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  Resolutions for a Healthier You and Your Vascular Health

  Welcome to 2024, a New Year filled with opportunities for growth, self-improvement, and most importantly, better health! As we embark on this journey of renewal and transformation, it's crucial to prioritize not only our overall well-being but also the health of our vascular system. At Vascular Associates of South Alabama, we believe that adopting resolutions focused on vascular health can lead to significant improvements in your quality of life. Let's explore some resolutions to help you embrace the New Year and become the best version of yourself. 1. Prioritize Regular Exercise Incorporating regular physical activity into your daily routine is one of the most effective ways to maintain optimal vascular health. Whether it's brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or yoga, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Exercise improves circulation, strengthens blood vessels, and helps control weight, reducing the risk of vascular diseases such as peripheral artery disease and deep vein thrombosis. 2. Adopt a Healthy Diet Fuel your body with nutrient-rich foods that promote heart and vascular health. Incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean ...
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  What to Know About the Flu If You Have Vascular Disease

  As the chilly winds of flu season sweep across the nation, it's essential for everyone to be vigilant about their health. However, for individuals with vascular diseases, the flu can pose unique and potentially severe risks. Vascular diseases, including conditions like peripheral artery disease and atherosclerosis, can weaken the immune system and affect overall vascular health. Therefore, being informed and taking proactive measures is crucial for staying healthy during flu season. #1: Understand the Risks Vascular diseases can compromise blood circulation which makes it harder for the body to fight off infections, including the flu. Individuals with compromised circulation may experience more severe flu symptoms making them vulnerable to complications like pneumonia. Understanding this risk is the first step towards taking necessary precautions. #2: Get the Flu Vaccination One of the most effective ways to protect yourself from the flu is getting vaccinated. For individuals with vascular diseases, a flu shot is not just a preventive measure; it's a shield against potentially life-threatening complications. Consult your healthcare provider about the flu vaccine to ensure that it's safe and suitable for your specific condition. #3: ...
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  What Is a Vascular Surgeon and Why Do You Need One?

    A vascular surgeon is a highly-trained specialist who treats vascular diseases and provides comprehensive vascular care. Vascular disease is defined as “any condition that affects your circulatory system, or system of blood vessels” by Cleveland Clinic. Types of vascular disease include atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease, carotid artery disease and pulmonary embolism. Do they always operate? While vascular surgeons do perform surgery, they also treat patients using only lifestyle changes and preventative health plans. Some conditions, like Peripheral Artery Disease, can be managed with exercise and a healthy diet.  Why would I need a vascular surgeon? Normally, a patient’s primary care doctor will refer them to a vascular surgeon if they’ve been recently diagnosed with vascular disease, present with pain in their legs or are at high risk. Patients with diabetes or who smoke may need to start a relationship and work on slowing the progression of vascular diseases. Some people may skip the general practitioner entirely after an unexpected trip to the hospital that’s related to vascular disease.  What should I look for in a vascular specialist? A patient needs a board-certified vascular surgeon who ...
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  Everything You Need to Know About Vascular Disease & the Summer Heat

    In South Alabama, summers are hot and those temperatures can last well into the fall. Patients with vascular disease may see their symptoms exacerbated due to the heat.  How Does the Summer Heat Affect Vascular Disease? Veins dilate when exposed to high temperatures causing an increase in swelling and stress on the body as it works harder to circulate blood. This can lead to vein damage, discomfort, blood accumulation in the lower legs and skin sensitivity like itching and rashes.  Additionally, people tend to be more active during the summer when the weather is nice. This can lead to pain in the extremities especially if people overdo it. While the pain may simply be misuse, it could also be a sign of Peripheral Artery Disease.  What Can You Do to Beat the Summer Heat? People with vascular disease should follow year-round lifestyle changes including: Staying properly hydrated Maintaining a health weight through diet and exercise Wearing loose fitting clothing and compression socks Cutting out smoking  More specifically in the summer months, patients should cool down by: Staying in the shade Wearing a hat Enjoying frozen treats Spending time in the air conditioning  Exercising indoors ...
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  Don't Rely on Luck! Why You Need a Vascular Screening

  When it comes to vascular health, patients should be proactive. Vascular screenings are a great way to detect problems early and prevent them from advancing.  What Is Vascular Screening? Vascular screenings are designed to identify problems with the blood vessels in the body. They’re often non-invasive, painless and can be performed in a doctor’s office. These screenings may involve tests such as an ankle-brachial index (ABI) test, which compares the blood pressure in the ankle to the blood pressure in the arm, or a vascular ultrasound, which uses sound waves to evaluate blood vessels and circulation. One of the main benefits of vascular screenings is that they can help detect and prevent serious vascular health conditions such as abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral artery disease (PAD), early on. Many vascular conditions like PAD do not have noticeable symptoms until they have progressed to an advanced stage.  By catching these conditions early, individuals can begin treatment before they become more serious and potentially irreversible. For example, a screening may uncover major risk factors for these conditions, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. ...
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  Vascular Disease Awareness Month: What Is Vascular Disease?

  September is Vascular Disease Awareness Month! By the age of 50, 50% of women and 30% of men are affected by a vein disorder.  What Is Vascular Disease? Vascular disease is a term used to describe numerous conditions affecting the veins, arteries and small vessels.  Here are just a few examples of vascular diseases: Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Varicose Veins Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Symptoms can vary depending on the blood vessels affected. Coronary Artery Disease may present symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain while PAD can cause swelling, pain or weakness in the extremities. Unfortunately, a serious or even life-threatening event may occur before a patient even knows they have vascular disease as sometimes there are no symptoms. People are more at risk if they have a family history of vascular disease or have the following: Diabetes Obesity High cholesterol History of smoking Unhealthy diet How Does Vascular Associates of South Alabama Treat Vascular Disease? At Vascular Associates of South Alabama, their board-certified physicians are experts in treating patients with vascular disease. While some types can be treated with medications and changes in lifestyle, others may need surgery to ...