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    Find a Need and Fill It; Suggestions On How and Where You Can Volunteer

    Posted on: April 24th, 2013 by BrevardBlogger 6 Comments

    National Volunteer Week happens every April, but the need for great volunteers is year-round. Brevard Medical Equipment wants to “volunteer” some ideas on how and where you can volunteer our time to help others.

    Not only does volunteering help those in your community, but it also gives you a healthy boost of optimism and happiness.

    There are 168 hours in every week.  What if you gave one, five or even 10 hours of your week to volunteering? If you live in a community, any community, big or small, rural or urban, there are places and times to volunteer. Not sure how to start or where to go?  Here are some tips on finding where and how to get involved.

    1. If you like books, ask your local library for volunteer opportunities. From putting away books to reading to children, they have a spot for you.

    2. Your church or synagogue will always welcome free help. Ask about teaching a class, helping in the nursery, working in the kitchen for funerals and special events, or with mailings in the office.

    3. Soup kitchens and food pantries are always in need of drivers to pick up donated food, organize shelves, pack food boxes and serve meals.

    4. Meals on Wheels. Check with your local Area on Aging Agency. You’ll be delivering food and a friendly face to someone who may not have another visitor that day.

    5. Do you like animals? Talk to our local animal shelter. They always have dogs to walk and cats to play with. Consider fostering an animal. Think bigger and consider volunteering with a local therapeutic horse riding stable or wildlife rescue group.

    6. Senior Citizen Centers and Nursing Homes are great places to volunteer. Play games, read a book or newspapers to residents, sing or play the piano.

    Brevard Medical Equipment offers this list to get you thinking, but the possibilities are endless. We enjoy being part of this community and see people and groups with need every day. Tell us where and how you volunteer in the community so we can share with others and how volunteering has changed your life!

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    Posted in Volunteering | 6 Comments »

    Minorities and Cancer; the Fight to Close the Racial Gap and Saving Lives

    Posted on: April 17th, 2013 by BrevardBlogger 3 Comments

    Cancer can affect anyone from the youngest babies and children all the way up to the oldest citizens, but some minority groups have higher occurrence rates and lower survival rates than others.  Brevard Medical Equipmentwants everyone to have the best health possible and encourages healthy lifestyles, disease management and cancer screenings for all people.

    Certain racial and ethnic groups are at risk for various types of cancers more than others.

    The third week of April of each year is set aside as National Minority Cancer Awareness Week to bring awareness to these discrepancies and open dialogues about improving the health of all people. The research done on these cancer-affected groups focuses on both the rate of getting diagnosed with cancer and the survival rates.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cancer death rates for women are highest among blacks, followed by whites, Hispanics, and Asian/Pacific Islanders.

    Cancer diagnosis rates versus survival rates among African-Americans are alarming and show a large discrepancy compared to white Americans.

    • African-American women are 40 percent more likely to develop cervical cancer caused by the STD human papillomavirus (HPV), and 20 percent more likely to die from it compared to white women.
    • Although African-Americans are 10 times less likely to get skin cancer than whites, they have more complications and higher death rates.
    • African-American men were almost twice as likely to have new cases of stomach cancer as white men.
    • African-American women are twice as likely to have been diagnosed with stomach cancer as white women, and they are about 2.5 times as likely to die from stomach cancer, as compared to non-Hispanic white women.

    Cancer is the leading cause of death among Hispanics (heart disease causes the most deaths among blacks and whites). Poverty and reduced access to medical services worsen the Hispanic cancer burden resulting in Hispanics have lower cancer screening rates and are diagnosed with cancer at later stages, when treatment options are more limited and less successful.

    Although Hispanics have a lower risk than whites or blacks for the most common types of cancer (lung, breast, prostate, and colon), they have a higher risk for cancers related to infectious agents like the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV related cervical cancer incidence rates among Hispanic women are about 60% higher than those among non-Hispanic whites.

    Lifestyle changes and screenings are the best weapons against cancer. Follow-up care is vital for those that have been diagnosed and are being treated or any types of cancer. For people living with cancer, Brevard Medical Equipment has equipment and supplies to improve your life. Please see us for wheelchairs, hospital beds, oxygen and respiratory equipment or anything else that will make the journey through cancer safer and more comfortable.

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    Posted in Cancer | 3 Comments »

    Telling Your Friends and Family About Your Multiple Sclerosis

    Posted on: March 21st, 2013 by BrevardBlogger 19 Comments

    March is National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month and your friends at Brevard Medical Supplywant you to be aware of this little-understood disease and know that we are here to help.

    MS is a disease affecting the central nervous system that causes mobility loss, numbness, blurred vision, memory issues and other symptoms.

    What is MS? Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system (the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord). It is thought to be an autoimmune disorder.

    Who can be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis:

    MS can strike both men and women but is more common in women

    MS appears more frequently in Caucasians than in Hispanics or African Americans

    MS is relatively rare among Asians and certain other ethnic groups

    MS is most commonly diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 20 and 50

    There are currently 350,000 to 500,000 people in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with MS and over 2.5 million people are living with the disease worldwide.

    If you have been recently diagnosed with MS, your friends and family are going to find out and will want to know. Here are some suggestions about sharing your news from the National MS Society:

    • Shock and distress may make it difficult for some people to respond, so be prepared to give them time to deal with the news.
    • You may need to provide comfort and reassurance at just the time that you are in need of comfort and reassurance yourself.
    • When people don’t know what to say, they may say nothing at all — so be careful not to misinterpret silence as not caring.
    • Most people will take their cue from you — so be ready to let them know whether you want to talk about your MS, if you’re willing to answer questions, and if you need something from them.

    If you need a wheelchair, cane, walker or any other home medical equipment, Brevard Medical Supply carries many products in our online catalog to help you. We encourage you to stop in if you are in the area and let us assist you in person.

    Please visit the www.nationalmssociety.org for more information on the disease.

    Sources: The National MS Society

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    Posted in Multiple Sclerosis | 19 Comments »

    100,000 Floridians Experience Brain Injuries Each Year. Could You Be Next?

    Posted on: March 7th, 2013 by BrevardBlogger 46 Comments

    Brevard Medical Equipmentwants to encourage awareness of brain injury in our beautiful state of Florida and help those affected by this devastating condition.

    Brain injuries can happen at any time, at any age and in a lot of different circumstances.

    Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) can affect Florida residents at any age. Did you know that there are 210,000 Floridians living with devastating injuries after brain injury and 100,000 Floridians who experience brain injury each year?

    What is a brain injury? There are two main classifications of brain injury; Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).

    A TBI is caused by a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. A rapid acceleration or deceleration of the head, which can force the brain to move back and forth inside the skull, can also cause TBI. Major causes of TBI include:

    • Falls
    • Motor vehicle crashes
    • Assaults
    • Sports-related concussions
    • Family Violence
    • Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)/inflicted Traumatic Brain Injury

    An ABI is an injury to the brain that has occurred after birth and is not hereditary, congenital or degenerative. ABI takes place at the cellular level within the brain; most symptoms of ABIs are very similar to those of TBIs. Major causes of ABI include:

    • Strokes
    • Aneurysms
    • Diseases, such as encephalitis

    Brevard Medical Equipment encourages safety and prevention of any kind of brain injury. Our online catalog features a wide range of home medical equipment to promote safety and prevention of injuries. Use your head and protect your brain.

    If you or someone you care about is living with a brain injury in Florida, contact the Brain Injury Association of Florida today at 800-992-3422 or visit their website to learn more. Click here to find one of the support groups around Florida.

    Source:

    Brain Injury Alliance of America, Brain Injury Association Florida

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    Posted in Brain Injury | 46 Comments »

    Keeping Women’s Hearts Berry Healthy

    Posted on: February 26th, 2013 by BrevardBlogger 35 Comments

    A new study shows that eating berries can offer women a healthy benefit for their heart. The study involved 94,000 women who completed questionnaires that tracked their diets and eating habits. The study lasted for 18 years and the questionnaire was answered by the participants every four.

    Strawberries have been shown to help clear the plaque in the arteries and heart of women.

    In the course of the study, 405 participants had heart attacks. Researchers looked at the data collected about the participants’ diets and discovered that those who ate blueberries and strawberries the most were 32% less likely to suffer a heart attack compared to the participants who ate berries once a month or less. The women who ate three or more servings (one cup = one serving) per week decreased their risk for heart attacks by one-third.

    Those women who rarely ate blueberries and strawberries still ate a diet rich in other fruits and vegetables. Although they maintained a healthy diet, the absence of blueberries and strawberries resulted in an unchanged level of heart health.

    Why Blueberries and Strawberries?

    Many fruits and vegetables, such as grapes, wines, eggplants and blackberries contain compounds called flavonoids. Blueberries and strawberries also contain flavonoids, but they also include anthocyanins, unique to these two berries, which widen arteries and reduce plaque buildup, a main cause of heart attacks.

    Other Berry Benefits

    Besides flavonoids, berries are also packed with other nutrients including:

    • Vitamin C
    • Potassium
    • Folate

    Additionally, regularly eating berries produces a slower mental decline with age and assists with weight loss.

    Though the focus of this blog is on women, this is not to say that men are not affected by the health benefits of berries. All berries provide the nutrients that benefit the body, whether male or female. There are still many studies being conducted to better understand the health potential that berries have to the human body, but it is fairly evident that it packs a load of beneficial compounds.

    The associates at Brevard Medical Equipment understand the importance of maintaining a healthy heart. If you’re looking for other healthy food or lifestyle ideas, stop in and speak with us or contact us through our online contact form.

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    Posted in Heart health | 35 Comments »

    Red Wine Keeps Your Heart Healthy for Valentine’s Day

    Posted on: February 12th, 2013 by BrevardBlogger 33 Comments

    Valentine’s Day has snuck up on us again and whether you’re heading out for dinner or staying in, Brevard Medical has a small meal idea that can mean the world of difference to you and your heart. A new study has found that a red meat dinner accompanied with a glass of red wine can be beneficial to your heart.

    Adding a glass of red wine to your dinner a couple of nights a week can do great things for your heart health.

    University of Jerusalem researchers have found that drinking red wine while eating red meat can prevent the build-up of cholesterol in the body. The study revolves around a compound called malondialdehydes that form in the blood stream. When eating red meat along, the compounds contribute to the formation of “bad” cholesterol that increases your risk of heart disease.

    The study found that the malondialdehydes were not absorbed into the blood stream when red meat is eaten with red wine. After four meals, it was found that those who did not consume wine saw a 97 percent rise in their modified cholesterol levels, while those who drank wine saw theirs either unaffected or decreased.

    Red wine possesses numerous other benefits originating from the makeup of wine and the fruits from which it comes:

    • The skins of red grapes contain resveratrol, a compound that gives wine its color, but also is known to have cancer-fighting effects.
    • Red wine contains the antioxidant polyphenols and flavonols. These give your body the “good” cholesterol in the blood, increases circulation and improves sugar metabolism.
    • Drinking one glass a day could help prevent bowel cancer.

    Although the many benefits with drinking red wine are impressive, drinking too much can have adverse effects. As with all alcoholic drinks, moderation and responsibility are the factors that draw the fine line between health benefits and health risks. Drink responsibly and enjoy your red wine on Valentine’s!

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    Posted in Heart health | 33 Comments »

    Some Unique Things to Try for Your New Year’s Resolutions

    Posted on: January 22nd, 2013 by BrevardBlogger 13 Comments

    We’ve all heard the same old suggestions to living healthier and creating New Year’s resolutions: Eat better, exercise more and so on and so forth. The list of overused recommendations seems to continue endlessly from various reliable and unreliable sources. We have some interesting and effective suggestions for making 2013 your best year yet.

    To help yourself improve your health this year, try starting a regular exercise regiment in combination with eating healthier.

    Diet

    Do you remember that thing called the food pyramid that we learned in earlier years? It was recently changed in 2011 to portray a plate and glass with five food groups, but the idea is the same: Keep your food intake healthy and balanced. A very common statement with dieting is that you must eat more fruits and vegetables, cut down on fat, etc. Though true, the focus in that statement is about eating a more balanced diet. It’s not all about the protein and fat. There are other areas that need to be considered such as carbs, sodium, sugars and fiber.

    Additionally, studies have shown that keeping smaller bowls and plates, creates smaller portion sizes. Not only does this save you money, but it also keeps your hunger satisfied, without overeating.

    Exercise

    It is important to keep your muscles and joints fresh and moving. Make sure that you’re doing the right exercise for the right reasons. Exercise isn’t all about losing weight or increasing strength. There are additional benefits such as increased heart health and flow of oxygen to the brain. Other popular benefits are increases in balance and flexibility. Especially when we start getting older, balance allows you to stay on your feet longer and more comfortably while flexibility provides a more free range of motion for day-to-day activities. Do some research into resistance training, an increasingly popular form of exercise perfect for blood flow and strength maintenance. It also doesn’t require much equipment so save some gym membership money!

    Mental Health

    Mental health is commonly overlooked for New Year’s resolutions and personal goals. Recent studies have shown that your goals are affected by your attitude. Keeping a healthy and optimistic mind keeps your internal mental health in top shape. Surrounding yourself with the same kind of people has the same effect. Especially when creating New Year’s resolutions, being around people with the same interests and goals provides motivation, a support group and peer goal maintenance.

    Whatever your New Year’s resolutions, always keep your goals within reach, but not too farfetched. Test out the waters in the beginning and learn what is too easy and what is too hard to find a nice middle ground. Too difficult of goals can create stress, which is not what your mental health needs or deserves.

    Lastly, whether you follow our suggestions or create your own, consistency is essential. Don’t fall off the wagon for a week or two or take a break from your routine. Always keep yourself in check. If you cheat on your goals, you cheat on yourself. From all of us at Brevard Medical Equipment, good luck and enjoy this new year!

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    Posted in Overall Health | 13 Comments »

    A Healthy Thyroid Means a Healthy You

    Posted on: January 10th, 2013 by BrevardBlogger 9 Comments

    January is Thyroid Awareness Month and at Brevard Medical, we felt that it would be beneficial to discuss the gland and its role to the body and its functionality. The thyroid influences many of the body’s most important activities and can be a key piece to a healthy lifestyle. Various thyroid disorders can be the cause of some serious health issues. Unfortunately, more than half of the approximately 30 million Americans affected by the disorders remain undiagnosed.

    You can ask your doctor for a thyroid scan like this one to help determine the condition of the gland.

    The thyroid is a small gland located at the base of the neck, below the Adam’s apple, and is one of the largest endocrine glands. It controls the body’s use of energy, production of proteins and optimization of the amount of oxygen used by cells. This is just scratching the surface as the gland works in conjunction with some of the body’s largest organs, including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and skin. Each listed organ is a large part of your body’s health and that is why the thyroid deserves more attention than it receives.

    There are numerous problems that may arise from an unhealthy thyroid. Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism (the most common disorder) are the over- and underproduction of thyroid hormone. A change in hormone levels can create a fluctuation and imbalance of weight, blood pressure, heat sensitivity and numerous other problems. Other thyroid disorders may cause swelling of muscles, tissue and even the gland itself, forming a visible goiter. Thyroid cancer, another major problem, is one of the fastest growing cancers, yet one of the most curable. As with all cancers, an early detection can result in a significant difference in treatment.

    The best way to stay proactive toward the thyroid is by performing the thyroid “neck check.” This simple evaluation, created by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, is a quick and proven method of checking for any abnormalities in the gland. All you need is a glass of water and a handheld mirror. The simple steps involve tilting your head back, taking a drink of water, swallowing and watching your neck as you perform the check. Identifying protrusions, bulges or any irregularities could be a sign that it’s time to consult a physician.

    The important thing to remember is that staying on top of your thyroid and performing routine and regular checks can mean early prevention of conditions, disorders and diseases. This is month to recognize the thyroid, especially because it can greatly affect your wellbeing and comfort. We are always there to keep our patients healthy and relaxed in comfort.

    For further information about the thyroid, including the thyroid “neck check,” visit http://www.empoweryourhealth.org/THYROID.

    AACE is the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Founded in 1991, the AACE is the voice for clinical endocrinologists. Their 6,000 members in the US and 91 foreign countries make the organization the largest official group of advocates and professionals for the endocrine system.

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    Posted in Overall Health | 9 Comments »

    A Healthy Start to the New Year

    Posted on: December 27th, 2012 by BrevardBlogger 6 Comments

    As the year 2012 comes to a close, it is a time to reflect upon the last year and everything that took place. However, it is also a time to look forward to the New Year and see what we can improve upon or do better. Millions of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, goals to help improve their life in some way over the course of the next year.

    Coming up with healthy New Year’s resolutions isn’t hard, so start adding goals to your blank list!

    Most of these resolutions revolve around improving health in some form another, and for good reason. Health and fitness information is widely available. With that in mind, we would like to give you a few ways you can achieve a healthier lifestyle in the coming year.

    Lose some weight- it has been proven in study after study that lower weight and body fat percentages are better for overall health. Lower body fat equals a lower risk of stroke or developing heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes.

    Eat better- fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats and low-fat dairy. Those should be what you eat the most of. If you’re having trouble at the grocery store with temptation, stick to the outside where those four items are located. Only go into aisles for a particular item, don’t cruise.

    Exercise on a regular basis- getting your exercise in early in the morning puts you in a better frame of mind for the day, whether it’s walking, biking, swimming or weight lifting. Once you find a time that works best for you, stick with it.

    Challenge your mind- you are only as good as your mind, so challenge it daily with Sudoku, word jumbles, memorizing lists or learning a new language. You’ll be surprised how well your brain functions in other parts of your life with a little training.

    Whatever your New Year’s resolution is, we hope that you’ll join us at Brevard Medical Supply in working towards living a healthier life. We promise to continue to assist you and your loved ones with your pharmacy or home medical equipment needs into the New Year and beyond!

     

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    Posted in Overall Health | 6 Comments »

    Over Two and Half Decades of Excellence

    Posted on: December 11th, 2012 by BrevardBlogger 7 Comments

    We have been happy to be the medical equipment supplier to Merritt Island and the surrounding area since 1986. At Brevard Medical Equipment, we offer our customers the highest quality home medical equipment such as patient lifts, hospital beds, scooters, diabetic supplies and much more.

    Visit our website to see all of the amazing home medical equipment and supply products we offer!

    The goal of our staff is to accommodate your interests in coordination with your medical treatment to provide you with a higher quality of life. It is because of this commitment to improving the lives of our customers that we will be posting information regularly on this blog as a way better serve, educate and communicate with our customers.

    Some of our posts will cover the products that you we offer. These posts will cover general information about the products, describe what medical conditions or disabilities can be helped by using it and what you should look for when you’re looking to purchase a certain item. The more knowledge you can have before you browse our online catalog or visit our store, the easier your purchasing experience will be.

    We will also call attention to various diseases and illnesses that affect a wide variety of people such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and Alzheimer’s disease. These are conditions that affect millions, and their causes, symptoms and risk factors should be widely known to help with prevention and diagnosis.

    The overall goal of this blog is help our customers have a better experience with us and improve their lives. We have been proudly serving our community for over two and a half decades and we look forward to continue serving our customers into the future. Check back here regularly for updated content, and we’ll see you soon!

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    Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments »