Recovering from Vascular Surgery

Written By: Hann Wang

The arteries transport blood containing nutrients and oxygen to the rest of the body. Any blockage in the arteries or veins can lead to a number of symptoms, from painful cramping to numbness in the legs. Vascular disease can greatly affect quality of life for those who suffer from it. Treatment options depend on a number of factors, depending on the severity of the condition. However, surgery typically involves minimally-invasive catheter procedures or reconstruction of the affected arteries.

After undergoing vascular surgery to correct problems in the arteries, it is important to follow all instructions as laid out by your doctor. You will also be advised on what medications to take as you recover from the operation. Here we look at how to ensure a positive recovery.

Get Active as Soon as Possible

Physical activity is important to recover from any type of surgery. The first several weeks following an operation is a critical period as this is when most recovery occurs. Be sure to work closely with your physical therapist on a fitness plan that is tailored for you. While you should resume daily activities as soon as possible, it is also important not to push yourself too hard.

Ask About Medications

As with any type of surgery, you may need to take medications. You will likely need to take the same medications as you did prior to the operation, but the dosing may change once the procedure is finished. Be sure to speak with your physician and nursing team about the specifics of any medications you need to take.

Blood Thinning Medications

For patients who undergo vein surgery, such as having a blocked artery repaired, it is important to continue taking blood-thinning medications. Be sure that you know the correct dosage before taking the medication. Your doctor may want to monitor the dosage you take to ensure there are no problems with bleeding.

Make Lifestyle Changes

Recovering from vascular surgery means having to make some lifestyle changes. If you smoke, this is a good time to drop the habit as those who smoke are at higher risk of being diagnosed with vascular disease.

What Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Options Are Available?

Written By: Hann Wang

The heart is perhaps one of the most important organs in the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the rest of the body by pumping blood through the vessels. However, as with any organ in the body, the heart is also susceptible to a number of health conditions. One of these is atrial fibrillation, which is characterized by an irregular heartbeat. The condition affects approximately 2.7 million Americans and can be potentially fatal as it can result in blood clots or stroke.

Fortunately, there are treatment options available, but the actual course of action will depend on a number of factors. The main objective of treatment is to reset the heart’s rhythm and prevent blood clots. Here we take a closer look at atrial fibrillation treatment options and what you can expect.

Returning the Heartbeat to Normal

Doctors rely on a procedure called cardioversion to reset the heart’s rhythm to normal. This is done in one of two ways:

• Electric shocks: Patches are placed on the chest which then deliver an electric shock to momentarily stop the heart. Once the heart starts beating again, it will (hopefully) return to normal.
• Drugs: Cardioversion can also be done through medications called anti-arrhythmics to reset the heart’s rhythm. This is generally administered in the hospital so as to monitor your condition.

Other medications may also be prescribed to control heart rate. Additional medications for atrial fibrillation may be needed, depending on the individual.

Surgical Procedures

In some cases, medications or cardioversion may not work at returning the heart’s rhythm back to normal. Your doctor may recommend surgery as an alternative, which involves destroying part of the heart tissue that is responsible for sending erratic electrical signals.

One operation is known as the surgical maze procedure, which is conducted through open-heart surgery and creating a pattern of scar tissue in the upper chambers of the heart. The tissue interferes with electrical impulses so the procedure has a high success rate. Because the operation requires surgery, this option is generally reserved for those who do not respond well to cardioversion or medications.

These are some of the many treatment options that are available for atrial fibrillation.

Crohns Disease Overview

Written By: Hann Wang 

Crohns disease is a serious condition that considerably reduces quality of life for those diagnosed. The disease is a chronic illness in which areas of the digestive tract (from the mouth to the rectal area) swell and thicken due to inflammation. The small intestines are most commonly affected but it can also be found anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. 

While anyone can be diagnosed with Crohns disease, it is more prevalent among younger people between the ages of 15 and 35.

The following provides an overview of Crohns disease, including its symptoms and how it is treated.

Symptoms

Symptoms typically vary for each patient, depending on the severity of the disease and the areas that are affected. Inflammation occurs when the immune system is fighting off foreign cells, thus leading to swelling of the digestive tract for those diagnosed with Crohns disease. The condition greatly affects this part of the body from functioning properly. Common symptoms include:

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Rectal bleeding
• Weight loss
• Fatigue

Many individuals also suffer from nutritional deficiencies as parts of the body (e.g. small intestine) that are responsible for absorbing nutrients become damaged. Crohns disease is a lifelong condition but symptoms may not be continuous. This means that those diagnosed with the condition experience sudden flares that eventually go away until the next episode.

Treatment

Crohns disease treatment depends on the severity of the condition as well as where it is located along the digestive tract. Treatment typically consists of controlling inflammation and relieving common symptoms (e.g. diarrhea, abdominal pain, etc.) by prescribing medication. These include anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, and immune suppressing medications.

While it won’t cure the disease, surgery is another treatment option for Crohns disease and may be necessary for patients who do not respond well to medications. Surgery involves removing the damaged areas of the digestive tract and joining the healthy parts together. Even with surgery, the likelihood of the condition recurring later on is very high.

If you are suffering from Crohns disease, your treatment options will depend on a number of factors. Be sure to consult with your doctor for additional details.