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Teenagers
with Chronic Illnesses A website for teens and young adults with chronic illnesses |
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About
our Illnesses Announcements
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Driving Driving when you have NMH can be a real challenge. remember, when you are driving it is putting you in the very worst position imaginable, legs down, sitting up straight, the perfect way that can make your blood pressure drop. From my physical thearpist i was given a pressure garment. Not the most attractive thing out there, but certainly a good idea to wear when you are driving. This pressure garment velcroes around your waist. It is made up of 3 layers of elastic material and each tighten around your stomach. This garment keep the blood in your head, and stops it from going below your waist and pooling in your legs, therefore stopping the blood dropping effect that happens in NMH people. Wear a thin little shirt, then put the pressure garment on top of that, followed by a normal shirt over it. This way, no one will be able to see that you are wearing it. There are also tight pantyhose out there that you can wear. They are called TEDS. They come in different lengths, but usually the ones that go completely up to yuour waist are the best. These, like the pressure garmet press on your legs, therefore stopping the blood from pooling in them. You can wear them under pants, so no one can see them. Make sure that when you drive you are always with someone. Don't drive long distances. Keep it short and simple. Take it slow. When you feel like you are getting tired, do not push yourself, tell whoever is in the car with you that you need to stop. Pull over to the side of the road and switch. It is very important that you listen to your body, and don't drive when you are lightheaded, dizzy, etc. Driving while not feeling well is dangerous to yourself and others on the road. If
you have something to say about driving that you'd like to see displayed,
please click the 'contact me' link on the left bar to email me. |