Heather Collins

How To Choose A Hearing Aid
Untreated hearing loss can greatly impact the quality of life for many adults in the US, leading to feelings of isolation. Even though hearing loss is linked to serious health conditions such as dementia, depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, reduced mobility, and falls, only 1 in 4 adults who could improve their hearing with hearing aids have ever used them..
If you’ve been waiting to address your own or a loved one’s hearing loss concerns, there has never been a ...

Posted in Pain Management
Caregiver University
How to Choose A Leg Compression Machine
Leg compression machines are primarily used to combat poor circulation and prevent the formation of blood clots. Some conditions that respond well to compression therapy include chronic venous insufficiency, leg ulcers from wounds, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a serious condition in which a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg, leading to blockages in circulation, swelling, and bloo...

Posted in Aging In Place
Caregiver University
What Are the Benefits of Patient Safety Devices While Aging At Home?
As the age distribution of individuals in the US continues to shift, growing conversations about home safety and aging in place are taking place. According to the US census bureau, more than 56 million Americans in the United States are over the age of 65. With growing fall risk, cognitive decline, and safety concerns in this population, it’s imperative that home environments are...

Posted in Aging In Place
Caregiver University
How to Choose the Best Alarm for Deaf People
As an increasing number of people face hearing loss, it becomes crucial to have alarms that cater to their needs. Approximately 15% of American adults have hearing loss, and traditional audible alarms may not effectively alert them during emergencies such as fires, burglaries, or severe weather. To ensure safety, it's important to choose the right alarm specifically designed for deaf individuals.
There ...

Posted in Homecare Hospital Beds And Mattresses
Caregiver University
Gel-Prevented Bedsores: Mattress Toppers [An Expert Nurse Recommends]
Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, occur when a specific skin area and underlying tissue are subjected to prolonged pressure, causing damage and eventual skin breakdown. This is a common problem among bedridden patients, especially those unable to reposition themselves regularly. In fact, 10% of nursing home residents have acquired bedsores. Several ...

Top 6 Oxygen Concentrators for Home Use
Supplemental oxygen therapy is a medical treatment that effectively helps people with COPD, emphysema, COVID-19, and other breathing issues to receive the necessary amount of oxygen to function and stay healthy. Hypoxemia, characterized by low levels of oxygen in the blood, can result in organ failure and be life-threatening if left untreated. To address this condition, doctors may recommend supplemental oxygen therapy to restore oxygen levels to a heal...

Ozempic (semaglutide), a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, has emerged as a promising treatment option for individuals with type 2 diabetes – a chronic metabolic disorder. This condition is characterized by the body's inability to properly utilize insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, leading to prolonged high blood sugar levels and various health complications (via the Mayo Clinic).
In the United States, over 37 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes...

Multiple sclerosis is a progressive neurological disease that can become debilitating over time. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society reports that approximately one million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). The number of impacted adults has more than doubled over the past 40 years, proving there is a need for more research and awareness about the disease, as much is still not understood.
While there are several known risk factors, including genet...

Antibiotics are a type of medication that are used to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics have a long history, dating back centuries when people used mold and other natural substances to treat infections (via Microbiology Society). However, it wasn't until the twentieth century that the real magic began. In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, a natural antibiotic produced by the mold Penicillium. This was a game-changer in the medical world, as it was the first effective treatm...

Huntington's disease is a rare genetic disorder that affects only a small percentage of the world's population, according to Fondazione LRH. It is a neurological condition that primarily involves the nervous system. The damage is cumulative, resulting in various symptoms that can make daily life difficult. The genetic component was discovered in 1993 and linked to the HTT gene, which produces abnormal proteins that destroy specific neurons in the brain.
Individual symptoms of Huntington's dis...

While chemotherapy is a common treatment, fear of the unknown is a genuine concern. Regardless of how common therapy may be, your experiences and journey will be unique to you. Learning about chemotherapy options, goals, and potential side effects is essential to help prepare your mind, body, and spirit.
There are many different types of chemotherapy, each designed for specific types of cancer or various conditions. The goal of chemotherapy is to cure cancer if possible, but if not, to contro...

Heather Collins, MSN, RN, CNOR is a registered nurse certified in the operating room and nursing leadership. Heather is also a passionate freelance health and wellness writer who enjoys translating complex medical terminology into easily digestible content for the general public.

As an RN, Heather is dedicated to caring for people and serving others by ensuring patients and families receive safe, competent care and are educated and empowered to manage complex medical conditions once they leav...

Heather is a freelance writer for Health Digest.
She writes about health and wellness, healthcare, and general interest topics.
Her work has been published on hospital intranet blogs and by healthcare marketing firms.
Experience
Heather Collins is a freelance writer who currently resides in Texas. She is passionate about healthcare, health and wellness, as well as writing about any topics that will benefit the wellbeing of others. Heather earned her master’s in nursing (MSN) in 1998 and is a ...

Ovarian cancer is often called a silent cancer because it typically exhibits vague or no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Even though it might be simple to ignore annoying signs, it is crucial to know what they are, especially if they linger or become persistent (via Siteman Cancer Center).
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 19,880 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the United States this year. Furthermore, the disease will claim the lives of more ...