Suppose you experience numbness, pain while walking, or any other unusual symptoms in the legs; you may be suffering from peripheral artery disease (PAD). Fortunately, at Desert West Vein & Surgery Center, board-certified general surgeon Dr. Atur Kasha and his expert team offer evaluations for PAD and discuss various treatment alternatives to relieve the patient of debilitating symptoms and alleviate the risk for complications. For caring and compassionate care for peripheral arterial disease in El Paso, TX, call Desert West Vein & Surgery Center or go online to schedule a consultation.
What Is Peripheral Arterial Disease?
PAD is a circulatory issue whereby one’s arteries become narrow and interfere with blood flow to the legs. If such occurs, one may experience leg pain and many other displeasing symptoms. Besides leg pain and cramping, other prevalent PAD symptoms include leg numbness or weakness, leg discoloration, leg hair growth or slow toenail, and erectile dysfunction in males. You may also experience sores/coldness in your leg, toe, or feet, shiny skin on the legs, weak pulse in the legs or feet, and calf pain when walking.
These symptoms may make it hard for one to enjoy a good night’s sleep, thus affecting one’s overall life quality. If left untreated, this condition can put you at a higher risk of stroke, cardiac arrest, and atherosclerosis. Therefore, once you realize any sign of PAD, get in touch with Dr. Kasha and the expert medical team at Desert West Vein & Surgery Center for an evaluation.
What Are the Risk Factors for PAD?
Even though PAD can occur to almost everyone, specific factors tend to put one at a higher risk of experiencing it. PAD’s risk factors include obesity, aging, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, smoking, and diabetes. Associated complications might consist of infections, pain, sores, or adverse health complications, such as amputation.
What to Expect with Diagnosis & Treatment of PAD?
To come up with an extensive diagnosis for PAD, Dr. Kasha discusses with the patient about the symptoms they’re experiencing, cross-checks their past medical history, and performs a comprehensive physical exam. To effectively achieve this, Dr. Kasha may use an ultrasound or check blood pressure in your arm and ankle.
If necessary, your provider may also use ultrasound or angiography to study the arteries’ blood flow while performing viable blood tests. Once a correct diagnosis has been established, Dr. Kasha and the expert medical practitioners may recommend these treatment options:
· Medications
Prescriptions also play a big role in controlling cholesterol, blood sugar, and pressure levels. Some medications reduce one’s risk of developing blood clots or managing debilitating symptoms linked to PAD.
· Surgical Procedures
For those with blocked or narrowed arteries, Dr. Kasha may result in referring you to a provider who might recommend a variety of surgical solutions. These include clot-dissolving injections to disintegrate blood clots, bypass surgery, and angioplasty with stenting.
· Lifestyle Adjustments
Lead a healthy lifestyle to alleviate prevailing symptoms and reduce PAD. These include quitting smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet, weight, balanced blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
That said, Dr. Kasha has vast knowledge and training in diagnosing and treating various vascular and vein issues. Through his diverse set of services, he helps patients across Texas achieve improved life quality and lasting outcomes. So, in case you experience any associated PAD symptoms, call Desert West Vein & Surgery Center, or book an appointment online.