IN PRAISE OF ELECTRIC BLANKETS
By OLIVENE GODFREY
For several days, I've been under the weather with severe pain in my arthritic knees and lower back. The weather has been very cold here in North West Georgia. And the coldness seems to penetrate my bones. This past week son Barry, bless him, did some Christmas shopping for me. He will be at home several days this week on his Christmas holiday and we're planning to get much needed haircuts and do some other things. I am praying I will feel better soon.
We've been using our electric blankets on these cold nights. And, Barry did some research on the wonderful blankets. If you think that sleeping under an electric blanket causes you to feel better, you are right. A quarter of people purchasing electric blankets and heated mattress pads do so for health benefits beyond general comfort. Direct heat therapy is one of the main reasons for using the blankets. Applying heat to muscles increases blood flow; this enhances muscle nutrition which helps with healing and pain and eases sleep.
Heat provided by electric blankets relieves muscle pain and soreness caused by arthritis and fibronyalgia, according to The Arthritis Help book recommended by the Arthritis Foundation and the Arthritis 101. Those with Raynaud's phenomenon or post polio syndrome may use heated bedding to avoid damage and relieve discomfort caused by poor circulation or cold intolerance.
Electric blankets and mattress pads also can help health conditions indirectly, such as sinus conditions and allergies. They allow one to sleep in lower room temperature and avoid breathing hotter dry air. Conversely, the heat provided by these devices reduces moisture in the bedding, retarding the growth of dust mite populations, a common allergen; using an electric blanket for a month or turning a device on "high" for a few hours can reduce mite by 50 percent.
Due to the combination of heat, electricity, the abundance of flammable bedding material, and a sleeping occupant, the use of electric blankets is of concern to safety officials internationally, especially if the blankets are older than ten years and/or have been subject to damage, by creasing, flexing, fraying, or ordinary wear and tear. The blankets also present a burn risk to those who can't feel pain or are unable to react to it. Individuals included in this group are small children, diabetics and the elderly. Since I'm a diabetic and am elderly, I have a fairly new blanket and avoid turning heat up too high
I wish for you a very Merry Christmas and all good things forever.
By OLIVENE GODFREY
For several days, I've been under the weather with severe pain in my arthritic knees and lower back. The weather has been very cold here in North West Georgia. And the coldness seems to penetrate my bones. This past week son Barry, bless him, did some Christmas shopping for me. He will be at home several days this week on his Christmas holiday and we're planning to get much needed haircuts and do some other things. I am praying I will feel better soon.
We've been using our electric blankets on these cold nights. And, Barry did some research on the wonderful blankets. If you think that sleeping under an electric blanket causes you to feel better, you are right. A quarter of people purchasing electric blankets and heated mattress pads do so for health benefits beyond general comfort. Direct heat therapy is one of the main reasons for using the blankets. Applying heat to muscles increases blood flow; this enhances muscle nutrition which helps with healing and pain and eases sleep.
Heat provided by electric blankets relieves muscle pain and soreness caused by arthritis and fibronyalgia, according to The Arthritis Help book recommended by the Arthritis Foundation and the Arthritis 101. Those with Raynaud's phenomenon or post polio syndrome may use heated bedding to avoid damage and relieve discomfort caused by poor circulation or cold intolerance.
Electric blankets and mattress pads also can help health conditions indirectly, such as sinus conditions and allergies. They allow one to sleep in lower room temperature and avoid breathing hotter dry air. Conversely, the heat provided by these devices reduces moisture in the bedding, retarding the growth of dust mite populations, a common allergen; using an electric blanket for a month or turning a device on "high" for a few hours can reduce mite by 50 percent.
Due to the combination of heat, electricity, the abundance of flammable bedding material, and a sleeping occupant, the use of electric blankets is of concern to safety officials internationally, especially if the blankets are older than ten years and/or have been subject to damage, by creasing, flexing, fraying, or ordinary wear and tear. The blankets also present a burn risk to those who can't feel pain or are unable to react to it. Individuals included in this group are small children, diabetics and the elderly. Since I'm a diabetic and am elderly, I have a fairly new blanket and avoid turning heat up too high
I wish for you a very Merry Christmas and all good things forever.
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