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.

When to Consider Bariatric Surgery

Written By: Allison Zahorcak

Bariatric surgery represents a group of weight loss procedures that drastically improve a patient's chances of losing the weight they need to be healthy.  The procedure itself requires in-depth screening as well as post-procedure care.  Patients who are interested should begin by talking to their primary doctor about their weight and then seek out bariatrics and weight management DC once you've decided with your doctor to move forward with screening.  From this point, the treatment center of your choice will undergo a variety of different screening tests to ensure that your health is in optimal condition.

Talk to you doctor about weight loss surgery DC if:

• You have struggled to lose weight for many years now.  This means that you have not only tried diet and exercise, but it's likely that you've worked with a doctor in the past with medication to manage your weight.
• You are at risk for diabetes or other health related issues due to your weight.  Once obesity has become a threat to the very life of a person, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor about bariatric surgery DC.  In some cases, bariatric help can save a patient from developing a life-threatening disease.
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What to Expect After Weight Loss Surgery DC

Perhaps more stressful than the preparing for the procedure is the recovery process.  Despite the physically healing portion, there are many challenges that await after surgery.  In addition to a few months of physical therapy, you will also need to prepare yourself to take on an entirely new lifestyle and leave old habits behind.  Your doctor may have strict dietary requirements directly after the procedure.  Though you are bound to lose a lot of weight, it's important to consider whether or not you are ready for the responsibility.  Depending on the type of weight loss surgery DC you choose, you may even face health risks if you fail to follow up with post-surgery care.  Many people seek the help of groups as well as their close family and friends to stay consistent until they've developed a healthy lifestyle.  To learn more about weight management Washington DC, check out http://www.medstarwashington.org/. 

The Risks of A-fib and Prevention Strategies

Written By: Tony Amodeo

A-fib, or atrial fibrillation, is a type of irregular heartbeat that can exist in individuals of any age. A-fib becomes more likely as we get older. Medical studies indicate that because people are now living longer the volume of cases will continue to increase accordingly. Many people are not aware of the potential seriousness of the problem, although its presence exponentially equates to the likelihood of death from heart problems as well as stroke. For further information regarding additional heart problems and stroke you can visit A-fib Treatment Washington DC. Those who are mostly likely to be at the greatest risk for A-fib are those who have a combination of any of the following conditions:

• Over fifty years old: The likelihood for AFib increases dramatically as we age. Cases involving children are less common.
• Hypertension: Those with lengthy periods of uncontrolled blood pressure are known to be at high risk for A-fib.
• Existing heart disease: Some of these conditions include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, conditions associated with the heart valves, coronary syndromes, a history of heart attack, a family history of heart problems, and anyone who has had related surgery.
• Excessive alcohol usage: Those consuming high volumes of alcohol are putting themselves at significantly increased risk.
• Sleep-related disorders: Although a direct correlation has not been established, those with obstructive sleep apnea that begin treatment can improve their A-fib condition.
• Athletic competition: Athletes often develop the condition, resulting from sustained rapid heart rates.
• Other diseases: Those with diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and asthma are frequently determined to have A-fib.

If you think you may have atrial fibrillation, or are a likely candidate to develop the problem, it is best to detect the problem early on. Knowing and understanding the symptoms is very important. Seeking proper medical care from a specialist is highly recommended, as advancements in treating the problem are evolving. A heart-healthy lifestyle is the best means of prevention. Specific prevention strategies are as follows:

• Maintaining a daily regimen of physical activity such as running or walking to stay in shape.
• Eating a balanced diet that is low in salt, saturated and trans-fats, as well as cholesterol.
• Have your cholesterol checked and educate yourself on the sources of LDL and HDL-“the good and bad” cholesterol.
• Check your blood pressure regularly to determine if it is high.
• Avoid drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, as both can be harmful in large quantities.
• Don’t smoke cigarettes, as they have a wide range of negative effects on health.
• Maintain a healthy weight, as roughly 1/3 of those in the US are now classified as obese.
• Make efforts to reduce unnecessary stress, as constant stress leads to a multitude of health problems.

Bariatric Surgery: Adjustable Gastric Band & Biliopancreatic Diversion

Written By: Tony Amodeo

Bariatric surgery methods are designed as processes for weight loss surgery. Two of the various procedures that exist are the Adjustable Gastric Band and the Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS) Gastric Bypass methods. Here we will review both and contrast differences as well as advantages and disadvantages of them.

Adjustable Gastric Band

This process involves an inflatable band being positioned near the top of the stomach, forming two sections. A small food section resides above where the band is placed, while the remainder of the stomach is below the band. When food is ingested it settles in the now smaller stomach pouch which is formed. The individual experiences a feeling of “fullness” now by eating considerably less food. This procedure allows for flexibility in adjusting the size of the stomach pouch to optimize the benefits. To adjust the size of the pouch, the surgeon is able to fill the inflatable band with a sterile saline product, which is accessed through a point of access (or port) within the adjacent skin region. The space or size of the opening is minimized incrementally over a period by making adjustments. In this process there is no malabsorption; therefore, the food is ingested, digested and absorption occurs as normal.

Advantages:

• It limits the volume of food the stomach can hold.
• Expectations are that excess weight loss of nearly 50% is achieved.
• No incisions to the stomach or adjustments to the positioning of the intestines are needed.
• Hospital stays are typically under 24 hours--outpatient in many cases.
• The procedure can be reversed if necessary.
• There are considerably fewer complications resultant of the method.
• There is low risk for nutritional deficiencies from a lack of minerals or vitamins.

Disadvantages:

• Typically, the period of time before significant weight loss occurs is longer than with other options.
• A higher likelihood exists for inability to lose at least 50% of excessive body weight versus other options.
• Band slippage or deterioration is possible.
• This method has the highest rate of needing re-operation(s).

Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS) Gastric Bypass

A portion of the stomach is removed creating a smaller stomach pouch, and the small intestine is bypassed. The duodenum part of the small intestine is split, while the other portion is lifted to connect to the outlet of the new stomach. Approximately 75% of the small intestine is bypassed during the food-streaming process. The portion of the intestine containing bile and enzymes needed to breakdown food is reconnected further along the food stream. This method is effective for the treatment of diabetes.

Advantages:

• Usually 60-70% excess weight loss is typical.
• Patient is able to eat closer to normal volumes.
• Fat absorption is dramatically reduced.

Disadvantages:

• The method has relatively high rates of complications.
• It may require longer than average hospital stays.
• It has higher potential for nutritional deficiencies.
• It requires a more restrictive set of dietary and supplemental requirements.

Vascular Surgery for Varicose Veins

Written By: Allison Zahorcak

Vascular surgery can be an option for those looking to amend their varicose veins. Varicose veins are veins that become twisted and often appear to the naked eye just under the surface of the skin.  Though this condition is fairly common amongst Americans, some people can suffer moderate pain and blood clots from veins that have become engorged.

Generally speaking, varicose veins that are not harmful are commonly referred to as spider veins.  Some patients may choose to seek vascular surgery DC to change the physical appearance, but widely only those who face health complications are actively seeking Vascular Surgery Hospitals Washington DC.

Luckily, most vein surgery DC has become a minimally invasive process. Patients do not have to expect a long recovery time and in the majority of cases, are home the same day the procedure was performed.  After surgery, physical activity and stretching is highly encouraged.  In order to prevent future veins from the same distress, it's a good idea to improve muscle tone and overall lifestyle.  As vein issues are often linked to heart disease and issues within the circulatory system, taking steps to drastically improve your health is the best way to ensure a healthy future.

What to Look for in Vascular Surgery Hospitals Washington DC

If you decided on vein surgery DC for health or aesthetic reasons, it's a good idea to look for hospitals that can offer you an exceptional treatment plan.  In addition to a multidisciplinary approach to your care, your Vascular Surgery Center Washington DC should be able to offer a modern approach as well as modern medical technology. Make a list of the qualities that are most important to you and make sure that the surgery center you choose can provide all of them.  Though these procedures are minimally invasive, they still require the skill of a doctor.  Which means in some respects, these procedures should not be taken entirely easy. As with any medical care, you want to make sure that your unique needs are addressed.

To learn more about vascular surgery DC or to find a doctor in your area, visit: http://www.medstarwashington.org/.