Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Total Hip Replacement Washington DC due to Arthritis

Your hips are ball and socket joints on either side of your pelvis.  They allow motion and stability, but because they bear your weight they are susceptible to damage.  The most common cause of a break down of tissue in the hip is arthritis.  Arthritis can be mild, but when it becomes severe a total hip replacement Washington DC is sometimes needed.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a chronic condition that can cause pain and limited movement in joints.  It can affect any joint in the body, but some of the most commonly affected joints are the hands, knees, and hips.  The cause of arthritis depends on the type of arthritis.  The two most common types are called osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis rarely requires hip replacement surgery DC

Rheumatoid arthritis is less common than osteoarthritis.  Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that your body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells and tissues.  It causes inflammation of the joints and can affect how they look and function.  Rheumatoid arthritis can affect any joint, but it is most common in the hands so it is rare that rheumatoid arthritis leads to hip replacement surgery DC.

Total hip replacement Washington DC and osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis.  Your joints have cartilage to help them move smoothly, and osteoarthritis is the break down of this cartilage.  It can lead to pain and limited range of motion.  It is one of the most common conditions to lead to hip replacement surgery Washington DC because it is usually worse in weight bearing joints.  It is usually caused by normal wear and tear, so those who are older and who are overweight are more likely to need hip replacement surgery DC due to osteoarthritis.

Hip replacement surgery Washington DC

When your doctor determines that the breakdown of cartilage in your hip is severe enough that medication and other nonsurgical treatments are not enough, he or she may recommend hip replacement surgery Washington DC.  During hip replacement surgery DC, your doctor removes the top of your femur and part of the socket.  Your doctor finishes your hip replacement surgery Washington DC by putting artificial parts in their place. To learn more about hip replacement surgery DC, visit http://www.medstarwashington.org/our-services/orthopaedics/treatments/hip-surgery/.

Friday, December 15, 2017

Diagnosing Pituitary Tumors Washington DC and Choosing a Surgical Treatment

Diagnosing pituitary tumors Washington DC usually includes imaging tests to determine the size and exact location of the tumor.  After diagnosis, treatment often includes surgery and the imaging tests can help your doctor decide what type of surgery is right for you.  The goal of the surgery is to remove as much of the tumor as possible.  This is usually done using an endoscopic procedure, but sometimes a procedure called a craniotomy is necessary.

Diagnosing pituitary tumors Washington DC and preparing for surgery

Before surgical pituitary treatments Washington DC, sometimes other treatments such as radiation therapy will be needed.  Radiation uses x-rays to kill cancer cells and can be effective before surgery by shrinking the tumor and making it easier to remove.  If the pituitary tumor is functional (meaning that it produces excess hormones) you may be put on medication before your surgery to block hormones and lessen symptoms.

Endoscopic pituitary tumor treatments Washington DC

Endoscopic pituitary tumor treatments Washington DC use a long flexible tube called an endoscope.  The endoscope has a light and a camera and sends the image to a screen so your doctor can see.  It is usually inserted through the nose, but sometimes it needs to be inserted through an incision behind your upper lip.  The doctor uses the endoscope and tiny tools to remove the tumor in small pieces.  This is the most common surgical pituitary tumor treatment Washington DC.

Craniotomy for pituitary tumors DC

If the tumor is very large or has affected the brain or nerves, your doctors may need to preform a craniotomy.  During this procedure, your doctor makes two incisions to access the brain through the skull.  Your surgeon uses endoscopic tools to see the tumor and nearby structures and removes the tumor.


After your pituitary tumor treatments Washington DC

After endoscopic pituitary tumor treatments Washington DC, most people need to spend a few days in the hospital.  After a craniotomy, more recovery time may be needed.  During this time, you will be closely monitored by nurses to track pituitary function.  You can learn more about pituitary tumor treatments Washington DC at www.medstarwashington.org/.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

How to Get Around After ACL Reconstruction Surgery in DC

ACL injuries are brutally painful, not only physically but emotionally as well. As someone with an active lifestyle, it is difficult to imagine staying at home in bed while your ACL reconstruction heals. The good news is that living in Washington, DC has unique benefits that aren’t necessarily true of other cities: almost everything is accessible for those who can’t be active and on their feet. Read on to find out how to get around after ACL reconstruction surgery in DC.

Start at the Source

Hopefully, you’ve chosen a hospital that has a free shuttle service to allow you to get to check-ups and physical therapy easily. If you’re still in the process of choosing the hospital, consider this service the highest priority. This will significantly cut down the stress of commuting and will give you peace of mind knowing you won’t have to find a way to make it to your appointments. Free shuttle service for patients is not offered by all hospitals, so make sure yours does.

Act Like a Tourist

Staying at home to heal from your ACL reconstruction surgery DC may eventually leave you climbing the walls. Get out and see your city from the perspective of a tourist. There are tons of tour companies that allow passengers to sit and are wheelchair accessible. Many of them have a drop-off feature which allows you to get off at any tour stop and get back on when the next bus comes. Most monuments and museums to see in DC are wheelchair-accessible. You might learn something new about your city and have the time to explore all of the historically significant and beautiful features that make DC unique.

Find Others Recovering from ACL Reconstruction Surgery DC

They will have unique perspectives and advice that others may not have thought about. Some offer group gatherings and provide buses or transportation to get members to meet-ups, and some will simply suggest unique ways to get from your home to work. Either way, people who have gone through the frustration of getting around after ACL reconstruction surgery in DC will be a lifesaver. Good luck!

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Bariatric Surgery in DC – Fun Things to Do While You Recover

Bariatric surgery takes an emotional toll on many people as they watch their bodies change and feel the pain from surgery. The worst thing you can do during this time is staying in your own head and question yourself, shut yourself off from loved ones, and become depressed. Instead, get out there and have some fun as you recover from bariatric surgery DC.


Take a Class

One of the great things about Washington, DC is the multitude of classes and adult education options that are available for free or cheap. Get a friend to go with you or just treat yourself to learning a new skill or talent. Sewing, drama, music, and language classes are all common classes available pretty much anywhere that will allow you to learn something new and meet people who share your interests.

Embrace Your Bariatric Surgery in DC

Take advantage of the countless restaurants in DC. Try a new restaurant that serves healthy, soothing food. You’ll feel great about treating your body to something good for it and start the new lifestyle you’ve been wanting for years. Once you’ve found a new treat, take a calming walk around DC. Enjoy the nature, buildings, statues, street art, and general serenity of DC. After you’ve fed your body and soul, you’ll know bariatric surgery in DC was the best decision you’ve ever made.

Gather Your Friends for a Photoshoot!

Get your friends together for an unofficial, silly photoshoot. Grab some funny props and find a secluded corner of a beautiful park in DC. Play some fun music and take turns being the photographer for each-other. Make funny faces and capture some candid pictures of each other laughing your heads off. Having an escape from the seriousness of the real world and recovery will be healing and comforting, and your pictures will last a lifetime!

Find a New Sport

There are tons of unique and fun sports that you can do while you recover from your surgery. Archery, calisthenics, gentle water aerobics, and frisbee golf are all sports that are really enjoyable. Many of them are even available at local hospitals! Just be sure to check with your doctor to see when you’re able to take on new physical activity. Is there anything better than getting fresh air and challenging yourself?

Friday, October 27, 2017

Bariatrics and Weight Management DC: Preparing for Surgery

For those that have been given the “all clear” for weight loss surgery DC, there are many things that must be done in order to prepare for the procedure itself as well as the time that is spent recovering after it has been completed. While each situation will be different, there are some common things to be done that will be similar across the board for all bariatrics and weight management DC patients that can leave you and your loved ones feeling confident and ready to go.

Weight Loss Surgery: A Bariatrics and Weight Management DC Choice

- Get your home in order. Even though you may not be able to do a thorough cleaning yourself, it is important to have things done so that when you’re recovering, you can focus solely on improving without worrying about the state of your home. Have laundry ready to go, go grocery shopping for the recommended food items and make sure your bills are paid up and good to go. The first few weeks after surgery are very difficult, and some things can easily slip through the cracks.

- Inform your family and friends about your procedure and ask them for help. More often than not, they will be more than willing to help you through the recovery process, and knowing that you have others to count on can make the process much easier to handle. They can be sure that you’re eating and drinking enough, that you’re taking your vitamins and that you aren’t trying to eat things that you shouldn’t. Essentially, they’re your support system.

- Prepare mentally for weight loss surgery DC. This means saying goodbye to unhealthy habits and foods, and being committed to a total change. No more going through the drive-thru or eating giant portions. No more soda or candy or ice cream… no more bad choices. It’s hard and it’s a lot to deal with, but the end results are well worth it. Taking time to prepare mentally is important because only you will know what it feels like to give these things up in an effort to make a change.

- Don’t give up. There will be pain. There will be struggle. There will be a lot of times where you want to give up and just fall back into old habits, but this isn’t what you’re trying to do in the long run. The trials and tribulations will be worth it in the end when you’re down to close to the weight you want to be at, and you’re able to show off all of your hard work - and be healthier, happier and more mobile.

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Recovering from Weight Management Washington DC Surgery

Whether you’re calling it gastric bypass surgery or weight loss surgery, after you’ve had it, you’ll need to spend some time recovering. This is a lengthy process that can take months before you’ll feel like yourself and “normal” again, but the time is well worth it, especially if you’re able to stick with your diet and make some progress on your weight loss journey. Knowing what you expect can make getting through the beginning portion of the weight management Washington DC process much easier to bear.

Since you’ll be out of commission for a while after coming home, it’s a good idea to prepare as much as possible before having the surgery, allowing you to focus on your health and well-being.


Weight Management Washington DC: How to Prepare

- Ask for the help of friends and family. This is a given, because in many cases, these individuals were helping their loved ones before the surgery and have become accustomed to providing care, running errands and giving support. It is important to slowly move away from the help that they provide and focus on becoming more independent, but in the immediate weeks and months following the surgery, this may not be possible.

- Get the home ready. Be sure to have a dedicated sleeping spot, preferably close to the restroom if possible. Keep things handy that you will need - hand weights, elastic exercise bands, the television remote, a water bottle - all of these will be important to recovery. Even though the stomach is only able to contain a very small amount of food and liquids, it is important to try to drink the proper amount of water in order to remain hydrated.

- Be ready to work hard. This isn’t a walk down easy street, committing to a healthier lifestyle will take a lot of work, dedication and focus, and it is difficult. You’ll want to give up, want to cave in to your cravings or temptation… but as you continue to say no, things will get easier, and you can be proud of the progress that you’re making. Strength will come little by little, as will your tolerance for an preference of good, healthy food choices. Weight management is not something that simply ends after the surgery has been done and patients have healed, it is something that must be carried on for the rest of your life.

Monday, October 16, 2017

Looking for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment DC Information?

There’s nothing worse than feeling sick and not being able to do anything about it, especially if this illness keeps you from doing the things that you love. For people that have to endure inflammatory bowel disease, things are even worse because not only do you have to worry about the symptoms and side effects of this condition, but you’ll need to manage them and make decisions to help keep them from occurring. For those that have recently been diagnosed with IBD, and are looking into different treatment options, there are plenty of things that you can do.


Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment DC Options

For most patients, there are two distinct options for treatment with one acting as a “last resort” or being used on extremely severe cases. Even a quick online search for information at reputable sites like http://www.medstarwashington.org will show you that this condition is commonly managed and treated via the use of medications… and when/if those don’t work, surgical options come into play. Most medical professionals will want to take the simpler route first in order to see if it’s enough to help patients, so they’ll start with prescribing medications meant to treat inflammatory bowel syndrome and advising people to change their diets, paying close attention to the foods that they consume and eliminating the ones that typically cause issues.

Even though each person is 100% different in terms of what causes the issues within the bowel, there are lists of foods that are common culprits, ways to eliminate them without sacrificing nutrition, and substitutes for them, along with recipes, stories about the things that others have done to help their conditions improve, and what it was like to cope with the illness available with simple online searches. If these changes are not enough, though, your health care provider may suggest surgical procedures that can remove the affected portions of the digestive system, helping correct the condition immediately. Even in cases where surgery is necessary, many patients also have to take medications in conjunction in order to better manage the problems - but again, this will be at the discretion of your inflammatory bowel disease treatment Washington DC specialist, and based on the severity of the symptoms that you experience.