Each year, more than 150,000 amputations are performed in the US to remove toes, legs or feet affected by advanced peripheral artery disease (PAD). Modern treatment options can restore blood flow to affected limbs and reduce the risk of amputation. PAD patients are at risk of losing a leg and...
Peripheral Vascular Disease
How Arterial Disease Affects Your Life
Peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, occurs when arteries become blocked by plaque. Plaque is a substance that forms when fatty substances (cholesterol, for example) stick together and build up on the walls of the arteries. When most people think about arteries, they think about the ones in their...
How Diabetes Can Affect Your Risk Of PAD
Diabetes is a life-changing disease that can threaten your health in many ways, besides what it does to your blood sugar regulation. You may already know that it can affect your vision and even lead to kidney damage or liver disease. But you may not know that diabetes can also increase your risk...
What Are Venous Stasis Ulcers & How Can They Be Treated?
Venous stasis ulcers, also called "venous leg ulcers," are wounds on the skin. They are due to a pooling of blood in veins. These ulcers happen most often on the legs. Usually, mild injuries and wounds heal with time. The average time it takes for people to recover from injuries varies; however,...
Diagnosing Peripheral Arterial Disease
Diagnosing PAD According to the American Heart Association: The most common symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the lower extremities is a painful muscle cramping in the hips, thighs or calves when walking, climbing stairs or exercising. The pain of PAD often goes away when you stop...
Seven Causes of Leg Ulcers and Your Treatment Options
Leg ulcers are no joke. As many as 1.69% of Americans experience leg ulcers at some point in their lives. Ulcers can cause significant pain and tissue damage, and they can lead to amputation. If you want to keep your legs safe, you should know about leg ulcers in detail. What are...
Health Guide: 5 Causes of Peripheral Arterial Disease
Around 6.5 million people aged 40 and over have peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the US. This common circulatory problem refers to narrowed arteries that reduce blood flow to your limbs, especially your legs. Many people with PAD have no symptoms. For others, one of...
Everything You Need To Know About Gangrene
Did you know that shepherds in France used to apply blue cheese to their wounds to avoid developing gangrene? That's because the cheese contained Penicillium mold, a natural producer of the modern antibiotic "penicillin." The shepherds knew back then what still holds true today -...
What Is Peripheral Vascular Disease? Your Guide to the Essentials
Blood makes or breaks a person's health. More than 200 million people have artery disease. Someone who has artery disease is twice as likely to have heart failure. You must know about the threats to your blood and vascular health. Peripheral vascular disease is a significant...
What You Must Know About Claudication
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a circulatory issue that causes narrowed or hardened arteries. If you are one of the 6.5 million people suffering from PAD, you may notice occasional pain or cramping in your lower legs, buttocks or arms. However, it could be that you have constant pain or...
Complications From Peripheral Arterial Disease
If you've been experiencing pins and needles in the lower half of your body, this warning sign is a common symptom of poor circulation. Not only are these sensations uncomfortable, but they can also be scary! Unfortunately, it's easy to take our circulatory systems for granted. That's not always...
Peripheral arterial disease: Do not let clogged arteries restrict your life
The vascular or circulatory system is a network of blood vessels that carry blood to and from the heart. Any disease that impact this system falls under the category of Vascular Diseases. These diseases can range from veins, arteries, and vessels. Those disorders which ultimately affects blood...