A-fib Treatment Options

Written By: Rachael Kaine

The Importance of Treating A-fib

Health conditions that can impact the body’s health are not to be overlooked or ignored. The things that can cause health to decline over time range in nature from routine to serious and chronic; no two individuals are the same. For this reason among others, treatment processes are going to be very different for everyone seeking medical attention, especially for a condition like a-fib. Atrial fibrillation treatment DC is meant to help patients that suffer from an irregular heartbeat get their health back on track, improving heart health and allowing them to live their lives as normal - at least whenever possible. Without treatment, this condition can impact people’s lives, causing serious outcomes like heart attacks, strokes, blood clots and a weakening of the heart’s muscles over time... and no one wants that to happen.

Options for A-fib Treatment

Medicines are the first line of defense for patients that have been diagnosed with this condition, especially if it is a mild case of atrial fibrillation. In order to find a reputable health care facility that cam meet the needs of patients, some research needs to be done. Visiting websites like http://www.medstarwashington.org/ will allow you to find out what different hospitals offer, where they are located, the specialists that work there, and what to expect from treatment.

These medicines begin with beta blockers, which help to correct the rhythm of the heart, returning it to normal and keeping it there. Another type of A-fib treatment Washington DC is the use of calcium channel blockers or digitalis in order to slow the heart rate down, reducing the feeling of a racing heart. To keep blood clots from forming, your doctor may prescribe blood thinners of various strengths. The type of medicine that you’ll need to take will depend on the severity of your condition and your overall diagnosis.

If medicine won’t do it alone, a mild electric shock via electrical cardioversion can help to change your heart’s beating back to a “normal” rhythm. This isn’t a first resort, and your doctor will be able to direct you to the right treatment method, only prescribing what is absolutely necessary to improve your heart’s condition.

As a final resort, surgery may be necessary to correct your atrial fibrillation. This surgery can be used to insert a pacemaker that will automatically “knock” your heart back into a normal rhythm when an episode begins, or to change the flow of electrical impulses across the surface of the muscle using a “maze” procedure that causes scarring and the eventual reversal of a-fib in most cases.

Limiting Risk Can Help Prevent Need for Vascular Surgery

Written By: Sara Loch

Vascular disease is a condition that usually affects arteries, veins, and blood flow.  It can affect any part of your body and many different body systems, so often vascular surgery or other treatments are necessary for vascular disease.

Causes of conditions that require vascular surgery DC

Vascular disease is usually when blood vessels become damaged or blocked; or when valves in veins are damaged.  Sometimes the cause is unknown, but sometimes the following things can lead to the need for vascular surgery DC:

• Atherosclerosis: This is a buildup of plaque in the lining of an artery.  It can progress quickly, but is usually a slow, progressive disease that can thicken the artery walls.  This thickening can lead to decreased blood flow or can block the flow of blood.
• Blood clots: A blood vessel can be blocked by an embolus (a tiny mass of debris that moves through the blood stream) or a thrombus (a blood clot).
• Inflammation: Inflammation of blood vessels can lead to narrowing and blockage.
• Trauma or injury: Blood vessels can require vascular surgery Washington DC after being narrowed or blocked by an injury that leads to infection or inflammation.
• Genetic: Certain conditions of the vascular system are inherited.

Managing risk for vascular disease

Some risk factors for vascular disease cannot be changed.  Other risks may be medically managed to reduce the risk that you will need a vascular surgery center Washington DC.  For example, smoking can help speed up the progression of atherosclerosis.  Quitting smoking can reduce the risk that you will someday require vascular surgery DC.  Another risk factor for conditions that can lead to vein surgery DC is diabetes.  Like smoking, diabetes speeds up the progression of atherosclerosis and the narrowing of arteries.  Your doctor can tell you the best way to manage your diabetes and lower your chances of undergoing vascular surgery Washington DC.  In some cases, diabetes can be managed with diet and exercise alone, but sometimes you doctor will also prescribe medication.

Vascular disease can affect all many vital body systems, including the respiratory system, digestive system, kidneys, and urinary system.  Contact a vascular surgery center Washington DC (such as www.medstarwashington.org) if you are at risk.

Life After Bariatric Surgery

Written By: Sara Loch

Bariatric surgery can have very successful results, with some people losing 100 or more pounds; but it is important that you have realistic expectations of how you will look, feel, and live after your weight loss surgery Washington DC.

Bariatric surgery Washington DC requires life-long changes

Bariatric surgery Washington DC is not a procedure that you have, recover from, and forget about while the pounds magically melt away.  Even with weight loss surgery DC, shedding significant pounds requires healthy eating and staying active.  Some types of surgical weight management Washington DC will limit your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, so it is especially important that you eat healthy for the rest of your life.  If your doctor does not feel that you can commit to these lifestyle changes, you will not be a candidate for bariatric surgery Washington DC.  You will also likely have to have regular checkups with your doctor to ensure that your health is not suffering due to a nutritional deficiency.

With healthy lifestyle changes, some people can lose up to 90% of their excess body weight with bariatrics and weight management DC.  However not everyone has these results, and you should talk to your doctor ahead of time about realistic expectations after your bariatric surgery Washington DC.

You still may not be happy with your appearance

If you are successful at losing a lot of weight, you may find that you are still not happy with your appearance.  When your skin has been slowly stretched over time due to weight gain then you lose a lot of weight, the skin often does not have the elasticity to snap back into place and you are left with loose, hanging skin.  These skin folds are not only unsightly, but they can cause discomfort, rashes, infection, and problems with hygiene.  Many people who have successful weight loss surgery Washington DC find that they want to have this extra skin surgically removed with a procedure called body contouring.  During this procedure, a cosmetic surgeon removes extra tissue then sews the remaining tissue back together.  It is important that you are at a stable weight before you have this surgery, because losing weight after body contouring can create more skin folds and gaining weight can damage your already weakened skin.