What Happens If Peripheral Vascular Disease Is Left Untreated?
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
is also commonly referred to as Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). It is a
condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the arms, legs and feet
become narrow and hard resulting in a reduction of the blood supply to these
parts of the body. This in turn can lead to nerve and tissue damage.
If The Condition Is Not Treated
A major problem with PVD is that
people suffering from it often presume that the initial symptoms are just
normal aches and pains and ignore them or use painkillers. The medications only
hide the symptoms and do not cure the condition which will continue to get
worse while the medication hides the progression. In the early stages of PVD the
common signs are noticed only after walking or other exercise of the legs and
feet and often fade away after a little rest. It usually starts with pain that
happens when walking uphill, walking at a faster than normal pace or walking
for a long distance. As time passes the
symptoms appear more quickly and with greater intensity; and the legs may
become numb when at rest or be cool to the touch. This is caused by the lower
flow of blood.
If the condition remains
untreated, the following complications may arise:
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Cramps and severe pain at night while sleeping
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Pain and a tingling (“pins and needles”) feeling
in the toes that causes them to becomes so sensitive that even a slight touch
like the weight of a sheet on them can result in great pain
Ø
An increase in pain when the leg is raised and a
decrease when it is lowered off the side of the bed so that gravity draws more
blood down
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The skin begins to darken and takes on a blue
tinge
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Sores on the legs and feet do not heal or take
much longer than normal to do so
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Atrophy (shrinkage) of the calf muscles
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Hair loss on the feet and toes
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A sensation of the skin being tight and
uncomfortable
Ø
Thick toenails
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Sexual impotence because of nerve and tissue
damage caused by low blood flow
Ø
In the worst case scenarios untreated PVD can
lead to:
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Open sores, infections and injuries to the legs
and feet that do not heal. These injuries and infections can cause the
development of tissue death, commonly known as gangrene. This condition, known
as Critical Limb Ischemia may require amputation of the affected limb.
Ø
The PVD that is causing the problems with the
lower limbs and feet may be affecting other parts of the body also, including
the supply of blood to the heart and brain which, if untreated, could result in
strokes and heart attacks.
PVD Treatment
PVD treatment has two main goals.
The first is to manage the pain and other symptoms so that the patient can
resume normal activities. The second is to stop the progression of the
condition in the feet, legs and other parts of the body so the chances of heart
attacks and strokes is reduced.
The first thing to be done is to
make medically advised lifestyle changes such as getting enough of the right
kind of exercise as well as rest, stopping smoking and alcohol consumption and
controlling the diet. If these changes are not enough to reverse the
progression of the problem, then an extended course of prescription medication
may be required. And in cases where even medication may not be adequate surgery
or angioplasty may be required.
Not ignoring foot and leg pain
and other problems and consulting a doctor if they continue for a few days, is
the first and best step in preventing or at least controlling PVD.
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