If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, your vascular system is likely to need attention. There was sudden onset swelling or pain where there was none before; unexplained weight gain, chronic fatigue, and weakness upon exertion. You may also experience tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, cold extremities, and chest pain when breathing deeply. The good news is that vascular specialists in Tinley Park, IL, can help to diagnose these problems. They can also treat them through different methods. Book an appointment with Dr. Eugene Tanquilut in Tinley Park, Illinois. Here are some things a vascular specialist can help with.
Vascular Surgery
Vascular surgery can help to improve your quality of life. One of the most common causes of vascular disease is atherosclerosis. This occurs when plaque builds up inside the arteries, causing them to harden and narrow. It can lead to several problems, such as chest pain, heart attack, stroke, and even death. Fortunately, there are ways to treat atherosclerosis.
One of these ways is open surgery, which involves the removal of the plaque to restore smooth flow through the arteries. Another way is angioplasty, where a balloon-tipped catheter is inserted into the area with restricted blood flow and then expanded so that it can push through the restriction.
Vascular Ultrasound
The vascular system is the network of blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to all cells in your body. It includes arteries, veins, and capillaries. A vascular ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of the inside of a person’s blood vessels. This test can diagnose many conditions related to the vascular system, including atherosclerosis (hardening or narrowing), clots, aneurysms, tumors, or other abnormalities.
Vascular ultrasounds are painless procedures with no risk for complications because they do not involve any radiation exposure. They usually take less than 30 minutes and require only local anesthesia to scan the area if necessary.
Venous Ablation
Research suggests that such procedures as Venous Ablation may be the solution to the drastic rise in chronic venous insufficiency and venous-related disorders. This procedure is similar to the more common treatment of Varicose Veins.Â
Venous Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that utilizes heat to destroy (coagulate) tiny sacs (varicosities) of vein tissue, thus preventing obstruction and reducing swelling and heaviness. The potential side effects include pain, bruising, temporary discomfort, and numbness; these are milder than traditional surgery for varicose veins.
The procedure typically consists of three steps:
- Catheterization- A thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into the vein through a small incision.
- Local Anesthesia- The area around the vein is numbed with a local anesthetic.
- Heating Element- A heating element is then inserted into the catheter and turned on.
The Venous Ablation procedure is usually completed in about 30 minutes and can take place as an outpatient procedure. Most people return to their normal activities within a few days.
Vascular specialists can treat the symptoms of vascular diseases, but you need to know what these conditions may be so that you can take action sooner rather than later. Vascular surgery and other treatments seek to improve your quality of life by treating atherosclerosis or varicose veins. The best way to find out if you have one of these illnesses is through a venous ultrasound scan.
