Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral Artery Disease
It is an circulatory problem which causes narrowing of arteries due to which blood supply to your limbs become reduce.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of PAD includes:
- Leg numbness
- Shiny skin on your legs
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Hair loss
- Coldness in your lower leg or foot
- Painful cramping
Causes
The main cause of this disease is atherosclerosis in which fatty deposition occur in your arterial walls and then arteries became narrowed and reduce the blood supply.
Diagnosis
Following tests will recommend by your doctor to diagnosis the condition:
- Ultrasound like doppler ultrasound to check velocity of blood in vessels.
- Angiography to check the condition of blood vessels.
- Physical examination
- Ankle-brachial index to check blood pressure in legs
- Blood test to check the complete blood count
Treatment
Treatment depend upon the severity of the disease some options of treatment includes:
- Start physical activity to reduce the leg pain and cramping
- Medications include cholesterol lowering medications, drugs to treat blood pressure, and to prevent blood clot like blood thinners.
- Pain killers
- Angioplasty to inflated the affected artery by inserting hollow catheter tube.
- Bypass surgery
Lifestyle and home remedies
- Exercise regularly
- Stop smoking
- Eat a healthy food
- Eat more fibers
- Avoid alcohol consumption