Six Tips for Improving Kitchen Safety for Seniors with Alzheimer's
The kitchen is often a place of comfort and belonging for many. It’s the place the family has always gathered…
This refers to diseases of blood vessels outside the heart and brain. It’s often a narrowing of vessels that carry blood to the legs, arms, stomach or kidneys. There are two types of these circulation disorders:
What is peripheral artery disease?
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition similar to coronary artery disease and carotid artery disease. In PAD, fatty deposits build up in the inner linings of the artery walls. These blockages restrict blood circulation, mainly in arteries leading to the kidneys, stomach, arms, legs and feet. In its early stages a common symptom is cramping or fatigue in the legs and buttocks during activity. Such cramping subsides when the person stands still. This is called “intermittent claudication.” People with PAD often have fatty buildup in the arteries of the heart and brain. Because of this association, most people with PAD have a higher risk of death from heart attack and stroke.
How is peripheral artery disease diagnosed and treated?
Techniques used to diagnose PAD include a medical history, physical exam, ultrasound, X-ray angiography and magnetic resonance imaging angiography (MRA).
Most people with PAD can be treated with lifestyle changes, medications or both. Lifestyle changes to lower your risk include:
PAD may require drug treatment, too. Drugs include:
In a minority of patients, lifestyle modifications alone aren’t sufficient. In these cases, angioplasty or surgery may be necessary.
Angioplasty is a non-surgical procedure that can be used to dilate (widen) narrowed or blocked peripheral arteries. A thin tube called a catheter with a deflated balloon on its tip is passed into the narrowed artery segment. The balloon is then inflated, compressing the plaque and dilating the narrowed artery so that blood can flow more easily. Then the balloon is deflated and the catheter is withdrawn.
Often a stent — a cylindrical, wire mesh tube — is placed in the narrowed artery with a catheter. There the stent expands and locks open. It stays in that spot, keeping the diseased artery open.
If the narrowing involves a long portion of an artery, surgery may be necessary. A vein from another part of the body or a synthetic blood vessel is used. It’s attached above and below the blocked area to detour blood around the blocked spot.
The kitchen is often a place of comfort and belonging for many. It’s the place the family has always gathered…
What is loneliness? Many people automatically think that being alone is the same as feeling lonely but in reality, they…
It’s absolutely essential that seniors with dementia have a safe home and environment in which to live. This helps them…
Taking care of aging loved ones can be both rewarding and challenging. Many families try to manage the responsibilities themselves,…
As we age, our feet need greater care and consideration. Proper foot care is essential for seniors to maintain overall…
If your mom is going to be recovering at home after a heart attack, she may need specialty care for…
For seniors who don’t need a lot of hands-on help just yet, companion care at home might be the right…
David Settle, Administrator and co-owner of Touching Hearts at Home of Central Kansas attended the Touching Hearts at Home franchise…
The McPherson High School Band marches in the McPherson County All Schools Day Parade Friday morning, May 10th. Bands and…
The McPherson County All Schools Day Celebration was held on Friday and Saturday May 10th and 11th. The feature event…