What is Peripheral Artery Disease?
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a narrowing of the arteries in the “peripheral arteries” serving the legs, stomach, arms and head. “Peripheral” in this case means away from the heart, in the outer regions of the body. PAD most commonly affects arteries in the legs.
Both PAD and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) are caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis narrows and blocks arteries in critical regions of the body.
Peripheral Artery Disease Symptoms
The most common symptoms of PAD involving the lower extremities are cramping, pain or tiredness in the leg or hip muscles while walking or climbing stairs. Typically, this pain goes away with rest and returns when you walk again.
Be aware that, if that blockage remains in the peripheral arteries of the legs, it can cause pain, changes in skin color, difficulty walking and sores or ulcers. Total loss of circulation to the legs and feet can cause gangrene and the loss of a limb.
If the blockage occurs in a carotid artery, it can cause a stroke.
What is the cause of Peripheral Artery Disease?
The process of atherosclerosis or the build-up of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls is the main cause of PAD. Other potential causes include blood vessel inflammation or physical injury to your limbs. Smoking is the principal risk factor for PAD. If you currently smoke or ever have, your risk of PAD is two to six times normal. You’re also at higher than normal risk if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or family history of atherosclerosis. The risk of PAD increases with age.
Lifestyle And Home Remedies
The best way to prevent PAD is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. That means:
• Quit smoking if you’re a smoker.
• If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar in good control.
• Exercise regularly. Aim for 30 minutes at least three times a week after you’ve gotten your doctor’s OK.
• Lower your cholesterol and blood pressure levels, if applicable.
• Eat foods that are low in saturated fat.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
Alternative Medicine
The blood-thinning effects of Ginkgo biloba and Garlic may help with the treatment of PAD.
Peripheral Artery Disease prevention/treatment is possible. You can reduce/eliminate the risks of PAD with herbal supplements or homeopathic medicines, call the herbalist in the House, Oluwafunmise, on 08028366901/08183554665 and join our whatsapp group https://chat.whatsapp.com/B8K4nNdwD39IOH2dfzbUbY to learn more about health tips to improve our general well being. Kindly share with your contacts.
