Clog-Blog

Did you know that with every online purchase at Suecos® you are supporting a charity project for children in need?

With your purchase online, our charity campaign “A clog for a clog” will give a pair of protective clogs to a barefoot child through a collaborating charity. Thanks to you we have already been able to send thousands of Suecos® clogs to children in need in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic over the past few years.

We are now planning our next project in cooperation with the NGO Infancia sin Fronteras. They advocate for basic needs to enable peaceful coexistence between nations and support to alleviate the effects of war and natural disasters on civilians with special emphasis on children and their mothers being more vulnerable in such situations. Infancia sin Fronteras are especially active in Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Honduras, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Nigeria and Bolivia – with the aim to primarily support the socially underprivileged without any discrimination.

In doing their work they focus on following three main goals:    

1. Stimulate awareness in society by informing, educating and mobilizing broader population groups and supporting child welfare in underdeveloped countries.    
2. Humanitarian aid    
3. International development cooperation through identifying relevant problems, carrying out projects, cooperation with local communities and opponents in order to improve actual living conditions; and the groundwork for developing a future for a country’s population and particularly their children.

For instance, Infancia sin Fronteras has been working in Nicaragua reaching 14.000 children in 24 development centres for over 10 years enabling free access to meals, education, medical and psychological attention. After years of hard work a variety of education possibilities have opened up to all age groups of the population: primary and elementary schools, professional education and creative craftwork. They have also worked with young mothers and consolidation of local capacities and skills.

With special thanks to Infancia sin Fronteras, Suecos® can be part of their charity project and we are very grateful to our clients: without YOU this wouldn’t be possible!

Find out more about our charity campaign "A clog for a clog".

Health Apps are flooding the market; you might have tried one for personal fitness, diet or an allergy warning for pollen forecast. But what is your experience with Medical Apps?

Are they really getting patients more involved? We are talking about mobile apps that support patients on medical matters – for example to detect possible illnesses at early stages, to help people live a health-improving lifestyle or to facilitate a chronic disease patient’s life. This includes diagnosis apps or for instance apps for diabetes patients which record data like blood sugar levels or blood pressure, and monitor personal diet and physical exercise which can later be shared with the doctor. These apps also remind patients in a preventative way to check their blood sugar levels and take medicine.

Following a survey of 1500 physicians in the United States, 37% have already prescribed a mobile medical app to their patients. In addition, in the UK the NHS already tries to get patients more involved by encouraging apps – and this use also results in reduced visits to doctors. However the majority of doctors remain unconvinced and would not prescribe apps because of lack of regulatory oversight and non-existing longitudinal data of apps' effectiveness. They are also aware of the likely overwhelming amount of data patients would submit. However, tendencies clearly show that more and more patients are “self-tracking” and would like to access their patient files electronically. Almost half of the over 60 year olds regularly use the internet, of which one in three record blood pressure and weight (38%), one in six people log physical exercise (15%)  and one out of 10 document their symptoms (9%). Patients seem to be ready to use medical apps but until now they come with risks. Authoritative regulations and controls are not yet in place and most apps do not comply with approved standards for medical devices such as the CE mark. Further, issues regarding liability and remuneration impede online communication between patients and doctors.  

Nevertheless, a lot of apps are useful especially when they relate to prevention aspects - for example regarding vaccination. Though it is recommended to be aware of data security and to be sure which data is shared with whom. Evaluations and recommendations by independent third parties who assess the range of benefits and restrictions of each app should help choosing the right app for you. In the end it’s all about you: be involved and active regarding your health – all the better if an app can help you in doing so!

Sources : 

http://www.prlog.org/12286663-quantiamd-poll-finds-physicians-are-split-on-use-of-medical-apps-and-42-believe-more-regulation.html

http://www.ibusiness.de/aktuell/db/278848jg.html

In today’s everyday life our health does not always get the attention it deserves. Every year in April on World Health Day the World Health Organization (WHO) calls attention to consciously live a healthier life.

Inspired by World Health Day, we put together 5 points how to stay healthy:

1. You are what you eat. Most of us know that we should stick to a healthy and balanced diet with lots of fruit and veg with a reduced intake of red meat, milk or wheat products. Especially in the cold months nutrition rich in vitamins is vital to strengthen our immune system. But do you make sure your diet contains antioxidants? Antioxidants absorb free radicals which are reputed to cause cancer, cardiovascular diseases, varicose veins, dementia and even eye problems. Superfoods – like avocado, mango, chia seeds or raw cocoa just to mention a few – are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants as well as essential amino acids and with daily intake have an extremely positive impact on our health. They help to prevent chronic diseases, cardiovascular problems, indigestion and cancer and moreover boost brain performance.

2. No pain, no gain? Exercise reduces stress physically and psychologically. Regular physical activity keeps our body and soul fit and becomes even more important in later age. Physically active people have a lower risk of getting diabetes, heart and brain benefit from improved blood quality, e.g. lower cholesterol. It prevents the build up of dangerous plaques in the arterial system which lowers the risk of a heart attack or stroke. An increasing lack of exercise is also related to rising numbers of mental-health problems like depression. It is never too late to start! If you are physically active and even exhaust yourself a little you can truly relax afterwards. 

3. A good sleep keeps us healthy and makes us clever. Whoever sleeps less than 7 hours a day is 3 times more likely to get a cold than other people. With long term sleep problems comes the increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. We need sleep to regenerate and to stay healthy and dynamic. During deep sleep a growth hormone is released that stimulates healing processes and the regeneration of the cells in our body so that our skin and organs can be renewed. Our brain links new connections between neurons, assimilates motoric skills like playing piano or cycling and memorizes the impressions of the day. While sleeping we also release the hormone leptin so that our body won’t perceive hunger during the night – so sleep even keeps us slim!

4. Have a break! These days we hear more and more of people who suffer burnouts or depression – even in top management positions. A healthy proportion of stress can actually be beneficial for our wellbeing and development. However our body needs to recover just as it does after strenuous physical exercise. Regeneration phases are very important in the prevention of burnouts, both physical and mental. That can mean to consciously pause for a moment or switch off your mobile during breaks. Regeneration can also be physical exercise, laughing with colleagues or spending quality time with your loved ones.

5. Do you pay attention to what you absorb through your skin? For good reason we protect our skin against UV light but do we also think of possible chemicals which we can absorb through contact with the skin, such as azo dyes, nanoparticles and biocides? Many cosmetic products contain chemicals which affect our hormones or nanoparticles which our body absorbs through the skin. Long term implications are often unclear. Industry uses azo dyes in textiles for brilliant and long lasting colours for years, some of which have been identified as cancer causing. Nowadays it is impossible not to be exposed to chemicals but you can consciously avoid them by checking your clothing for certifications like the CE mark, renounce fabric softeners and prefer natural or organic cosmetics. By the way, all our shoes are tested and certified by the German test laboratory TÜV Rheinland and conform to the legal and recommended requirements for shoes including the CE mark!

We all know that what grabs your attention the most is the colourful robes from doctors and nurses, but nowadays footwear is asking for it’s own space in the workplace because of the look, comfortability and safety it should provide the professional with. That’s exactly why I wrote the 8 reasons why sanitaty workers should wear appropiate footwear:

1. Corns and Bunions: Survival of the sanitary staff in its medical habitat requires a great deal of ATP to move from one place to another, which can result in the formation of the feared corns and bunions. If you want to prevent them you should find a good removable insole for your shoe. Pick an insole made from a soft material, with some width and if possible, with ventilation holes under the toes, on the step and with a rugged and flexible texture.

2. Back Pain: If you don’t want to end up being the hunchback from the hospital, pay attention to the heel on your shoes. Regardless of the fact that many walk through the hospital like it was London Fashion Week, high heels are strictly prohibited: they should have an average height from 2 to 4 centimeters, so that the shoe is not flat but it’s not too high so that it overwhelms the ball of your foot with too much weight. A very high heel will result in early fatigue, circulatory problems, foot pain, bunions, hammer toes and deformities of the backbone with chronic pain. It is recommended that the width of the heel and the front part of the shoe are the same, to provide a stable base for balance.

3. Protection against toxic substances and infections: Why should we kid ourselves? The hospital is a hostile environment in which the slightest mistake can result into death. We are continually dealing with toxic drugs, contaminated samples with the deadliest microorganisms and yes, bleach and disinfectants will destroy an unsuitable shoe. To protect ourselves against these dangers we should wear an EVA shoe that covers our feet completely, especially reinforced in the upper part and the sole, preventing liquid or syringes coming through.

4. Anti-slip: If we don’t want to slip while we are in the hospital’s cafeteria and turn into the laughingstock of your workplace, you should wear a shoe with an anti-slip outer sole. In relation to the friction, the sole should have some sort of drawing or pattern in the front and back to ease the evacuation of contaminats, preventing slips and facilitating your grip while you walk. Soft materials and holes on top should be avoided, preventing any fluids to come in contact with your feet.

5. Good looks: Nobody likes being treated by gross sanitary staff, let alone seeing their footwear covered in vomit and blood stains. To prevent this, find a waterproof shoe that doesn’t absorb stains and that is easily washable. Plus, try to find the nicest looking ones: there’s a lot of sexual tension in the hospital and you never know what can happen…

6. Comfort: As we have commented before, us sanitary workers move a lot, and that’s exactly why we should save as much energy as possible while wearing a light and comfortable shoe. When wearing an EVA shoe, we are making sure that we are using lightweight footwear, and as far as comfort goes, we should find a shoe that has no inner stitching that could result in annoying chafing. The inside of your shoe should feel soft.

7.Good hold: The typical thing happens and you find yourself running through the hallway with a fridge containing a heart for transplant and your shoe slips out, you stumble and fall and the fridge opens and the heart falls out and the rest is history. It is common among sanitary workers to wear open-back shoes, that hold the risk of inestability and in many cases, of your feet slipping out. Always seek out a shoe that has a strap in the back of the shoe so that your feet is always in a comfortable grip.

8. Breathing: It’s good to get a shoe that lets your feet breathe through ventilation holes, and if possible, that they are located strategically in places where liquid will not come in, preferably on the sides of your shoe. It is of extreme importance to find a good removable insole as well, so that sweat is absorbed and no nasty odors are produced, while improving comfort and thermic sensation.

Written by FranciscoPJ MedicinaJoven
You can follow him on his twitter @medicinajoven

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