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As a vascular surgeon, one of the most frequent request I receive is about deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

What is DVT?

Think of your arteries, what goes through them? Well, you arteries facilitate that your oxygen-rich blood travel from your heart to reach the rest of your body. In return, through your veins, you receive blood with a lower level of oxygen back to your heart. It sounds like some kind of trade, doesn´t it?

You have veins known as superficial veins and deep veins. Deep veins are the ones you need to watch when thinking about Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). This, because blood clots may appear in such veins. The location of the clot may differ. Normally, pelvis and thigh are the places to look for, at first.

Pulmonary embolism is one the biggest dangers you might face with DVT. In this case, your lungs might be affected. This, in short time, can be fatal.

If you are suspicious about having this condition, go and pay a visit to your physician.

What are the symptoms?

There isn`t a list a symptoms, it is more like where in your body and the size of the blood clot. Swelling, leg pain or your skin turning into red or blue.

Main causes

When you are experiencing a poor flow in your blood, the risk of DVT increases. Living a sedentary lifestyle opens a window of opportunity for this kind of conditions. Not only can happen for people who spend most of the time sitting on a chair. If you spend most of your day standing, you are not necessary moving.

Other than work related activities, events such as a mayor operation where you need to lie back most of the day.

Obesity is a condition that can propel DVT as well as events such as heart failures.

Tests

Of course, as physicians, we have to ask regular questions about your health, activities and actual condition. To check your overall health history is mandatory.

After this, a venogram test or a duplex ultrasound test are required.

The good thing is that DVT can be treated with minimally invasive treatments and medications. Surgery is very rarely to happen.

Rajasinghe Vascular Research And Education Foundation, Inc. it´s an initiative I have been working since the year 2014 and it is something I feel very passionate and committed about.

I know how though medical school can be, not only taking in perspective all the effort it implies, but also the financial challenges an average medicine student may face.

That is why I decided, with the help of some close colleagues, to run a foundation focused on helping talented and high potential students through scholarships and other types of support underserved children and youngsters in the Collier County to help them in their path in careers related with science and medicine.

We will be looking to make alliances with other non-profit organizations and institutions that are focused, solely, in educational and charitable purposes.

Also, we will looking to provide internships and/or volunteer opportunities for some of such students. All aiming to bring the best practical experience possible for the future medical students who will bring a positive impact in our society.

This a videos from Duke medical students expressing their gratitude at the Duke Medical Annual Fund.

Hello to all my readers and patients

As a surgeon, I like to read all interesting info I can find in my field of work. Reading medicine papers and doing some research can be exhausting, the terminology might not be easy to understand for people not related with the health industry.

Today, I want to share a very instructional and easy to understand infographic created by the Cleveland Clinic on their blog post title: 21 Amazing Facts About Your Heart (Infographic)

Enjoy it!

Nowadays, having a surgery has far less risks than it had decades ago. With new technologies available for physicians around the country, we can focus on the procedure and not so much on the tools anymore.

Anyhow, there are precautions to consider, especially after the surgery.

Even if the procedure lasts only a couple of hours, keep in mind that the human body needs time to fully recover.

The first thing to watch out after a vascular surgery is if you feel any loss of sensation or movement in any part of your body.

Second, keep special care if you notice any kind of swelling. Especially in your legs.

If any of this events happen, please get in touch with your vascular surgeon. Do not let too much time to pass. Report these troubles right away.

This next October 7^th takes place the 4^th Annual Fundraiser benefitting the JJ Karmacharya Foundation for Vascular Surgery.

The aim of this initiative is to support awareness and education in vascular surgery for the South Florida community.

There will be Chaviar Splash and Champagne. The event will be take place in a yacht, so please, wear your favorite yacht attire.

Takes available: $75 each.

Purchase Tickets Here –> http://www.sfsvs.org/jjkf-fundraiser-tickets

For questions, please write to [email protected]

More about the JJ Karmacharya Foundation for Vascular Surgery (JJKF) –>http://www.sfsvs.org/foundation