Peripheral artery disease, also known as peripheral vascular disease, is caused by the thickening of an artery due to plaque accumulation. It is a disease that narrows or blocks blood flow and reduces blood circulation to a specific organ or region. This process in the body is arteriosclerotic occlusive vascular disease or atherosclerosis, usually It is called esi arteriosclerosis “. If the plaque surface on the inside of the vein becomes irregular or ulcerated, small blood clots and plaque content may accumulate. Particles (emboli) move in the circulatory system and result in paralysis by blocking the flow through small blood vessels that may damage sensitive organs such as the brain. People with the disease usually do not have symptoms until the disease progresses. Almost all of the symptoms are due to the inability of the leg muscles to get enough blood. Typically, people with peripheral arterial disease experience a painful cramp that relaxes with resting on the buttocks, thighs or in the calves, as well as in the exercise of climbing stairs. With the progression of the disease, walking distance is shortened. Thus, the patient cannot walk for more than a few steps because of the aggravated pain.

If the disease is severe, the following symptoms may occur:

Warning Signs

Exercise stopped when the non-volatile cramping pain

* compared to the rest of the body of the lower leg or foot are visibly temperature reduction

* Very slow healing or healing of the leg or foot ulcers

* darkened or faded skin

* Gangrene

* Thin, shiny skin

* leg hairs loss or reduction

Risk factors

* There are many risk factors that may cause or accelerate the development of peripheral arterial disease. The most important are:

* To reduce the risk of vascular disease, hypertension (high blood pressure) should be carefully managed. If there is high blood pressure, it should be checked regularly and talked about treatment with the doctor to take control.

* Smoking always puts the arteries at high risk. Leaving smoking is a huge benefit to the circulatory system.

* Diabetes keeps people at high risk for vascular diseases. Blood glucose should be controlled by cardiovascular surgeon, cardiologist or family physician and necessary precautions should be taken.

* Obesity, lack of exercise and high cholesterol cause vascular diseases. High cholesterol in arteries (a kind of fat) is toxic. The lack of obesity and exercise causes general impairment of the arterial system. Controlling these factors greatly reduces the risk of vascular disease. The family physician should talk about age and normal weight; In addition, the level of cholesterol and how often should be controlled. If it is high, more frequent control and prescription medications will be needed.

* Age-related points: Since smoking is not common, there is a lack of estrogen hormone shields. Men over 60 years of age are at greater risk for peripheral arterial disease.

The estrogen hormone secreted in women is protective, but decreases after a certain age and menopause. Therefore, the incidence of peripheral arterial diseases increases. Postmenopausal women show the same risks as men over 60 years of age.

No matter what the age, exercise should be done regularly. Exercise gives more oxygen to the blood, lowers high blood pressure, improves blood circulation and improves overall health. In consultation with the doctor, an exercise program should be developed and fatty food intake should be reduced.

Genetic plays a vital role in the development of occlusive vascular disease. Cardiovascular surgeons should be informed about parents or grandparents with poor blood circulation.

* Stress is also a risk factor that increases the disease.

Treatment of Peripheral Artery Disease

Intracranial arteriosclerosis and arteriosclerosis of arteries (arteries) leading to the legs and arms can progressively stagnate and occlude, and if the treatment of the disease is delayed, severe complications such as loss of the leg can be experienced in the advanced stages.

Peripheral artery disease has several treatment options:

Prescription drugs : Doctors may give some medications to reduce cholesterol levels, reduce or control high blood pressure, improve blood flow and control blood sugar in people with diabetes.

Arterial surgery: Traditional treatment for symptoms caused by peripheral vascular disease is the removal of the patient artery or bypass. These techniques are safe, effective and durable. Bypass surgery, which is used for arterial occlusion of the abdomen or legs, is the preferred treatment modality because of the more comprehensive disease. A synthetic graft is placed to move normal blood flow around the diseased area.

Angioplasty and Stenting are a new treatment procedure that is less invasive than surgery. It opens the small balloons placed in a catheter into an artery and opens the blockages. The balloon is then inflated (angioplasty). When swollen, it tightens and opens the artery to improve blood flow. To protect the expanded artery, a metallic device called a akış stent ik can be placed so that the blood flow of the leg is improved. Although surgical procedures solve the problem of walking distance, the lifestyle of the patients after surgery is also effective.

Clot removal : When clots completely block blood flow, a catheter is used to deliver the clot-dissolving drug, or the clot is removed directly to restore blood flow and maintain the limb.

Prevention of Peripheral Artery Disease

The best way to prevent peripheral arterial disease is to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

* Smoking should be left.

* Blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels should be kept under control.

• Regular exercise should be done and a doctor should talk to determine which exercise program is appropriate.

* Low-fat and low-cholesterol diet should be applied and more fruits and vegetables should be added to the diet.

* Overweight or obese people should work with their doctor to develop a reasonable weight-loss plan.

Warning !

It is a proposal and Information article that has been compiled from different sources. There is no definitive diagnosis and treatment. Ask your doctor about any health problems. Remember, the treatment methods applied in health problems may vary according to the biology of individuals, hereditary characteristics, age, height, weight differences, allergic aspects and dozens of such conditions. Only your doctor can help you in the treatment of your health problems.