The arteries deliver oxygen and nutrient-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Healthy arteries have a smooth lining that promotes steady blood flow, allowing cells to receive all things necessary to keep the normal function of the body. Problems arise when the arteries become narrowed or blocked due to the formation of plaque inside the walls of the arteries, such as in the case of PAD. This plaque is a sticky substance composed of fat, cholesterol, fibrous tissue, and calcium. Over time the arteries become narrow and stiff, making it difficult for blood to get through, especially when trying to reach the parts that are farthest away from the heart – the feet. The biggest problem with poor circulation is that cells are not getting enough oxygen, and this can cause tissue damage.

While many people with PAD usually have mild or no symptoms, some may experience leg pain with physical activity, such as walking, that often disappears after rest. This is called claudication, and it involves painful cramping of the hip, thigh, and calf muscles. Possible peripheral artery disease symptoms include:

• Leg numbness or weakness
• Lower leg or foot that is cold to touch
• Poorly-healing wound on the toes, feet, or legs
• Change in skin color or shiny skin on the legs
• Hair loss on the feet and legs
• Slower growth of toenails
• No pulse or a weak pulse in the legs or feet

Those who smoke, have diabetes, or are over 50 are at greatest risk for PAD. If PAD is left untreated, a person may develop life-threatening complications that can lead to amputations, strokes, and heart attacks. Medications and lifestyle changes may be recommended as part of peripheral artery disease treatment. Since unhealthy behaviors are contributing factors, learning to manage them is a good starting point to increase blood circulation. This includes getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and smoking cessation. Doctors may also suggest wearing compression garments. Compression increases blood flow, which helps to counteract poor circulation in the legs and feet. Antihypertensive drugs as well as statins are prescribed to lower cholesterol levels. Cilostazol and pentoxifylline may be given to patients with intermittent claudication.

If there is little to no improvement with these efforts, this might indicate a more serious medical condition that requires the care and attention of a physician. In some cases, angioplasty may be performed to open narrowed or blocked arteries. More advanced cases would need bypass surgery to treat severe pain, heal wounds, or save a damaged foot or leg. Like other invasive medical procedures, risks will always be involved, therefore, each patient should have their anatomy and symptoms carefully analyzed in order to create a personalized treatment plan.

While poor circulation isn’t a disease in and of itself, it can be a sign of another underlying health problem. Contact Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale of DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center if you have any concerns about poor circulation in your feet. She’ll take care of your foot and ankle problems and get you back on your feet quickly!

The post Symptoms of Poor Circulation In The Feet appeared first on DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center - Ejodamen B Shobowale, DPM.

The peripheral arterial disease is also linked with accumulation of fatty acids in arteries. In addition, the condition can reduce the blood flow to heart and brain along with legs. One of the ways to successfully treat PAD is to quit smoking and maintaining healthy diet.

What are the common symptoms of PAD?

People suffering from the problem may have mild to no symptoms at all. Some may also suffer from problems of leg pain due to walking. Some common symptoms are given below.

• Leg weakness or numbness
• Painful cramping in hips, thighs due to some activities or walking for long time
• Change in color of legs
• Sores on legs or feet that may not heal
• Shiny skin on legs
• Slower growth of toenails
• Erectile dysfunction in men
• Weak pulse problem in legs or feet
• Slow growth or hair loss in feet or legs
• Coldness in lower leg when compared with the other side

For peripheral artery disease treatment, it is better to diagnose the problem at its initial stage to prevent the situation from getting worst. Once the symptoms start to show, it is better to consult physician at the earliest for suitable diagnosis and treatment.

Prevention of peripheral vascular disease

To prevent the problems of peripheral vascular disease, it is necessary to maintain healthy lifestyle along with other factors that are mentioned below.

• Smokers should quit smoking
• Maintaining healthy weight
• Eat food that contains low fat ingredients
• Try to keep low cholesterol and blood pressure level if the patient have cholesterol and blood pressure issues
• Diabetes patient should try to keep the sugar level in control
• Exercising regularly is important by investing 30 minutes to 45 minutes daily for better results

Peripheral vascular disease is also related to peripheral artery disease that indicates narrowing down of the arteries outside brain and heart. The disease can also be addressed to poor blood circulation issue. Therefore patients should consult doctors soon after they start to notice symptoms in the early stage.

Wrapping it up

Therefore, it is seen that PAD is caused due to atherosclerosis. It is a gradual process in which the fatty acid builds up in the arteries. Among the less common factors, blood clots in the arteries are also seen among some patients. For the disease, ultrasound scan, blood tests, angiography, computed tomographic angiography, ankle-brachial index are some common ways of treatments. Even Doppler and ultrasound imaging is also done and it is decided on the intensity of the disease in the patient. Therefore, without delaying, patients should consult the doctor as soon as they notice any changes or they notice any of the above mentioned symptoms.

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