Choosing the Best Wheelchair CushionWritten by Maricon Williams
The apt combination of chair and cushion will allow you to sit in a neutral and stable posture and to operate chair safely. Cushions come in an assortment of depths and sizes which need to be accommodated by size of wheelchair frame. Obviously, you need to make a decision which cushion is best for you before you can make a decision about which chair is best.Cushion design is by no means an easy subject. There are many choices to make as you decide on right one for you. To boot, let us be familiar with cushions. There are four basic types of cushions - foam, gel, air floatation, and urethane honeycomb. There are also designs and systems for more specialized needs. Foam technology has come a long way. It now comes in a range of densities with varying degrees of memory, holding its shape as you sit, contributing to your stability. The new foams can adapt to any shape, and still provide even support, spreading pressure across sitting surface. On downside, foam wears out faster than other materials and loses its shape, but because of its lower price, this might not worry you. Gel cushion designs endeavor to substitute consistency of atrophied muscle tissue. Gel fluids are placed in pouches and usually attached to a foam base, so that cushion matches to pressures put on it. Unfortunately, gel cushions are much heavier than other types, which can cancel out some of benefits of your lightweight wheelchair. Gel leaking can also happen. Air floatation cushions, on other hand, support body entirely on air. Air cushions can be less stable for those who move around a lot in their chair, but recent designs offer either low profile or quadrant options that minimize this problem. The balloons used in air cushions can be pricked, of course, and leaks do occur, although a fairly heavy duty rubber is used. But patching them is easier than with gel design. The biggest drawback to air cushions is that they require more maintenance.
| | Pineapples: The Healing Fruit of the Tropics (includes a recipe for Pina-Banana Orange Smoothie)Written by Monique N. Gilbert, B.Sc.
Pineapples: The Healing Fruit of Tropics (includes a recipe for Pina-Banana Orange Smoothie) By Monique N. Gilbert, B.Sc. http://www.MoniqueNGilbert.com For a natural and tasty way to improve your health and boost your healing capacity, add fresh pineapple and pineapple juice to your diet. Pineapples are nutritionally packed members of bromeliad family. This delightful tropical fruit is high in enzyme bromelain and antioxidant vitamin C, both of which plays a major role in body's healing process. Bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory with analgesic properties, encourages healing, promotes well-being and has many other health benefits. Bromelain is very effective in treating bruises, sprains and strains by reducing swelling, tenderness and pain. This powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect can also help relieve osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and reduce postoperative swelling. Additionally, bromelain can relieve indigestion. The enzyme contained in fresh pineapple helps break down amino acid bonds in proteins, which promotes good digestion. Pineapples also provide an ample supply of vitamin C, a commonly known antioxidant that protects body from free radical damage and boosts immune system. Vitamin C helps build and repair bodily tissue and promotes wound healing. The body uses vitamin C to help metabolize fats and cholesterol, absorb iron, and synthesize amino acids and collagen. Collagen is one of primary building blocks of skin, cartilage and bones. Vitamin C also decreases severity of colds and infections. Furthermore, due to its high vitamin C content, pineapples are good for your oral health as well. Recent studies have found that vitamin C can reduce your risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease. Besides increasing ability of connective tissue to repair itself, vitamin C also increases body's ability to fight invading bacteria and other toxins that contribute to gum disease. Periodontal disease, which destroys gum tissue and underlying jaw bones, has been linked to heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. So if you are searching for a natural way to enhance your body's healing mechanisms, promote overall good health and tantalize your taste buds, pineapples are way to go. Choose fresh fruit because it has most healing properties. Unfortunately, most of bromelain in canned pineapple is destroyed due to heat used in canning process. When choosing a fresh pineapple, do not judge ripeness solely based upon color. There are several varieties on market that range from green to golden yellow. The most important factor in determining ripeness is smell, let your nose help you decide. Ripe pineapples give off a sweet, fresh tropical smell. Avoid pineapples that give off an unpleasant odor or have any soft spots or areas of dark discoloration. Once home, let pineapple sit on your counter at room temperature until ready to use. This will preserve its sweet and tangy flavor.
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