Catheter Connection

Categories

Reeve Foundation Shares Todd Brown's Success Story

by Kier January 10, 2012 10:56
Last August the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation chose our Founder & CEO, Todd Brown, as their next success story highlighting lives of those with paralysis who have risen above the struggles. The series includes videos on other inspirational people like Jesse Billauer from Life Rolls On, Scott Chesney, and Bob Yant from Cure Medical - just to name a few. View the video below which tells about how Todd was injured and how he and his family adjusted to his new life in a wheelchair.


View the blog post about the video shoot from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation blog here.
     

180 Medical is one of America's fastest growing nationally accredited providers of sterile-use catheters, urologic, and disposable medical supplies. 180 Medical is used as a referral source for some of the top rehabilitation facilities, pediatric hospitals and urologists in the world because of their extensive knowledge and customer care. The company has offices across the country and their products are covered by thousands of health plans, insurance networks, and state Medicaid programs. 

Diet Tips for a Healthy Bladder

by Catheter Experts November 9, 2011 13:12
Certain parts of your body can benefit from eating specific Tips for a Healthy Bladderfoods, which help keep those parts healthy and free of illness and disease. The bladder is an important part of your body, keeping waste from building up within your body and keeping you healthy. However, you must work to keep your bladder healthy so it can do its job. You can do this by eating specific foods that have been found to improve the health of your bladder.

Fruits & Vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables have a positive impact on your bladder health, as well as on your overall health. Fruits, especially cranberries, can provide your bladder with a protective layer that prevents bacteria from growing into an infection of the bladder. For some people, drinking cranberry juice at the first symptoms of a bladder or urinary tract infection can cut off the infection before it sets in. Pears are another good example of a fruit that has a positive impact on the bladder, helping to balance acidity in the body.

Water
Water is important for anyone to drink to remain hydrated. Water is also good for flushing bacteria for your system. However, it is important to balance drinking enough water with drinking too much. If you feel as though you are constantly using the bathroom due to your water consumption, it is time to cut back. The amount of water a person requires varies and may take some trial and error before you find the right balance for you.

Whole Grains
The consumption of whole grains serves multiple purposes toward your overall health. Eating whole grain breads, pastas and rice has a positive impact on your digestive health, of which your bladder plays a role. These foods can also help with weight loss. Being overweight can have a negative impact on your bladder health because of the amount of work your body requires it to do. 

Yogurt
Some women already know that eating yogurt can help fight off yeast infections. However, many people don't realize that eating yogurt can also play a positive role in your bladder health. Yogurt has active bacteria that your body needs to balance itself. Studies have shown that eating yogurt can help reduce the risk of developing bladder cancer by keeping the cells of your bladder healthy.

Fiber
Foods high in fiber may not have a direct impact on the health of your bladder, but they can fight constipation. When your body is constipated, your intestines place more pressure on the bladder. This can make you feel as though you need to urinate more often and can have a negative impact on your bladder health. Therefore, eating fiber-rich foods, such as apples, raisins, strawberries, popcorn, peas, beans and broccoli, fight constipation and relieve the pressure on your bladder.

Protein
Protein is an essential element in maintaining your pelvic muscles and hormone regulation. Both the pelvic muscles and hormones in your body play a role in whether your bladder is healthy. Eating a diet high in protein helps your body to maintain itself, including the bladder. Some foods that are high in protein include meats, peanut butter and fish.

Irritants
In addition to eating the right things, it is also important to avoid eating certain things to avoid irritating your bladder. Caffeine is a primary irritant that can impact your bladder health. If you are prone to infections, it is best to avoid consuming caffeine-rich foods, such as coffee, chocolate and soda. Acidic and spicy foods can also negatively impact your bladder. However, as with many other health issues, moderation is the key to keeping your bladder healthy and enjoying the foods you love.
   

Why are we called 180 Medical?

by Kier October 6, 2011 12:21
One of the questions we hear from time to time is "Why are you named 180 Medical?" or "What does 180 Medical mean?". If you have been wondering too, here's your answer!

After our founder, Todd Brown, had a motocross accident and tried to get used to life with a spinal cord injury, he had a lot of trouble adjusting because he had recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs) that we almost too much to handle. In the first seven months after rehab, Todd got seven UTIs. 

He knew there had to be a better way. At a wheelchair race he met some friends, also in chairs, that had some life-changing advice. Todd learned that insurance covered his catheter supplies and he didn't have to reuse catheters. He also was introduced to the closed system catheter.

Closed system catheters allow secure, discreet catheterization and has an added safety feature called an introducer or insertion tip. The introducer tip allows the pre-lubricated catheter to bypass the highest concentrations of bacteria located in the first few millimeters of the urethra, significantly reducing the risk of infection.

180 MedicalThis advice and new-found product turned his life around, or did a "180". He stopped getting the UTIs he once got and started feeling better and was able to get on with his life. Todd's whole purpose of starting 180 Medical was to help others like him get the catheter supplies and information they need to stay healthy so they didn't have to go through what he did.

Now years later, Todd and his 180 Medical team has helped thousands of people receive their catheter supplies and educates them on UTI prevention