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Treatment for venous and arterial ulcers in San Antonio: An overview

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Arterial and venous ulcers typically develop on the legs and feet. As the name indicates, arterial ulcers form because of damage to arteries, while venous ulcers form because of damage to veins. These ulcers need more attention because the recovery time can take considerable time. Before you seek treatment for venous and arterial ulcers in San Antonio, here are some things to know. 

Are arterial ulcers the same as venous ulcers?

The short answer is no, although both may have common symptoms such as pain and inflammation. Common symptoms of arterial ulcers include yellow/black/red sores, deep wounds, and pain at night, although there is no typical bleeding. Venous ulcers are seen below the knee, and on the inner ankles, unlike the former, which tends to develop on the outer sides. Symptoms of such ulcers include inflammation, pain, hardened skin, swelling, and discharge. Risk factors for arterial ulcers include age, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, and smoking. The potential causes for venous ulcers may vary, including trauma, varicose veins, obesity, deep vein thrombosis, and high blood pressure. 

What are the standard treatment options?

Wound-care clinics in San Antonio offer treatment for both venous and arterial ulcers, but the approach may vary. In the case of arterial ulcers, the approach is to restore blood circulation to the damaged area. Wound care from an early stage is the best way to prevent further complications, but in some cases, doctors may need to rely on angioplasty and other surgical options. It is vital to keep arterial ulcers clean and well-bandaged to prevent infection from spreading further. 

Venous ulcers can take longer to heal. The focus of the treatment is to improve blood circulation, and doctors may prescribe antibiotics to accelerate the healing process. Wound care for venous ulcers includes regular cleansing and compression therapy, and if needed, the patient can take medications to minimize the pain. 

Visiting a wound-care clinic in San Antonio

Both venous and arterial ulcers can result in serious complications. If your doctor cannot restore blood flow to the affected area, amputation could be the only option left. This drastic measure is the precise reason why patients should consult a doctor when they have a wound that refuses to heal. Early intervention is the best way to avoid infection, and if there is an infection already, doctors can try to minimize the consequences and complications. Check online for clinics in SA for venous and arterial ulcers now.

Michelle has been a part of the journey ever since Bigtime Daily started. As a strong learner and passionate writer, she contributes her editing skills for the news agency. She also jots down intellectual pieces from categories such as science and health.

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Health

9 Simple Steps to Dealing with a Broken Tooth

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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!

  1. 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. 
  2. Schedule Regular Checkups: Keeping up with regular cleanings can also help you prevent future dental emergencies. 
  3. Build an Emergency Fund: Sometimes, accidents happen. Consider building an emergency fund specifically for unexpected dental emergencies.
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