Vascular Medicine in Tunis

Vascular medicine, also known as angiology, is a medical specialty that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all problems that involve the lymphatic and circulatory systems outside of the heart. These problems can involve:

• Arteries, which is the blood vessel that delivers oxygenated blood from the heart to other parts of the body.
• Veins, which is the blood vessel that delivers blood back to the heart.
• Lymphatic system, which is the network of vessels that transport lymph throughout the body.

A physician who specializes in vascular medicine is called an avascular doctor or vascular medicine specialist. They are trained to provide comprehensive and effective care for all kinds of vascular diseases and conditions of the circulatory system. Some of the most common conditions are as follows:

• Peripheral arterial disease or claudication, which is blockages in the leg arteries that can cause pain when walking.
• Renal artery stenosis, which is blockages in the kidney arteries. It can contribute to chronic kidney disease and/or high blood pressure.
• Carotid artery stenosis, which is blockages in the kidney arteries. It can lead to a stroke.
• Venous problems, such as chronic venous insufficiency and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
• Abdominal aortic aneurysms, which is a bulging of the aorta. It can cause the aorta to rupture.
• Vasculitis, lymphedema, Raynaud’s, and varicose veins.

Vascular medicine doctors diagnose and treat all blood vessels conditions using numerous non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures, such as:

• Abdominal aortic ultrasound
• Carotid ultrasound
• Venous and arterial ultrasound
• Wound care
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Endovenous laser and radiofrequency ablation
• Sclerotherapy and ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy
• Ambulatory phlebectomy
• Anticoagulation management and monitoring.

How Long Should I Stay in Tunis?

Since most vascular medicine procedures can be performed as an outpatient procedure, you should be able to leave the hospital on the same day. Still, you should plan to stay in Tunis for at least 3 to 7 days to let your body recover and attend a follow-up checkup, if necessary. However, this depends on the condition and the type of treatment you will have. 

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Different conditions and procedures have different recovery times. In many cases, you can expect to return to work immediately or within a couple of days and strenuous activities within 5 days or so. However, for more serious conditions, such as renal artery stenosis, longer recovery time may be needed.

What Aftercare is Required?

Your doctor will give you aftercare instructions, which normally include activity restrictions, dietary and exercise recommendations, as well as how to care for yourself at home. Following all of the instructions is important to avoid complications and to speed up your recovery. If your doctor prescribes you medicines, make sure to take them as directed. For certain diseases, such as deep vein thrombosis, you may need to see your doctor regularly for scans to check your blood clots. If you cannot travel multiple times to Tunis, you can choose to have the checkups with your local doctor.

What's the Success Rate?

Over the last several decades, the clinical practice of vascular medicine has significantly changed. Understanding of vascular diseases is continuously expanding, resulting in the development of new therapeutic approaches. A better understanding of vascular conditions, new techniques, and technological advances have played crucial roles in improving the success rates and safety of vascular medical procedures.  

Are there Alternatives?

There is currently no alternative to vascular medicine. However, if your doctor thinks that you need surgery, they will refer you to vascular surgery. They will also refer you to a relevant specialist if your condition is found to be caused by something else unrelated to the lymphatic and circulatory systems.

Vascular Medicine in and around Tunis

About Tunis

Tunis is the capital and the largest city of Tunisia and is the center of government and administration as well as the center of commercial and cultural activities. It is divided into two parts, the old city known as Medina and the new city or Ville nouvelle. Even though it is located on the southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, the city does not have many beaches. Still, it has managed to attract millions of tourists in 2018 thanks to its rich history displayed in numerous ancient buildings. These buildings have an enchanting blend of North African and French Architecture that will leave anyone in awe. Many tourists come to see the Roman ruins of Carthage or to stroll around and shop in the Medina.

Tunis is known to have a high standard of healthcare, which attracts an increasing number of medical tourists each year. Many of the medical tourists come from other African countries that have an inferior healthcare system. However, the city’s excellent reputation in cosmetic surgery and dental treatment appeal to many patients from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The private medical centers are armed with the best equipment and English speaking staff. The Tunisian Ministry of Health regulates cosmetic and plastic surgeons to ensure that there is a high standard. In addition to exceptional healthcare, Tunis also offer attractive prices for medical treatment and the cost of living. 

Popular Areas in Tunis

Although it is the largest city in Tunisia, Tunis can feel like a compact city and can be explored on foot. The city has a number of famous attractions that are always packed with tourists.

• Carthage was founded in the 9th century BC and was once a powerful empire of the Mediterranean as well as home to a wonderful civilization before being destroyed by the Romans in the Third Punic War. It was then to become an important Christian center until the Islamic invaders destroyed it. Today, the ruins have become a UNESCO World Heritage Site that tourists can visit.   
• The Medina in Tunis is one of the most remarkable medieval medinas in North Africa. There are over 700 monuments within the area, from mosques to madrassas to historical places. It is easy to get lost in the impressive maze-like alleyways, but tourists are encouraged to admire the Islamic architecture and art or learn more about the city’s history. Tourists can also shop in one of the souqs selling everything from shisha pipes to shoes or enjoy one of the cafes.
• Sidi Bou Saïd is a picturesque cliff-top village with cobbled streets, blue-and-white walls, and glimpses of pristine blue waters. It is probably one of the most beautiful places in Tunisia. The beautiful architecture is a blend of the Ottoman and the Andalusian. It is now a sleepy fishing village perfect for anyone who wants to get away from busy city life. The village has been a gateway for artists, bohemians, and pilgrimage for centuries.
• Bardo Museum is the second-largest museum in Africa and the main attraction of this museum is the ancient Roman mosaics recovered from Carthage. The museum also exhibits Greek statues, artifacts of the region’s Berber, and the accomplishments of the Islamic culture in the country. Other than the exhibitions, the building itself is decorated in impressive historic Islamic decorative arts.

Weather and Climate in Tunis

Tunis has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate meaning the city enjoys warm and sunny weather all year round. The summer can be hot and dry because rain is very rare and the summer usually lasts from June to August and the average temperature is around 25 °C but can get as high as 40 °C. July and August are the high tourist season, especially at the beach resorts. The city begins to get rain in autumn, often accompanied by a short thunderstorm. The winter is the wettest season of the year because it can rain every two or three days and the temperature can drop to 7 °C in the morning and 16 °C in the afternoon. The rainfall decreases in spring, and in March, the temperature ranges between 8 °C to 24 °C and the sunshine usually becomes dominant in May.

Getting Around in Tunis

Tunis-Carthage International Airport is the main airport in Tunisia and the airport connects Tunis with other cities in the country as well as the rest of the world as it serves flights to and from the Middle East, Africa, and major Europeans countries. It is the hub for Tunisair, Tunisair Express, and Nouvelair, but there are not many budget airlines operating flights from the airport. To get to the city center from the airport, tourists can opt for a taxi or bus. The bus is operated by the SNT bus line and departs every 30 minutes. It is very affordable with a single ticket costing less than 1 TND. There is also a more luxurious and expensive bus line known as the TUT bus and the bus departs every 15 minutes. If you want a more private mode of transportation use an airport taxis and they are usually metered.

Tourists have plenty of options to get around Tunis. There is a tram system in the city with inexpensive tickets, usually around .48 TND. However, be aware that it can be packed during the rush hours. Taxis are a good option to get around, the taxis are metered, and the base fare is around .4 TND but can be much more expensive if you hail one off the street. 

Tourist Visas in Tunis

Nationals of 97 countries including Australia, China, Singapore, the United States, and Russia can enter and stay in Tunis for up to 90 days without a visa. Other nationalities not listed in the visa exemption agreement are advised to check at their nearest Tunisia embassy or consulate. The country provides an online visa application to simplify the process of obtaining a visa to enter the country.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Tunisian dinar (TND) is the official currency of Tunisia. 1 USD will get you 2.61 TND. 
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are widespread in Tunis. Credit Cards, particularly MasterCard and Visa, are accepted in most top-end restaurants, hotels, and shops. Tipping is by no means mandatory but will be greatly appreciated.
3. Local Language: Arabic is the official language and French is very common. English is not widely spoken except in tourist areas and hospitals.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Most of the population follows Islam, but there are small groups of Christian and Jews.
5. Public Holidays: The city celebrates major nationals and Islamic holidays such as Independence Day, Eid Al-Fitr, and Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday.