Peripheral Arterial Disease: Why it is Critical to See a Vein Specialist
It is one thing to endure pain and numbness in your leg or foot when walking, cycling, or running. It is another to wait for your situation to get better without seeing your doctor. If you are experiencing such symptoms, seeing a specialist for peripheral arterial disease in El Paso is the only step you can take to find out if your condition is serious. At Desert West Vein & Surgery Center, getting to the bottom of vascular issues and finding scientifically-proven treatment methods is their primary goal. Read on to get an insight into the disease.
What Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Feels Like
It is usual for your lower leg to hurt after an injury or a strenuous exercise. But when you have PAD, your symptoms may include:
Your leg feels numb or weak
Leg numbness occurs when your motor senses are not working. Your legs may also start to feel weak.
Your leg, feet, or toes hurt
When you have pain in your lower legs, toes, or feet, you likely have PAD. The arteries in your legs may have been damaged, thus causing pain.
Little-to-no hair around your feet or legs
When you notice that the hairs on your legs and feet are not growing, you could have developed PAD.
Lack of pulse in your lower legs or feet
Using your two fingers, touch your ankle to see if it has a pulse. If there is none, see a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
Who is susceptible to PAD?
Anyone can develop PAD, no matter their age. However, people aged 65 years and over are at a higher risk of developing it. Diabetes and smoking have also been linked to the disease. So if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor may conduct tests to determine whether your condition is the cause.
How to prevent PAD
PAD is preventable, but only when you adjust lifestyle habits. For example, if you are obese, consider shedding some weight. You can engage in physical exercises to keep your weight in check. But if you are unable to do so, find an alternative weight loss option. The primary goal of keeping your weight under control is to prevent fats from clogging your arteries.
Another way to prevent the disease is by watching what you eat. Avoid foods that are rich in fats. And if you have diabetes, talk with your doctor to teach you how to regulate your blood sugar. If you have been diagnosed with PAD, a vein specialist can offer a suitable treatment plan for you.
See a vein specialist for treatment
When you have PAD, your life can take a new turn for the worse. Pay attention to all the symptoms and do not wait until they worsen before deciding to see a doctor. Once your doctor confirms that you have PAD, they can develop a suitable treatment plan depending on your case’s severity. To learn how vein specialists treat PAD, schedule an online consultation today.
