Earth Day just passed, and we hope you spent it doing something good for the environment. It’s always a good idea to take care of our home--since it’s the only one we have! The same goes for our bodies. Taking care of our bodies can help prevent peripheral arterial disease, or PAD. This circulatory condition can also cause foot and leg pain, so watch for warning signs.
PAD is a condition that affects the arteries. They become narrowed because of plaque build-up (artherosclerosis). This can cause a weaker blood flow, even sometimes not allowing your blood to reach your extremities. Some symptoms may include cramping (intermittent claudication) or tingling in your legs and feet. You may also experience a lack of hair growth on your legs, discoloration, wounds or sores that don’t heal, or cold limbs. However, some people experience no symptoms at all. If you do notice a change in the appearance or feel of your legs and feet it’s always a good idea to get them checked out to make sure it’s nothing serious.
Getting treatment for PAD immediately is crucial. If you let the artherosclerosis progress you put yourself at a greater risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Some people benefit from simple lifestyle changes. For instance, if you are a smoker you should most definitely give up that bad habit. Exercise and a healthy diet also go a long way towards reducing your cholesterol and blood pressure.
However, some people may have let the progression last a bit too long. In these cases medication or even surgery may be beneficial. Our doctors will be able to tell you what the best course of action is for you. The main thing to remember is that PAD can be life-threatening, so get started on a treatment regimen as soon as possible.
If you have more questions regarding the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral arterial disease call us today at (623) 584-5556 to schedule an appointment at Fixing Feet Institute in Surprise, AZ.
Photo Credit: satit_srihin via freedigitalphotos.net
