Ames Walker Professional Blog

Exercising with Lymphedema: Essential Tips, Lymphedema Products and More

Lymphedema is a condition that occurs when one limb or part of the body swells. It may occur spontaneously, but it’s usually triggered by damage to the lymph nodes, surgery, chemotherapy and other medical events. Lymphedema may be chronic, and it can be mild or severe. While lymphedema cannot be cured, there are many ways to manage the symptoms. Combined with the right lymphedema products and precautions, exercising can help manage lymphedema symptoms. Physical movement causes the muscles to contract, squeezing the lymph and encouraging it to keep circulating instead of pooling in one place. Exercise also strengthens your body, which makes it less vulnerable to injury, infection and other potential lymphedema triggers. However, exercise routines must be undertaken carefully,...

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Managing Lymphedema (Lymphoedema) at the End of Life

Edema at the end of life usually accompanies a terminal illness and can be very distressing to patients, their families, and health care professionals. However, adapted treatment enables caregivers to provide relief from symptoms and permit the individual to live as actively and independently as possible until death.
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Seven Reasons Every Nurse Should Invest in Support Socks

As a nurse, you’re on your feet a good majority of your shift, so you know that anything you can do in the foot relief category is super important. After all, studies show that professionals who stand or walk all day are at a greater risk of prolonged discomfort and aches and pains all over the body, especially in the lower limbs. One of the best ways you can provide essential support to your legs and feet is to wear support socks beneath your scrubs while you’re on your feet and after you’ve clocked out. These special socks provide slight compression to boost blood flow and ease aching legs, so they’re a popular accessory among nurses and others in the...

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6 Health Benefits from Using a Leg Elevation Pillow

You know that it feels good to put your feet up at the end of the day, but do you know why? Well, it’s not just in your head. The many benefits of leg elevation include increasing venous blood flow, reducing swelling, and relieving symptoms of high pressure in your veins. Standing on your feet or sitting at a desk all day can cause your legs to ache because your veins are fighting gravity to deliver blood back to your heart. Here are six more reasons you should invest in a leg elevation pillow. 1. Improve Blood Flow in the Veins When you step out of bed each morning, your veins begin to work against gravity as they transport blood from your feet all...

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Wearing Compression Stockings After Surgery: Everything You Need to Know

If you’ve got a major surgery coming up, especially if that surgery affects your lower leg, your doctor may recommend wearing compression stockings after surgery to help boost your recovery. In fact, graduated compression stockings offer four distinct benefits for post-surgery patients, from reducing swelling to protecting against DVT. A caveat before we break down these four advantages: No matter how beneficial compression stockings are, you should not wear them after surgery without the explicit instruction of your doctor. If you think you might benefit from wearing compression stockings after surgery, but your doctor hasn’t prescribed them, talk to them before you decide to get yourself some. 1. Promotes Circulation Your movement may be limited after surgery, so the surgical...

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