If you have a medical condition or are taking certain medications, it's essential that you communicate this information immediately to any medical personnel who may treat you. Standard procedures – from blood pressure measurement to the administration of medications – may be inappropriate or even life threatening for some people; if doctors or nurses or EMT's aren't properly informed, things can go wrong very quickly.
A medical ID bracelet, necklace or even a USB memory stick is the best option for people who require special care. They are easy to find and emergency personnel are trained to look for them. More to the point, they speak for you when you can't speak for yourself.
It's important to be informed about your own health, and in many cases you will be able to explain your medical needs to a doctor. But your education, memory and speaking ability don't mean a thing if you are unconscious and being carried into an ambulance.
And what about young children who can't be expected to wax rhapsodic about their allergies, medications and recent surgeries? In short, by wearing a medical ID product you and your loved ones will be prepared for any medical emergency.
A medical ID tag should be engraved with additional medical conditions, such as lymphedema, and current medications. This will ensure that medical personnel don't take blood pressure readings, give injections, or draw blood from an engorged limb.
Medical IDs are especially relevant for lymphoma patients who have undergone treatment, particularly radiation therapy. Such patients are at risk for secondary lymphedema, a potentially life-threatening condition that causes fluid retention (and therefore swelling) in the soft tissues. For people who have lymphedema, there are very specific procedures that must be avoided. Those who are prone to secondary lymphedema must be treated with special care to avoid increasing the risk.
Taking care to convey medical information to medical personnel can be a matter of life and death. Due to internet shopping and the proliferation of medical ID designs, it's easier than ever not only purchase a medical ID, but to purchase an attractive medical ID. Don't wait another minute.