too close together or too far apart, or missing doses altogether. I was as guilty as anyone else of forgetting doses, even though I used a standard pill sorter and kept it in plain sight on the kitchen counter.

When our company decided to carry the Pharmaclock medication reminder, though, it solved that problem for me. The Pharmaclock is a pill container with a programmable alarm system. You can program up to four reminder times per day, and at the programmed times it will give both an audible alarm and a flashing light. The programming is quite easy, and the container hold a weeks worth of meds in pill form.

This has made a big difference in my medication compliance, and can be a great help to anyone having the same issue of forgetting to take meds at the correct time. The Pharmaclock is available for $19.95, or a reduced price for large quantity orders. For information re: ordering, please refer to our website at www.strategic-medical-sales.com,  or contact our office at (716) 489-8262.

Post #19 - A visual device to help quit tobacco?

Smoking any kind of tobacco, or for that matter using smokeless tobacco, increases the risk of oral, laryngeal, and esophageal cancer, as well as others that are we are probably more aware of.

If you are considering quitting any form of tobacco,  try looking up "advanced oral cancer" in Google images. Warning: it's not for the fainthearted!



Or you can click on the following link: Oral Cancer Pictures

Post # 18: Secondhand smoke form less common sources

When speaking of secondhand smoke, of course most of us think of cigarettes. What about less common sources, such as cigars or pipes? Cigars contain larger amounts of tobacco, burn more slowly, and have more porous wrapping materials. All these factors contribute to an even higher concentration of potent cancer-causing elements in the resulting secondhand smoke.

Pipes, although the resulting secondhand smoke might be more aromatic, give off the same toxic fumes as cigars.

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/TobaccoCancer/QuestionsaboutSmokingTobaccoandHealth/questions-about-smoking-tobacco-and-health-pipes-cigars

In short, no amount of smoking of any type of tobacco is safe.

By: Martha J. Powell, RRT, CEO

Strategic Medical Sales, LLC

Post # 17: Second Hand Smoke

Bear with me for a few moments, and picture this:  While you and your new neighbor are having a get-acquainted conversation, and she indicates that  her spouse and  their children are regularly  exposed to thousands of air borne chemicals including cyanide, butane, formaldehyde, ammonia, and carbon monoxide, just to name a few.  As a result, her children are prone to severe asthma attacks and ear infections, her spouse is at risk of  stroke, heart disease, cancer and  a host of other debilitating and potentially fatal conditions. In fact, her children were exposed while she was pregnant! And while she has been deliberately exposing herself to these conditions, her family is, to borrow a phrase, collateral damage.

By this time, no doubt you are slowly backing away,  picturing that she is seriously mentally ill,  has lived near a  toxic waste dump or enormous factory, is herself a serial killer, or a host of other scenarios resulting in fatal outcomes, massive lawsuits, etc.  "How can this happen in our country?", you ask.  Actually, your new friend didn't have to say a word to convey this awful scenario - she just lit up a cigarette.

Indulge me again and have a look at the following statistics. Each year in the United States, second hand smoke or SHS is responsible for:

46,000 deaths from current non-smokers
3,400 deaths from lung cancer in non-smoking adults
1,000,000 asthmatic children experiencing worsening asthma and asthma-related problems
150,000 to 300,000 cases of lower respiratory tract infections in children < 18 month of age
7,000 to 15, 000 hospital admissions per year in children
42% increased risk of stroke for the spouse of a smoker
increased risk of low birth weight and SIDS


http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/TobaccoCancer/secondhand-smoke

More to follow......

By: Martha J. Powell, RRT, CEO
Strategic Medical Sales, LLC

Post #16: Dry Mouth; What causes it? How can it be treated?

Dry Mouth

What Causes Dry Mouth?  How Can it be Treated?

Up Date: July 2012
We are sad to report that our company will no longer be selling the product: NeutraSal.  We do want you to know about the product, as we do feel it is a quality pharmaceutical.

  The following articel was posted/published first by: WebMD, December 30, 2009. 

We all need saliva to moisten and cleanse our mouths and digest food. Saliva also prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth. When we don't produce enough saliva, our mouth gets dry and uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are many effective treatments for dry mouth.

Featured patient discussions on dry mouth

"Sometimes I try to remember what it is like to have a normal mouth with saliva. That is not my present reality. I have dry mouth due to Sjögren's Syndrome. No matter how much I drink, my mouth always feels sticky and dry. When I wake up in the morning, I can barely swallow. I can no longer lick an envelope or spit (not that I was much of a spitter). The corners of my mouth often crack from dryness and my tongue hurts. I can't eat anything spicy or use any minty oral care products as they hurt my tongue. I use special toothpastes and other products for dry mouth but nothing really helps. I have difficulty talking unless I chew gum so I always carry it with me."

What Causes Dry Mouth?

There are several causes of dry mouth, also called xerostomia. These include:

• Side effect of certain medications. Dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription and nonprescription drugs, including drugs used to treat depression, anxiety, pain, allergies, and colds (antihistamines and decongestants), obesity, acne, epilepsy, hypertension (diuretics), diarrhea, nausea, psychotic disorders, urinary incontinence, asthma (certain bronchodilators), and Parkinson's disease. Dry mouth can also a side effect of muscle relaxants and sedatives.



• Side effect of certain diseases and infections. Dry mouth can be a side effect of medical conditions, including Sjögren's syndrome, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and mumps.



• Side effect of certain medical treatments. Damage to the salivary glands, the glands that produce saliva, for example, from radiation to the head and neck and chemotherapy treatments for cancer, can reduce the amount of saliva produced.



• Nerve damage. Dry mouth can be a result of nerve damage to the head and neck area from an injury or surgery.



• Dehydration. Conditions that lead to dehydration, such as fever, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, and burns can cause dry mouth.



• Surgical removal of the salivary glands.



• Lifestyle. Smoking or chewing tobacco can affect saliva production and aggravate dry mouth. Continuously breathing with your mouth open can also contribute to the problem.

What Are the Symptoms of Dry Mouth?

Common symptoms of dry mouth include:

• A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth

• Frequent thirst



• Sores in the mouth; sores or split skin at the corners of the mouth; cracked lips



• A dry feeling in the throat



• A burning or tingling sensation in the mouth and especially on the tongue



• A dry, red, raw tongue



• Problems speaking or difficulty tasting, chewing, and swallowing



• Hoarseness, dry nasal passages, sore throat



• Bad breath

Why Is Dry Mouth a Problem?

Besides causing the aggravating symptoms mentioned above, dry mouth also increases a person's risk of gingivitis (gum disease), tooth decay, and mouth infections, such as thrush.
Dry mouth can also make it difficult to wear dentures.

Next: Why is dry mouth a problem?

How Is Dry Mouth Treated?

If you think your dry mouth is caused by certain medication you are taking, talk to your doctor. He or she may adjust the dose you are taking or switch you to a different drug that doesn't cause dry mouth.
In addition, an oral rinse to restore mouth moisture may be prescribed. If that doesn't help a medication that stimulates saliva production, called Salagen, may be prescribed.
Other steps you can take that may help improve saliva flow include:

• Sucking on sugar-free candy or chewing sugar-free gum



• Drinking plenty of water to help keep your mouth moist



• Protecting your teeth by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, using a fluoride rinse, and visiting your dentist regularly



• Breathing through your nose, not your mouth, as much as possible



• Using a room vaporizer to add moisture to the bedroom air



• Using an over-the-counter artificial saliva substitute.

WebMD Medical Reference

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD, on December 30, 2009

© 2009 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

Last Editorial Review: 12/30/2009

WebMD NeutraSal Product Review Link

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-153868-Neutrasal+MM.aspx?drugid=153868&drugname=Neutrasal+MM

About NeutraSal^® 

                                                 

What is NeutraSal^®?

NeutraSal^® (supersaturated calcium phosphate rinse) is a prescription mouth rinse. NeutraSal^® is indicated to treat the painful symptoms associated with oral mucositis. NeutraSal^® should be started at the beginning of cancer therapy including chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

NeutraSal® is packaged in single use packets of dissolving powder, that when mixed in water, creates an oral rinse supersaturated with calcium and phosphate ions.How does NeutraSal^® work?
NeutraSal^® is an advanced electrolyte solution that mimics natural saliva. NeutraSal^® contains electrolytes such as calcium, phosphate, bicarbonate and chloride. These electrolytes are necessary for a healthy, functioning mouth. NeutraSal^® is designed to replace the normal ionic and pH balance in the oral cavity (mouth). Biologic Action of NeutraSal^®
When NeutraSal^® is taken at the start of chemotherapy, NeutraSal^® maintains the functionality of the oral cavity through healing of the oral mucosa. The ions contained in NeutraSal^® diffuse into the intercellular spaces in the epithelium and permeate the mucosal lesion(s) in mucositis.

Ions within the mouth such as calcium and phosphate play crucial roles in the healing process.

• Calcium ions play a crucial role in the inflammatory process, the blood clotting cascade and tissue repair.
• Phosphate ions may help repair damaged mucosal surfaces.
• Calcium and phosphate ions aid in the prevention of dental caries
• Bicarbonate reduces the acidity (pH) of the oral fluids, dilutes the accumulation of mucus, and discourages the colonization of yeast

Indications for Use

• NeutraSal^® is also indicated as an adjunct to standard oral care in relieving the discomfort associated with oral mucositis that may be caused by radiation or high dose chemotherapy. Relief of dryness of the oral mucosa in these conditions is associated with the amelioration of pain.
• NeutraSal^® may be used for relief of dryness of the oral mucosa when hyposalivation results from the following: surgery, radiotherapy near the salivary glands, chemotherapy, infection or dysfunction of the salivary glands; emotional factors such as fear or anxiety; obstruction of the salivary glands; Sjogren's Syndrome .
• NeutraSal^® is also indicated for the dryness of the mouth (hyposalivation, xerostomia).
• NeutraSal^® is indicated for dryness of the oral mucosa due to drugs such as antihistamines, atropine, and other anticholinergic agents that suppress salivary secretion.

Clinical Trials

The Role of Saliva in Oral Health: Strategies for Prevention and Management of Xerostomia

Mary Elizabeth Brosky, DMD

Oral complications are the most frequent and debilitating sequelae of radiation treatment for patients with head and neck cancer. Impaired salivary function and consequent xerostomia can persist for years after radiation treatment, significantly increasing the risk of oral and dental disease and negatively affecting patients’ quality of life. Current evidence indicates that many patients undergoing radiation treatment do not receive adequate oral and dental care and follow-up and that patients’ compliance with oral care recommendations is frequently poor. Topical lubricants, coating agents, and saliva substitutes or lozenges may provide transient relief from xerostomia. Cholinergic stimulants such as pilocarpine improve salivary flow but have had mixed results in improving patients’ assessments of symptoms or other quality-of-life measures. Advances in radiotherapy techniques, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy, have enabled increased delivery of therapeutic doses of radiation to tumors while limiting exposure to normal tissues, thereby reducing the incidence, duration, and severity of xerostomia in some patients with head and neck cancers. Additionally, radioprotective agents such as amifostine have been shown to reduce radiation-induced toxicity to normal tissues within the radiation field. Studies are ongoing to determine the optimal approaches for these techniques and agents to maximize clinical response while improving the overall quality of life for patients with head and neck cancer.
Journal of Supportive Oncology, VOLUME 5, NUMBER 5 ■ MAY 2007

Case Study: Thadden, MD
Results of recent trials indicate that treating nasopharyngeal cancer with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy can increase risk of death from other causes, including severe(grade IV) oral mucositis.
Patient HistoryAn 18-year old male patient was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (stage IV, bilateral midline mass) at a cancer treatment center in Alabama. The patient received cisplatinum with 5-fluorouracil as a continuous infusion and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Click here to read more about the case study.
Case Study: A Siddiqi, MD,San Antonio, TX
The prevalence of severe OM in patients receiving a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is nearly 100%, compared with 60% in those receiving chemotherapy alone. The frequency has increased because of the use of more intensive altered radiation fractionation and concurrent chemotherapy regimens. Patient History

A male patient (Mr. G) was diagnosed with an advanced head and neck tumor, stage III, TxN1 in right bottom of tongue. Click here to read more about the case study.

Efficacy of a Supersaturated Calcium Phosphate Oral Rinse (NeutraSal®) in the Treatment of Xerostomia Secondary to Sjogren's Syndrome

Efficacy of NeutraSal® (Supersaturated Calcium Phosphate Rinse) in the Prevention and Treatment of Chemotherapy and/or Radiotherapy-induced Oral Mucositis

Content copyright 2010-2012. Invado Pharmaceuticals. All rights reserved.

Strategic Medical Sales, LLC

P.O. Box 477

Westfield, New York 14787

www.strategic-medical-sales.com

By: Dean C. Eggert

Post #15: Health care uniforms as source of infection

Health care workers (HCW) and most of the general public are aware of the importance of routine hand washing, both in and out of the health care setting. Those being cared for by professionals should have no qualms about asking whether he or she has washed or otherwise disinfected his or her hands prior to care being performed.

This being said, one should also be cognizant of other sources of cross-contamination. Stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, and pulse oximeter probes, just to name a few, are items routinely used between patients and can be potential carriers of infectious agents if not disinfected.

Another source can certainly be the clothing being worn by the health care worker. Whether medical scrubs or street clothes covered by a lab jacket are worn, by the end of a shift any type of clothing worn can be badly contaminated. Please refer to  : http://infection-control.net/z/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=60#.

 A HCW should be cognizant of this potential and make sure that a fresh set of scrubs OR a clean lab jacket is worn for each shift. In addition, a spare set of clothing and/or jacket should be kept available at the workplace if obvious contamination has occurred, e.g. blood spill.

By: Martha J. Powell, RRT, CEO
Strategic Medical Sales, LLC

Strategic Medical Sales, LLC has a quality line of medical scrubs, shoes, and lab jackets for sale.  Full medical scrub sets (top & pant) start at only $14.95.  CLICK HERE TO LOOK AT MEDICAL SCRUBS, SHOES, & LAB JACKETS>   Note: Scroll down the page to view product line.

 

Go To: www.strategic-medical-estore.com

 

Enter Promo Code: scrubs10

 

10% Discount on All Scrubs & Clog Style Shoes!

 

11/04/2012 - 12/04/2012

 

 

 





Unisex Scrubs, Full Sets $14.95!  Sizes ( XS - XXXL) No Up-Charges for larger size!

Unisex Scrubs, Full Sets $14.95!  Sizes (XS - XXXL) No Up-Charges for larger size!

Only $16.95 For This Style Full Set! Any Color Choice Shown. Sizes (XS - XXXL) Only $16.96!

Another Style For Only $16.95 Per Full Set (top & pant) Sizes (XS - XXXL) No Up-Charges for size

Keep your Feet & Shoes Clean With New Clogs. Any Size or Color: $12.95 per pair!

We have additional medical uniform products.  Click Here

Strategic Medical Sales, LLC

Post # 14: A Perfect CPAP Mask?!?

I wish there were a perfect CPAP mask. ..in fact, I wish I could invent the perfect mask and retire early! All kidding aside, it is important to follow fitting and adjusting instructions for each style of mask, as the practice of "just slap it on and tighten the straps" is asking for problems. The masks are designed and produced by experts, and at times the instructions for effective fitting can be quire specific to an individual mask. If your mask was dispensed by a respiratory therapist or assistant, or other health care worker, most likely they have attended workshops offered by the manufacturers specifically for the purpose of fitting the masks. Most masks also have instructions enclosed in the package; another good option is checking the manufacturer's website, as some even offer video clips on fitting, adjusting, cleaning, and reassembly.
I have had  patients/customers decide that a particular mask had been designed incorrectly and had either covered or enlarged the exhalation ports on the mask, made their own homemade headgear, or, my favorite, used package string to change the shape of the mask cushion "so it will work better".
The engineers who design the masks are the experts, please don't try modifications!

If a problem exists with CPAP mask usage, it's best to first make sure that is it being used and adjusted correctly. The health care worker trained in the mask fitting can be a useful resource. For example, a very common problem especially for a new user is pressure at the bridge of the nose resulting in redness and a sore spot that, if not corrected, can actually result in an open wound. This usually, but not always,  happens due to overtightening of the headgear. Some masks do have means of adjusting the fit of the forehead pad so that pressure can be relieved.

By: Martha J. Powell, RRT, CEO
Strategic Medical Sales, LLC