Health

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

Published

3 years ago

November 13, 2021

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.

Health

The Secret Behind Life Alert’s Superior Service

Published

1 day ago

September 11, 2024

Michelle Langton

Photo courtesy of Life Alert via Shutterstock

When Amy Skidmore’s mother was discharged from rehab after a stroke, the prospect of giving up her independence was terrifying. Having lived alone and freely since her husband’s passing in 2000, the transition from rehab to home was filled with uncertainty and anxiety for both Amy and her mother.

Life Alert Emergency Response changed everything for them. Amy’s mother regained her confidence in living independently with a simple press of a button. The ease of having help at her fingertips relieved her and Amy of fear. Amy now has peace of mind that her mother is safe, and her mother is happy to maintain her independent lifestyle. This mirrors experiences of countless families who have depended on Life Alert’s service for nearly 40 years.

Various Devices to Suit Every Need

The company offers a comprehensive range of medical alert devices designed to provide protection at home and on the go. For in-home security, members can choose a state-of-the art Micro Voice Pendant and a waterproof wall-mounted Help Button, both of which offer two-way communication capabilities.

The pendant is designed to be worn at all times, even in the shower, while the wall button can be placed in high-risk areas like bathrooms.

For those with active lifestyles, Life Alert also provides a help button with a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit, which pinpoints the subscriber’s location so responders can find them quickly. Like all the devices from Life Alert, it does not require charging.

Exclusive Dispatch Center

Life Alert distinguishes itself with its in-house Monitoring Centers, all located in the United States. According to a representative from the company, this allows Life Alert to maintain high standards and have consistent, rapid response times. The Monitoring Centers provide round-the-clock protection and immediate emergency assistance.

Case in point, we found that Life Alert is the only medical alert company proven to save a life every 11 minutes.

The in-house setup also means that Life Alert can maintain control over the quality of its service, unlike competitors who outsource their monitoring to third-party call centers. This direct oversight also ensures that every call is handled with the utmost care and professionalism.

Extensive Dispatcher Training

Complementing its dispatch center is the training of its staff before they start handling emergency calls. This training includes learning about the Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) industry. The dispatchers must also complete a Care and Concern course to better understand the emotional needs of members and their families.

Maintaining a high staff-to-member ratio is another crucial aspect of the company’s superior service. There are multiple dispatchers available to handle calls promptly and provide personalized attention to each subscriber. This allows dispatchers to effectively perform their duties attentively without ever leaving the subscriber, and to provide fast help when every second counts.

Tailoring Responses to Individual Needs

Life Alert customizes its emergency response protocols to meet each member’s needs. As a HIPAA compliant company, when subscribers sign up for the service, they provide detailed information about their medical history, emergency contacts, and special instructions.

Dispatchers can then access this information during an emergency to send appropriate help immediately. This allows subscribers and their family to have a sense of security and peace of mind knowing loved ones are being taken care of by the one and only Life Alert.

Long-Term Customer Relationships

Reflecting its dedication to consistent, high-quality, lifesaving services, Life Alert has a loyal fanbase with its subscribers, who have been with them for years and even decades. They even have a list of thousands of subscribers who joined the Life Alert family after having another service that failed them. The company takes pride in the trust it has built with its members.

Life Alert is always ready and reliable, turning years of service into a legacy of care. The secret behind Life Alert’s superior service? It’s their uncanny ability to make “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!®“ sound less like a punchline and more like a lifeline to getting help fast, 24/7.