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April 4, 2022

Health

Peripheral Arterial Disease: Here’s All You Need To Know

Arterial disease is a condition in which fatty deposits – known as plaque – build-up on the inner walls of arteries. This condition leaves narrowed, hardened arterial walls that can be difficult for blood to flow through. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) refers to peripheral artery diseases affecting smaller vessels outside the heart or brain, such as those leading to the arms, legs, and pelvis. PAD is a serious concern because peripheral arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart through the body’s network of arteries and veins to organs and tissues like muscle, skin, and bone. As such, you need to treat it seriously and visit a Davenport peripheral arterial disease specialist as soon as you develop any symptoms.

Causes

PAD is caused by the accumulation of plaque that narrows arteries over time. The causes are usually multifactorial, involving a complex interplay between heredity, lifestyle, and environmental factors such as smoking and high blood pressure. Some people develop PAD in their 30’s and 40’s without having any recognized risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Symptoms and Detection

While PAD can be symptom-free, patients may experience pain or cramping in the leg muscles during walking (claudication). Claudication is brought on by physical activity and is usually relieved by rest. But if left untreated, artery disease will progress, and symptoms may become more noticeable. If you are suffering from peripheral arterial disease, you may develop symptoms such as :

  • leg cramping or pain when walking
  • restlessness and tiredness in the calf muscles during exercise because of restricted blood flow
  • skin that itches feels numb or looks pale or blue due to a lack of circulation
  • ulcers that develop on the feet and legs if not treated properly

The best way to detect PAD is through a simple medical examination. Your doctor will perform a physical exam to look for PAD signs, check your pulse and blood pressure, and order more specialized tests such as an ankle-brachial index (ABI), which compares the blood pressure in your arms to that in your legs. A low ABI value indicates arterial disease.

Treatment

The treatment of PAD is dependent on how severe your symptoms are, your overall health, and your risk factors for atherosclerosis. For example, if you have diabetes or high cholesterol, it’s essential to keep these conditions under control to prevent further narrowing of the arteries. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit.

In some cases, PAD can be treated with angioplasty and stenting in which narrowed or blocked arteries in the legs are widened by a balloon-tipped catheter inserted into an artery under local anesthesia. This procedure usually takes about two hours, and patients can go home after one to three days.

In summary, PAD is the narrowing of arteries, making it difficult to flow. If not treated properly, the symptoms can be leg pain while walking (claudication) and ulcers on the feet and legs. If you have PAD, you may treat the condition through angioplasty and stenting, a procedure used to widen narrowed or blocked arteries in the legs. Lifestyle changes can also help.

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Health

What Causes Neuroma and Are There Working Treatments?

Neuromas are becoming more common in Colorado Springs, Colorado, like in many parts of the world. It’s a condition that affects the nerves and can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the feet. It is often caused by compression of the nerve fibers and can be very painful. In most cases, Colorado Springs neuroma specialists will try conservative treatment first, such as physical therapy.

What Causes Neuroma?

A neuroma can be caused by several factors, including injury to the foot, hereditary conditions, tumors or other growths on the nerve, and certain health conditions. Some of the most common causes include:

  • Compression – any pressure on the affected nerve can cause a neuroma. It often arises from too-tight shoes, bones in the toes, and nerve entrapment.
  • Infection – certain bacteria can infect a nerve and cause a neuroma to develop.
  • Ciguatoxin – this toxin comes from fish that have been contaminated with algae. It is most common in tropical waters where people eat raw or undercooked fish.
  • Trauma – a severe injury can cause a neuroma to the foot.
  • Hereditary neuropathy – certain inherited conditions make people more likely to develop a neuroma.

How is the Neuroma Treatment?

A neuroma is treated with surgery in most cases. The surgeon will remove the portion of the nerve that has become enlarged due to compression or other factors.

Several nonsurgical treatments can treat neuroma, including:

Medications 

Physicians may prescribe certain medications to help reduce swelling and inflammation around the nerve area affected by the neuroma. Some physicians may inject a corticosteroid (steroid) into the neuroma area to reduce inflammation.

Proper Footwear 

Wearing the appropriate shoes for your feet can significantly reduce the amount of pressure placed on them, thereby reducing neuroma symptoms. Find new footwear with a broader toe box. Try to wear footwear with a flexible sole whenever possible. 

Stretch the plantar fascia and calf muscles before exercising or playing sports. It may also be helpful to add arch supports, orthotics, and braces for any other conditions that may cause neuroma symptoms, such as hammertoe deformities or bunion fusion surgery.

Physical Therapy 

Exercising and stretching the foot muscles can help relieve stress on the nerve. Physical therapists are trained to help patients develop an exercise plan that will work for them.

Custom Orthotics

Orthotics are devices that are designed to fix foot function problems. They can be accommodating in relieving stress on the feet and preventing neuroma from developing. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may benefit from custom orthotics:

  • Pain in the ball of the foot
  • Numbness or tingling in the toes
  • Swelling around the toes
  • Reduced range of motion 

Can Neuroma Be Prevented?

There are several ways to prevent neuroma from developing or help keep neuroma from getting worse. It includes wearing the correct size shoes and avoiding standing or walking barefoot on cold surfaces. Remember to stretch and exercise your feet to keep them healthy regularly.

A neuroma is a condition that affects the nerves and can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the feet. It is often caused by compression of the nerve fibers and can be very painful. However, there are a few nonsurgical treatments that may help to relieve symptoms. It’s crucial to learn several ways to prevent neuroma from developing or help keep neuroma from getting worse.

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