Treatment for A-fib

Written By: Sharon Cretsinger

The condition of atrial fibrillation is often referenced in shorthand as A-fib or AF.  Atrial Fibrillation occurs when the electrical impulses that control the contractions of various parts of the heart muscle are inconsistent, causing excess blood to become trapped in the upper two chambers of the heart (atria).  It is usually diagnosed with a physical examination and an EKG or ECG.  One of the biggest risks associated with AF is having a stroke.

Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Washington DC

Patients vary quite a bit in the treatment needs for AF.  Here are a few options for A-Fib Treatment DC (though not an exhaustive list):

• The first thing to do when addressing a patient with AF is to determine if there is another medical condition that is causing it.  Hyperthyroidism is one example of a condition that is sometimes linked to AF.  Obviously, any other medical conditions that are possibly related to the AF should be treated first to see if the condition resolves.
• Some cases of AF can be treated with lifestyle changes.  Changes in diet and exercise habits, reducing caffeine intake and stopping smoking are all steps that patients can take toward controlling AF.
• Some patients with AF will also want to take precautions to prevent a stroke.  This may include some of the lifestyle changes mentioned above, as well as a type of blood thinning medications such as Warfarin, or even plain aspirin.  Each patient's individual treatment provider will make this determination based on certain stroke risk factors which include the presence of congestive heart failure, a history of hypertension, age, a diagnosis of diabetes and a prior history of stroke.

Patients can take an active role in managing their AF by working together with treatment providers.  This means keeping or rescheduling all office appointments so that there is consistent communication, and speaking up if there seems to be a problem with the treatment plan.  Patients should ask providers to explain any medical words they don't understand and should not be afraid to ask the provider to repeat information a second or third time.  Taking notes at appointments is also a good strategy.  

Learn more about A-fib Treatment Washington DC and effective participation in treatment at http://www.medstarwashington.org/.

Bariatric Surgery: BPD/DS Gastric Bypass

Written By: Sharon Cretsinger

The full name of BPD/DS, a weight loss surgery Washington DC, is the Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch.  It is performed by first creating a small, tubular stomach pouch via the removal of a large portion of the stomach.  Next, a large portion of the small intestine is bypassed.  Initially, the patient is able to consume only a small amount of food.  Eventually, however, food consumption can return to almost normal because the amount of calories and nutrients absorbed by the body is significantly reduced in the bypass of much of the small intestine.  This weight loss surgery DC is considered very effective for patients who are trying to control diabetes.

BPD/DS Gastric Bypass Bariatric Surgery Washington DC

The BPD/DS gastric bypass offers a number of advantages to patients who choose this kind of support for weight loss.

• At a five year follow-up point, most patients have lost 60-70% of their initial excess weight.
• Patients will eventually be able to eat nearly "normal" meals.
• The calories absorbed by the body from fat are reduced by over 70%.
• Favorable changes in gut hormones that reduce appetite and promote feelings of fullness have been noted post-surgically.
• This is the most effective bariatric surgery for patients with diabetes.

Here are a few of the disadvantages of this procedure:

• Deficiencies in protein and other nutrients can be a problem in the long term.
• Patients must be willing to comply with all recommended follow-up visits.
• A life-long program of nutritional supplementation must be carefully followed.
• The surgery itself is fairly extensive and will require a significant hospital stay and recovery time.
• Rates of post-surgical complication and mortality are higher for the BPD/DS gastric bypass procedure than for some other types of Bariatric Surgery Washington DC.

While this is a relatively serious surgery, it is certainly worthwhile to consider for patients who are facing complications of diabetes that are potentially severe, for example blindness or limb amputation.  The fact that patients are eventually able to consume close to "normal" amounts of food at meal time is also a very big advantage over other procedures that permanently limit intake to a very small amount.  Click here for more information on weight management Washington DC.

Aftercare for Hip Surgery

Written By: Sharon Cretsinger

People are living longer than ever and remaining active throughout their lives.  As a result, painful effects of traumatic injuries and diseases like arthritis are becoming more and more prevalent in the general population.  The hip is a large joint that can typically be impacted by these factors.  While there are many good treatments for hip pain that do not involve surgery, sometimes they are just not enough to control pain and maintain a good quality of life.  In these cases Hip Replacement Surgery DC may be recommended.  If you have had hip surgery, it is important to know how to take care of yourself during the recovery period.

Recovery from Hip Surgery DC

There are a variety of options for patients getting a hip replacement.  Surgery may be completed with either a traditional incision or a less invasive small-incision option.  Either a general anesthetic or a spinal block may be used during the procedure.  Your recovery will depend on what kind of procedure you have had and your general health before undergoing the surgery.  

Here are a few things you might expect in recovery from a Hip Surgery Washington DC.

• Your hospital stay will most likely last about a week.  Since the new hip joint can slip out of place in the initial stages of recovery, you will spend most of your time in bed with a wedge shaped pillow between your legs to keep it in place.  Expect to have a urinary catheter to make going to the bathroom easier.
• Everyone who has a hip replacement gets physical therapy.  This usually starts the day after surgery and continues for a few weeks or months.  The physical therapist will give you some exercises to complete daily and help you understand when you can return to your regular activities.
• Avoid pivoting, twisting and crossing your legs during your early recovery period.  These movements can make the new hip joint slip out of place.  Your physical therapist will teach you how to adapt to you regular routine without movement that could cause damage to the new joint.

Learn more about Hip Replacement Surgery Washington DC at:  http://www.medstarwashington.org/.

What Happens after Bariatric Surgery?

Written By: Sharon Cretsinger

There are more and more bariatric surgery options available today for patients who need to lose a significant amount of weight for cosmetic or health reasons.  Some surgeries are fairly complex, and involve the physical removal of a part of the stomach or a re-routing of a part of the digestive system.  Other surgeries are performed laparoscopically and leave the internal digestive system relatively intact.  It is common for patients who are considering one of these methods of Weight loss surgery Washington DC to have questions about their lives post-surgery.

Bariatrics and Weight Management DC

Here are some common issues about which weight loss surgery patients request information:

• Returning to work:  It is important to schedule at least one to two weeks to recover from Bariatric Surgery Washington DC before returning to work.  The majority of patients have decreased energy for a time after surgery, so returning to work on a limited schedule may be the best solution.  Patients who have jobs where low energy can be dangerous should expect to take a bit more time off.
• Hernias:  Many patients are concerned that lifting or other kinds of physical exertion will cause a hernia at the incision site.  The reality is that this rarely happens.  Hernias are much more likely to be the result of a post-operative infection.
• Exercise:  Patients most often return to gentle exercise the first day after their surgery by taking short walks around the hospital.  Low-impact exercise is recommended for the first month or so post-surgery.  Swimming is not allowed until all surgical incisions are completely healed.
• Pregnancy:  Most recommendations say that waiting 12-18 months after surgery to get pregnant is ideal.  Patients who wish to become pregnant will be pleased to know that they are much more likely to be fertile at a lower weight.  Those who have lost a significant portion of their excess body weight will be at much lower risk for complications of pregnancy like gestational diabetes.
• Plastic surgery:  Patients often wonder if they will need follow-up surgery to remove loose skin after weight loss.  The reality is that many patients have much less excess skin than they expected.  If a follow-up surgery is needed, it may be covered by insurance under many circumstances.

Click here to learn more about Weight loss surgery DC.

Bariatric Surgery Exercise Tips

Written By: Rachael Kaine

Starting Exercise After Bariatric Surgery

After coming home from the hospital post-bariatric surgery, many patients are overwhelmed by all of the lifestyle changes that they must deal with. These changes include dietary limitations and changes, differences in activities and daily routines, and the necessity of incorporating exercise into the new lifestyle. Many people who are not accustomed to exercising can find it difficult to begin, especially when dealing with everything else, but it is important to get started as soon as possible in order to make it a daily part of their lives. Not only will exercise help condition the body and keep the pounds coming off, but it can be an asset to improving mental health, and give people the chance to focus on something positive. To learn more about bariatric surgery, visit http://www.medstarwashington.org/ and get started on the journey.

When to Exercise After Bariatric Surgery

The most important thing about weight loss surgery DC recovery is to listen to your body. People that are new to exercise should understand that their bodies are not the same as those of young healthy individuals; there will be limits and restrictions. Starting slowly will not only allow for the setting of realistic goals, but also for individuals to work at their own pace. By starting slowly, it is possible to exercise safely without becoming discouraged or overly fatigued, and reduce the likelihood of sustaining injuries.

Bariatric surgery patients cannot simply jump into running marathons or lifting weights. They need to start slowly with activities like walking, exercising their arms, and increasing flexibility. Arm and leg exercises, strengthening muscles and slowly increasing the level of activity, will make the body stronger and help to define muscles that didn’t previously get a lot of use. Bariatric surgery is a good tool for improving the health of patients, but it can also be a catalyst for completely changing a lifestyle.

Lifting weights, using exercise balls, and even ropes and elastic bands are essential tools for weight loss surgery Washington DC patients, and for people across the world. It may seem like a hassle and a lot of unnecessary struggle, but beginning these types of routines can set the tone for the rest of a person’s life. Using these implements is not enough to ensure changes in lifestyle, but it is a start - and the best way to help foster routines and ideas that can help to change people’s lives for the duration. Getting started is difficult and staying on track is even more difficult, but weight management Washington DC is not meant to be simple or easy; good health is worth working hard for.

Hip Surgery Information

Do I Need Hip Surgery?

Many people across the world find themselves in the position where they need to consult medical professionals about the condition of their bodies. The ailments that they are experiencing can range from mild things like muscle pain, sprains and broken bones to more severe things like cancer, failing organs, or even the need to receive transplants and replacing body parts. One of the most common of these replacement scenarios has to do with the hips, and problems that arise from weak bones, strained or torn muscles, and constant problems with the hip socket. Hip surgery can either require repair or replacement, and is something that thousands of people need to have done throughout the course of their lives. Hip surgery is not something to fear or worry about, as many patients that undergo the procedure are able to jump right back into their every day activities with an improved quality of life.

Hip Surgery Preparation

While it is a common surgical procedure, hip replacement surgery Washington DC is something that needs to be prepared for and treated as a serious life event. The ultimate goal of the surgery is to make the body strong again and allow you to re-adjust to mobility and the capability to do things like exercise, move, and even dance or participate in sports when you want to. After it is determined that you need the surgery, you’ll have time between scheduling it and having it to get things in order, at least for the time being. Some of the plans that can (and should) be made in order to adequately prepare for hip surgery include the following:

• Find people who will help you recover, if necessary. Walking up and down stairs or even for long distances is discouraged for a few weeks after the surgery is performed, and contingencies need to be in place.
• Adjust your living space to accommodate your temporary new lifestyle. This means moving and sleeping on the main floor of the home, ensuring that a bathroom is within easy reach, and even in some cases thinking ahead and making and freezing meals so that you won’t have to worry about cooking in the beginning stages of your recovery process. This will save time, energy and potential frustration.
• Build a support group of people that have already undergone hip surgery DC or otherwise. These patients can help you to know what to expect, give you advice, and provide support on your tough recovery days. This is a process, not an overnight recovery, and connecting with others (even only through email or message boards) is a constant reminder that you’re not alone, and that things will improve over time.

Living a Normal Life After Bariatric Surgery

Written By: Rachael Kaine

Bariatric Surgery Recovery

Before having bariatric surgery, many people live a lifestyle with very few concerns, especially when it comes to going out and enjoying meals with friends. While they may not always have to stop and consider what, when and where they will be eating, they often have to seriously consider whether or not they are able to go out in the first place. Having weight loss surgery has the potential to change a great many things for severely overweight people, but it all comes down to the ways that people react and respond to the surgery itself. The recovery time can take anywhere from weeks to months, and the weight will continue to come off (and stay off) for the remainder of a patient’s life as long as they observe the recommendations of their doctors, but it is up to the individual when they choose to “reenter” the world and resume normal activities.

Living After Bariatric Surgery

It is entirely possible for people that undergo weight loss surgery DC to return to their normal lives soon after the procedure is done. While it is important to monitor your diet and activity levels carefully, not pushing your limits too much too soon, it is also important to test and establish new limits. In order to live a “normal” life, and to continue spending time out with friends and family members, remember the following:

- It is possible to go out to eat, as long as you carefully count calories and pay attention to what goes into the meals cooked at restaurants. Every calorie counts, especially since the stomach’s size is so much smaller than it was previously. Wasting space on calories in drinks, in junk food and in treats is not going to do any overall good.

- Don’t be afraid to ask restaurant staff for special requests like plain chicken or turkey, removing bread from portions, and using no butter or oil to cook your food with.

- Refrain from drinking liquids with your meals, as this can compact the food, allowing you to eat more and feel uncomfortable after you’ve finished. A good rule of thumb is to wait at least 15 minutes to drink anything while you eat, unless your meal is liquid based like soup or stew.

- There is no such thing as over-chewing your food after having bariatric surgery Washington DC, because your food needs to be digested in an efficient manner. Thoroughly chewing makes your body work more efficiently when digesting your food, and the extended period of time spent chewing will help you to eat less. In addition, smaller chunks of food have less of an opportunity to cause you pain or discomfort.

- Listen to your body. You don’t have to eat simply because it is a meal time; when you’re hungry, you’re hungry, and your body will tell you so. After weight loss surgery, your body isn’t consuming food for pleasure any longer; it is simply using it as fuel.