One of ActiveForever's customer service counselors recently received this email from an appreciative customer. We strive to provide truly outstanding customer service to every customer, and love hearing customer's feedback:

Thank you, so much Mr. Biggs. You give customer service a new meaning. I have been off since January 25th of this year and I desperately needed to return to work. My foot is not healing and I could not return with out proper foot protection. I was desperately searching the web for a company that could provide a toe protector for my surgical boot. Thank God I found your company. I original ordered the real steal toe that was too heavy for my surgical shoe. You assisted me in the return of that one. Then on yesterday when I just happen to get you again after I had spoken with someone the day before. I had to thank God again because I knew you would help me. I was beginning to worry that the replacement would not make it here by next Monday so I could show my doctor. I also needed it by Tuesday so I could walk on the work room floor with my foot covered.  It arrive today! I could not believe it.  I know if it was not for your Excellent Customer Service Skills this would not have happened. This experience with a return and new order has been one of the best. Thank you again and again and again.
 
 
Sincerely,

Calisa C.

Thanks for writing, Calisa, and we're glad to hear you will be able to get back to work soon.

ActiveForever.com has held an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for quite some time, but only recently did we learn what a rarity an A+ rating really is (it seems we are part of a small, elite group of businesses to earn such a distinction). Our incredible customers and employees are key to ActiveForever.com's success, so we wanted to take a moment to say a genuine, heartfelt "thanks!" to all of you.

Losing weight can help you sleep better? It’s true. While there are numerous health risks associated with being overweight, few people know obesity is a primary risk factor for the sleep disorder obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disease in which breathing stops (and starts again) repeatedly as a result of the throat muscles relaxing.

Signs of sleep apnea include waking up with a dry mouth (or sore throat), excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring (prominent sign of obstructive sleep apnea), waking abruptly and feeling short of breath upon the abrupt waking, morning headaches, and insomnia.

While there are numerous sleep disorder quizzes you can take to see if you have sleep apnea symptoms, if you experience any of the above signs you should consider consulting a medical professional.

What does being overweight have to do with breathing?

People who are overweight are more likely to have fat deposits around the upper airway which can obstruct breathing. In general, people with a neck circumference greater than 17 inches have an increased risk of sleep apnea due to a thick neck narrowing the airways; a wider neck can be (though not a definite) due to obesity.

Obese people are at an increased risk for developing hypertension, or high blood pressure, which is another risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea.

CPAP and Weight Loss

One of the most popular sleep apnea treatments is the use of a continuous positive airflow pressure (CPAP) machine (sometimes called “sleep apnea machines”), which keeps the soft tissues back against the airway walls to provide continuous air, and help prevent the repeated stopping of breathing which defines sleep apnea.

A CPAP machine by itself doesn’t cause weight loss, but it does provide for a more restful sleep and restful sleep improves the body’s overall health and metabolism. Increased metabolism can mean burning calories more quickly and efficiently.

If you’re like me and sleep apnea treatments such as CPAPs are more frustrating than helpful consider weight loss as a way to not only get off of the sleep apnea machine, but you’ll be able to fit back into your old (smaller) clothes. Experts agree the keys to successful weight loss are a healthy diet and exercise. In addition to selling high quality CPAP machines, CPAP machine accessories, and a CPAP pillow, ActiveForever.com also sells affordable exercise equipment and weight loss products.

While lack of sleep is a major problem and complaint among Americans and products promising more restful sleep become best sellers, few of us take the time to choose the right pillow and mattress for our individual sleeping style. The idea that some pillows really are better than others isn’t just a marketing ploy; your head weighs approximately 10 pounds and the best pillow provides support and comfort. This is a short guide on how to choose the best pillow for you.

Best pillow for back sleepers: If you sleep on your back the right pillow for you needs to support the head, neck, shoulders, and spine. Remember the spine naturally curves so the best pillows will conform to the spine’s curve; look for a firm, flat pillow with extra height in the bottom third of the pillow to support the neck.

Best pillow for stomach sleepers: The right pillow for someone who sleeps on their stomach is a softer, flat pillow to allow just enough support to keep your head, neck, and spine aligned. You may be comfortable without a pillow under your head, but consider putting a pillow under your stomach to reduce lower back pain.

Best pillow for side sleepers: People who sleep on their side will find the best pillow supports the head and neck (allowing the spine to be relaxed in the horizontal position); a firm pillow is needed to fill in the space between the ear and outside shoulder (WebMD). If your head or neck “tilts” as you sleep you could suffer from headaches, neck pain, and other problems. Some experts recommend sleeping with a pillow in between the knees as well, to help maintain proper spine alignment while you sleep. My personal preference as a side sleeper is a body pillow.

Shopping for the Best Pillow for Sleeping

The sheer amount of pillow choices is overwhelming, so its no wonder we often end up grabbing a good pillow (“it’s good enough”) and making a break for it. After reading the tips above, you already have a better idea of the right pillow to buy for yourself.

Filling: Pillows today are filled with any number of natural or synthetic materials.

Foam: Once we heard NASA was fond of memory foam technology, it became the rage. A memory foam pillow reduces pressure points, so people with sore joints may want to look into this.

Latex: Latex pillows are firm and often contoured for neck support. Additional benefits include resisting mold and dust mites (people with allergies, rejoice).

Cotton/Wool: These pillows are hypoallergenic, resist mold and dust mites, and are usually very firm.

Down/feather: Down pillows are often recommended by sleep experts because you can move the stuffing around to get support where you need it most; down pillows can be firm but “squishy.” Some synthetic alternatives mimic down, and while less expensive they won’t last as long either.

Is it time to replace your pillow?

After learning over half of an older pillow’s weight can be comprised of skin cells, mold, mildew, fungus, and dust mites (ewwww) I gave more than a little thought to replacing my current pillow (well, my first thought was to run home, burn my old pillow, and sanitize all my linens). Experts say the general rule is to buy a new pillow every 12-18 months, and after 2 years it is definitely time for a new pillow.

When you are shopping for the perfect pillow, don’t be afraid to try it out! Lay your head against pillows in the store to find the most comfortable pillows for you! While this focuses on the best pillow for sleeping, there are a wide variety of neck pillows, travel pillows, and more. Click on these links for more information on how to choose the best orthopedic pillow and how much sleep you really need. In addition to selling the best pillows on the market, ActiveForever carries numerous innovative sleep aids as well.

While in recent years there has been more attention to a rise in the number of soldiers returning from combat with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there remains a wide variety of combat-related medical conditions many Americans are unaware of (as are many veterans, until they suffer from them). National Public Radio (NPR) recently reported soldier’s heavy gear packs are leading to a rise in chronic pain from musculoskeletal conditions.

One veteran in NPR’s story is only 25 years old, but already suffers from degenerative arthritis and bone spurs in his neck, and early retirement from the military will need to result.

Many deployed soldiers and Marines carry 70 to 100 pounds of gear daily, despite a 2001 Army Science Board study which recommended soldiers carry no more than 50 pounds for any length of time.

The Army has begun utilizing unprecedented measures to help prevent and treat soldiers with chronic pain issues. Currently the Army is incorporating yoga, meditation, and acupuncture as alternative treatments for pain management.

Certainly providing options for pain management outside of prescription drugs is a positive thing, but chronic pain is a pretty broad term. Let’s go back a moment to some of the specific conditions mentioned; what is degenerative arthritis?

Degenerative arthritis is another name for osteoarthritis, which is the most common type of arthritis. Degenerative arthritis can develop years after an injury, and increases in frequency as we age (osteoarthritis is often considered a consequence of aging). In degenerative arthritis the cartilage protecting the bone degenerates and bone spurs form (these can be very painful).

Besides age, the biggest risks for osteoarthritis are family history, being overweight, stress on the joints, repetitive use of joints, and joint injury. Soldiers adhering to the military’s weight guidelines aren’t going to be overweight, but the body’s joints can’t tell the difference between extra weight in fat and extra weight from a gear pack (both put pressure and strain on joints).  

Unfortunately it can be difficult to prevent the progression of osteoarthritis. Treatment for degenerative arthritis is symptomatic and can include medication, exercise (especially swimming), physical therapy, and acupuncture.

One concern not really discussed in the NPR story are the additional medical conditions which can be caused by osteoarthritis. Degenerative arthritis can cause kyphosis (or “hunchback”), where the spine “bows” or rounds forward and which has its own set of symptoms and related pain.

ActiveForever has an entire part of its website dedicated to arthritis pain relief, daily living aids, and arthritis information. We always enjoy customer feedback and hearing about what products our customers have found to be the most helpful for their arthritis; many of our product pages and information include words from our customers about what they’ve found most helpful and why. Click on these links for more information on arthritis pain relief and ActiveForever’s wide variety of arthritis pain relief products.

Many ActiveForever employees have loved ones who serve and have served in the U.S. military, so we offer a genuine thanks to all veterans and current military for your service. ActiveForever also offers discounts to veterans, so please let the customer service representative know you’re a veteran when your purchase any of our products.

You’ve probably heard the stress reduction theory that while you can’t control others actions, you can control your reactions to those actions. Sometimes a day of repeating that to yourself and attempting to rethink all your initial reactions can be more stressful than the stressful actions in the first place. You’ve already heard positive thinking, yoga, or meditation is the key to stress relief and relaxation. But I am going to share the secret of long term stress relief , but first let me fill you in on something interesting I just learned about our brains and stress and anxiety:

In periods of prolonged periods of stress (which could also be called “life” for most of us), at a subconscious level, the brain actually reprograms nerves to fire more quickly and with a greater urgency regarding stress; a process known as “ergotropic tuning.” So your body trains itself to get more and more stressed out to an increasing number of stressors over time.

At first that may sound a little scifi, like your body is revolting against you. But your body is all about efficiency so it makes sense that once a stressor is identified the body would want to react urgently from an instinctual standpoint. You’ve probably heard of the “fight or flight” stress response, also the body’s sympathetic nervous system. Because of the chronic stress just from daily job stress, we often hear about the sympathetic system and the health issues which arise from consistent stress; in cave man days “stress” meant a lion chasing you as its dinner and despite that stress today means running late for work our bodies reacts to both stresses (despite the thousands of years in between) the same. To return the body back to a balanced state and allow recuperation from the stress, the parasympathetic nervous system kicks into gear.

“Losing” your patience may actually be your body’s ergotropic tuning. Through ergotropic tuning, your breathing changes and oxygen to the brain is negatively affected. Deep breathing exercises help you control your heart rate, reinforce deep, purposeful breathing, and provide an overall calming effect.

Clinicians have found breathing can regulate the activity of the parasympathetic system, and there are biofeedback devices on the market which guide you to relieve stress through breathing; the StressEraser Portable Biofeedback Device (one of the best-selling on the market) provides a screen to visually help you synchronize your breathing to the calm, relaxed breathing pattern on the screen. Only 15 minutes of use will have you reliving the joys of stress free life!

Research shows the key to learning how to neutralize and counter the effects of stress is by actively adding a positive feeling such as appreciation, care and compassion to the process. It takes more than breathing exercises to shift attitudes and emotions, which is necessary to sustain stress relief and more consistent relaxation. The scientific based, award winning, emWave Personal Stress Reliever biofeedback device does this by adding a the Coherence Coach CD to help you develop positive emotions/attitudes through narration, animation, and music (on the CD) while you are also using the emWave biofeedbackdevice.

If being in front of a computer is the only chance you ever get to sit down, then you’ll love the EmWave Desktop Stress Relief System!

In our harried Western society, sometimes it seems stress is a kind of badge because it means our workload and productivity are incredibly high (other valued attributes) but there really isn’t an award for burning out your body and mind with chronic stress. Allow yourself permission to be healthy with stress relief. Biofeedback devices for stress management can help you relieve stress and relax with only a few minutes of use a day. Act now, because for a limited time only ActiveForever.com has free shipping, discounted prices, and/or rebates for the best biofeedback devices on the market.

In addition to being a broad term, lung diseases are very intimidating and confusing. We don’t always completely understand what pulmonary disorders are but we know we don’t want to be diagnosed with them. You may be surprised to learn about how common pulmonary fibrosis and COPD risk factors are. Read on to learn if you are at risk for these lung diseases.

Sometimes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis are used interchangeably but these are two different lung diseases. Briefly, a pulmonary disorder is labeled “obstructive” when a person can’t exhale completely due to narrow or blocked airways in the lungs. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is actually an umbrella term that includes asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema (usually caused by inflammation in the airways).

When a person’s lungs lose the ability to expand during inhalation (which occurs when tissue in the lungs is lost or cells stiffen from environmental factors) the disorder is referred to as “restrictive.” Restrictive lung diseases cover pulmonary fibrosis (PF), pneumonia, and lung cancer. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis refers to there being no known cause. Additional information on the difference between COPD and pulmonary fibrosis can be found here.

Health risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:

Exposure to tobacco smoke. The biggest COPD risk exists for long term smokers. Also at risk are people exposed to large amounts of second hand smoke, pipe smokers, and cigar smokers.

Exposure to dust and chemicals. Of particular concern are people whose occupations expose them to chemical fumes/vapors and/or dusts long term.

Age. Most people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are at least 40 years old because this lung disease develops over time.

GERD. Otherwise known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is a severe form of acid reflux that can cause COPD in some people but makes the lung disease worse for many sufferers.

Genetics. In rare cases, COPD is caused by alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, a rare genetic disorder.

Pulmonary Fibrosis Risk Factors:

Gender. Statistically men are more likely to suffer from pulmonary fibrosis (PF).

Age. Like COPD, PF is more likely to affect older and middle-aged adults.

Exposure to environmental toxins. People working in mining, farming, or construction have a higher risk of pulmonary fibrosis due to their consistent exposure to lung damaging pollutants.

Radiation and chemotherapy. You’re more susceptible to pulmonary fibrosis after getting radiation to your chest and/or use of specific chemotherapy drugs.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Risk Factors: Despite not knowing the cause in these cases, researchers have found some factors which seem to indicate increased risk of IPF.

Smoking. Self explanatory but see COPD risk factor information for more details.

Genetics. There is a rare type of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis which seems to run in families.

Viruses. Researchers have noticed after a viral illness (such as Epstein-Barr) many people develop symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis.

You can’t control your age or genetics, but you can control your exposure to tobacco smoke (primary and secondary) and long term exposure to occupational toxins. Key to preventing lung disease is to quit smoking (even better, don’t start). If you (or a loved one) already suffer from pulmonary fibrosis (PF or IPF) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ActiveForever.com has a variety of oxygen therapy, mobility aids, and independent living aids to help those diagnosed live full, engaging lives.

Chances are you’ve noticed a new health trend emerging with electronic medical records; everything from your family doctor writing on a laptop instead of paper chart to the new “Google Health” (which allows you to organize, track, and monitor all your health and health records online). If you haven’t already asked “Are my medical records on line?,” you should.

At ActiveForever.com we remain alert to health trends such as online medical records, and our goal is to help consumers be as informed as possible regarding health and wellness topics. While Google.com says it is an “embarrassing problem” that the U.S. still tracks its patient health records on paper, some privacy advocates argue electronic medical record software may not be secure enough to protect consumer privacy.

But do the benefits of electronic medical records outweigh the disadvantages? Benefits could include not having to fill out paperwork for a new doctor, all your doctors would have access to your medical records (which could foster communication, ideas, and help prevent redundancy with medical tests), not having to worry about losing your records when changing doctors or insurance companies, and more.

Electronic medical records are worthwhile to the current administration, and President Obama said the objective is to “make sure that every doctor’s office and hospital in this country is using cutting-edge technology and electronic medical records so that we can cut red tape, prevent medical mistakes, and help save billions of dollars each year.”  

Health blogger Kate Riley points out the electronic medical record software SharePoint (co-developed by Microsoft) “allows for medical facilities to create secure web pages that can be accessed from any site containing internet . . . This means that each time [a] patient enters a care facility in link with the SharePoint program his or her provider will be able to quickly access their information and thus provide faster and more efficient care.” In many places your consent to care is also implied consent to have your medical records electronic.

If entering all your health information into Google feels a little too “big brother” there are electronic medical record software products on the market such as the Card4Life USB Medical Records Flash Device which allow you to have the information only on your computer, save a copy to a USB device, and then you control the access of your electronic medical records; the MedID Card Personal Health Record System is credit card size plastic card with a waterproof USB chip.

To stay up-to-date on the latest medical issues and health news check back frequently. What are your thoughts on electronic medical records? We want to hear your thoughts. Do you use electronic medical record software programs? Leave us a comment below or email us directly.

You may be tired of all the heart health promotions occurring this month (February being heart health month) but with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) a leading cause of death in the U.S. claiming an estimated 325,000 lives each year – 7,000 of those are children -- you may want to pay attention. Currently an estimated 95% of cardiac arrest victims die before they reach a hospital (or other source of emergency medical help), but automated external defibrillators are now cost effective enough for any public, commercial building or home and can save a life within minutes of sudden cardiac arrest happening.

For every minute ventricular fibrillation (another term for sudden cardiac arrest) occurs without treatment, the chances of resuscitation decrease by 10 percent; after 10 minutes without treatment very few people survive. With the average response time for emergency vehicles and personnel at about 6 minutes to mid-size urban communities, it is easy to understand how quickly chances of survival diminish. Recognizing the live saving abilities of automated external defibrillators , numerous states have passed legislation requiring AEDs to be present in public buildings.

The American Heart Association advises businesses follow the “3-minute rule”: which means you should be able to walk briskly from your work station to the closest AED and bring it to the cardiac arrest victim within 3 minutes.  Any place of business, large or small, should have automatic external defibrillators near employees.

Businesses aren’t the only places that should have external defibrillators, though. An author with Pediatric Clinics of North America reports that as many as 7,000 children are struck down by sudden cardiac arrest each year. AEDs are now cost effective enough for families to purchase them and have one at home for emergencies (many home owner associations purchase automated external defibrillators to be put in the community clubhouse or pool area).

There are numerous AEDs currently on the market. One of the most affordable defibrillation solutions is the First Voice SET System with First Voice EID, which won the 2006 SafetyXChange Best New Safety Product Award. Philips is one of the leading AED brands, and their products are designed to be used easily by virtually anyone.  More information on the best AED products can be found here.

Do you work in an office with an AED? Is there an AED at your child’s day care? Automated external defibrillators save lives daily across the country, and should someone you love be struck by cardiac arrest you’ll want it to happen within a 3 minute walk of an AED. Read additional information on AEDs here, and share it with others (your boss and day care provider for starters) or buy an automated external defibrillator from ActiveForever.com today.

Mobility aids help people with mobility issues remain ambulatory; mobility is key to independent living. Options for mobility aids include wide varieties of walking aids, wheelchairs, scooters, and more. Upon entering the world of mobility aids (for yourself or a loved one with mobility issues) the numerous options can be overwhelming. Among walking aids there are two main types which frequently cause the most confusion: rollators and walkers. Which aid for walking is better?

We understand how frustrating it can be to want the best daily living aids, but have absolutely no idea what those might be. The defining feature of a walker is that the walker must be lifted up, pushed forward, and then set down again every time the user steps forward. These movements can be cumbersome for some users so rollators have more efficient movements, but walkers (usually built with aluminum supports) are less expensive, and offer more support to the user.

Ideal mobility aids for elderly or those with mobility issues who are easily fatigued, rollators offer superior ease of use. Additional features such as a seat, wheels, basket, brakes, and more are usually available on a rollator, and some view rollators as more stylish than walkers. The majority of rollators on the market today are 3 wheel rollators and 4 wheel rollators. Three wheeled rollators are usually smaller, and ideal to use (and maneuver) in tight spaces (so great for in-home use). Four wheel rollators have greater stability, which is ideal if you spend more time outdoors on different terrain (grass, cement, dirt, etc).

Sometimes two different types of mobility aids will be combined into one, innovative product such as a rollator walker or rollator transport chair. Combination (or convertible) mobility aids are incredibly versatile and can offer you a cost effective independent living aid with multiple options.

Transport chairs and portable wheelchairs can help people with limited mobility from a recent operation or injury.

Whether a rollator or a walker is the best mobility aid for you or a loved one with mobility issues, it really is a personal decision based on every individual case. There isn’t a “one size fits all” answer. If you still have questions about which mobility aid or aid for walking is the best purchase, contact one of ActiveForever’s highly skilled customer service counselors trained to help you figure out the best mobility aid for you. 

As the American population continues to age, mobility aids for elderly have become increasingly important which has led to some wonderful innovations among mobility aids as well as accessories for mobility aids. The Carex company produces high quality, affordable mobility aids; the Carex brand is globally recognized as a leader in innovation, design, functionality, and performance. For a limited time, ActiveForever.com is offering a FREE gift with the purchase of specific Carex mobility aids. For more information on which mobility aids come with a FREE gift for a limited time, click here. If you’re interested in finding out more about the wide variety of mobility aids available on the market, those can be found here.

Valentine’s Day is upon us again (yes, only a week away), and while some complain it is a holiday created by greeting card companies most look at it as a day to express your love to your loved ones. If you drained all your gift ideas creativity at Christmas and are exhausted by simply the thought of having to think about another unique gift for Valentines Day gifts don’t worry -- we’ve put together some Valentines Day gift ideas to make your Valentines gift search easier (you can thank us later… and we like candy more than flowers).

Valentines Day Gift Ideas for Men. Certainly all men aren’t created equal when it comes to gift ideas for Valentines Day, and gift ideas for boyfriend and husbands are priority. A massage can be a romantic Valentines Day gift; especially if you’re the one giving it to him! Whether you get a massage table or simply lay a clean sheet on the bed, a few candles, soft music, and warm massage oils will make for a wonderfully memorable Valentine’s Day.

If your significant other rarely takes time to himself, giving him a new golf glove and a gift certificate to the local driving range or for a round of golf can be an incredibly thoughtful gift idea for Valentine’s Day.

Valentines Day Gifts for Her. Again, it is important to distinguish who “she” is; focus Valentines Day gift ideas on significant others first. With the variety of spa-at-home goods on the market, any busy girlfriend or tired mom will enjoy having some “me time” with spa quality products at home (these can include everything from microdermabrasion systems to pedicure kits). Want a Valentines Day gift you can both enjoy? Get her an affordable portable spa, or infrared sauna for the ultimate relaxation experiences.

If she has been wanting to try yoga or Pilates, buy her a trial membership at a local studio and present it to her with a new yoga mat.

Valentines Day Gift Ideas to Avoid. It doesn’t matter how much she has been complaining she needs to lose weight, she will not think you are being thoughtful if you give her weight loss chocolate (yes, it exists), a bathroom scale, or anything weight loss related! Likewise, avoid kitchen appliances (blenders aren’t romantic) and exercise equipment.

Similarly, gift ideas for him shouldn’t include the Boyfriend Arm Pillow or male enhancement supplements (or erection dysfunction devices). Even if he knows his snores could wake the neighbors, Valentines Day gifts for him probably shouldn’t include anything related to stopping snoring (though it might not be a bad idea to give yourself a Valentines gift of ear plugs).

While these gift ideas for Valentines Day should be avoided for your loved ones, sending a disliked ex any of these gifts could make for a hilarious Valentine’s Day for you (but do you really want to spend any more money on someone you don’t like?).

Whatever Valentines gift you decide to give, don’t make the mistake of waiting until the last minute to purchase it. With only a week left, there is still time to buy Valentines Day gifts (online take advantage of lowest prices, free shipping, additional free gifts, and rebates) and have them delivered on time. Shopping in person doesn’t allow you to wait until the last minute because you have to fight the crowds of people shopping for their own Valentines Day gifts for her (and him); if you even have the time to spend shopping in person. For other unique ideas for Valentines Day gifts click here.