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In today’s times, with advertising media everywhere and our never-ending need to look our best, many people associate vascular centers with cosmetic procedures. For example, someone looking for varicose vein treatment  in San Diego, or spider vein removal in Orange County, might not be aware of the depth and breadth of serious conditions treated by vascular surgery centers.

What is a Chronic Wound?

A wound is considered to chronic when it does not heal in the expected time frame consistent with the type of wound. Treating wounds is critical, as improper or lack of wound care can result in amputation or even death. Wound care is an enormous health problem impacting our health care system, and people with chronic wounds must often choose between meeting their work obligations or treating their wounds. Since chronic wounds are usually caused by inadequate blood supply to the wound site, as vascular specialist should be your first choice for care and treatment.

Causes

Typically, wounds fail to heal from lack of oxygen and nutrients supplied by the circulation of blood to the affected area, or from infection. Pressure wounds, such as bedsores, must be treated by first removing the cause of pressure resulting in lack of blood flow. Varicose veins can cause ulceration due to lack of blood flow through damaged valves.  It is important to know that when one considers something as seemingly simple as varicose vein treatment in San Diego, for reasons of the fact that varicose veins can be indicative of a larger problem, a vascular surgeon should be your first choice. Ischema, or lack of blood circulation (as with diabetes patients), is also a major cause of chronic wounds.

Types of wounds

• Acute post- surgery wounds – deep incisions from surgery that must be monitored with care to ensure proper healing
• Acute wounds from accident – traumatic wounds account for approximately 6% of all emergency room visits, and must be especially treated and monitored due to tissue and circulatory damage resulting from blunt force.
• Pressure wounds – the most common pressure wound is a bed sore, where continued pressure prohibits circulation and damages tissue. Severe pressure wounds can also lead to bone, muscle and tendon damage.
• Radiation Wounds – Exposure to ionizing radioactive materials of any type (gamma ray, x-ray, etc.) can lead to wounds by both tissue damage at the site of exposure, and by compromising the immune system to affect the body’s ability to heal.
• Diabetic ulcers – It is imperative that diabetic patients get their feet checked regularly, as they are prone to ulcers that can become chronic or lead to amputation. Neuropathy is also common in diabetics, which is nerve damage that causes one to lose feeling in their feet. Thus, they could have an open wound and not realize it in time.
• Vascular ulcers- many factors can result in vascular ulcers, both venous and arterial. Hypertension, venous insufficiency, atherosclerosis, certain types of cancer, and obesity can all lead to chronic vascular ulcers that put the patient at risk for amputation.

Treatment

Chronic wounds should be treated systemically, as the patient’s overall health, nutrition, and underlying diseases must be managed to support the healing process. Vascular surgeons treat and dress wounds, often applying layers of medicated compression bandages, to improve circulation and nutrition to the wound, in a germ-free environment. Irrigation is also standard. Sophisticated analysis would lead them to determine if curettage is required to remove damaged tissue.
The San Diego Vascular Center is the premier vascular treatment center. Whether you are looking for spider vein removal in San Diego, or need a reliable, highly-qualified staff to care for chronic wounds or vascular disease, our team of board-certified doctors is at your service.

Signs and Symptoms

DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) is caused when a blood clot forms in one of the veins of your body, most often in the legs.  The symptoms of DVT include:

• Swelling and cramp-like pain in one leg (or arm)
• Purple, red or bluish skin discoloration
• Leg (or arm) feels warm to the touch

Contact your doctor or find an emergency medical facility as soon as possible, because you may need treatment right away.

Preventing DVT

• Keep active
• Stay in your normal weight range for your height and age
• Avoid prolonged periods of inactivity, especially sitting. Get up and move around at least once per hour, or do leg raises and other seated exercises.
• Avoid alcohol
• Stay hydrated
• Wear compression stockings while traveling

Blood clots from a Deep Vein Thrombosis and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be fatal.

Pulmonary Embolism:

Signs and Symptoms

• Sudden shortness of breath
• Sharp, stabbing chest pain
• Increased or rapid heart rate
• Sudden cough, sometimes with blood in mucus

Call an ambulance or 911 immediately for treatment in the ER if you experience these PE symptoms.

Up to 600,000 people in the United States develop blood clots every year.  About 100,000 people in the U.S. die each year from blood clots.

During the sclerotherapy procedure, your doctor (preferably a vascular specialist or vascular surgeon) injects the spider veins with a harmless solution that closes those veins, causing the blood to reroute through healthier veins. In a few weeks, the spider veins fade or disappear. Sometimes, the same vein may need to be injected more than once to completely remove spider veins, but more often than not, a patient will see lasting results on the first treatment.

Sclerotherapy requires no anesthesia, and can be performed right in your doctor’s office. Side effects are minimal, such as temporary swelling or itching.

For more information, or to schedule a consultation, contact The San Diego Vascular Center today by calling (760) 739-7666, or visit us on the web at www.SanDiegoVascularCenter.com.