African-American woman smiling during her rush hour daily commute

4 Tips for Limiting Stress During a Long Daily Commute

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African-American woman smiling during her rush hour daily commute

For many people, the most stressful and emotionally draining part of the workday is not work itself. Instead, it’s the cumulative time they spend battling their way through traffic or riding on city buses and commuter trains while packed shoulder-to-shoulder with others. Surprisingly, not only are these trips mentally taxing, but they can also have a significant impact on your physical health. Learning how to effectively mitigate the health risks of a long daily commute is now a critical part of maintaining an acceptably high quality of life. The four tips that follow will show you how.

1. Catch the Train and Get Creative

Riding the train or taking the bus to work will help you avoid the stress and frustration of driving through stop-and-go traffic, and dealing with frantic, frustrated, or all-out inconsiderate motorists. Best of all, you won’t have to keep your hands on the steering wheel or your eyes on the road. You can use your early-morning and evening commute to read a good book, learn how to knit or crochet, or simply meditate and practice mindfulness. Your time spent getting to and from work won’t be wasted. Instead, you’ll be actively improving yourself and expanding your knowledge base.

2. Give Yourself Several In-Car Ways to Stay Entertained

Having ways to while away the minutes or hours that you spend in bumper-to-bumper traffic is a creative dance between keeping yourself entertained and avoiding distracted driving. Use in-vehicle technologies such as mobile phone integration to make hands-free phone calls. This is a great time to ask your kids or spouse how their days are going or to catch up with your friends, parents, or adult siblings. You can also listen to audiobooks, or spend your commute moving through your favorite playlist of relaxing or uplifting tunes.

3. Time Your Commute Smartly

Sometimes delaying a daily commute can significantly shorten its duration. If you hop on the freeway or train at the same time as everyone else, you may be subjecting yourself to unnecessary frustration. Instead, consider hitting a local gym after quitting time to work out your stress on the treadmill. By the time your evening workout session is done, the buses will be emptier and the roads will be less crowded. Sometimes, heading to work just a half-hour earlier can make all the difference as well. If leaving home before the streets are congested proves far less stressful, consider bringing your breakfast to work, putting in time at the gym before your shift starts, or taking a relaxing early-morning walk before heading to your desk.

4. Don’t Move From Stress to Stress

One of the worst things about having a stressful daily commute is the fact that you’ve likely got pressing responsibilities waiting for you the moment you walk in the door. Even before your shoes are off and you’ve had a chance to unwind, you may be worried about cooking dinner, helping small children with their homework, or coming to the aid of teenagers with social angst. Make a point of claiming 15 minutes for yourself from the minute you arrive. This necessary period of de-stressing will make you more focused and responsive when engaging with others. Take a hot shower and change into comfortable clothes. Light a therapeutic candle and soothe yourself into a calm and relaxed state with aromatherapy. 

What Are the Health Risks of a Long Daily Commute?

Super-commuters who ride on the freeway breathe in massive amounts of exhaust and other fumes. People who spend long stretches of time commuting each day are more likely to lead sedentary lifestyles, and to grab fast food on their way home rather than cooking. Driving and riding passenger buses and trains takes a daily toll. Fortunately, you can limit this toll by planning your commute smartly, and by proactively de-stressing with the tips above. For additional help in maintaining mood balance, peace of mind, and an optimally high quality of life, follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog, take a course offered by Avidity Medical Design Academy, or purchase candles and soaps offered by Avidity Medical Scentations.

A couple getting wellness massages on their vacation getaway

Plan Your Next Vacation: 10 Healthcare Getaways for Rest and Rejuvenation

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A couple getting wellness massages on their vacation getaway

When planning to go on vacation, you should opt for places that intentionally help boost your mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing for a healthy body.

If you’re looking to rest and rejuvenate, you might want to consider some of these health-oriented vacation getaways:

1. Rainforest Spa

This spa is at Sugar Beach, St. Lucia. The spa is located within the hotel in the rainforest. Some treatments offered there include bamboo massage, body wraps, deep tissue massages, hot rocky massages, and even facials. It will cost about $2000 per night to cater for the hotel and spa treatments, which will leave you refreshed. The best time to visit the rainforest spa is around November to December.

2. MGM Grand Las Vegas

This wellness hotel is one of the best vacation getaways in Las Vegas. Choosing to stay in this hotel will enhance your mental and physical wellness greatly. You can take showers that have been infused with vitamin C. This is important for your skin. The bed has specially designed mattresses to give you a good night’s sleep, enhancing your mental health. 

The mini bar in the wellness rooms contains nutritious snacks that will keep your tummy full. The lighting is designed to help your sleep pattern and help your internal body clock.

The best time to enjoy your vacation in MGM Grand Las Vegas is in January–March. A night’s stay will cost around $500.

3. Blue Lagoon

This vacation getaway is in Iceland and is home to one of the wonders of the world. It will help you not only detox but recharge mentally as well. The minerals in the lagoon will help your skin to glow and rejuvenate. Admission tickets go for $110 and the best time to go there is from July to August.

4. Mii Amo

Looking for vacation getaways in the U.S.? Mii Amo is located in Sedona, Arizona, and is all about self-nurturing. You will enjoy healthy food and native-inspired treatments. This will leave your body, mind, and spirit refreshed. The resort charges about $500 per night, and the best time to visit is in October.

5. Four Seasons Resort

This tranquil resort is located in Chiang Mai in Thailand. There are a lot of activities that are planned for visitors in this beautiful resort. 

You can plant rice, sign up for a boot camp, or even chat with monks to understand their traditions. A night’s stay costs around $550. The best time to vacay there is in February.

6. Aire Ancient Baths

The spa is located in Barcelona. You will do something that most people would enjoy doing, such as soaking in a tub full of wine. This is normally done in a thermal tub. The main reason for doing that is to hydrate the skin.
You can also enjoy a facial and scalp massage which will leave your skin and spirit glowing. You will be charged about $121.83 at the entrance. You can go there any time of the year but the best time is from January to the end of February.

7. Red Mountain Resort 

The resort rests in St. George, Utah. With various activities like hiking or rock climbing, this vacation getaway will help you release the tension and frustrations of life. It will cost you about $350 per night at this place. The best time to go there is between April and May.

8. Las Alamandas 

Nestled in Costalegre, Mexico, the expansive land allows you to choose whether you want to be alone or mingle with others. 

You will enjoy relaxing massages at the beach with no one around except the sand, water, and waves. A room goes for about $800, excluding taxes. The best time to vacation there is in November-December. 

9. Golden Door 

This relaxing retreat is in San Marcos, California. You will enjoy the Zen vibe that surrounds it. It allows you to focus on yourself as they cater to all your other needs. 

They bring you clothes to wear and food to eat, so you don’t have to make any decisions while you are there. They charge about $300 per night. The best months to go there are in March and April. 

10. Rancho La Puerta

You will find this wellness vacation spot in Baja, California, Mexico. Here there are a lot of wellness activities to indulge in such as yoga. The instructors are always ready to hear and cheer you on as you empty your heavy, burdened heart for a refreshed one. 

You can enjoy delicious meals at their restaurant for about $30. The ranch charges about $800 per room. The best time to head there is in September–October.   

Conclusion

Make a plan to spend your next vacation while taking care of your wellbeing. And before you go on your trip, don’t forget to check out Avidity Medical Scentations. Grab our scented candles and soaps to rejuvenate your spirit and refresh your soul. Sign up for product notifications so that you will know when the products are available. Each bar of soap and each candle includes a healthcare message to remind you to take care of your health, to stay encouraged, and continue to be rejuvenated. Follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog for the latest news in healthcare. 

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The Hottest Top 10 Healthcare Apps That You Should Know About

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Doctor reviewing a healthcare app used by his senior patient

It is no secret that doctor’s visits for routine examinations can be a pain and hassle to schedule. Luckily, with the aid of technology, many digital options have been created to overcome these issues. Certain medical applications allow you to track and report your health, receive medical notifications, connect with your doctor, and even allow you to conduct virtual visits. According to HP, the following are some of the most highly ranked healthcare apps in their respective industries:

1. Medisafe Pill Minder

The Medisafe Pill Minder and Tracker keeps track of your prescriptions so that you will not forget to take them. It has doctor visit management and appointment-reminder functions that are accessible for both Android and iOS. The app also offers health-monitoring trackers.   

2. Medical ID

Imagine if you and your phone are found while you are immobile due to a medical emergency and unable to communicate about your issues. This app allows you to store medical profiles in your phone so that medics can see important information about you before attending to your needs. 

3. dminder

The health benefits of vitamin D for the immune system are very well-known, but sadly, most don’t get enough of it. With this app, you can be reminded when to go outside based on which times are optimal for sun exposure. This makes it one of the most unique healthcare apps available out there. 

4. MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal is one of the most popular diet-tracking and healthcare apps available for Android and iOS devices. It is also accessible via PC. You can use the app to establish weight and exercise goals, make meal schedules, and connect it with other fitness-tracking accessories.   

5. Diabetes:M

Diabetes:M is Android and iOS software that is aimed at assisting diabetics in taking some of the mystery out of controlling their glucose levels.   

6. Apple Health

This app is a mind and body health tracker that is found in all Apple devices by default. Sleep, activity, food, symptoms, respiration, and heart rate are some of the vitals it monitors. 

7. Heal

Heal allows you to receive access to certified doctors without needing to physically travel. Appointments are offered through both telehealth and in-person visits.

8. Eyecare Live

This app is concerned with helping you connect to a virtual optometrist to discuss eye-related health issues. Eyecare Live also lets you renew certain prescriptions virtually.

9. AliveCor

When you use the AliveCor app with one of the company’s licensed Kardia heart monitoring devices, you will be able to access a certified EKG recording whenever you desire. The app also identifies bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, and resting heart activity live. 

10. Drugs.com medication guide

Drugs.com allows users to better understand the side effects and guidelines of their medication. The premium version allows for additional information and tracking features. 

For more information on health and medical design-related topics, follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog. For an even more in-depth understanding of healthcare-related topics, enroll in a course offered by Avidity Medical Design Academy In addition to using healthcare apps to monitor your health, invest in soothing treatments and at-home therapies such as scented candles and soaps. Visit Avidity Medical Scentations to sign up for product notifications for scented soaps and candles with healthcare reminder messages. These messages help you remember the importance of good health and maintaining a healthy mindset for everyday living.

pharmacists-doing-inventory

A Day in the Life of A Pharmacist: What Happens Behind the Scenes of Your Local Pharmacy

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Pharmacists are health professionals who regularly dispense medications in pharmacies throughout the world. Pharmacists are on the front lines of patient care, and as a result, they face stressful situations that other medical personnel may not encounter in the same way or to the same extent. Let’s take a look at some of the challenges that pharmacists routinely face while working in the pharmacy and filling prescriptions.

Pharmacists must face:

Multiple Medication-Related Responsibilities.

Because pharmacists are responsible for all aspects of medication handling, they deal with many additional responsibilities that go beyond filling requests for prescriptions. In addition to understanding medication ingredients, how medications should be prescribed, and how medications interact with other medications that the patient may be taking at the same time, pharmacists must also be able to interact with patients. They must be able to answer patient questions regarding potential medication side effects, as well as effectively communicate with doctors, hospitals, and 3rd-party insurance firms, regarding insurance payment and the remaining number of available refills based on the doctor’s order.

Demographics in Relation to Prescribing Medications.

As the American population changes, pharmacists interact with patients from various socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. Differences in socioeconomic and religious backgrounds may influence the way in which some patients may perceive medicine, healthcare in general, the types of prescriptions they are required to take, and the frequency with which they are required to take medications, according to their doctor.

Separation of Medical/Pharmacy Benefits.

The current healthcare system is extremely complicated and segmented, particularly in terms of pharmacy compensation. Patients and pharmacists may find the separation of medical and pharmacy rewards confusing, especially in terms of contractual arrangements such as value-based contracting (VBC). Value-based contracting is a contract whereby the pharmacy has to fulfill certain requirements, based on the outcome of the patient’s treatment and other clinical conditions pertaining to patient care, rather than being compensated on a fee-for-service arrangement, for example. Since the process of determining the outcome of the patient’s health based on the medications provided must be gauged over time, it can become complicated for pharmacies, in terms of understanding how they will be compensated.

A Shortage of Drugs.

Another challenge that pharmacists may also face is a shortage of prescription drugs. Sometimes, if a drug has a low cost margin, the manufacturers may stop producing the drug. The biggest shortages have hit the old, generic, and injectable drugs that were once produced by small production companies.

Dealing with Drug Addicts.

Prescription addiction is a huge problem in the US, and the retail pharmacist interacts with drug addicts regularly. This means that the pharmacist has to determine whether the prescription being filled is a legitimate prescription, or if the patient may be a drug addict who is trying to fill additional prescriptions beyond the number of refills authorized by their physician.

The Aging Population.

The mortality rate of Americans is increasing, this presents a lot of challenges for pharmacists, for instance, older patients are usually in need of long-term care while others may be taking numerous types of medicines or suffering from chronic diseases. The increases the likelihood of filling medications that may have adverse side effects when interacting with the components of other medications.

Managing the Use of Opioids.

In addition to dealing with patients who have become addicted to prescription medications, pharmacists deal with patients who overuse their medication by exceeding the recommended dosage as prescribed by their doctor. This may be due to chronic conditions, such as ongoing back pain. Dealing with this type of situation can be especially challenging as a pharmacist, because the pharmacist must be patient, have good judgment, and top-notch communication skills, especially if they are speaking with a patient who may become argumentative when discussing the risks and dangers of medication overuse.

Ethical Challenges.

Pharmacists must figure out how to organize their duties and responsibilities to perform tasks effectively and efficiently. In addition to providing prescription guidance to patients, pharmacists must also conduct a prospective drug review, which at times might be challenging, especially in relation to managing the pharmacy workload.

Optimizing Time to Provide Better Health Care Services.

Pharmacists walk a thin line between filling prescriptions and determining which patients need help with understanding potential medication side effects and devoting time to their special needs. This involves reviewing individual cases which at times can be tiresome or challenging, especially when numerous patients are waiting to pick up their prescriptions, and more than one patient needs advice with regard to their medication or their insurance coverage with regard to prescription copays, for example.

Challenges that Come with Monitoring Medication Compliance.

Pharmacists must determine which patients are not complying with taking their medications. This involves noticing how long it has taken a patient to refill their prescriptions, especially if the prescriptions must be filled at regular monthly intervals.

For more information on the latest news in healthcare, follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog. To enroll in a course in healthcare, visit Avidity Medical Design Academy. To learn about bath and body products pertaining to healthcare, visit Avidity Medical Scentations to sign up for product notifications.

Healthcare Soaps and Candles with an Inspirational Reminder Message – Coming Soon – from Avidity Medical Scentations

three young women with Internet addiction using their smartphones in a cafe

Healthcare and Internet Addiction: Is the Internet Affecting Your Health?

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three young women with Internet addiction using their smartphones in a cafe

Most of us associate addiction with excessive drug or alcohol use. These forms of addiction are often referred to as chemical dependency. When a person is addicted to substances, key changes have occurred within the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS), the brain’s chemistry, and even the brain’s size. As a result of these alterations, stopping “cold turkey” often leads to widespread physiological distress. So how can addiction possibly apply to the Internet? In a world in which people constantly carry Internet-connected devices with them and use these devices all of the time, Internet addiction is fast becoming a reality. Worse still, it affects people at every age and stage of life. Internet addicts can be eight years old or 80. What’s common among them is that they cannot stop or limit their Internet use without experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

Understanding the Brain’s Reward Pathway and Its Role in Addiction

People use addictive substances or engage in addictive behaviors simply because doing so feels good. With drugs and alcohol, using these substances instantly triggers the release of “feel good” chemicals or neurotransmitters. These chemicals are normally and naturally produced and released as a means for rewarding positive and ultimately beneficial behaviors. For instance, you might get a dopamine rush following a rigorous workout. Other neurotransmitters might be released in response to healthy social engagement, choosing to eat a salad for lunch rather than an ice cream cone, or doing something good for others. When the brain’s reward system is working effectively, people are being motivated to repeat beneficial behaviors via the release of “feel good” chemicals.

silver imac displaying collage photos

Reconditioning the Reward Pathway Creates the Conditions for Addiction

The path to addiction is found when the production and release of neurotransmitters are being manipulated by an outside agent. Rather than using hard liquor, opiates, tobacco, or other chemical substances to trigger neurotransmitters, some people are using the Internet.

The Internet promises instant gratification, immersive distractions, and even alternate realities that remove people entirely from the stressors of real life. Using the Internet makes some people feel relaxed and euphoric, and it does so by manipulating the brain’s reward pathway.

Much like substance use disorder and alcohol use disorder, Internet addiction can actually wear the reward pathway out, alter the functioning of the brain’s reward pathway, and associate unhealthy overuse with beneficial behaviors. When the Internet is taken away, much like any other addict, an addicted person will feel depressed, angry, frustrated, unmotivated, and unsure. These are just a few of the many common signs of Internet addiction and withdrawal.

Comorbidities and Internet Addiction

There’s also the surprising addition of comorbidities that can make Internet addiction diagnosis and treatment all the more challenging. Given the relatively recent advent of the Internet, much is still not understood about Internet addiction. This is an addictive mechanism that’s constantly changing, and one that’s becoming increasingly more pervasive with each new web-connected innovation and service. Are people with general anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, or other secondary mental health issues at greater risk?

And what of sexual addiction? Does the repeated viewing of online pornographic materials qualify as Internet addiction or sexual addiction? When a person suffers from both, can the same treatment modalities and recommendations be used?

Strategies for Treating Internet Addiction

Ignoring the symptoms of an addict in withdrawal is hardly a beneficial or ethical form of treatment. Much like people detoxing from drugs or alcohol, Internet addicts can experience significant discomfort when their “drug of choice” is taken away. Moreover, given the changes that have occurred across the brain’s reward pathway, this isn’t merely perceived discomfort; it’s genuine, legitimate, and difficult to navigate without intervention. For healthcare professionals, finding the right interventions for individual needs is key to preventing total relapse.

One of the biggest challenges of treating addiction to the Internet is the fact that total cessation is rarely an option. The Internet is both pervasive and essential. People have to use it from time to time. When treating alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder, you certainly wouldn’t tell a patient to moderate their alcohol or drug use. Addiction treatment for these things requires total, lifelong abstinence, and ongoing strategies for preventing relapse. With Internet addiction, successful intervention often entails encouraging people to find new and more beneficial ways of triggering their reward pathway, whether by engaging in physical exercise or taking advantage of naturally relaxing stimuli such as the scented candles and soothing soaps offered by Avidity Medical Scentations. Sign up now for product notifications to learn when the candles and soaps will be available. Follow our blog to learn more about common health issues and to stay up to date on the latest news in healthcare.

sexual health concept; african-american couple ignoring each other in bed

The Role of Sex in Healthcare: 10 Medical Conditions That Can Affect Your Intimacy

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It’s easy to overlook your sexual health when dealing with a chronic illness, especially if you deal with acute symptoms that are more pressing. However,  intimacy is important to many people.  Discovering that you struggle to connect with your partner or get as much enjoyment out of sex as you once did can take a toll on your mental health. That’s why it’s important to be aware of chronic conditions that can impact your sex life and speak frankly to your doctor and partner about it.

10 Conditions That Can Impact Your Sexual Health 

1. Heart Disease

Heart disease, attacks, and failure can contribute to sexual health concerns because your heart doesn’t work optimally. You probably know that proper blood flow is necessary for a strong erection. However, blood is also the source of vaginal lubrication. The result? Low desire, performance problems, painful sex, and difficulty having an orgasm, all of which can lead to anxiety about sex.

2. High Blood Pressure

If you have high blood pressure (hypertension), you may suffer from sexual health issues in two ways. First, high blood pressure causes arteries to harden over time, decreasing blood flow. Diuretics and beta-blockers commonly prescribed to those with high blood pressure can also impede blood flow and sexual performance.

3. Diabetes

When it comes to diabetes, imbalanced blood sugar is just the tip of the iceberg. The condition can decrease desire and vaginal lubrication in women. Women with diabetes are also more susceptible to yeast and urinary tract infections which make sex painful.

Diabetes also poses potential ramifications for men because it lowers testosterone, a hormone that plays a role in sex drive. Furthermore, diabetes degrades blood vessels, making it more difficult to get hard. 

4. Arthritis

Because arthritis causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in at least one joint, it can make sex more painful and less pleasurable. This is especially true of positions and activities that are physically demanding. However, you may be able to adjust your activities to decrease pain so you can still enjoy sex. 

5. Depression

Not only does depression decrease interest in our favorite activities, including sex, but the medications used to treat it are notorious for impeding libido, erections, and orgasms. If you experience depression, treating it might alleviate your sexual health concerns However, if you find that your prescription impacts your sex life, discuss options with your doctor.

6. Allergies

You may not want to slip between the sheets when your eyes are itchy and your nose is running. But medications that provide relief may create sexual problems. This is particularly true of antihistamines because they dry out more than just your sinuses. The resulting painful sex can seriously dampen libido. Fortunately, you might still be able to have pleasurable sex by using a personal lubricant.

7. Cancer

Both cancer and chemotherapy can wreak havoc on your body. You may feel tired and weak, not to mention less than attractive, because of their harsh effects.  Low desire, erection problems, and vaginal dryness are all common with chemotherapy. Surgical interventions can also cause pain and scarring that can interfere with your love life.

8. Asthma

Unsurprisingly, sex can sometimes trigger an asthma attack that requires you to use an inhaler.  Of course, it’s not a big deal if you let your partner know that this might happen. Suggest positions that allow for easy breathing, and keep your inhaler within reach. People who manage their asthma well are less likely to have sexual health problems. 

9. HIV/AIDS

The human immunodeficiency virus, which can sometimes develop into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is inextricable from sex, which transmits it and suffers because of it. Some people may become abstinent because they don’t want to infect others or wish to avoid the stigma of HIV.  Rates of depression and anxiety, both of which impact sex drive and satisfaction, are higher for those with HIV than those without. Fortunately, there are ways to effectively treat HIV to prevent AIDS, improve patients’ quality of life, and prevent transmission to restore sexual satisfaction.

10.  COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one respiratory illness that can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, and decreased stamina, making sex undesirable, difficult, or painful. Sexual activity can also can shortness of breath that potentially leads to low blood oxygen levels (hypoxia). Some people have experienced relief by using their inhalers before become intimate with their partners.

Talk About Sexual Health

If you have one of the conditions listed above, don’t be ashamed to talk about your sexual health with your doctor. They can recommend treatments or medications that can improve not just your time in bed but also your overall quality of life. 

For more healthcare information, check out the Avidity Medical Design Blog or sign up for a course by the Avidity Medical Design Academy. For soaps and candles that support relaxation, peace of mind, and intimacy, visit Avidity Medical Scentations and sign up for product notifications to learn when the soaps and candles will be available.

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“Oh, My Aching Back!”: The Role of Ergonomics in Healthcare

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If you are working in the healthcare field, or in any field that involves sitting at your desk all day, or moving around the work site all day long, understanding the role of ergonomics is crucial to maintaining your physical health at work. Ergonomics is the study of how people work in different environments, and safely coordinating the work that needs to be done among different individuals in different work environments, so that the work matches the worker, and the task matches each worker’s physical capability. Ergonomics in healthcare involves creating a healthy and efficient workplace to benefit healthcare professionals, patients, and other employees who work in clinics, doctor’s offices, hospitals, and other medical settings.

Ergonomics is important for nurses, for example, because nurses must safely lift patients from hospital beds without injurying themselves or the patients when they are lifted from their hospital bed. For patients who have been bedridden for a long period of time, nurses must carefully and safely turn them over to prevent them from getting bed sores, and avoid injurying the muscles in their back, arms or legs, as well as avoiding injury to the bedridden patient. Ergonomics also focuses on healthcare workers who spend the bulk of their days working at a desk. In today’s medical world, this includes almost everyone. 

If you work at your desk all day, ergonomic strategies help reduce back aches and pains caused by sitting for prolonged periods of time. This also improves productivity and patient outcomes in the healthcare setting. Advancements in ergonomic science strengthen the quality of healthcare work environments and the entire healthcare system. 

Advancements in Ergonomics in Healthcare

As ergonomics is a science, it is constantly changing in an effort to improve the healthcare work environment. Current advancements include workplace design, such as designing nursing stations to maximize performance by minimizing ergonomic limitations (bending, reaching, lifting outside the body’s capacity for safety). 

Ergonomics involve constantly researching different workplace environments. Advancements in healthcare ergonomics include a focus on the physical, cognitive, and organizational requirements of healthcare professionals, as well as work responsibilities in the healthcare environment. Healthcare decisionmakers, as well as other decisionmakers outside of the healthcare arena, are more willing to invest in different areas of healthcare when they see the work efficiency and work productivity resulting from employees working safely.  

The Effects of Ergonomics in Healthcare

Ergonomics means improving your ability to work and easing the physical strain on your body, especially when you work at your desk all day. Reduced physical strain means fewer injuries in the workplace. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupational injuries may include pinched nerves, carpal tunnel syndrome, and activities that may cause you to overexert your muscles. Ergonomics teach employees about proper posture to avoid or lessen repetitive motion injuries caused by repetitive movements such as typing all day. Injuries can also be reduced by proper seat and desk positioning to avoid stress on the neck and back.

Working ergonomically means you miss fewer days from work due to physical injuries on the job, fewer errors, less stress, increased work satisfaction, increased work productivity, and better patient outcomes in the healthcare setting.

What Ergonomics in Healthcare Means to You

Ergonomics benefits everyone, both healthcare and non-healthcare professionals alike, and regardless of environment. Whether you are an office worker, a healthcare professional, a student, or a patient resting comfortably in a hospital bed, or sitting in a chair in the reception area waiting to see your doctor, understanding the importance of ergonomics can help you prevent short-term and long-term health problems. It is important to remember that ergonomics is not only confined to maintaining good physical health in the workplace. Ergonomics are used to measure workplace objectives, employee productivity, possible health risks, missed days from work due to musculoskeletal injuries, and environmental safety. 

For more in-depth insights into the healthcare industry, follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog. Enroll in a healthcare course offered through Avidity Medical Design Academy. Purchase healthy candles and soaps with inspirational messages to remind you to stay healthy. Visit Avidity Medical Scentations and sign up to receive notifications on product availability.

The Powerful Health Benefits of Aromatherapy: Healthy Stress-Free Scents in a Relaxing Environment – Visit Avidity Medical SCENTations!

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Our sense of smell is an important part of physical, mental, and spiritual health. – Avidity Medical Scentations (http://aviditymedicalscentations.com)

When you buy your friend or family member scented soaps or candles, you actually provide them with the valuable benefits of aromatherapy, especially in a relaxing stress-free environment, and especially after a hard day’s work. Aromatherapy has been around since the time of Hippocrates. But, like many ancient remedies, it has been relegated to alternative medicine. Modern Western medicine generally uses pharmacology and medical procedures to heal the body. However, it is slowly coming around to recognize the impact the olfactory system has on the body. 

The Olfactory System and Your Health

The olfactory system is your body’s sense of smell. Amazingly, scientists claim it can distinguish somewhere between 30,000 and 1 trillion scents.

You might think olfactory cells would be confined to the nasal region of the human body, but they are everywhere! Olfactory cells exist in the heart, intestines, liver, and skin, among many other organs. 

Since these scent cells are all over your body, it is not surprising that aromatherapy could offer many kinds of health benefits. 

Benefits of Aromatherapy and Science

Research has offered somewhat inconclusive results because the methods used in aromatherapy are not standardized. Furthermore, the results depend on personal responses. However, the studies focusing on benefits reveal potential breakthroughs in pain relief and the reduction of stress and anxiety. 

Most of its supporters can attest to the benefits of aromatherapy that research has supported. These benefits break down into several primary categories: 

  • Physical Health.
  • Mental Health.
  • Spiritual Health.
  • Emotional Health.

Science doesn’t have all the answers. However, it does offer evidence of the benefits of aromatherapy that fit into these three categories. For example, headache or other pain relief (physical) and stress reduction (mental and/or spiritual). 

Scented Products and Your Health

When considering scented products for yourself or as a gift, there are many reasons to choose a product. One of those reasons should be the impact a certain scent could have on your health. Not only will you enjoy the pleasure of the scent or the memories that it evokes, but you may experience the reduction of medical symptoms that could greatly enhance your life. 

Visit Avidity Medical Scentations and sign up to receive our product notifications. Each candle or soap will offer you the therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy. It also comes with an inspirational message to remind you to maintain good mental, physical, and spiritual health in everyday living. 

Our sense of smell is very complex, and it is interconnected to the rest of our body through our olfactory system. Scientists and healthcare professionals may not understand exactly how or why it works. However, they are beginning to understand that it is an important part of physical, mental, and spiritual health. Take steps now to support your health and well being. Go to Avidity Medical Scentations to sign up for notifications on our healthcare candles and soaps. Each candle or soap includes a health care reminder message to remind you to take steps to maintain your health and well being every day.

Go to Avidity Medical Scentations now to see our current product offerings!

3 Things to Bring to Your Next Doctor’s Appointment

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A mother and daughter speaking to a doctor who is wearing blue scrubs and a stethoscope during a doctor's appointment..
A physician needs to know all aspects of the patient’s care to provide the best results and care possible.

Scheduling a doctor’s appointment, but forgetting the things that you wanted to discuss when you get there, is an experience that many, if not all, patients can relate to. Preparing in advance for your next visit can help make your doctor’s appointment a much smoother experience, in terms of the feedback and advice provided by your doctor based on the information that you bring to the visit. With that in mind, let’s talk about some things to bring to your next doctor’s office visit.

What to Bring to Your Next Doctor’s Appointment

First, you will need all documentation for insurance, testing, previous history, and other doctors that have been seen. Second, bring your current medications and basic knowledge of noted reactions, logs, and how you take them. Last, remember to write out a list of discussion topics and cover each with your provider. 

1. Bring Your Documentation.

At each appointment, the receptionist at the front desk will ask if any of your information has changed since your last visit, and will sometimes request documentation pertaining to any changes since your last visit. The nurse may also request some information prior to the doctor coming into the room to begin your visit. Remember to bring these key pieces of information to your next doctor’s visit:

  • Your identification.
  • Proof of medical insurance (or advise that you will be self pay).
  • Results of any images or testing recently done at a different facility, in the event that this information has not been forwarded to your doctor’s office and added to your medical record.
  • Your updated medical history if you are a new patient.
  • Records from specialists if not readily available in your doctor’s office.  

Remember to keep your physician up to date on any aspects of your health, so that your doctor can maintain the continuity of your care, in case you need to be seen by a consulting physician or be seen at a different healthcare facility. Proper documentation will allow the physician to review your records and immediately understand, at a glance, how different aspects of your current treatment may be affecting your health. 

bunch of white oval medication tablets and white medication capsules

2. Bring Your List of Current Medications.

Most physicians will have a record of what medications have been prescribed to you by the office. However, it is important that you bring your list of medications to your next appointment for verification of proper use and correct dosage in relation to your treatment. It is also important to make a list of any reactions and concerns about your medications that you may want to discuss during your next visit. As part of your list, you will also need to include any new medications that were prescribed by other physicians as well, so that these can be reviewed and considered in relation to any other medications, for any potential adverse reactions to the mix of medications.  

3. Bring Any New Medical Problems or Medical Worries That You Have.

Most people visit the doctor because they have concerns over medications or conditions that have developed. It is helpful to keep a list of medical problems or issues that occur between visits, in addition to keeping your medication list, so that all of your medical information remains up to date between appointments. A medical problem list can help you keep your concerns organized by date, all in one place, and help your doctor pinpoint how, why, and when they occurred in relation to other events that might have occurred at the same time, such as an outdoor camping trip, or starting a new medication. Present your problem list to your doctor to discuss your ongoing needs and care, and any potential adjustments that may need to be made. Some documentation, like blood sugar logs or blood pressure readings, are especially important in terms of helping your doctor understand what is happening at home between visits. Also, when you keep a medical problem list between visits, you won’t have to remember things that might have occurred several months prior to your visit for example, but that you may have forgotten all about by the date of your scheduled appointment.

The most important thing to remember is that your doctor needs to know about all aspects of your health in order to provide the best results and the best care possible. It is better to bring more documentation than you think will be necessary to your next appointment, because there may be some information included that the doctor has not received, and may be missing from your medical record.

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