Peripheral arterial disease,
which is also known as PAD, is a problem to do with circulation, which reduces
blood flow to the limbs. Blood flow can’t keep up with the demand by your
muscles. The result is usually leg pain when walking. The problem is is known officially as
intermittent claudicating.
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Mesotherapy can help with calf pain associated with PAD. |
The good news is that this is an issue that can be treated with mesotherapy. Injections of nutrients, homeopathy and natural stimulants can help stimulate the circulation and eliminate some of the unpleasant symptoms. Injections of aminophylline, L-Carnetine and PTC might also help, depending on the situation of the individual.
Technically, peripheral
arterial disease refers to a problem with any of the arteries outside, or
peripheral to, your heart, however the term is commonly used to describe
circulatory problems in your limbs or pelvis.
Symptoms of PAD
The main symptom,
intermittent claudication is characterized by muscle pain or cramping in your
legs or arms that is provoked by a certain amount of activity, such as walking,
but disappears after a few minutes of rest. The location of the pain depends on
the location of the clogged or narrowed artery in the body. Calf pain is most
common warning that you may developing PAD.
The severity of intermittent
claudication varies widely. Pain from this condition can range from mildly
bothersome to debilitating. Severe intermittent claudication can cripple some
people.
Other signs and symptoms of
peripheral arterial disease include cold legs or feet, leg numbness or
weakness, sores on your feet and hair loss on the feet and legs. Your leg or
toenails can also change color.
If peripheral arterial
disease progresses, pain may even occur when you're at rest or when you're
lying down. This is called ischemic rest pain. It may be intense enough to
prevent sleep or wake you from sleep.
Causes of PAD
Factors that increase your
risk of developing peripheral arterial disease include:
- Smoking
- Being older than age 50
- Having diabetes
- Being overweight
- Having high blood pressure and
- Having high cholesterol
People who smoke or have
diabetes have the greatest risk of complications from PAD — such as tissue
death (gangrene) in a leg due to reduced blood flow.
Yet another common cause of
this condition is Periocarditis, where the sac surrounding the heart becomes
infected.
Treatment of PAD
Several medications are used
to treat this disorder. Cholesterol
lowering medications called statins can be used to lower your risk of heart
attack and stroke. You may also be prescribed high blood pressure medication and
medication to control blood sugar.
Medications to prevent blood
clots night also be prescribed as when blood flow is reduced to the limbs there
is definitely a greater risk of developing blood clots. A blood clot can completely block an already
narrowed blood vessel and cause tissue death. This can cause gangrene and a
possible amputation of the limb.
In some cases, angioplasty
or surgery may be necessary to treat periocarditis arterial disease that is causing intermittent
claudication.
An angioplasty which is a
procedure where a catheter is threaded through a blood vessel may be performed
to open up the arteries. A stent might also be inserted and left in the artery
to help keep it open. Your doctor could
also do bypass surgery using a synthetic vessel or one from another part of
your body.
A supervised exercise
program is also part of a supervised exercise-training program. Regular exercise
improves symptoms of PAD by a number of methods, including helping your body
use oxygen more efficiently.
Studies have shown that
exercise therapy improves the ability to walk without pain as well as surgical
treatment or angioplasty does. It's the most effective treatment for the
symptom of intermittent claudication.
Patients undergoing mesotherapy for this disorder should definitely quit smoking. You should also recommend that your patient should choose a diet that is healthy for blood pressure and
cholesterol levels. Eating foods that prevent artery diseases such as
cold-water fish, flaxseeds, walnuts and canola oil can help.
If blood flow is restricted
to the limbs then you also might want to ask the patient to take better care of his or her feet. Poor
blood circulation can lengthen or prevent proper healing and increases the risk
for the kinds of infection that could possibly lead to amputation. To prevent this you should wash your feet
daily and moisturize them well and often to prevent cracks that can lead to
infection. You should also take care when trimming your nails and promptly treat
any fungal infections.
Prognosis
You can often successfully
treat peripheral arterial disease with exercise, with a healthy diet and, most
important, by quitting smoking if you smoke. Early diagnosis and treatment are
important to stop its progression.
Of perhaps greater concern
is that peripheral arterial disease is likely to be a sign of widespread accumulation
of fatty deposits in the arteries (atherosclerosis). This condition may be
reducing blood flow to the heart and brain as well.