Can Peripheral Artery Disease Cause Foot Pain?
Peripheries arteries play a vital role in supplying bloodstream to our legs, but they can fall prey to diseases that affect the healthiest walking or running activity. We’ve got you covered, though! What else could happen if peripheral artery disease affects your feet’ blood flow? Read more about PDL and its causes.
Peripheral Artery Disease: The Overview
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition where one or more of the arteries outside of the heart get blocked with plaques. In this case, these are the two primary arteries called the femoral arteries in your pelvic area that provide blood flow supply through some leg vessels like veins; both parts work simultaneously while pumping up fresh oxygen-rich blood into lower extremities for exercise & overall well-being purposes – without proper maintenance on our side now those same paths turned narrow restricting how easily any person takes breaths when they run vigorously daily activities becoming severely affected too.
Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of PAD aren’t always easy to spot, particularly in the early stages. But once the plaque buildup becomes significant enough, you might experience:
- Calf pain: This is a very common symptom where patients suffer from sharp pains in their lower leg muscles when they walk or run.
- Burning sensations: People may also feel like there are little sparks flying down their legs due specifically because blood flow has become restricted.
Diagnosis
To determine if PAD is indeed causing foot pain, a doctor will need to examine the affected area. Sometimes this involves an ultrasound test where sound waves produce images that show whether there’s any damage in artery tissue itself which gives clear indication what could possible happen inside human body.
Physical Examination
Here are some of the things your doctor might do during the physical examination:
- Check your blood pressure and pulse rate to see if they’re normal.
- Listen with a stethoscope for any unusual sounds from the femoral arteries.
- Squeeze your calf muscles gently while feeling other parts nearby then note any changes (e.g., increased sensitivity).
- Look at x-ray images taken during ultrasound procedures looking specifically where fatty tissue might be blocking passage.
Treatment
The treatment options depend on various factors like how bad is your current condition; what does patient’s medical history look like etc.
- Medication: These can help manage symptoms such as pain, itching, and inflammation caused by plaque buildup in affected arteries. However don’t expect complete cure yet – we’ll deal more later.
Lifestyle Changes
To minimize the risks associated with PAD, you should adopt a healthy life style.
1. Regular Exercise
You must commit yourself towards regular physical activities – daily walks or jogging (without over exerting). Regularly engage yourself in any form of moderate exercise for minimum 3-4 times per week – make sure though to keep these sessions short initially since body needs time get used up gradually otherwise risk chances increases.
2.. Smoking cessation
If you’re a smoker, please stop. Nicotine harms blood flow even further making this issue worse.
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3. Healthy Diet: Maintain a healthy weight and keep your diet low in saturated fats.
Conclusion
In conclusion, peripheral artery disease can indeed cause foot pain due to the reduced blood flow to your lower extremities. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms like calf pain, burning sensations, or have been diagnosed with PAD, don’t hesitate – consult a doctor who will recommend proper treatment options based on severity of current condition alongside offering advice regarding required lifestyle changes necessary prevent future complications arising from this disease itself.
To manage PAD effectively though, adopting healthy behaviors such as regular exercise, quitting smoking & maintaining low intake saturated fat food products become crucial factors contributing greatly towards successful management overall health well-being especially lower limbs functioning properly without any additional harm caused now onwards let us focus next parts discussing how exactly these activities play vital roles ensuring everyone stay safe strong capable facing challenges coming their way whatever may come anytime soon what you think ?