Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) : Symptoms & Treatment

1. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) : Symptoms & Treatment Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) or sometimes called peripheral artery disease is a disease where the arteries get narrowed or blocked and are not capable of carrying blood from the heart to the lower limbs of the body. It is primarily caused by the growth of fatty plaque in the arteries, known as atherosclerosis. Arteries are the blood vessels responsible to carry oxygen and nutrient-rich blood from the heart to other parts of the body. PAD is a condition where legs or arms don’t receive enough blood flow due to the hardening of the arteries. What Are The Risk Factors For PAD? Factors that increase the risk of developing peripheral artery disease (PAD) include: ● Smoking ● Diabetes ● Obesity ● High blood pressure ● Atherosclerosis ● High cholesterol ● Age above 60 years ● Family history of peripheral artery disease, heart disease, or stroke ● High levels of homocysteine etc. If a patient has any of these conditions, he/she should be aware of its complications and get in touch with wound care specialist Los Angeles to know preventive measures. What Are The Symptoms Of Peripheral Artery Disease? Many people suffering from peripheral arterial disease have mild or no symptoms but the pain in the legs with physical activity is the most common symptom of PAD that gets better after rest. This situation is known as Claudication which includes muscle pain or cramping in the legs or arms triggered by any physical activity. The location of the pain depends on the location where arteries are clogged or narrowed. However, the severity of the claudication varies from mild to debilitating pain. Here are the symptoms of PAD:

2. ● Leg weakness ● Coldness or numbness in the legs ● Brittle toenails ● Hair loss on the feet and legs ● Sores on toes, or legs that don’t heal. ● Slower growth of toenails ● The skin on the legs becomes shiny, pale, or bluish ● Erectile dysfunction ● No pulse or weak pulse in legs etc. If a patient notices any of these symptoms, he/she should immediately contact wound doctor California. The team of experienced nurses, doctors & physicians will visit the patient’s location. After conducting physical tests & evaluating the symptoms of the disease, they will generate a personalized treatment. What Causes Peripheral Arterial Disease? As mentioned above, PAD is usually caused by a condition called atherosclerosis where the fatty deposits start growing in artery walls and disrupt blood flow due to clogging arteries. Atherosclerosis is a gradual process where plaques, made up mostly of fat build up inside the arteries. Over time, arteries start getting harder and narrower, disrupting the efficient blood flow from the heart to the lower limbs of the body.

3. Less common causes of PAD include blood vessel inflammation, infection, injury to the limbs, exposure to radiation, and abnormal shape of the muscles and ligaments. Conditions Associated With PAD Improper or delayed treatment of PAD can lead to various complications including: ● Heart attack ● Stroke ● Transient ischemic attack (TIA) ● Renal artery disease or stenosis ● Amputation etc. Diagnosis Of Peripheral Artery Disease To diagnose whether a patient has a PAD condition or not, the wound care at the bedside will start with conducting a physical exam to figure out the signs of PAD. They may check blood flow in the lower limbs of the body. PAD can be diagnosed in several ways including: ● Ankle-brachial Index - It is one of the most common tests for PAD to evaluate the blood pressure in the ankle with the blood pressure in the arm. ● Ultrasound Scan, Angiography, And Blood Tests - These tests can also be conducted to analyze the levels of cholesterol, homocysteine, and C-reactive protein. ● Doppler and Ultrasound (Duplex) Imaging - It is a non-invasive method that makes the arteries visible with sound waves and helps in figuring out the blood flow in an artery to highlight the presence of a blockage. ● Computed tomographic angiography (CT) - It is also a non-invasive test that images the arteries of the abdomen, pelvis, and legs. ● MRA ● Angiography etc. Undiagnosed PAD can lead to severe complications such as loss of a leg, increased risk of coronary artery disease, and carotid atherosclerosis because people with PAD have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

4. What Are The Treatment Options For Peripheral Artery Disease? Depending on the evaluated symptoms, the doctors can adopt any of these suitable treatment options. Here they are as follows: ● Regular Physical Activity - This is one of the most effective treatments where doctors can recommend doing some exercises. Patients can start from light workouts like walking, leg exercises, and treadmill exercises, etc. ● Changes in Diet and Adjustments - Many individuals with PAD suffer from increased levels of cholesterol. Therefore, doctors may recommend a diet that is low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol as well as rich in fruits and vegetables. It can further help lower the blood cholesterol level. ● Quit Smoking - Smoking may increase the risk of PAD, heart attack, and stroke. Quitting smoking will help slow the development of PAD and other heart-related diseases. ● Medications - The doctors may recommend aspirin or other similar antiplatelet medicines to prevent severe complications from PAD. When to See a Doctor? If any patient is experiencing leg pain, numbness, or any other symptoms, they should not see it as a normal part of aging. They need to immediately call wound care in Orange County and schedule an appointment. Even if there are no symptoms of peripheral disease, a person needs to be diagnosed if: ● Age is above 65 ● Age is above 50 and has a history of diabetes or smoking ● Underage 50 and have diabetes or any other peripheral artery disease risk factors, such as obesity or high blood pressure, etc.