About Medical Alert Bracelets

Medical alert bracelets can save lives. Anyone with an existing health condition should wear a medical alert ID to help first responders, paramedics, nurses and physicians readily identify a potential cause of a life-threatening situation, as well as to identify any drug allergies, next of kin and other valuable medical information when you cannot speak for yourself.

The Facts

It is important for patients with diabetes, heart disease, pacemakers, defibrillators, history of seizures, stroke, neurological disease or severe drug allergies to identify themselves as having these conditions. Medical alert bracelets can alert health care providers to any obvious causes of unresponsiveness or a decreased level of consciousness. Breast cancer survivors or anyone who has had lymph nodes removed may be at risk for lymphedema and should wear a medical alert ID, cautioning health care providers not to draw blood or attempt blood pressure readings in the affected arm.

In situations involving traumatic injury, underlying health problems that can be readily identified can reduce the risk of complications during treatment.

Type

Medical alert bracelets come in all types and can be found from a variety of retailers. The most elaborate carry designer names and can be as ornate as desired. They can be very fashionable, and depending on your taste, you may even enjoy wearing your medical alert bracelet much as you would any fine piece of jewelry.

Watches, sports bands, necklaces and bracelets can be obtained from any retailer of medical alert IDs. Prices vary greatly depending on the model, but you can purchase a stainless steel necklace for less than $30. Other options include gold, sterling silver, titanium with steel and gold filled IDs.

Benefits

Other conditions that can be included on a medical alert ID include Alzheimer's disease, chemotherapy, blood thinning medications, food allergies and even the name and phone number of your family doctor. Co-existing health conditions should also be considered, such as patients with a pacemaker and history of heart failure and/or diabetes, and you should even include hearing impairment. Many people include the name of their next of kin on their ID, also making rapid notification of family an added benefit to the benefit of knowing any kind of disease you might have.

Significance

Aside from using a medical alert bracelet to identify major health problems, maintaining a normal medicine regimen for co-existing health care problems such as diabetic drugs, pain medication, eye drops and other less critical health issues can prevent complications. You might also consider keeping an updated list of medications including dosage and frequency in your wallet.

Misconceptions

It isn't hard to get a medical alert bracelet. Ask your doctor for a form to fill out to obtain a medical alert ID. Most health care providers have the forms available in the office.

There are multiple retail sites on the Internet and you can request a catalog from most. If you have a medical condition health care professionals should know about, you would be ill-advised not to have a medical alert ID of some type.