Arthritis Tips

Keeping Your Medication Cold

There are portable refrigeration devices that would meet your needs, and that could make the trip with you, due to their small size and portability.

The one that I think would best meet your travelling refrigeration needs is the Engel 15 Portable Freezer. It provides for both freezing and refrigeration options and runs on a 12-volt battery or 110 household current. It is used by EMS/Ambulance personnel and Public Health Nurses to maintain proper temperatures for medications and cold packs, as well as for personal medications when camping, boating or travelling.

The specs are as follows:

Model Number MRFD-015D-A

Volume 14 Qts - Capacity 21 (12 oz) cans

Inside Dims (Inches) 13.75 x 7.5 x 7.5

Outside Dims (Inches) 17 x 11 x 14.5

Freezing Ability From zero to 80 degrees

Variable Temp Control

Weight 23.5 Lbs

Shoulder Strap

Refrigerant Gas Type CFC Free 134A

Power Input DC12V - 3.9A

Power Cord 9' detachable

Fuse 10A Thermal

Warranty 1 year

It is available through the dealer - Engel - or through other distributors on the Internet, such as The Cellar Store.

Finding Arthritis Products

There are a variety of different products that aid in the treatment of arthritis, including oral medications, topical treatments and adaptive equipment devices that assist with tasks of daily living, such as pulling on socks and managing buttons.

The type of arthritis that you have - osteoarthritis, spondyloarthropathy or rheumatoid - will impact the type of treatments and products that you need, as these different types of arthritis have some different symptoms and management guidelines.

Pain management interventions can include:

- pain medication patches (Fentanyl)

- NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-

inflammatory medications - Naprosyn)

- narcotics (Morphine)

- steroids (Prednisone)

- topical anesthetic patches

(Lidoderm)

- heat packs or ice packs

- massage, PT or OT

- over the counter analgesics (Tylenol)

Life management products can include:

- button aides

- sock aides

- velcro shoes

- splints or other positioning devices

for your hands

- kitchen utensils with oversized

handles

- electric can-openers and other

utility kitchen aides

Natural remedies can include:

- capsicum cream or patches

- herbal moist packs

- warm baths with mineral salts

(Magnesium)

I suggest seeing a Rheumatologist who can help to determine the type of arthritis you have, and the best way to approach treatment.

Medication Labels

When taking over the counter medication, such as Tylenol, aspirin, or any other medicine you can buy without a prescription you need to always read the label very carefully. It is important that you take the amount the label says and you should also make sure how many hours you should leave between dosages. If you know what the label says it more likely that you won't over drug yourself.

Nonprescription Medications

If you are taking prescription arthritis medication you should always check with your doctor before taking any nonprescription medications. There might be drug interactions you don't know about.

Chocolate

Chocolate is full of disease fighting antioxidants. Chocolate also doesn't raise your cholesterol. So enjoy your chocolate and remember with every bite your fighting heart disease and cancer. Just remember though, don't over do it, because too much of a good thing is sometimes bad and can be too much.