Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) assessment using KODYS Vascular Dopplers

 

Peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, is a form of arterial disease appearing outside of the brain and heart. In patients suffering from PAD, the arteries carrying oxygenated blood in the body tend to get narrowed or blocked. The narrowing or blocking of arteries stems from plaque or atherosclerosis. 

Generally, PAD impacts the arteries in the legs. However, it can also extend to affect the arteries carrying blood to the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, the head, and arms. 

While a majority of patients with PAD have minor or no symptoms, some experience pain in the leg or foot, ulcers or nonhealing wounds, claudication, gangrene, loss of limb, and infection. In very few cases, patients experience a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular events, poorer quality of life, and depression. 

The risk factors for the disease include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. It has been observed that patients with PAD are mostly above 50 years of age. 

Diagnosing PAD with KODYS Vascular Dopplers

Noninvasive physiologic vascular studies are critical for the diagnosis and characterization of PAD of the lower extremity. The purpose of these studies is to analyze the physiologic parameters of blood flow through pulse volume recordings, Doppler waveforms, and segmental arterial pressures. The vascular ultrasound exam uses sound waves to create pictures of the arteries, locate the site of the disease, and provide prognostic data. 

KODYS Vascular dopplers use Bidirectional high-frequency sound waves to measure the amount of blood flowing through your veins and arteries. It is highly sensitive enough .e., even if there is a minimum blood flow it captures accurately preventing the risk of foot amputation. Generally, the arteries evaluated are the ones in your legs and arms. The purpose of the vascular flow study, also referred to as blood flow study is to identify the abnormal flow of blood within an artery or vein. 

The technology of the doppler has been taken up by many medical speciality practitioners, such as primary care providers, surgeons, radiologists, and cardiologists. 

 

Venous Reflux Study using the Automatic Vascular Doppler

 Reflux or venous insufficiency is the primary problem for the most superficial venous disease. Healthy veins support a continuous one-way flow of blood from the limbs back to the heart. Leg veins comprise valves that prevent the backflow of blood. In case of faulty valves, owing to several risk factors, a person suffers from venous reflux.

Refluxing valves make blood flow back down the leg. As a result, veins tend to become swollen, enlarged and twisted as blood pools or flows in the wrong direction. This condition is common among patients and is known as varicose veins.

A healthcare professional can identify the problematic valves using an Automatic Vascular Doppler with simple one-button operation. The device can be used to assess the valvular competency of the Vein. The study is completely safe and does not require injecting medicine or radiation into the body. The sonographer requests the patient to take particular positions and movements to examine the legs and measure the blood flow. 

How to use the Automatic Vascular Doppler for Venous Reflux Study?

The Photoplethysmography (PPG) Probe of the Doppler is placed in the Right/Left Great Saphenous vein at about four or five fingers distance above the ankle bone. The patient has to perform the tiptoe reflux for five times as we observe the venous refilling pattern.

The results of the test are evaluated as follows:

• If the refilling or recovery time is more than 20 seconds, it indicates good valvular competency of the vein to push the blood upwards.
• If the refilling or recovery time is between 18-20 seconds, it is questionable and a repeat test is conducted.
• If the refilling or recovery time is less than 18 seconds, there is a venous condition and may require Physician intervention.

A Vascular Doppler uses ultrasound waves to visualize the pattern of blood flow in your veins and arteries. Depending on the results of the vascular doppler, you can discuss your venous anatomy with a physician and understand treatment options in more detail.

Choose the Better Diagnostic Portable Doppler within your Budget

Conventional ultrasound machines are bulky and heavy, making them the right choice for hospitals. On the other hand, portable dopplers are beneficial for clinics, diagnostic centres, and smaller hospitals since you can carry them around the premises. They ensure fast and timely treatment and reduce diagnostic costs. Portable ultrasound machines are used for pediatric, cardiac, radiology, OB/GYN, vascular, endocrinology, and veterinary cases. 

If you are all set to buy an ABI portable doppler machine, you must choose a device that fits your work environment and budget. Before you swipe your card and purchase the latest equipment, here are certain things to keep in mind:

1. Key Features

The technical specifications of different ultrasound machines differ. The essential features that you need to watch out for include:

• Power Output: Machines with higher power output are not recommended since they can lead to burns of the epidermis or tissues. Therefore, look for machines with lower power output. 

• Frequency: Frequency is inversely proportionate to how deep the waves penetrate. A higher frequency indicates more superficial imaging, while a lower frequency indicates deeper penetration. 

Some of the other features that you need to check are colour Doppler, 3D/4D option, CW Doppler, imaging, DICOM system, Matrix, HDLive, and Live 3D Echo. 

2. Usage

Before buying the portable equipment, it is important to understand how often you will need to use it. Besides, take into consideration the environment in which it is to be used. Discuss the use of the machine with your technician to know what suits your requirements. Your technician will also be able to help you understand the features you need to effectively complete the job. 

3. Price

The cost includes several aspects. It is not only the initial cost but also the cost of maintenance. Moreover, you must know the cost of consumables and replacement parts to estimate the price of the machine in the long run. Buying the cheapest option is not a good idea, especially if features and longevity are important to you. 

How to choose the best portable Doppler within your budget?

Vascular ultrasound is a non-invasive way to measure blood flow through veins and arteries. Vascular dopplers help to avoid the use of radiation, needles, contrast dyes, and an aesthesia.

Uses of the Vascular Ultrasound Machine

Doctors study blood flow to detect disease. Irregularities signal the presence of diseases. With the help of vascular ultrasound, doctors can spot blood clots in the arms and legs and also observe the narrowing of arteries. 

The technology of vascular doppler protects the patient from kidney damage. This is a possibility with alternative diagnostic options like radiation and contrast dye. These machines also deliver greater portability as compared to imaging performed via MRI or CAT scan. 

Before you buy an ABI portable doppler machine, it is vital to take the time to consider several factors. These include the features, warranty and service contract, availability of replacement parts, and the budget. 

1. Features

Ultrasound technicians know what the machine will be used for and what features are an advantage. They can determine features that are necessary to do the job more efficiently, features that are beneficial but not vital, and the features completely not required. Kody Medical has a Highly Diagnostic Bidirectional Doppler. It is very sensitive in detecting the sounds of arteries and veins, thereby having the features to significantly improve testing and results. 

2.               Service Contract

Always discuss the service contract and warranty. There are plenty of aspects for this, such as the duration of the warranty, what does it cover, does it renew automatically, how do you contact the technical support team, what is the cancellation fees, etc. 

3.               Availability of Replacement Parts

Any ultrasound equipment requires replacement parts. The most common requirements arise for keyboards, power supplies, casters, upper control panel, keys and buttons. Make sure you find out about their availability and pricing to understand how you can replace these parts for your selected vascular doppler. 

Lastly, remember to determine the budget. This will not just include the price of the unit but also the price of the service contract and the cost of commonly replaced parts. 

Do you have excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)?

Are you feeling more sleepy during day time? Is it work? Or is it some kind of a sleep disorder? The average adult sleeps roughly six to nine hours a night. If you get this amount of sleep, but still feel sleepy during the day or need multiple naps that interfere with your daily activities—a medical condition could be the cause. You may be suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Excessive daytime sleepiness can be a highly frustrating condition to deal with. People with EDS have an uncontrollable impulse to sleep at inappropriate times during the day. They may fall asleep quite involuntarily very often without being aware of having slept.

 Excessive daytime sleepiness is considered its own condition, but more often it is a symptom resulting from another sleep disorder and a major detriment to quality of life.There are multiple factors that may contribute to feeling excessively sleepy during the day such as medications, sleep deprivation (short-term or chronic), other medical conditions or sometimes the cause is self-imposed or due to life factors. Not everyone with EDS has the same cause – for one individual it may be narcolepsy, while for another it may be the result of shift work. Obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, circadian rhythm disorders, and narcolepsy are frequently under diagnosed sleep disorders that can cause EDS.

Sleep is essential to health, so if you experience chronic daytime sleepiness or other sleep problems; visit a certified sleep medicine center in Chicago. There can be multiple causes of the problem, but first with the help of your sleep doctor in Chicago you need to figure out what may be the reason you are experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness. If left untreated excessive daytime sleepiness results in decreased productivity and affects the quality of life. Your physician may refer you to a sleep clinic in Chicago for a comprehensive evaluation of your problem.

If you think that you have excessive daytime sleepiness, be sure to understand the specific cause for you personally. Also be sure to get formal testing done to verify that you do in fact have EDS. If excessive sleepiness is a problem that affects your daily functioning, an evaluation with a certified sleep medicine doctor in Chicago can help to identify the factors that may be contributing to your daytime sleepiness. It is important to get proper diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause of the sleepiness.

A sleep specialists help identify the cause of daytime sleepiness and develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include certain medications,  lifestyle changes and diagnostic testing if certain sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or narcolepsy, are suspected. Since many sleep disorders have overlapping symptoms, which can be difficult to tell apart, your sleep doctor may ask you specific questions about your sleep habits and perform a sleep study in Chicago.

When to Seek Help? If you struggling with sleep and do not have an explanation as to why this is happening then you need to consult your sleep specialist. A sleep specialist will examine you by asking a few questions related to your irregular sleep patterns and other difficulties you are facing. If you are currently dealing with it, consult an expert sleep medicine doctor in Chicago who will evaluate the possible causes and advise on the appropriate management. Your Sleep Specialist inChicago will work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that improves the quality of your sleep without interrupting your life.

BENEFITS OF VITAMIN C

Vitamin C is a naturally occurring antioxidant with multiple desirable effects. Vitamin C boosts up the immune system, reduces the severity of allergic reactions and helps to fight off infections.

Did you know ,Unlike plants and animals, humans are not able to synthesize vitamin C in vivo due to absence of the enzyme L-glucono-gamma lactone oxidase. So, we must acquire it from rich natural sources such as citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, papaya and broccoli.

L-ascorbic acid (LAA) is the chemically and biologically active form of Vitamin C. In natural sources, Vitamin C is found in equal parts as LAA and D-ascorbic acid. Though these isomeric molecules are mutually interchangeable, only LAA is active and useful in medical practice.

Oral vitamin C

Dietary Vitamin C is important for maintaining normal functioning of the skin during keratinocyte differentiation and collagen formation.

Vitamin C deficiency causes Scurvy which is characterised by skin fragility, bleeding gums and corkscrew hairs and impaired wound healing.

Many studies have shown an increase in skin vitamin C content following supplementation with oral vitamin C. But the absorption of Vitamin C in the gut is limited and only a mere amount of the drug reaches the skin inspite of high oral dosage. Hence the use of topical ascorbic acid is favoured for most skin conditions.

Potent antioxidant

Intake of oral vitamin C decreases lipid peroxidation and increases superoxide dismutase activity, thereby improving the Antioxidant activity.

Anti-inflammatory

It inhibits the activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-alfa, IL1, IL6 and IL8 and has a potential anti-inflammatory activity. It can be used in conditions like acne vulgaris, rosacea, wound healing and to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Reduces oxidative stress

UV radiation, pollution, and smoking can accelerate damage to the skin through the generation oxidative stress. Vitamin C is one of the most potent antioxidants in the skin as it neutralizes the oxidative stress by a process of electron transfer and/or donation.

Depigmenting agent

Vitamin C interrupts the key steps of melanogenesis and inhibits the action tyrosinase, the main enzyme responsible for the conversion of tyrosine into melanin and decreases melanin formation. It also acts upon the perifollicular pigment. It is used in the treatment of melasma and dark spots.

Wound Healing

Wound healing is a complex process composed of inflammation, new tissue formation and remodelling. Vitamin C has beneficial effect on wound healing which is directly related to its co-factor activity for the synthesis of collagen, and impaired wound healing is an early indicator of hypovitaminosis C.

Anti Aging

Loss of collagen and changes to the dermal–epidermal junction may contribute to aging. Vitamin C is an important antiaging agent as it is essential for collagen synthesis.

Protection against photoaging

Free radicals released due to absorption of solar ultraviolet radiation are highly toxic molecules that can damage the cellular nucleic acids, proteins, and cell membranes. These UV-induced reactive oxygen species also trigger matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which degrade collagen, reduce collagen production, and increase elastin accumulation. This leads to wrinkles and photoaging. Topical Vitamin C inhibits MMP production and collagen damage and thereby reduces skin wrinkling.

Protects against photocarcinogenesis

UV radiation induced reactive oxygen species cause p53 gene mutations which affect the repair of damaged deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and induce programmed cell death (apoptosis). Topical vitamin C has shown to reduce UV-induced apoptotic sunburn cell formation, erythema and thymine dimers, thereby reducing the risk of photocarcinogenesis.

Restorer of vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects the cellular contents against oxidative stress and maintains the collagen network in the skin. Vitamin E levels are rapidly depleted after UV exposure. Vitamin C is known to be the primary replenisher of vitamin E.

Vitamin C is essential for the development and maintenance of connective tissues. It protects the body from free radical damage and is used as therapeutic agent in many disorders.

Source: https://www.cureka.com/benefits-of-vitamin-c/

Is Narcolepsy A Dangerous Sleep Disorder?

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that occurs in approximately 1 in 4,000 persons in the United States. People with narcolepsy faces a lifelong nervous system disorder that causes abnormal sleep and can affect a person’s quality of life. It’s a persistent condition that can cause not only extreme drowsiness but brief sleep paralysis, muscle weakness, hallucinations, insomnia, and other sleep disorders. These symptoms aren’t just frustrating—they’re dangerous as they can lead to accidents, injuries, or life-threatening situations.

Narcolepsy is believed to be due to an autoimmune process where the body’s immune system kills a small population of neurons within the hypothalamus of the brain. Unfortunately, the destruction of these cells is typically complete and the damage cannot presently be reversed.  These neurons, or nerve cells, contain a neurotransmitter called hypocretin that helps control wakefulness and REM sleep. People with low or absent hypocretin levels are classified as having Narcoleps.

Narcolepsy is not dangerous in itself, but it usually comes with Cataplexy which is a sudden loss of muscle control. This may be just a slight feeling of weakness, such as sagging facial muscles. The head might drop forward or worse, buckling of the knees resulting in total collapse of the person. In severe cases, the patient can become sleep paralyzed, lasting for a few seconds to several minutes. During this time, the patient may seem to be unconscious, but can be fully awake and temporarily unable to move. This can be a frightening situation to be in.

Narcoleptics may also have hallucinations that seem real and happen when falling asleep or waking up. Imagine having a dream so vivid it feels like it’s really happening. Narcoleptics are to such dreams and may have trouble waking up. Sleep paralysis often accompanies these vivid dreams. They experience hearing sounds or unwanted visions while drifting to sleep. They may also have additional sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, that also interfere with their ability to get a good night's rest. This lack of quality sleep is a likely contributor to their daytime drowsiness.

What to do? Narcolepsy is a chronic condition that requires continuous treatment. It can be life threatening if not treated by medication to stay awake for activities like driving, using machinery etc. There are multiple treatments that may be effective in treating the symptoms associated with narcolepsy. Most of the severe symptoms of narcolepsy are treated with medications. Though difficulties often persist, some people are able to make adjustments with the use of medications to preserve many daily functions. Avoiding nicotine, alcohol and caffeine can also help you minimize the symptoms of narcolepsy.

 Do you think you have Narcolepsy? Schedule an appointment with a sleep medicine specialist at Sleep Med Center, Chicago today!