Aortic Aneurysm Repair- What to Expect at Home?

Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair refers to a surgical process a doctor conducts to repair the aorta’s widened area. The aorta is a large artery that supplies blood to the pelvis, belly, and legs. When you suffer from an aortic aneurysm, one part of the artery enlarges or balloons outward. Typically, you can suffer from this condition due to weak arterial walls.

Thanks to advanced medical facilities, such as Elizabeth MedSpa, you receive quick and effective surgical treatment. A competent physician like Dr. Elizabeth Pensler can fix a bulging and weak section of your aorta through thin tubes to put a graft in the aneurysm. This might make the insertion area sore for nearly 2 weeks.

Complete recovery may take more than three weeks post-surgery. You must take good care of yourself during the recovery period to avoid complications. Here is what you can do to ensure a healthy recovery after your aortic aneurysm repair surgery.

Aortic Aneurysm Repair- What to Expect at Home

#1 | Home Care Activities Post Surgery

• Rest if you feel fatigued. It is important to get enough sleep to recover faster
• Walk every day. Start with a five-minute walk and then gradually increase the amount and time. Walking boosts your blood flow and prevents constipation and pneumonia.
• Avoid any hard and strenuous activities, such as jogging, bicycle riding, weight lifting, and aerobic exercise. You need to consult your doctor before starting a strenuous activity.
• Don’t drive until your doctors allow you to
• You may need to take complete rest after surgery for at least 2 to 3 weeks, depending on your condition and the work you do

#2 | Diet Post Surgery

• There are no special diet restrictions after aortic aneurysm repair surgery. However, try eating low-fat foods like boiled chicken, plain rice, yogurt, and toast.
• Try drinking plenty of water and fluids
• You might experience poor and irregular bowel movements right after the surgery. While it is a common post-surgery side effect, it is essential to avoid straining with bowel movements. Take an effective fiber supplement to regulate it.

#3 | Medication Post Surgery

• Your health professional will guide you about restarting your medication. You’ll also get instructions regarding any new medicines.
• Make sure that you ask your doctor about blood thinners or aspirin (if you take them). It might not be safe to continue using them post-surgery.
• Take pain killers exactly as instructed

Summing Up

All in all, keep in mind that follow-up care post aortic aneurysm repair surgery is a key part of your safety and treatment. You need to be careful about your daily activities and doctor’s appointments. Call your doctor if you notice some health changes.

Reach out to Dr. Pensler for more information regarding your aortic aneurysm repair surgery and ways to recover faster.

Links

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007391.htm

https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=ud2953

Dos and Don’ts after Your Blood Clot Treatment

Doctors use a variety of blood-thinning medications to prevent a blood clot from developing or getting bigger. Thrombolytic medication breaks down existing clots, while expert physicians like Dr. Pensler recommend Catheter-directed treatments, such as percutaneous transcatheter, to solve the issue.

Regardless of the treatment that your doctors prescribe for you, it’s important that you’re aware of the dos and don’ts after your blood clot treatment.

Blood Clot Treatment

– Do –

#1 | Be Watchful for Signs of another DVT

If you have recently undergone a deep vein thrombosis in your arms or legs, it doesn’t mean that you will not develop the condition again. In fact, you might feel swelling in the limb after treatment. You can also feel mild pressure or pain in the chest after a clot in the lungs.

However, it is important to watch out for worse pressure or pain in the calf. It might be a signal or sign of a new DVT. Fainting or shortness of breath often shows that another PE is forming.

#2 | Be Aware of Your Odds

If you’ve had a blood clot before — whether in your leg, arm, or lungs — your chances of another one are higher. Your risk is also greater if you:

If you have suffered from a blood clot in the past, whether in the arm, leg, or lungs, the chances of getting another one are always higher. The risk is greater if you’re;

• a cancer patient, have an inflammatory disorder, a blood clotting disorder, or a rheumatologic disorder
• over 40
• obese or overweight
• a Smoker and take pregnancy control pills

#3 | Get Moving

Exercises such as swimming or walking help you heal faster after a clot. They can boost blood flow, immunity and make you more active. Keep in mind that if you have suffered from pulmonary embolism, physical activities that involve fast heart pumping such as dancing or running make your vital organs, like your lungs, much stronger.

But make sure that you talk to your consultant first about appropriate physical activities for you.

#4 | Ask About Medications You Take

If you’re on warfarin or other blood thinners, avoid taking aspirin unless a medical expert allows you. It is because it may raise your chances of bleeding.

Some antibiotics can prevent your medication from having the desired effect on your body. Not to mention, you need to be careful when taking over-the-counter supplements.

– Don’t –

#1 | Hurt Yourself

Your physicians may give you some clot-fighting drugs such as blood thinners or anticoagulants. They may make you bleed from minor injuries. That is why it is important to be careful while performing activities that involve the risk of getting a bruise. Wear gloves while handling sharp objects and ask your doctors regarding activities that are not safe for you.

#2 | Eat the Unhealthy Foods

If you’re on blood thinner warfarin to fend off clots, you will need to be careful about your diet. Eating food with vitamin K can affect the way drugs work. Vitamin K can affect how the drug works. So you have to be careful about the amount of what you eat.

That is to say, refrain from eating the high amounts of

• kale
• Brussels sprouts
• spinach
• mustard greens
• chard, or collard

Green tea, alcohol, cranberry juice can affect medicines like blood thinners. So speak to your doctor first.

Summing Up

All in all, DVT takes time to heal completely. That is why you need to be careful about post-treatment dos and don’ts.

Consult Dr.Pensler to learn more about the best post-treatment dos and don’ts

Link

https://www.webmd.com/dvt/ss/slideshow-after-blood-clot

Carotid Artery Surgery: The Procedure

Your body’s vascular system comprises a carotid artery on each side of your neck. Its function is to bring a healthy amount of oxygenated blood to your face and brain. However, when the vein suffers from a blockage, there is a disruption in the blood flow to the brain and face. As the name of the condition suggests, blood deficiency to the brain can be severe. Similarly, the face can experience noticeable changes, like bulging of the veins.

For that, most people opt for carotid artery surgery to remove plaque buildup inside the carotid veins. Reputable cosmetic and surgical vein and vascular institutes like Elizabeth Face & Body Med Spa can help address your carotid artery condition. If you require surgical treatment options, Dr. Elizabeth Pensler can help. She possesses the experience, training, and expertise in performing vascular surgeries.

CarotidArterySurgicalProcedure

Firstly, your surgeon might use a local anesthetic to see how your brain responds to the numbness and anesthetic effects. The surgery usually takes place on an outpatient basis and needs no more than a few hours. Often, patients have permission to go back home after the procedure.

The Procedure

The procedure will begin when your surgeon provides a local or general anesthetic to sedate you. This will cause numbness around the affected area of the body and increase the amount of time that you’re out of consciousness. This is so that you, i.e., the patient, don’t feel any discomfort or pain. The main goal is to cut into the neck through a precise incision and safely remove the plaque, which is causing the blockage and restricted blood flow to the brain and face inside the carotid artery.

While the brain and face will receive blood on the other side of the neck, the surgeon will use precise instruments to clamp the carotid artery on one side of the neck while the surgery is in progress.

Your surgeon may use a tube to help with rerouting the blood flow around the targeted carotid artery. Following that, they will utilize proper surgical instruments to remove the fatty plaque and help restore the blood flow by patching up the artery and neck incision with stitches. For the fluid buildup in your neck, the surgeon may use a drain. After removing the plaque, your surgeon will release the clamp and stitch off the carotid artery in place.

Conclusion

If you require adequate treatment for your vascular disease and condition, you should look for the best vascular surgeon around. At Elizabeth Face & Body Med Spa, Dr. Elizabeth Pensler performs effective vascular surgeries and treatment procedures to help you with your venous and arterial conditions.

The institute operates on the basis of compassion towards patients and using the latest technology. You can get the best medical assistance to overcome and counter the symptoms of your vascular condition with guidance from the renowned surgeon Dr. Pensler.

ReferenceLinks:

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002951.htm

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16849-carotid-artery-disease-carotid-endarterectomy

https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/neuroscience-blog/2019/september/carotid-artery-disease

Peripheral Artery Disease – What are the Risks?

Peripheral artery disease or PAD is a condition that blocks the marginal arteries from taking blood from the heart to other body parts. Lower-extremity, for instance, is the widespread form of PAD that reduces blood flow in feet and legs.

Like PAD, coronary artery disease is also caused by a condition known as atherosclerosis- the buildup of plaque (mainly fat) in the arteries. The accumulation of this plaque narrows or blocks the arteries throughout the body or parts like arms, legs, kidneys, heart, and brain.

If you suffer from PAD, learning about the risk factors associated with the disease may help you find the best treatment.

Some Quick Facts

The common symptoms of PAD are fatigue, cramping, pain, discomfort, aching in the hip or leg muscles while climbing or walking stairs. This pain typically goes away with sleeping or rest and may return when you walk or climb stairs again.

Keep in mind that:

• Many people confuse PAD symptoms or signs for something else.
• PAD may go undiagnosed by many health care professionals.
• People with PAD have a high risk of developing coronary artery disease, stroke, and heart attack
• If left untreated, the disease may lead to amputation and gangrene

Understanding the Risks Associated with PAD

If you smoke or have Type 2 diabetes, you’re at high risk of developing PAD symptoms. If you have any risks for peripheral artery disease, you must undergo screening even there are no symptoms. However, there are some risk factors you can’t control. These may include;

Increasing age

• Age 70 and older
• Less than 40 with Type 2 diabetes and other risks for atherosclerosis
• Age 50 to 65 with risks for developing atherosclerosis

Family or personal history of PAD

• Stroke
• Cardiovascular disease

Common Symptoms of PAD

While many patients with PAD don’t experience any symptoms, others may have symptoms like;

• Pain, achiness, heaviness, or numbness in the leg muscles while walking
• Weak pulses in the feet or legs
• Sores on the toes or legs that have slow healing
• A bluish or pale color to the skin
• Poor or slow nail growth and leg hair growth
• Erectile dysfunction in men with diabetes

Controllable Risk Factors of PAD

Managing some risk factors associated with PAD is possible. These may include;

• Cigarettesmoking – Smokers are at higher risk of PAD, compared to nonsmokers. Quitting smoking may help reduce the risk.
• HighBloodPressure – Hypertension is called “the silent killer” as it shows no symptoms. You must monitor your BP to control PAD symptoms.
• Type2Diabetes– If you have diabetes, it may put you at greater risk for PAD and other cardiovascular diseases. It would be best if you managed diabetes to avoid the risk.

SummingUp

All in all, controlling the risk factors is an effective way to reduce the chances of developing PAD and improve your overall health. We recommend you to work with a vein consultant such as Dr. Pensler to screen your health condition and prevent symptoms.

Visit Dr.Pensler’s medical facility for screening and health care guidance!

Links

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/peripheral-artery-disease/about-peripheral-artery-disease-pad

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/188939

https://medlineplus.gov/peripheralarterialdisease.html

What are the Complications of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome?

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome, or PCS for short, is a condition in which women struggle with varicose veins around their pelvic region and lower abdomen. The veins appear swollen, bulged, and twisted due to arterial pressure that builds up, most commonly during pregnancy and post-childbirth. Women who go through childbirth more than once are more likely to suffer from Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. The veins in the pelvic region function poorly and result in dull-aching pain in the affected area. The pain worsens and leads to sudden changes in vein appearance and greater pain.

At Elizabeth Face & Body Med Spa, Dr. Elizabeth Pensler, one of the top vascular disease surgeons, offers excellent care. After consulting Dr. Pensler, you can be sure to get the best treatment for your pelvic congestion syndrome symptoms.

ComplicationsofPelvicCongestionSyndrome

Firstly, you have to note that this condition begins with aching and dull pain around the pelvic region in women. The pain may be benign initially but can readily worsen over time. Hence, the condition can become intolerable if left unattended for long. There is a wide range of symptoms that can arise during this condition.

Acute/ChronicSymptomsofPCS

• Occurrence and worsening of backache
• Abnormal bleeding during the menstrual cycle
• Emergence of varicose veins around the thighs and pelvic region
• Increased urination frequency
• Abnormal discharge through the vagina
• Depression/Fatigue/Painful menstruation
• Vulva/Vagina swelling

VarietyofComplicationsinPelvicCongestionSyndrome

Sexual intercourse can become difficult and painful during pelvic congestion syndrome. That’s because the condition pertains to pelvic region weakness and numbness. Movement of thighs and muscles around the vulva/vagina can cause mild to chronic pain in women patients. More importantly, prolonged standing can result in leg and abdominal pain. Once the condition is in the chronic stage, pain can persist even when resting.

For prompt relief, it is advisable to get help from a licensed and certified vascular surgeon near you. You shouldn’t delay the treatment of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome as the chances of this condition worsening or emerging increase immensely after childbirth and during pregnancy. Chronic menstrual cycles and abnormal vaginal discharge can cause weakness and lethargy, which results in a loss of energy. In turn, this can cause severe depression.

Fear of pregnancy upon diagnosis of this condition is a common concept that can alter and manipulate the lifestyle and other conditions significantly, affecting your relationship in the long run.

Conclusion

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is a condition that involves poor blood flow around the pelvic area. For most people, pelvic pain has become a daily problem, yet many don’t opt for timely medical intervention.

You can gain the best medical support that Elizabeth Face & Body Med Spa has to offer for your Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. At the institute, Dr. Elizabeth Pensler is a top-tier vascular surgeon who applies the latest technology and guidance to provide relief from venous and arterial conditions.

ReferenceLinks:

https://www.bsir.org/patients/pelvic-venous-congestion-syndrome/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560790/

https://www.healthline.com/health/pelvic-congestion-syndrome

What Should You Know About Renal Dialysis Access?

When your kidneys fail, there is no way to filter out waste products and toxins from the blood. In this case, dialysis acts as a suitable treatment for people and helps remove waste from the bloodstream. If you have lost your kidneys or suffer from failing kidneys, dialysis is a suitable treatment. For the dialysis procedure, a surgeon will create a renal dialysis access, a vascular access into your bloodstream. That’s how dialysis helps to filter out waste and toxins from the blood.

At Pensler Vein and Vascular Surgical Institute, you can opt for the best care in terms of vein and vascular treatments. The institute believes in treating patients with compassion and care and using the latest technology for effective treatments.

HowCanYouCareforYourAccess?

Dialysis doesn’t take place on its own. To remove the toxins and waste product from the blood, there has to be some point of access to the bloodstream. For that, doctors suggest getting renal dialysis access. This vascular access connects your bloodstream to an artificial kidney that filters out your blood.

The vascular access may comprise a fistula, catheter, or even a graft. This access is critical to your dialysis procedure and should receive top-quality care from you. Here are some of the best care tips and all that you need to know about renal dialysis access. Read carefully and ensure that you take all the necessary steps to protect your renal dialysis access to prevent any hiccups in your dialysis procedures.

Catheter

• Cather dressing should change after every session (Dialysis) by the care team
• Ensure the catheter dressing is dry and clean
• Don’t allow air into your catheter
• Store an emergency dressing kit to restore or replace your catheter dressing by yourself

Graft/Fistula

• Inquire the dressing area to see if there is any redness, pimple growth, or warmth near the access
• Clean using antibacterial soaps after dialysis every day
• Avoid scabbing or scratching
• Ensure the access needle rotation after each session

WhatMayHappenAfterHemodialysis

Dialysis removes toxins and waste products from your body when your kidneys can’t function. It is an important procedure that uses a dialyzer as an artificial kidney to filter your blood. The process can be as long as 3-5 hours, depending on your condition. Some people have to go through 3-hour-long sessions three times every week.

The side effects of these sessions could include low blood pressure, dizziness, and nausea. Other effects include headaches, muscle cramps, itchy skin, back pain, and chest pain.

Conclusion

There are several ways to ensure the safety and protection of your renal dialysis access. However, the best advice can come from the right vein and vascular surgeon around you. You can receive the required vascular treatments and care at Pensler Vein and Vascular Surgical Institute at the hands of renowned vascular surgeon Dr. Elizabeth Pensler.

ReferenceLinks:

https://www.kidney.org/sites/default/files/11-50-0216_va.pdf

https://preferredvasculargroup.com/2020/01/things-to-know-about-dialysis-access/