Month: August 2020

You may have heard that having the right body mass index (BMI) lowers your chances of suffering from lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac problems. Did you know that your body weight can contribute to sciatic pain? While there are many coincidences in life, it may be hard for you to establish the link between weight gain and the high prevalence rate of sciatica pain. Jocelyn R. Idema, DO, and her team at Steel City Spine and OrthopedicCenter provides relief to patients suffering from sciatica in Washington, PA.

The best approach to chronic and acute sciatic pain is to prevent back pain from occurring in the first place. Sciatic pain is a common lower back problem among patients. Patient education is vital to help you know the do’s and don’ts when it comes to sciatic pain so that you can lead an active life devoid of pain. To achieve that end, below is a look at how your weight can lead to sciatic pain.

Understanding Your Lower Back

It is vital for you first to understand the anatomy of you back to help you see how sciatic pain can develop. Your lower back is made up of five large vertebrae. These lumbar spine joints contribute to your mobility, support, and the upper body’s range of motion.

In between these joints are discs, responsible for cushioning and support. The outer layer of the disc is made up of collagen, a tough material to help avoid leakage of the jelly-like substance found in the disc.

The sciatic nerve is the largest in the body and extends from the lower back to the buttocks and legs. It originates from your lumbar spine’s nerve roots. When one of the lumbar spine discs bulges out or herniates, this irritates the nerve roots in the affected area. This pain is known as sciatica, and it is characterized by tingling or numbness in the lower back or to the legs.

Impact of Weight in the Sciatica Puzzle

Your discs can be compromised by several factors, signaling the development of sciatica. You back can be compromised in ways which include:

•   Carrying too much weight
•       Prolonged sitting
•   Degenerative disc disease
•   Wear and tear caused by doing repetitive movements

There is no doubt that aging contributes to the weakening of your discs. However, adding extra weight worsens the condition, since it creates additional stress which speeds up the breakdown of your spinal discs. Your spine is designed to carry a specific amount of weight, and when you add extra pounds, this breaches the maximum possible weight.

To help better understand this, assume that your discs are a stack of donuts filled with jelly. Upon applying pressure, there will be a breaking point, where the donuts will begin to leak. From this analogy, it is clear that adding extra weight can predispose you to sciatica.

Being overweight is a major risk factor in sciatica. As a result, any weight reduction method you employ including exercise and diet plans, plays a crucial role in minimizing pressure on your spine for enhanced mobility and overall health.

If you want to learn more about sciatic pain, visit Steel City Spine and OrthopedicCenter today to have an experienced orthopedic surgeon attend to you.

It is finally that time of the month and again, your flow seems heavier than your friends’ description. Why is it that your friends seem to have lighter periods while you have to endure heavy flows for an extended period every month? A period cycle lasts for 28 days and has a duration of 4 days on average. Most people family planning in McAllen think that this is the major cause of heavy flow, but there could be other factors contributing to your heavier or lighter periods. You may not know that your period flow is thicker or lighter since you are used to it, so it is imperative to visit your doctor when you suspect that something is out of the ordinary. Below are the reasons why you may be having a heavier or lighter period.

Diet

What you eat can impact your periods. If you eat more junk foods, you are likely to suffer from premenstrual symptoms. Eating foods that are full of nutrients reduces period pain. Fasting and eating insufficient amounts of food can make your periods light since your body interprets this to be a sign that it is not ready for pregnancy.

Weight

Your weight has an impact on your periods. If you are overweight, you are more likely to have irregular and heavy periods. If you are too thin, you may miss your monthly periods. Observe a balanced diet to help maintain your ideal body mass index (BMI).

Too Little or Too Much Exercise

If you experience cramps during your periods, exercising is beneficial in easing your pain.  Fernando Otero, MD, and his team at Women’s Clinic of the Rio Grande Valley will recommend the right exercise regime so that you do not over-exercise and suppress your periods. It is crucial that you incorporate exercise into your lifestyle and not just to help with cramps.

 The Pill

Besides using contraceptive pills to prevent pregnancy, your doctor can use them to manage your periods if they are heavy and last for more than 4 days. If your pad or tampon gets full every hour, it is time you discuss this with your doctor. There are hormonal birth control pills which can help in your menstrual struggles.

Your Age

If you have just reached puberty, you may have irregular periods since it takes time to develop a regular menstrual cycle. As time goes by, your periods become more regular and shorter. When you are at the onset of menopause, your periods start to become irregular and can be light or heavy.

Hormone Imbalance

When you are stressed or anxious, your periods may become erratic. Hormonal imbalance can make you miss your periods. You can discuss with your doctor about the available options to correct this imbalance.

It Could Be More Serious

At times, ovarian cysts and cervical cancer can be the cause of your heavy menstrual bleeding or menorrhagia. Make regular visits to your doctor to help detect and treat abnormalities at an early age.

If you are experiencing heavy periods, do not assume that this is normal. Schedule a visit to your experienced physician for an examination at the earliest opportunity.

There are few specialized interventional radiology centers. Hamilton Vascular, a specialized interventional radiology center in Texas, ensures that all patients from Texas and its environs live pain-free. The practice has strategic locations in Webster, Clear Lake, Sugar Land, Round Rock, Tobin Hill, and Stone Oak, Texas. The telehealth tobin hill specialists at Hamilton Vascular are always available for consultations from your home. There are numerous benefits and reasons for visiting one of the Hamilton Vascular hospital facilities.

About Hamilton Vascular

Hamilton Vascular stands out as the first outpatient interventional radiology practice in Texas, situated in Southern Texas, founded by Carlos Hamilton III, MD. The practice offers diagnosis and treatment for vascular and vein conditions for adult patients at Sugar Land, Webster, San Antonio, and Round Rock, Texas.

Hamilton Vascular is home to board-certified physicians and surgeons that use minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat conditions like edema, diabetic vascular disease, chronic venous insufficiency, vein compression syndrome, and deep vein thrombosis. You can visit any of the centers for a venous stent, ablation, ambulatory phlebotomy, foam sclerotherapy, Varithena TM sclerotherapy, and sclerotherapy.

Physicians and surgeons at Hamilton Vascular use image-guided technology and ultrasound equipment to check beyond cosmetic complications and identify underlying causes. Unlike most practitioners that handle varicose veins as a cosmetic problem, physicians at Hamilton Vascular take a closer look at your venous symptoms for warnings of severe conditions and to diagnose issues causing pain and other underlying symptoms.

Why Should I Visit Hamilton Vascular?

• Availability of Full Service- Hamilton Vascular delivers transformative care using innovative technology. All caregivers are qualified and board-certified.
• Affordable Treatment- diagnosis and treatment for various conditions are affordable. Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, and other major insurance plans are accepted at Hamilton Vascular. Charges for your treatment depend on your condition, tests, and your insurance.
• Specialized Care- At Hamilton Vascular, physicians run conclusive tests and diagnosis to deliver premier venous treatment and compassionate care. The practice specializes in comprehensive vein care.
• Commitment from Caregivers- Hamilton Vascular is oriented towards delivering the best care through advanced treatment options and equipment for personalized care. You can visit any hospital center for the best care for your veins. You can get a referral to a hospital facility that is best equipped to handle your needs.

Available Services at Hamilton Vascular

•       Treatment for chronic venous insufficiency
•       Treatment for deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
•       Treatment for restless leg syndrome
•       Diagnosis, test, and treatment for diabetic vascular disease
•       Treatment for spider veins
•       Iliac vein compression syndrome
•       Remedy for leg discoloration
•       Treatment for leg pain
•       Treatment for varicose veins
•       Treatment for pelvic congestion syndrome
•       Sclerotherapy
•       Treatment for venous ulcers
•       Remedy for burning/Leg itching
•       Diagnosis and treatment Edema and leg swelling
•       Treatment for leg cramps
•       Lymphedema treatment
•       Telehealth appointments and consultations are available for all patients.

How to Refer a Patient

Options for patient referrals include:

•       Fill and submit the Hamilton Physician Referral Form.
•       Print the Hamilton Physician Referral form and fax it to 512-551-1651.
•       Download the Patient Referral Form and mail it to Referrals@hamiltonvascular.com.
•       Submit the Hamilton Physician Referral form in your EMR system.

When you are suffering from venous complications like varicose veins, you should call Hamilton Vascular to identify a hospital facility that is close by or book an appointment online to discover treatment options.