Swollen ankles are very common among older people. Sometimes even young people suffer from this disease. There can be many possible reasons for swollen ankles. Some of the main and most relevant causes for swollen ankles are as follows:

Trauma
Injury on ankle
Sprained ankle
Venous insufficiency
Lymph edema
Arthritis
Heart disease
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Infection
Tumor
Some medications, including calcium channel blockers, steroids or even antidepressants
Homeopathic treatment for swollen ankles
The main treatment for swollen ankles actually requires a great deal of investigation in the field of homeopathic genre. Each and every case is investigated thoroughly and also analysed to a huge depth before prescribing any kind of homeopathic medication. The swollen ankles which are caused due to injury, sprain and arthritis can be independently handled by a homeopathic treatment. But in case of any other serious organ injury, homeopathic medicines are mainly used for treatment along with other kinds of advanced medications. Homeopathic medication should be considered only after consulting a good physician. Self-medication must be strictly avoided.

Some of the homeopathic medicines for treating swollen ankles include the following:

Apis Mellifica and Apocynum: Apis Mellifica and Apocynum are considered to be the best medicines for dropsical swollen ankles, also referred to as edema. Here the swelling is caused due to excess water retention or even due to water accumulation in the tissues.
Ledum Pal: If you are experiencing swollen ankles due to arthritis, Ledum Pal is your go-to homeopathic medicine. In such cases, the affected person usually experiences painful and hot swollen ankles.
Arnica: Another medicine of all times, especially for swollen ankles, is Arnica. It is the most effective medicine for swollen ankles caused due to an injury. Arnica works in a wondrous way to reduce the pain and the swelling of the ankles from injury which are bruised and feel sore to touch.
Ruta: Ruta is primarily prescribed for swollen ankles resulting from sprain. A sprain is defined as the overstretching of the ligaments, mainly in the area of joints.
Hamamelis: This homeopathic medicine, which is highly effective in treating swollen ankles, primarily caused due to varicose veins or venous insufficiency, is Hamamelis. It is the best rated medicine among its category.
If you are suffering from a swollen ankle, neither be indifferent it to, nor delay its treatment for long. It is recommended that you consult an experienced homeopathic practitioner to get the best medicine for your condition.

Swollen Ankles - 5 Homeopathic Remedies For It!

In our bodies, the vascular system is composed of vessels. This system is comprised of a complex network of veins and arteries. The arteries transport oxygenated blood away from the heart and spread it throughout our bodies and veins brings the deoxygenated blood (oxygen-poor) back to the heart for purification. Whenever this complicated process gets disturbed, pain, dysfunction of the system, and other complications may occur.

Most common complications among all are:
1. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: This condition is when there is a  bulge  formed in the weak area of the largest artery in the abdomen and keeps on increasing with each pressure flow of blood from that artery. This condition weakens the artery further and massive internal bleeding may occur.

2. Carotid Artery Disease - Stroke: This condition arises when the main blood vessels flowing blood to the brain develops a plague caused due to hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). The continuous increase of plague can cause a stroke.

3. Peripheral Arterial Disease: This condition occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood is insufficient to the lower limbs of the body due to hardening of the arteries in that area. This can cause difficulty in walking, foot ulcers, infections and can even lead to amputation.

The complication of these types are corrected by the vascular surgeon with the process is commonly known as vascular surgery. However, this condition is sometimes medically managed by an innovative, less invasive procedure called Endovascular surgery. 

Vascular Surgery-
Vascular surgery is generally the traditional surgery that corrects the diseases outside of the heart and the brain. This procedure is more invasive as it involves incisions that are surgical in nature. Vascular surgery comprises of the surgery of the aorta, carotid arteries, and other small diametric arteries. This surgery also involves surgery of veins for treating various conditions such as varicose veins and May-Thurner syndrome.

Endovascular Surgery:
However, this type of surgery is an innovative way to treat medical conditions related to the vascular system. For instance, during the procedure of treating the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, it involves making a small cut near the hip area and inserting the endovascular graft through the arteries and is positioned inside the aorta, in a catheter, which is a flexible, long, and narrow tube. The endovascular graft is a tube device made up of special fiber and is framed within stainless steel self-expanding stents. The grafts expand and seal off the aneurysm. This stops the internal bleeding the system and the graft remain in the aorta permanently.

This method has a short recovery time, smaller incisions, less discomfort, less stress on the heart and has fewer risks. This surgery is appropriate for the patient who is at high
risk of complications. 

Take Away-
Diseases related to artery and veins are now being treated with various methods such as angiography, stenting, sclerotherapy in various countries. These days vascular surgeons have become proficient with the endovascular surgical methods. Endovascular surgery is durable and less painful and stressful when viewed with the context of vascular surgery. However, the cost of staying longer at the hospitals is somewhat got balanced by the high cost of imaging equipment and other high financial expenses in the endovascular surgery.

Endovascular VS Vascular Surgery - Know The Difference!

Many people know that smoking causes several problems including cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disease. However, there are other diseases occur because of smoking and chewing tobacco. Buerger's Disease is one such disease in which the blood vessels in legs and arms get blocked. This blockage will interfere in blood flow and results in forming blood clots. These clots will affect both legs and
hands.
Buerger's Disease is also known as Thromboangitis Obliterans. It is a type of vasculitis which causes inflammation in the blood vessels including thickening, narrowing, weakening, or scarring.
Buerger's Disease cannot be cured easily. However, by quitting the use of tobacco and smoking, one can limit the symptoms from getting worse. If a person is not able to quit smoking, he/she might end up
suffering from severe tissue damage. One can also even lose toes, fingers, or other parts of the limbs. This is why quitting all type of tobacco or smoking is the only way to treat Buerger's Disease.

What Causes Buerger's Disease?
As discussed earlier, smoking cigarettes or cigars and chewing any form of tobacco is one of the main causes of Buerger's Disease. Still, the exact cause of this disease is unknown, but in most cases of Buerger's Disease, the sufferer has consumed tobacco products. It is an assumption that chemicals present in tobacco, cigarettes, and cigars may affect the lining of blood vessels, causing them to swell. According to experts, the genes in the body may also cause this disease. It is suspected that this disease is caused by an autoimmune response in which the immune system of the body attacks healthy tissues mistakenly. According to this theory, some people are prone to this disease.

Symptoms of Buerger's Disease-
Some of the most common symptoms of Buerger's Disease are:
  Pain in the hands and feet while exercising
  Stiffness due to reduced blood flow
  Pain at Rest
  Skin ulcerations
  Gangrene of the fingers and toes in severe cases
  Numbness, coldness, or tingling of the feet and hand
  Pale, reddish, or blue-tinted hands or feet.

Diagnosis of Buerger s Disease-
There is a set of tests that can diagnose Buerger s disease. Doctors first ask a person about his/her lifestyle, use of tobacco, and symptoms. After seeing a few symptoms, doctors may perform a test to check the blood flow. He may also look for other diseases that cause similar symptoms. Some of the common test to diagnose Buerger s Disease are:


  Allen Test: The Allen test is a blood flow test. In this type of test, patients squeeze their hand into a firm fist, which pushes out blood from hand. The doctor presses the arteries to slow down the
blood flow of the hand. At this stage, the normal color of the skin gets pale. After that, patients open his/her hand and doctors release the pressure from both sides of the wrist one by one. If it takes a longer time to go back to the normal skin color, it may be an indication of Buerger s disease

  Angiogram: It is a type of X-ray that will help to check the blockage of the blood vessels in the legs and arms. In this test, doctor place catheter (thin tube) into an artery to pump the dye. After
that, he takes X-ray images. Doctors may also perform tomography (CT) or MRI scan for clear results.

  Blood Tests: The blood tests will help the doctor to check if there is any other disease that causes the same symptoms as most of the vascular diseases mimics the symptoms of Buerger s
Disease. The doctor may also perform tests to check for diseases like lupus, diabetes, and those that cause blood clots.

Treatment of Buerger' Disease-
Quitting smoking and use of tobacco will help a person to lower the symptoms of this disease. Doctors may also prescribe for pain killers or antibiotics to get rid of the pain in affected areas. If a person finds it difficult to quit smoking, doctors help him/her with the right program and rehabilitation techniques.

Take Away-
Buerger's Disease is one of the rare illness caused by intake of tobacco products, this is why quitting smoking is most important to treat this disease. It is also advisable to consult a doctor as soon as a person identify any of the above symptoms.

All You Need To Know About Peripheral Vascular Injuries!

Inguino-scrotal and Inguino-labial swellings are common in children during infancy. A common cause of an Inguino-scrotal swelling in children is the presence of a patent processus vaginalis. It presents in the form of an inguinal hernia or hydrocele. Male infants are often affected 3 to 6 times more than the female ones. Processus vaginalis is the outpouching of peritoneum that extends through the inguinal canal. It is first seen during the 3rd month of intrauterine life. It follows the gubernaculum and testes through the inguinal canal and reaches the scrotum by the 7th month of gestation. 

Differential diagnosis of inguino-scrotal swelling in children: 

Inguinal hernia and hydrocele 
Torsion testes, epididymorchitis 
Undescended testes 
Varicocele 
Enlarged inguinal lymph node 
Abscess or lipoma 
Normally after the testicular descent, the portion of processus vaginalis surrounding the testis becomes tunica vaginalis. The processus vaginalis gets obliterated, eliminating the communication between peritoneal cavity and scrotum. A patent processus vaginalis is seen up to 20% in adulthood. 

Hernia and Hydrocele: The testicles or ovaries form in the abdomen near the kidneys, between 3 to 4 months of fetal development. Further, they gradually move down into the lower part of the abdomen as the fetus continues to develop. On descending downwards, small part of the peritoneum (a layer of tissue lining the abdomen from inside) that attaches to the testicle is drawn with it into the scrotum. This forms a pouch or sac. A similar process occurs in females as the round ligament of the uterus descends into the groin at the labia. The sac formed is processus vaginalis. Any connection between the abdominal cavity and the scrotum or groin is eliminated. When closure of the processus vaginalis is delayed or incomplete, it may stretch and eventually become a hernia. Stretching of processus vaginalis creates the inguinal sac that allows organs an extension from abdomen and entry into the sac. If fluid, rather than organs, builds up and remains in the sac, the child has a hydrocele. Approximately 80 percent to 90 percent of inguinal hernias appear in boys. They are more common on the right side, but in about 10 percent of cases, they occur on both sides (bilaterally). 

Epididymorchitis: Epididymitis is the pain and swelling of the tube that attaches to each testicle called as the epididymis. Orchitis is pain and swelling of the testicle. Since epididymis and testis lie next to each other, differentiation of the inflamed part is difficult. Hence, the term epididymo-orchitis is often used. Infection with bacteria often causes these problems. Other causes are infections from surgery or from a catheter that drains urine. The mumps virus also can cause orchitis. Analgesics or anti-inflammatory medicines can reduce the pain. Antibiotics are used if the problem is caused by bacteria. 

Torsion testis: It is a painful condition that occurs in the boys. It is a twisting of the testicles and the spermatic cord (the structure extending from the groin to the testes that contains nerves, ducts, and blood vessels). A decreased blood flow to the testes is caused by torsion of the testes. This torsion essentially strangles them of oxygen and nutrients. While it generally occurs in adolescent boys, it may also occur during fetal development or shortly after a baby is born. Urgent surgical procedure is undertaken if testicular torsion is confirmed in a child. The chance of survival for the testicle is best if surgery is completed within six hours of symptom onset.

Know The Types Of Inguinoscrotal Swelling In Children!

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is caused by atherosclerosis or plaque build-up in the leg arteries. Mostly, individuals with PAD have mild or no symptoms. But with the extension of the blockages, individuals may experience disability and pain that restricts free walking. In more severe cases, individuals may develop a risk of losing their limb if the circulation is not improved. 

There are various ways to improve the flow of blood in the leg, especially for individuals with severe PAD. The objectives of improving the blood flow in the limb include improving functional ability, reducing pain, preventing amputation, and providing a better quality of life. 

Symptoms 

Symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease may include gangrene, claudication or pain in leg muscle while walking, pain at night mainly in the feet and leg, and feet sores.

Bypass Surgery

There are a number of treating methods for PAD. Both invasive and traditional methods are used to treat Peripheral Artery Disease. 

Stenting and Angioplasty are invasive treatment methods. The traditional method includes bypass surgery. The best available treatment method for an individual depends upon various factors such as severity, location of the artery blockage in the leg, general health of the patient, history of any vascular problems, and previous treatments.

Surgical bypass in the leg or Lower Extremity Bypass Surgery is usually the last option for the patients with PAD. This method is used when all the other alternative treatment methods fail or are not suitable for the individual. During the Leg Bypass Surgery, the surgeon forms an alternative channel for blood flow to bypass or avoid the blocked area and restore the direct flow of blood to the lower leg and foot. 

The risks and benefits of the surgery are calculated prior to the surgery. For the best result of the surgery, surgeons try to use the patient s own saphenous vein, from inside the leg, to execute these grafts. Surgeons may also use veins from other leg or arms or use prosthetic or artificial graft, in case the required length of the saphenous vein cannot be achieved. 

The results of artificial and saphenous vein from other limbs are not as effective as the saphenous vein from the same leg. Thus, the availability of an appropriate vein to execute this method is an important consideration that is taken into account before the surgery. 

Takeaway

Leg Bypass Surgery is one of the medical procedures for the treatment of Peripheral Artery Disease. In PAD, the artery of the leg is blocked which can hinder the daily life of the individual. 

The symptoms can be mild or absent but, in the case, where symptoms are severe, and affecting the quality of life of the patient, treatment becomes a necessity. Bypass surgery is the last option used when other alternative methods fail to help the patient. 

Leg Bypass - Know More About It!

The body s reacts to anything suspicious by developing an allergic reaction. Some of the common substances inducing this reaction include certain food substances, pollen, insect bites and certain metals. This body recognises these suspicious substances as antigens and produces what is known as antibodies. These produce various allergic reactions in the body ranging from something as minor as a skin rash to something drastically fatal as respiratory distress and even death.

Features:

Angioedema is one of the most severe forms of allergic reactions.
Translated literally as swelling of the blood vessels, angioedema causes swelling of the blood vessels in the underlying layers and this can lead to the formation of giant hives.
The hives or rashes are extremely itchy, reddish, and can vary in shape (oval or circular). The hives also are warm and painful when touched.
Angioedema usually affects the skin but can have more severe effects like blocking the airway and leading to respiratory distress
Causes: Angioedema is usually caused by one of the following:

Insect bites or stings
People with allergies to foods like peanuts, eggs, milk, shellfish, chocolates, tree nuts, etc.
Pollen, animal dander, latex, poison ivy, and other common allergens
Medicines like penicillin, aspirin, ibuprofen, and some anti-hypertensives
Autoimmune skin disorders like lupus
Reaction to incompatible blood transfusions
Weather conditions like extremes of cold, heat, or pressure
Infections like hepatitis, cytomegalovirus infections, Epstein-Barr infections, etc.
Conditions like leukaemia and thyroid disorders
Extreme emotional stress
Genetic angioedema, inherited from parents by children, which can last forever
Risk factors: Though hives usually develop without any warning signs, the following are some risk factors for developing angioedema.

Previous history of allergies
Predisposition to develop allergic reactions (overactive immune system)
Genetic history of allergies, especially of angioedema
Diagnosis:

In first-time patients, a detailed history with deep dive into similar instances in the past will be done
A physical exam to check for missed hives (like the back) is then done
Allergy testing may also be required to test if a person has a high predisposition to allergies
Blood testing to check for eosinophils, which is usually high in patients with allergies, is done.
Allergy testing to identify the trigger agent may be done if trigger is not known. This will help in preventing further attacks.
If genetic angioedema is suspected, C1 esterase inhibitor test and complement particles are also checked.
Treatment:
Non-medical treatment including loose clothing, cool compresses, and copiously moisturizing to reduce dryness and itching. This is usually sufficient in majority of the cases.
Medical: Antihistamines like cetirizine and loratadine are the next line of treatment. Very severe cases may require steroids like prednisone.


Angioedema - 11 Reasons Why It Can Happen!

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