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What are the risk factors & treatments for uterine fibroids?

Who is at Risk of Developing Uterine Fibroids?

 

There are certain natural circumstances, habits, and lifestyle choices that have been shown to come with an increased chance of developing uterine fibroids, as follow:

Ethnic Origin

Research indicates that women of African American ethnicity are at a significantly higher risk of developing uterine fibroids than Caucasian women for comparison. 

Age

A woman’s advancing age places her at increased risk of developing uterine fibroids. The condition will mostly be found in women in their mid-late forties or early fifties, where the majority enter or pass through their menopausal years. 

Family History

Simple stated, this means that those with a history of uterine fibroids will be more likely to develop the condition. 

Eating Habits

It is believed that the consumption of red meat (beef, ham, etc) in copious amounts will increase the risks of uterine fibroid development. The consumption of green vegetables, on the other hand, is thought to reduce these odds. 

Obesity

Being overweight is considered to be another variable increasing women’s risk of developing this condition, with overweight patients being two to three times more likely to be affected than the average population. 

 

Treatment Options for Uterine Fibroids

The varied nature of uterine fibroid cases and how they affect different patients in different ways means that dealing with the condition has numerous different approaches. Consultations between patients, whether presenting with symptoms or not, and their physicians should be able to see them agree on a course of action that will satisfy the patient’s best interests. Aside from medication, the typical treatment for fibroids is traditional surgical procedures. At Pedes Orange County, we offer a minimally invasive treatment option that can be reviewed below:

Traditional Surgical Procedures

These are considered invasive surgeries that involve extensive physical intervention. They include:

  • An abdominal myomectomy is an option mostly employed in cases where very large, very deeply embedded, or multiple fibroids are encountered. An open abdominal procedure is often the second-to-last option for patients who see hysterectomies as a last resort.
  • Hysterectomy: This major surgical intervention involves the entire removal of the patient’s uterus and is the only guarantee against the recurrent development of uterine fibroids afterward. While most women will have the option of retaining their ovaries, some will have to undergo hormone replacement therapy if they are not to enter menopause.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedure (Uterine Fibroids Embolization by La Jolla Vein & Vascular)

At La Jolla Vein & Vascular, we specialize in Uterine Fibroids Embolization. This minimally invasive surgical procedure involves destroying fibroid masses without necessarily removing them entirely. The techniques are most commonly applied in clinical settings due to their effectiveness, proven track record, and minimal patient impact.

  • Uterine artery embolization: (Also known as Uterine fibroid embolization). Embolic agents (small particles) will be introduced into arteries to block blood flow through them, thus starving fibroids of the nutrients needed for their survival and growth.

In surgical procedures that do not entirely remove the uterus, there will be a remaining risk of new uterine fibroid development in the future.

Why Uterine Artery Embolization (UFE) Instead of a Hysterectomy

Benefits of UFE Over Hysterectomy

Uterine artery embolization (UFE ) is a minimally invasive procedure that effectively treats uterine fibroids and is considered an alternative to uterine fibroid surgery removal. Uterine artery embolization (UFE) is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, which means that most women go home the same day for recovery.

UFE has several benefits over hysterectomy. Besides involving only a small nick in the groin or wrist for catheter insertion, the uterus is preserved. There is no scar with UFE. For a UFE, conscious sedation is used, unlike a hysterectomy, where the woman receives general anesthesia. The recovery time for UFE is generally within 2 weeks, which is significantly faster than the usual 6-week recovery time after hysterectomy.

Women who have a hysterectomy that removed both the uterus and ovaries usually get estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) alone. But women who have only the ovaries removed need both estrogen and progestin because estrogen alone can increase the risk of cancer in the uterus.

The recovery time for UFE is generally within 2 weeks, which is significantly faster than the usual 6-week recovery time after hysterectomy.

The idea of having your entire uterus removed is psychologically daunting for women as some women may still want the option to carry a child, do not want to undergo a general surgery, and/or feel like removing the uterus takes away part of their identity as a female.

Treatment for Uterine Fibroids

With modern medication and care, conditions like fibroid tumors have become more treatable and easier to manage. Uterine fibroid embolization, for instance, is a fairly straightforward procedure used in…

 

What are the risk factors & treatments for uterine fibroids?2022-04-29T17:24:18-07:00

What causes uterine fibroids?

What Causes Uterine Fibroids?

While the science is not completely settled on what exactly causes or is behind the formation of uterine fibroids in human beings, there are certain factors that researchers believe play significant roles in triggering their growth or development.

Genetics

In 50 percent of cases, patients will be found to have some genetic abnormality. In many instances, some erroneous translocation will be discovered on some chromosomes.

Hormones

While we may not be completely certain as to what lies at the root cause of uterine fibroids, it has been clearly demonstrated that hormones play a large role in determining their growth or progression. While a woman is pregnant, they will see rapid growth due to the presence of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Should the patient use anti-hormone medication, the opposite will happen – the fibroids will shrink. Furthermore, fibroids will stop growing or begin shrinking once a patient reaches menopause, which is the point at which these hormones also cease being produced in the female body.

uterine fibroids

Ultrasound image of lower abdomen, ovary and uterus with tumor or uterine fibroid, leiomyoma of female woman patient for gynecological medical exam, analysis and test

Testing and Diagnosis of Uterine Fibroids

In many cases, especially those whereby uterine fibroids do not present any noticeable symptoms for the patient, this condition will be discovered in a regular pelvic exam. This is a routine checkup carried out by gynecologists. While this checkup might determine the presence of a mass or lump on the uterus, further testing will have to be carried out to make a definite diagnosis.

These testing methods include:

Note: Upon learning that fibroids are a type of tumor, the foremost concern for many patients is whether the tumor is cancerous or might predispose them in some way to developing cancer. Fibroids are rarely cancerous, with the chances of such fibroids (leiomyosarcomas) arising at less than one in a thousand.  Additionally, the presence of fibroids in no way increases a patient’s chances of developing any type of cancer.

 

What causes uterine fibroids?2022-04-29T17:20:54-07:00

What are Uterine Fibroids?

Millions of women around the world are affected by the development of uterine fibroids each year. While it is not a life-threatening condition in itself, the symptoms and potential complications that come with it make it such a pressing medical concern for affected individuals.

uterine fibroids

As only women will usually possess a uterus, it follows that only women are afflicted by this ailment, which is why gynecologists will often be the first ones to make a definite diagnosis. As with so many medical emergencies, knowing the problem early will greatly increase the chances of beating it, which is why the professionals at La Jolla Vein & Vascular are dedicated to administering reliable, accurate, and entirely effective diagnostics, therapies, and treatments to all clients coming through our doors.

Let’s take a closer look at what exactly we will be dealing with should uterine fibroids turn out to be the issue at hand.

What are uterine fibroids? 

To understand what uterine fibroids are, the first thing one should do is separate the two terms making up the condition. A fibroid is a term to refer to a type of tumor that has ‘muscular’ characteristics. They are also referred to as a leiomyoma and can appear singularly or in formations or in lumps. 

They are known as uterine fibroids since they will appear in the patient’s uterus. Although they are not cancerous in almost all instances, they will range in size from patient to patient, from as small as an apple seed to as large as a grapefruit and beyond, in some unusual instances. 

It is important for all women to be aware of the dangers presented by uterine fibroids, not only owing to the potential harm that the condition might bring about but due to the high rate of prevalence among the female population affected in some way. By the time they are 50 years old, it is estimated between 20 to 80 percent of women will have developed uterine fibroids, with most cases affecting the 40’s to early 50’s. 

 

Symptoms to look out for: 

Fibroids go undiscovered in most patients due to the lack of symptoms accompanying them, but some patients will experience some symptoms, including:

  • Frequent urination due to pressure being exerted on the patient’s bladder
  • Lower back pain
  • Pain during sexual intercourse
  • Enlargement of the lower abdomen, with severe and extremely rare instances causing the appearance of apparent pregnancy in the patient where none exists
  • Heavy bleeding and/or painful bleeding during periods sometimes resulting in a medically significant depletion of blood in the patient (anemia)
  • Greatly increased risks of complication during pregnancy and delivery, with uterine fibroid patients requiring cesarean sections at six times the average rate.
  • Reproductive health problems such as infertility are very rare outcomes.

 

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What are Uterine Fibroids?2022-04-29T17:17:06-07:00

Complications and Causes of Varicoceles

What are Varicoceles?

A varicocele is a term used to describe abnormal enlargement of the veins within the scrotum. The veins carry blood from the various body organs back to the heart. Typically, veins have valves that prevent blood backflow. When the valves in the veins within the scrotum don’t work as they should, blood tends to collect in the scrotum, leading to varicoceles.

While varicocele is very common, it is not life-threatening. In fact, research shows that about 15 percent of all adult men have varicocele. For most men, the condition will go unnoticed throughout their life or does not cause any complications. Although the condition is not dangerous, varicocele is a common cause of low sperm production and reduced sperm quality, leading to infertility. Varicoceles can also lead to reduced testosterone production and scrotal discomfort. The condition often does not need treatment until there is a reason for concern about the associated problems. Fortunately, varicocele is easy to diagnose and treat.

 

 

 

Complications and Causes of Varicoceles

 

Unfortunately, although the condition is not life-threatening, it can also lead to several unpleasant complications.

  • Atrophy (shrinking of the affected testicles)

The testicles are made of sperm-producing tubules. Varicoceles damage these tubules, making the testicles soften and shrink.

  • Infertility

The condition also causes the local temperature around or in the testicles to be too high, affecting sperm formation

 

Causes

Medical practitioners are not sure of the leading cause of varicoceles. However, doctors agree that the condition forms when there is a problem with blood flow in the spermatic cord. The problem develops when the valves in the veins do not function properly and allows blood to flow back. As a result, blood pools in the veins causing them to dilate. When the condition is common in adults, it can also develop in teens during puberty. The testicles usually require more blood than usual during this growth cycle. This condition can lead to problems in the veins, preventing the blood from flowing where it should.

For more information on vein and vascular treatment please visit our YouTube Channel. 

 

Complications and Causes of Varicoceles2022-04-29T16:58:30-07:00

La Jolla Vein and Vascular Treatments for Varicoceles

La Jolla Vein and Vascular Treatments for Varicoceles 

In most cases, varicoceles treatment is not necessary. Most men with varicoceles do not experience fertility issues. However, if the condition is causing pain, testicular atrophy, or infertility, you can benefit from varicoceles treatment. The treatment helps in sealing off the affected vein and redirecting the blood flow into normal veins. In case of infertility issues, varicoceles treatment helps in improving the quality of the sperm and sperm count. The procedure that we perform at LA Jolla Vein & Vascular on varicocele is percutaneous embolization of varicocele embolization.

The primary goal for varicocele treatment procedures is to help prevent the backflow of blood from the body to the scrotum, helping in cooling off the testes. Surgical procedures will help restrict the blood flow to the veins leading from the testis to the body. However, not all the veins are sealed off. The vassal vein, which is not subject to the same problems as the other varicose veins, is left open to allow blood to leave the testicles after the procedure.

Some of the clear indications that you need varicoceles repair during adolescence include pain, progressive testicular atrophy, and abnormal semen analysis results. While this treatment helps in improving sperm characteristics, it is not clear whether untreated varicoceles can lead to progressive sperm worsening. The common varicoceles treatment options include (La Jolla Vein & Vascular Only Performs Varicocele Embolization):

Percutaneous Embolization (Varicocele Embolization)

Percutaneous embolism is an advanced procedure performed by a radiologist. The specialist usually makes a small cut into a vein in the groin and inserts a tube. The doctor will use X-ray imaging to guide them to the affected veins and insert a coil or a balloon into it through the tube. The procedure helps in blocking the blood flow to the varicocele, shrinking it gradually. This procedure is also done with general anesthesia. 

Catheter-directed Embolization

Catheter-directed embolization is a non-surgical, outpatient treatment performed by an interventional radiologist using imaging to guide catheters or other instruments inside the body. Through mild IV sedation and local anesthesia, patients are relaxed and pain-free during the approximately two-hour procedure. 

For the procedure, an interventional radiologist makes a tiny nick in the skin at the groin using local anesthesia, through which a thin catheter (much like a piece of spaghetti) is passed into the femoral vein directly to the testicular vein. The physician then injects contrast dye to provide direct visualization of the veins so he/she can map out exactly where the problem is and where to embolize or block the vein, which reduces pressure on the varicocele. By embolizing the vein, blood flow is redirected to other healthy pathways. Essentially, the incompetent vein is shut off internally by preventing blood flow, accomplishing what the urologist does without surgery. 

Efficacy of Embolization for Varicoceles 

Embolization is equally effective in improving male infertility and costs about the same as surgical ligation. Pregnancy rates and recurrence rates are comparable to those following surgical varicocelectomy. In one study, sixty percent conceived were treated for infertility. 

In another study, sperm concentration improved in 83 percent of patients undergoing embolization compared to 63 percent of those surgically ligated. Patients who underwent both procedures expressed a strong preference for embolization. 

Varicocelectomy

 

Your doctor will make a small 1-inch incision into your scrotum and use a microscope or magnifying glass to see the veins better. The doctor might use local anesthesia to numb the area. General anesthesia can also help you sleep through the procedure.

 

Laparoscopic Surgery

 

This procedure involves making a much smaller incision and inserting a tube that holds the surgical tools. The surgeon will also use a special camera to see inside you. The procedure is done under general anesthesia to help you sleep through the procedure. The results from the other treatments are similar, only that the incision is small with laparoscopic surgery.

 

Open Surgery

 

The open surgery treatment is usually done on an outpatient basis and using a local or general anesthetic. The surgeon will make a small incision below your groin or abdomen to access the affected vein. Your doctor uses advanced surgical tools such as Doppler ultrasound and a surgical microscope to help guide the procedure. The patient can return to a regular daily routine after two days.

 

Recovery

 

In most cases, you can go back to your routine after two days of varicose treatment. However, it is advisable to take it easy. Avoid strenuous activities and exercise for about two weeks.

People who have undergone percutaneous embolization tend to recover faster. While you may need a day or two off from work, you can return to your workout program in 7-10 days. If the treatment procedure is to help with fertility, your doctor will perform an additional test in 3-4 months. You will be able to see improved results in 6-12 months. It is important to note that more than 50 percent of men who have undergone the procedure have restored their fertility. Additionally, these surgical procedures are also crucial for teens as they help in slowing testicular growth.

 

For more information on vein and vascular treatment please visit our YouTube Channel. 

La Jolla Vein and Vascular Treatments for Varicoceles2022-04-29T16:54:19-07:00

Varicocele Diagnosis and Treatments

Varicocele Diagnosis

 

Your doctor will perform a thorough physical examination, which might reveal a non-tender mass above the testicles to diagnose varicoceles. When the mass is large enough, it feels like a bag of worms. When the varicocele is small, the doctor might request you to stand, take a deep breath and hold it while you bear down. This technique will help the doctor to detect any abnormal veins enlargement. Your doctor may also order a scrotal ultrasound. The test uses high-frequency sound waves to create a precise image of the structure of the scrotum. The test is also helpful in helping the doctor rule out other reasons that could be causing the problem in the scrotum.

 

Treatments for Varicocele

 In most cases, varicoceles treatment is not necessary. Most men with varicoceles do not    experience   fertility issues. However, if the condition is causing pain, testicular atrophy, or infertility, you can benefit.

In most cases, varicoceles treatment is not necessary. Most men with varicoceles do not experience fertility issues. However, if the condition is causing pain, testicular atrophy, or infertility, you can benefit from varicoceles treatment. The treatment helps in sealing off the affected vein and redirecting the blood flow into normal veins. In case of infertility issues, varicoceles treatment helps in improving the quality of the sperm and sperm count. The procedure that we perform at LA Jolla Vein & Vascular on varicocele is percutaneous embolization of varicocele embolization.

The primary goal for treatment procedures is to help prevent the backflow of blood from the body to the scrotum, helping in cooling off the testes. Surgical procedures will help restrict the blood flow to the veins leading from the testis to the body. However, not all the veins are sealed off. The vassal vein, which is not subject to the same problems as the other varicose veins, is left open to allow blood to leave the testicles after the procedure.

Some of the clear indications that you need varicoceles repair during adolescence include pain, progressive testicular atrophy, and abnormal semen analysis results. While this treatment helps in improving sperm characteristics, it is not clear whether untreated varicoceles can lead to progressive sperm worsening. 

The common varicoceles treatment options include (La Jolla Vein & Vascular Only Performs Varicocele Embolization):

Percutaneous Embolization (Varicocele Embolization)

    Varicocelectomy

    Laparoscopic Surgery

    Open Surgery

     

 

 Recovery

In most cases, you can go back to your routine after two days of varicose treatment. However, it is advisable to take it easy. Avoid strenuous activities and exercise for about two weeks.People who have undergone percutaneous embolization tend to recover faster. While you may need a day or two off from work, you can return to your workout program in 7-10 days. If the treatment procedure is to help with fertility, your doctor will perform an additional test in 3-4 months. You will be able to see improved results in 6-12 months. It is important to note that more than 50 percent of men who have undergone the procedure have restored their fertility. Additionally, these surgical procedures are also crucial for teens as they help in slowing testicular growth.

 

Varicocele Diagnosis and Treatments2022-04-29T16:50:34-07:00

Signs and Symptoms of Varicoceles

 

 

What are Varicoceles? 

A varicocele is a term used to describe abnormal enlargement of the veins within the scrotum. The veins carry blood from the various body organs back to the heart. Typically, veins have valves that prevent blood backflow. When the valves in the veins within the scrotum don’t work as they should, blood tends to collect in the scrotum.

Signs and Symptoms of Varicoceles

Most often, Varicoceles have no symptoms or signs. As mentioned earlier, you will barely notice it. However, although rarely, the condition might cause pain. When it does cause pain, it might;

  • Switch from a sharp to a dull discomfort
  • Become worse over the day
  • Increase when due to physical exertion or standing for extended periods
  • Pain that goes away when you lie on your back
  • Impaired infertility

Over time, varicoceles may become more enlarged and become noticeable. Varicoceles are often described as looking like a “bag of worms” sometimes, the condition may also cause a swollen testicle, most often on the left side.

 

When Should You Seek a Doctor?

 

Since symptoms do not accompany varicocele, it often does not require treatment. In some cases, varicoceles are discovered during a fertility evaluation. However, you should see a doctor if you notice any of the following.

  • Pain or swelling in the scrotum
  • Discover a mass on the scrotum
  • You are having a problem with your fertility
  • When you notice that one of your testicles is larger than the other

 

For more information on vein and vascular treatment please visit our YouTube Channel.

Signs and Symptoms of Varicoceles2022-04-29T16:45:32-07:00

What are Varicoceles?

What are Varicoceles?

A varicocele is a term used to describe abnormal enlargement of the veins within the scrotum. The veins carry blood from the various body organs back to the heart. Typically, veins have valves that prevent blood backflow. When the valves in the veins within the scrotum don’t work as they should, blood tends to collect in the scrotum, leading to varicoceles.

varicocele

While varicocele is very common, it is not life-threatening. In fact, research shows that about 15 percent of all adult men have varicocele. For most men, the condition will go unnoticed throughout their life or does not cause any complications. Although the condition is not dangerous, varicocele is a common cause of low sperm production and reduced sperm quality, leading to infertility. They can also lead to reduced testosterone production and scrotal discomfort. The condition often does not need treatment until there is a reason for concern about the associated problems. Fortunately, varicocele is easy to diagnose and treat.

How do they Affect the Testis?

 

While numerous theories exist, medical experts agree that they cause the veins to carry warm blood from the abdomen down to the testis. Generally, the testis functions properly at around three degrees below the average body temperature. As such, warmblood can affect the testis’ ability to produce testosterone and sperm.

 

For more information on vein and vascular treatment please visit our YouTube Channel.

What are Varicoceles?2022-04-29T16:39:28-07:00

Process of being diagnosed with Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral Arterial Disease – Diagnosis

At La Jolla Vein & Vascular, we have highly trained physicians who offer a comprehensive diagnosis to develop customized treatments of Peripheral artery disease (PAD). We understand that no two patients’ conditions are similar. Our full-service vascular lab provides state-of-the-art testing to ensure that our physicians address each patient case quickly and accurately. Our doctors and nurses also have broad experience in this field and use advanced tools to achieve limb-saving results even for challenging, impaired patients. Our PAD diagnosis procedure involves the following:

peripheral arterial disease

Detailed Physical Exam

To help diagnose Peripheral Arterial Disease, our skilled doctor will start by doing a thorough physical examination. The doctor will also want to learn about your signs, symptoms, personal health history, risk factors, and family health history. The doctor will ask you several questions regarding your medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease. They will also ask you whether you experience pain or cramps in your leg while walking or exercising.

The doctor will also ask about your family history of PAD and other heart diseases. You will also discuss your smoking habit, either current or in the past. After gathering the information, the doctor will proceed to perform a detailed physical examination. The process involves checking for weak pulses in your leg, listening for poor blood flow in the legs using a stethoscope. The physician will also check for any problems on your legs, such as sores, swelling, and pale skin.

Detailed Physical Exam

Ankle-brachial index (ABI)

Ankle-brachial index (ABI test) helps diagnose PAD. This test usually compares the blood pressure in your arm with the blood pressure in your ankle. The doctor usually uses a pressure cuff together with an ultrasound device. Sometimes, the physician may request you to walk on a treadmill and have the doctor take the readings before and immediately after the exercise. The procedure will help the doctor to capture the severity of the narrowed arteries.

 

Arterial Ultrasound

La Jolla Vein & Vascular doctors also use ultrasound-guided procedures to determine whether a specific vein or artery is blocked or open. The procedure is non-invasive, meaning that you will not experience any pain. The technique visualizes the artery with sound waves that measure the blood volume that flows in the veins and arteries. After the procedure, the patients receive a thorough consultation. The doctor will recommend the most effective treatment option to help promote blood flow to the feet and leg.

The treatment will help reduce leg pain, promote healing of sores and increase the mobility of the affected limb. Doctors utilize two main ultrasound methods. The first method is the Doppler ultrasound utilized to locate areas with blockages or reduced blood flow. The procedure involves using a handheld device that sends sound waves through the arteries to measure how fast blood flows. The second method is the segmental Doppler pressure testing that checks various parts of the legs for blocked or narrowed arteries. The procedure is similar to the ABI test, but the ultrasound device will amplify the sound of blood flow, making it easy to measure blood pressure and diagnose peripheral arterial disease. 

 

Angiography (venography)

Angiography is minimal invasive testing that helps to visualize and diagnose blockages inside veins and arteries. In this procedure, the physician will insert a thin tube that injects a special dye that enables blood vessels to appear on an X-ray. As the dye is introduced to the arteries and veins, fluoroscopy imaging captures the detailed images to see the extent of blockages in the arteries.

 

Blood Tests

Doctors also take a sample of your blood to measure the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Blood samples are also used to check for diabetes.

 

Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)

MRA tests are conducted to examine the structure of the arteries in your leg. However, the doctor will speak to you before using the procedure. Magnetic resonance angiography is not recommended for people with metal implants in their bodies.

For more information on Vein and Vascular conditions, please check out our Youtube Channel.

Process of being diagnosed with Peripheral Arterial Disease2022-04-28T19:14:18-07:00

What is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Peripheral artery disease is a subset of vascular disease,also referred to as peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which develops when excessive plaque buildup on the artery walls causing the narrowing of the arteries.

peripheral artery

The arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood from the heart to other parts of the body. When plaque builds up, it usually restricts the flow of blood, oxygen, and glucose. The obstruction causes pain in the leg as the muscles and tissues are starved for oxygen and other nutrients from the blood. While the pain usually occurs in your legs primarily, it can also be felt in other parts of the body, including your arms, stomach, hip, head, and kidneys.

Are You at Risk for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)?

In most cases, the PAD symptoms are on the lower extremities. You may experience some pain, craping, or tiredness in your hip or leg muscles when climbing stairs or walking. However, the pain usually goes away with rest, only to resurface when you start walking again. Individuals suffering from peripheral arterial disease are at a high risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, or heart attack. Even worse, if left untreated, the condition can lead to gangrene and amputation.

 

Peripheral Arterial Disease – Symptoms

 

The most common symptom of Peripheral arterial disease is claudication. The fat and cholesterol build up on the artery walls cause a lack of blood flow, causing a condition referred to as ischemia. Ischemia is a condition that results when there is a greater demand for oxygen than the supply.

Claudication is a condition that causes cramping in the legs and buttocks. As mentioned, the pain and clamping flares up when you start to walk and subsides when you rest. Intermittent claudication affects about 50 percent of individuals suffering from peripheral artery disease. Some of the other common symptoms include loss of hair around the ankles, numbness or coldness in your feet.

Pain and cramping while walking may lead to a more sedentary lifestyle, meaning that the individual will burn few calories and add weight. An increase in weight also increases cholesterol, blood pressure, and other heart disease risk factors. The claudication severity often varies from mild discomfort to debilitating pain, making it hard for you to walk or perform other types of physical activities. 

PAD

Other common symptoms of the peripheral arterial disease include;

  • In extreme cases, an open wound or ulcer occurs on your toes or feet. These extreme cases lead to non-healing ulcers. The ulcer can progress to gangrene, making it hard for you to walk. In such a scenario, immediate medical attention is necessary.
  • Weakness or numbness in your legs
  • Coldness in your lower feet, especially when you find one foot is colder than the other one.
  • Experiencing pain in your feet or toes while you are resting
  • Sores on the legs, feet, and toes that do not heal
  • Slower toenails growth
  • Change in the color of your feet
  • Erectile dysfunction in men can be treated by prostate arterial embolization (PAE), which also treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
  • Weak pulse in your feet or legs
  • Developing shiny skin on your legs
  • Having pain in your arms, especially when writing, knitting, or performing manual tasks

As the peripheral disease progresses, you may start to experience pain even when you are lying down. In extreme cases, the pain becomes intense enough to distract your sleep. Resting your legs by hanging them at your bed edge or walking around the room helps stimulate blood flow, relieving the pain temporarily.

 

What is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)2022-04-28T18:54:59-07:00
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