Comforting Heat for Scleroderma

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that impacts connective tissues in the body and can cause hardening of the skin. According to the Scleroderma Foundation, symptoms range from mild to severe, depending upon the individual and the type – localized or systemic. The milder form, localized, impacts the skin and muscles. Systemic may affect the skin and internal organs. The cause is not known, and there is no cure, but there are treatments that may help.

A woman who has a form of this disease and called to place an order alerted me to the fact that on the Scleroderma Foundation Web site there is a page called “Products that benefit,” offering resources for heating pads. The Foundation does not endorse any of the companies listed but I noticed several offer hand warmers to help deal with the symptoms.

Cozy Sheep microwave heating pad
for soothing relief from Scleroderma

Maine Warmers® heating pads come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from Back Warmers and Neck warmers, Hand Warmers, and unique animal designs that can be micro-waved for heat or frozen for gentle cold. They make great gifts for those with Scleroderma. All of Maine Warmers® products have removable covers for easy laundering. Products may be purchase online or in stores that are listed on the Maine Warmers Web site.

13 tips to keeping warm while keeping the thermostat turned down.

With home heating oil and gas prices at record highs, you may want to keep your thermostat turned back toward 60 degrees but not suffer from the cold in the process of saving on your heating cost

Maine Warmers' Hand Warmer Mittens

1.  Dress in several thin layers. The air space between the layers also helps keep you warm.
2.   Look for silk or thin polyester long underwear – especially the tops. They can be worn under turtlenecks, blouses, and dresses.
3. Tights and leggings are fashionable. They can be worn under dresses, skirts, or pants for added warmth.
4. A vest will help keep your core warm and a scarf to wrap around your neck will help keep the heat in.
5.  Wear warm socks and shoes that do not fit tightly. When blood flow is restricted toes may feel cold. Shoes that cover your foot completely will help as well.
6.  Wear gloves without the fingers inside, and put on warm mittens or gloves before going outside.
7. Wear a hat. We lose a lot of body heat through our heads.
8. Stay well hydrated, drink warm liquids, and eat nutritious foods.
9.  Keep active to promote good circulation.
10. Going for a walk outside in the winter?  If it’s windy wear a shell either under or over your coat to help break the wind. Also, a light pair of wind pants will slip on over your slacks or blue jeans.
11. Slip a pair of Palm Packs (small reusable hand warmers) inside a pair of large fleecy mittens or your

    

    Palm Packs are small reusable hand warmers

    coat pockets to help keep your hands warm.
12. Put a Maine Warmer or two in your bed to take the chill off cold bed sheets before turning in at night. The warmth may also help you relax and go to sleep.
13. When you sit down to read or watch TV heat up a pair of Hand Warmers  or Neck Warmer and hold it on your lap or tuck it behind your back.

Coffee withdrawal and joint pain

A few years ago, I was standing in the checkout line at a hospital coffee shop when I overheard the conversation of two physicians in front of me. Of course I listened in. One of them said, "I love coffee but I always feel like I need to have something with it." On his tray next to the coffee sat a blueberry muffin.

I wanted to chime in that I agreed, but kept mum. The chemistry of coffee does cry out for a sweet accompaniment -- like chocolate or peanut butter -- something to neutralize the acidic element. Tea doesn't seem to have the same effect.

Coffee has no calories, until we add sugar and cream. It has no food value, although recent studies suggest it has some cancer preventing benefits. Surely, the caffeine in a cup of java perks us up in the morning, and to many of us that first sip tastes like heaven.

I recently decided to cut out my second mug of mid-morning coffee and go for a glass of water and a healthier snack like yogurt or fruit. I feel better and seem to have more energy during the day, although I found caffeine withdrawal headaches were uncomfortable for a day or two after the change.

According to Wikipedia caffeine withdrawal can cause "irritability, inability to concentrate, drowsiness, insomnia, and pain in the stomach, upper body, and joints..."

If you want cut back on coffee, a gradual reduction would probably reduce some of the difficult symptoms. Using heating pad a may help with irritability or joint pain. Unique and whimsical Cozy Sheep and Bears, or Dachshund Neck Warmer, all microwave heating pads from Maine Warmers, are fun to curl up with on a cold autumn or winter day. Enjoy a cup of coffee with or without the snack, read a book, and relax with the comforting warmth of a Maine Warmer.

Black Bear microwave heating pad for the shoulder

Dachshund Neck Heating Pad

I don't crave that sweet snack that seemed so desirable with a cup of coffee, but I must confess that I still love to hear what people talk about in checkout lines and sometimes join the conversation.

Protecting your gums may help protect your joints if you have arthritis

There is an interesting piece in Arthritis Today (Sept-Oct 2012) about a link between periodontal disease and joints -- especially artificial joints.

Taking care of your teeth, brushing frequently, flossing, visiting the dentist regularly are not only good for your teeth, but according to the article, recent studies show these activities may help your joints.

A diet with limited amounts of sugar, several helpings of fruit and veggies, healthy proteins, and high fiber grains help. Keeping active with arthritis is often recommended by researchers and writers who contribute to this informational magazine.

If you experience joint pain due to arthritis, you might find heat helps soothe the joint muscles, increasing flexibility and circulation. Maine Warmers' Back Warmers and Neck Warmers offer soothing relief.

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Maine Warmers' Panda Bear

This Panda Bear loves the gardens in Boothbay, Maine, over 250 acres of paths that wind in and around formal gardens and stone architecture. Ponds, fountains, bridges, and other wooden structures showcase and support huge varieties of plants. A children’s garden provides a lovely place to play and even a spot to stop and read books.

If you take your children to this garden, be sure to talk with them about the importance of plants in our lives – from clothing, to the food we eat, medications we take, and the air we breathe. My grandson said that everything we make comes from plants, although we do make many things from minerals – abundant in the ground.

Be sure to take the walk along Back River and stop at the gazebo for a breather along the way.

Cecil, Maine Warmers' Harbor Seal, enjoying a dip in the pool

Maine Warmers' Harbor Seal, was so happy to take a break in the mediation pool, to the delight of two happy children who also wanted to jump into the water on this warm spring day. I wonder if they know that Cecil, the seal, can be frozen and used to cool off on a sweltering hot summer day.

We were all happy when the shuttle bus came along and provided a ride to our car. When we arrived home I put my tired feet on top of a microwave heating pad and relaxed in a cool breeze blowing across the deck and a frosty glass of ice-tea.

How to plan dinner for a guest on a gluten-free diet

You don't have to worry about planning a meal for someone who is on a gluten-free diet. Just think "meat, fish, and veggies" -- no prepared foods.

Avoid cans of  soup, anything with soy sauce, wheat flour or thickeners other than corn starch. If you have burgers, fries, and a salad you can easily accommodate the diet -- just omit the roll to make it gluten-free. You can even add a slice of cheddar cheese on top. Fire up the grill and cook it over a flame for extra flavor.

Bake some potatoes and some white fish (haddock is yummy) with a slight spread of melted butter, a sprinkle of lemon juice and garlic powder. Add a fresh green salad with Italian dressing -- no croutons. Green peas  sauteed with onions mushrooms in butter are simple and good.

Don' try to be fancy. A dessert of sliced bananas with a rum sauce topping with whipped cream and sliced toasted almonds are lovely. To make the rum sauce, dissolve a cup of brown sugar with 2 tablespoons of cream (or butter) over heat and stir until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon of rum and let cool.

Maine Warmers offers other gluten-free recipes on their Snippets Blog. Some people with arthritis have found that by reducing gluten in the body, inflammation is reduced, thus easing pain. Maine Warmers microwave heating pads offer relief and aid for improved flexibility for those with arthritis. Their Neck Warmers and Back Warmers offer soothing warmth.

Microwave Hand Warmers for Health Professionals

Are you a physician, a physical therapist, a massage therapist, with cold hands? Most patients appreciate a warm touch. People are often anxious when they visit a health professional and cold hands on the body may cause more anxiety.

Are you a breast surgeon? Touching the breasts with cold hands – no thank you. Are you a chiropractor? Touching the skin with cold hands – no thank you.

A pair of hand warmers can warm your hands before your appointment with your customer. A warm touch is soothing and may help to give your patient a better sense that you care about their feelings.

A pair of microwave hand warmers from Maine Warmers are easy and quick to use. Slip your hands into them for a few minutes and enjoy the warmth. Then enjoy a more comforting relationship with your patient.

Yin Yoga Helps Flexibility

Yin Yoga may help improve flexibility by targeting tendons and ligaments in the joints and spine. In this type of yoga practice, poses are held for extended periods of time -- about 3 to 5 minutes. Muscles are not engaged.

I have noticed tightness in my shins and ankles that is very stressful in a few of the poses. Cramping of those muscles often occurs hours after I have stopped the practice. The use of a heating pad helps relax the muscles and improves flexibility. Continuing the practice, being careful to not overdo,  has helped me bring more flexibility into those muscles and connective tissues.

I started doing Yin Yoga in the fall of 2011 and find it is amazingly relaxing, in spite of some discomfort -- not pain -- while holding poses. It keeps me in the moment and challenges me to stay focused on the breaths I take. It has given me more flexibility -- something I seem to be losing as I age.

For a description of Yin Yoga and its origins see the article in Wikipedia.

For a heating pad that is portable and safe, check out Maine Warmers’ large variety of microwave heat packs to help improve flexibility. The Full Back Warmer covers a large area and can be helpful for all kinds of cramps or stiffness. Their Whale Warmer is unique and whimsical – a great gift for a yogie -- and it covers a large area of the back or even the legs. All of these products have removable, washable covers for easy laundering. They are filled with whole corn and do not have any added perfumes.

Better Sleep Through Better Habits

Sleeplessness is aggravating and can cause health problems. Dr. Mehmet Oz, A NEW BEDTIME STORY, in an article in Parade Magazine, (Jan. 22, 2012), explains how lack of sleep can affect your health and well-being. He makes several recommendations to help you get the rest you need through a 4 week plan. The following is a synopsis of his article and some great ideas to help you manage your health.

                                              

In your bedroom, keep the lights off including the TV. Even an alarm clock may cast a disturbing light. The mattress may need to be replaced if it is old and contains dust mites that make you sneeze. And the temperature in your room should be cool to help slow down your body’s metabolism.

Avoid going to bed hungry, limit your alcohol intake before bed, and even wear socks (helps keep you core cooler).

Establish a routine of going to bed and getting up at the same time each day. Exercise will also help promote sleep, as long as it is done a few hours before bed – not just before you plan to turn in. Checking email can be stimulating as well – not an activity to help you chill out.

A massage and a warmth bath can help you relax before sleep. Dr. Oz recommends using your shower massager to help you relax before bed. It can help with restless leg syndrome and cramps.

If he knew about Maine Warmers’ Full Back Warmer I am sure he would have suggested it. This microwave heating pad is quick and easy when taking a bath takes too much time. Heat relaxes muscles, helping you wind down and ease tension at the end of the day. It also helps release cramped muscles. Check out the Whale Back Warmer -- a fun way to feel better.