Socks that Save

Compressions!! AED! Help! Help! Code Blue! She isn't breathing!

All this from a tiny blood clot that started in your legs and traveled to your lungs. And the first sign you have is passing out from shortness of breathe.

Compression sleeves and socks can help!

They have been around for a long time but have been prescribed mainly to people that have circulatory problems or could be at risk for a deep vein clot or thrombosis.

But....

They are good if you are on your feet all day or sitting all day or running all day. So pretty much anyone. 

United airlines has these ads in their flight magazine

Important to wear tight on legs.

Ironically, medics tell you not to wear tight clothes. They can mess your digestion up or make it hard to breathe.

Your limbs are different. They like a little squeeze all day. 

Your belly and your lungs refuse squeeze except from a loved one for a few seconds.

Limbs only like a slight squeeze. Too much squeeze  like a tourniquet and the limbs will go black and fall off. Keep it light.

See this website for a compression hose gone bad http://www.modernmedicine.com/modern-medicine/news/compression-stockings

Compression socks and sleeves really aren't contraindicated for anyone unless you have open flesh in the area being compressed or a blood blister or severe edema.

They squeeze the most superficial veins making blood return to your heart better. 

Compression on the legs can help prevent blood clots which can quickly lead to death from a clot dislodging from the leg and being sent to the lungs, also known as a pulmonary embolism.

Patients in the hospital are being watched closely for blood clots. You could be at risk and not have any idea.

I'm talking especially to those taking birth control.

These are a smart option for young, healthy girls on birth control. Birth control can increase your chances of blood clots and symptoms can be more discrete than for those with health problems.  

Read the first part of these 2 stories

http://www.stoptheclot.org/news/article315.htm 

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/2014/01/nuvaring-lethal-contraceptive-trial

 

Insurance won't justify the cost for the blood tests and scans to check for blood clots until you are showing symptoms that are life threatening. 

Compressions socks are your insurance when you are young and healthy on birth control.

Compression is also a big rave for runners and athletes. We have used the R.I.C.E method to heal injuries for years. Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation.

There is now research showing that marathoners showed speedier recovery and possibly faster race times. See this German study for stats. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/19057400/

So, sleeves, for the arms, potentially could be very beneficial to arm workout days.

Consider taking insurance into your own hands and find some good compression sleeves.

Jonathan and I personally use the brand CEP for regular days and past runs and really like them.

Find them here http://www.cepcompression.com/progressive-calf-sleeves.html

Sick and Kickin'

My past 2 weeks (read it like the chant of symptoms on a cold commercial)

Yellow junk, fatigue, phone-a-doctor, antibiotics

Feel good 4 days, catch up on workouts, work my shifts, get 2nd in 6th grade for Bball 

Hard time breathing, fatigue, groggy head, headache, chills, night sweats, urgent med visit, 2nd round antibiotics, lots of fluids, lots of sleep

Thank you Corrie Matchell for the Hat- I think you should call it medicinal because it is wonderful to keep your head warm while not having covers suffocate me!

And..... I have enough energy to have an opinion about something again! 

Guess what! 

I found out I have a medical condition that I thought was normal: cold hands.

It's a syndrome called Raynaud's. Jonathan told me you don't pronounce the D. So don't. ;)

It's the reason every 80 year old screams when I help them in the hospital, it's the reason I freeze my husband with my cold toes and why I, as J calls it, "rake leaves" (moving my feet back and forth constantly to warm them in bed).

It's also why my pulse oximeter won't ever show me a reading but yet when I take it to work and try the supposedly broken pulse ox on all my sick patients it shows me their oxygen saturation instantly.

It's why my hands look like this

when cold is around

Supposedly, the syndrome can be linked with autoimmune disorders, but, currently, I have not shown signs, symptoms, or been diagnosed with anything else. I just have Raynaud's. A simple spasm of the blood vessels in my fingers, toes, maybe my nose to cold or stress.

You will know you are stressing me if you see my fingers :) Just kidding.

It happens often when I am just barely cold, inside at comfortable temperatures, like lunch time at work or hanging around at the house.

Interesting fact about me I just learned.



All this sickness lately and this new diagnosis make me think of the verse that has always stuck out to me and inspired me.

When I am weak, I am strong in Him. 
2 Corinthians 12:10b


These yuck times make my immunity stronger. They make me yearn for a health and energy. They give me the opportunity to relate with others and connect relationally. They give me drive to learn better ways and take better care. 
This earth works in the same way God does. 

It's not always our strengths that win our best relationships.



Enough with sickness I say!

Jonathan did take me for a lovely date of new restaurants and coffee shops with good friends this last weekend.

The Lovely little coffee shop in Guthrie

exotic yummy health drinks

vegan butternut squash queso at Tamazul

Deeeelish

And he discovered I have a stethoscope. My sweet little gangster husband...we keep it cold inside, hehe.

Jonathan listening to his heart with the new found gadget.

All I have to say today is rest when you get sick and listen to God. He has something planned for you. Get back up kicking' when He gives you the energy again.