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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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  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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  Navigating Vascular Ultrasounds: Your Top Questions Answered

  Vascular ultrasounds are a vital tool in diagnosing and managing vascular diseases, offering crucial insights into the health of veins and arteries. At Vascular Associates of South Alabama, we understand the importance of providing comprehensive care and information to our patients. Let’s address some of the top questions you may have about vascular ultrasounds. 1. What Is a Vascular Ultrasound? A vascular ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique used to evaluate blood vessels. By utilizing sound waves transmitted painlessly through the skin, vascular ultrasounds produce detailed images of blood flow, detecting issues such as narrowing, blockages, or abnormalities that could affect circulation. 2. How Is a Vascular Ultrasound Performed? During a vascular ultrasound evaluation, a special gel is applied to the skin over the area of interest. This gel facilitates the movement of a handheld transducer over the skin's surface, transmitting sound waves and capturing their reflections as they bounce off blood vessels. These reflections are then interpreted by a computer to generate real-time images displayed on a monitor. 3. What Conditions Can Vascular Ultrasounds Diagnose? Vascular ultrasounds are instrumental in diagnosing various vascular conditions, ...
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  How Cholesterol Affects Your Vascular Health

  If you’re monitoring your vascular health, you’ve probably been told to keep a watch on your cholesterol. This sticky villain is a known health risk, responsible for clogged arteries, heart attacks, strokes, and a variety of other life-threatening problems. But cholesterol is a natural substance that has both good and bad qualities - when it’s consumed appropriately. So how did this once-beneficial substance turn into the big bad wolf of vascular health? Let’s get back to the basics. What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is an organic substance found in the walls of every human cell. It’s necessary for the production of hormones, Vitamin D, and substances that aid in proper digestion. Your body produces all the cholesterol it needs, but cholesterol can also be found in foods that come from other animals such as eggs, milk, meat, and cheese. As these are common staples in every human diet, many people consume much more cholesterol than their body needs. When your doctor runs a cholesterol test, they’re looking at two main types of cholesterol: High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Also known as “good cholesterol”, HDLs act ...
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  5 Signs It's Time to See a Vascular Physician

  When it comes to your overall health, it's easy to focus on the major organs like the heart and lungs. However, our vascular system plays a critical role in maintaining our well-being, and it's often overlooked. Vascular health is essential for the proper functioning of our circulatory system, which includes arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels. Vascular issues can impact your quality of life significantly if left untreated. At Vascular Associates of South Alabama, we specialize in diagnosing and treating vascular conditions that affect your limbs and other parts of the body. Let’s discuss five signs that indicate it's time to see a vascular physician. #1: Leg Pain or Discomfort Do you frequently experience leg pain, cramping or discomfort, especially when walking or climbing stairs? This could be a sign of peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition that narrows the arteries in your legs due to a buildup of plaque. PAD can reduce blood flow to your extremities which leads to pain and potentially more severe complications if left untreated. A vascular physician can assess your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatments to improve ...
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  5 Ways to Lower Blood Pressure and Help Your Vascular Disease

  Maintaining optimal blood pressure is crucial for overall health and plays a significant role in preventing and managing vascular diseases. High blood pressure, or hypertension, can lead to serious problems if left unaddressed. Fortunately, there are several lifestyle changes you can adopt to lower your blood pressure and improve your vascular health. Here are five effective strategies to help you achieve these goals. #1: Adopt a Healthy Diet One of the most impactful ways to lower blood pressure is by following a healthy diet. Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy products into your meals. Reduce your intake of sodium, saturated fats and cholesterol. Emphasize foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, spinach and avocados, as it helps counterbalance the effects of sodium. A well-balanced diet can help control weight, reduce plaque buildup in arteries and promote overall vascular health. #2: Engage in Regular Physical Activity Regular exercise is key to maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, cycling or swimming, each week. Additionally, include strength training ...