Health

4 Major Types of Vascular Diseases

Published

3 years ago

July 10, 2021

Vascular diseases can affect anyone, particularly if you have a family history of circulatory diseases or high blood pressure. Vascular diseases range from diseases of the veins, lymph vessels, and arteries to blood disorders that affect circulation. Aventura vascular problems specialists offer treatment services for all vascular diseases. This team of experts uses the latest and best technology to confirm your diagnosis and develop a suitable treatment plan. Below are the four main types of vascular problems they deal with.

Types of vascular diseases

Peripheral artery disease

Like the coronary arteries, the peripheral arteries also develop atherosclerosis, including cholesterol deposits and fat on the inside wall. With time the buildup makes the arteries narrow. The narrowed artery then leads to inadequate blood flow, and ischemia can occur.

Venous disease

Veins are hollow, flexible tubes with flaps inside, known as valves. When the muscles contract, the flaps open, and blood flows through the veins. When the muscles are dormant, the valves end up closing, making the blood flow in one direction.

If the valves inside the veins are damaged, the valves might not close completely. This makes blood flow in all directions. If the muscles relax, the valves in the damaged veins might not be in a position to hold the blood. This can cause swelling in the veins or the pooling of blood. The veins appear as ropes beneath the skin, and they bulge. The blood starts to move slowly, and it can stick to the sides of the walls, and blood clots are formed.

Blood clots

A clot in a vein inside a muscle –generally in the lower leg, pelvis, or thigh – is a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). When the blood clot breaks and migrates to the lungs, it becomes pulmonary embolism (PE).

DVT can lead to a long-term swelling in the legs and blood pooling. This problem is known as chronic venous insufficiency. If you don’t seek medical attention, fluid will leak into the tissue in the feet and ankles. With time, it might make your skin break and wear away.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

The abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is a bulge that develops in a weak area within the largest artery in the abdomen. The pressure produced by each heartbeat pushes the weakened aortic wall, making the aneurysm enlarge. If the AAA is not detected, the aortic wall keeps weakening, and the aneurysm continues growing. Finally, the aneurysm becomes very large, and its wall weakens, and rupture occurs. When it happens, there is massive internal bleeding, which is fatal. The best way to break the cycle is to locate the AAA before it ruptures.

If you need proper treatment and care for conditions like varicose veins, blood clots, aneurysms, and other vascular diseases, Soffer Health Institute has a medical team trained to help you with all these problems. You can contact them or book an appointment to have your vascular health evaluation. And note that during this pandemic crisis, many televisits are covered by insurance with no copays.

Health

9 Simple Steps to Dealing with a Broken Tooth

Published

2 months ago

February 14, 2024

Michelle Langton

Credit: freepik via Freepik

It’s movie night, and you have an obligatory bowlful of popcorn balancing on your lap. You toss a handful of popcorn and — crack — you unknowingly bite down on a kernel with the full power of your jaw.

Lightning strikes your mouth as you realize this humble kernel broke your tooth.

Now what?

Besides pausing the movie and spitting out your mouthful of popcorn and tooth, you might not know your next steps.

What should you do, and how can you pay for it? Find the answers to these questions and more below:

1. Save the Pieces

If possible, save any broken pieces of the tooth. Your dentist might need these pieces.

2. Rinse Your Mouth

Gently rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Avoid using hot or cold water, as it might aggravate any exposed nerves.

3. Control Bleeding

If you bleed, apply gentle pressure to the area with a clean cloth or gauze. You can also use a cold compress on your jaw or cheek to reduce swelling.

4. Contact Your Dentist

Reach out to your dentist immediately. Explain the situation and try to schedule an emergency appointment. Many dentists reserve slots for urgent cases. If they don’t have a spot available, look at specialty emergency clinics in your area.

5. Get Over-the-Counter Pain Relief

Broken and chipped teeth can hurt, so take some over-the-counter pain relievers to help manage this pain until you can see your dentist.

6. Check Insurance Coverage

Review your dental insurance policy to understand coverage details. Some policies may cover emergency procedures, while others may have limitations.

7. Discuss Payment Options

If cost is a concern, discuss financing options with your dentist. Some dental offices offer flexible arrangements that give you a break. If you qualify for these plans, you might be able to push out your due date to coincide with your payday. You may even be able to break up your total outstanding amount over several payments.

8. Take out a Personal Loan

If you’re just shy of what you need to cover your emergency dental expense, consider going online to scope out personal loans. A personal loan may fill in for savings in urgent situations. You can quickly visit a website like MoneyKey to see what you need to apply. If approved, a personal loan gives you the means to pay for your visit upfront and pay off what you owe over time.

9. Consider Urgent Care Clinics

If your financial situation is such that you can’t afford a personal loan’s payments, reconsider your choice of dentist. Some dental practices apply a sliding scale to their services so that they can provide immediate care at a lower cost for at-risk individuals.

Next Steps: Thinking About the Future

So, you’ve managed to repair your tooth and pay the bill, too. What’s next? Make sure you hit these three goals soon. They can help you prevent another broken tooth in the future!

Stay on Top of Dental Hygiene: Brush at least twice a day and floss once a day — these simple habits can protect your teeth over time.
Schedule Regular Checkups: Keeping up with regular cleanings can also help you prevent future dental emergencies.
Build an Emergency Fund: Sometimes, accidents happen. Consider building an emergency fund specifically for unexpected dental emergencies.