PERIPHERAL ARTERY CAUSES AND ITS TREATMENT
Peripheral artery disease
develops due to circulatory disorders in the arteries of the lower extremities,
usually due to atherosclerosis. This is due to the fact that insufficient
oxygen enters the tissue.
The likelihood of vascular
disease increases with age. About 30% of elderly people over the age of 70
suffer from it. The risk of pathology increases in people with diabetes and
smokers. So, what is this disease, what are the causes of its development.
Features of the disease of the arteries of the
legs
Blood, saturated with oxygen and
nutrients, moves through the arteries from the heart to the organs and tissues
of the body. If the blood flow in the arteries of the legs is disrupted, their
tissues receive insufficient nutrients and oxygen, resulting in the development
of peripheral artery disease.
Blood flow in the aorta is
disrupted as a result of atherosclerosis. The aorta itself is a large vessel
from which branches supply blood to the head, upper extremities, neck,
abdominal organs, chest organs, pelvic cavity, after which the artery divides
into two branches through which blood enters the legs.
In the normal state, the surface
of the inner side of the vessel is smooth, but in old age develops
atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries, in which the vessel wall is deposited
lipid plaques. This leads to disruption of the structure of the walls of the
arteries, narrowing, compaction and, as a consequence, disruption of blood flow
in it. Lipid plaques consist of calcium and cholesterol. As atherosclerosis
progresses, the lumen in the aorta becomes narrower and leads to the first
signs of arterial disease. This disease may not manifest itself at all for a
long time, while atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries will continue to
progress and in the absence of timely diagnosis and proper treatment can lead
to amputation of the limb. In addition, there is an increased risk of
developing blood supply to other organs, which can provoke a myocardial
infarction or stroke.
The main manifestation of
peripheral artery disease is a feeling of severe discomfort or pain in the legs
when walking. The location of the pain is different, the place of its
occurrence depends on which areas of the arteries were damaged. Pain can occur
in the foot, knees, lower back, thighs, legs.
Causes of lower extremity artery disease
Therefore, the main reason for
the development of peripheral artery pathology is atherosclerosis. And men are
more prone to the disease than women. There are many factors that increase the
risk of developing this disease, the main ones being:
·
Diabetes.
·
Perennial smoking.
·
Constantly high blood pressure.
·
Elevated blood cholesterol.
·
Adiposity.
People who have previously had
problems with the cardiovascular system have a high risk of developing this
disease.
Symptoms and treatment
Atherosclerosis of the vessels of
the lower extremities is the main cause of arterial disease of the legs, the
most common symptom of which is pain when walking. Painful sensations can occur
in any part of the legs; the location of pain depends on where the affected
vessels are located.
Pain occurs due to insufficient
blood supply to tissues, ie due to a disease such as atherosclerosis of the
vessels of the lower extremities, the symptoms and treatment of which are
interrelated. Therapy should be started as early as possible, otherwise its
progression can lead to complete blockage of the artery and, as a consequence,
amputation of the limb.
But not always the symptoms of
the disease are pronounced, often the doctor does not even suggest that the
patient is developing pathology. Often treatment begins only after the symptoms
become pronounced. If the disease is not treated in time, it can cause a heart
attack or stroke.
Another striking symptom of
vascular disease of the legs - lameness. At rest, pain is absent and occurs
only when walking. It should be borne in mind that lameness and pain are not
mandatory symptoms, they can occur in rare and exceptional cases, such as long
walks or while climbing a mountain. But over time, the clinical manifestations
of the disease do not disappear, but on the contrary, intensify, there are
seizures, a feeling of heaviness, which does not pass after rest, a feeling of
compression. If all of these symptoms occur, seek medical attention.
There are a number of indirect
signs that indicate the development of peripheral artery disease:
·
Hair loss.
·
Paleness and dryness of the skin of the feet.
·
Decreased sensitivity in the lower extremities.
The degree of disease is
determined by the intensity of symptoms, the greater the pain and discomfort
while walking, the more serious the disease. If the disease is running, the
pain bothers a person even at rest.
Severe narrowing of the arteries of the lower
extremities
When arteries are severely narrowed
due to lipid plaques or blocked altogether (peripheral artery thrombosis), leg
pain occurs even at rest. The feet may look perfectly normal, but the toes are
pale in color, sometimes with a bluish tinge. They are usually cold to the
touch, impulses are weak or absent.
In the most severe cases of
oxygen deficiency begins tissue necrosis (death). The lower part of the leg
(ankle) is covered with trophic ulcers, in the most advanced cases, gangrene
develops, but this complication is rare.
Occlusive disease of the arteries
of the lower extremities
Occlusive disease of peripheral
arteries is a common manifestation of atherosclerosis. This disease leads to
limited ability to move, often to death.
The term "occlusive disease
of the arteries" means damage not only to the arteries of the legs, but
also other vessels that pass through the brain and internal organs, ie it is a
disease of peripheral arteries and veins.
Surgical treatment - artery plastics, shunting
or vascular prosthetics.
Obliterative artery disease
Obliterative disease of
peripheral arteries is a dangerous and severe chronic pathology, characterized
by a progressive course. Manifested in the form of chronic ischemia of internal
organs and extremities. In this disease there is a violation of the flow of
arterial blood to the lower extremities, this is due to a violation of the
elasticity of blood vessels. Blood circulation is not carried out in the
required volume, there is a narrowing of the arteries, and sometimes their
complete closure.
The first sign of pathology is
pain in the lower leg, calf muscle, buttocks. Gradually, the pain begins to
increase, the person finds it difficult to move long distances, and eventually
she stops walking at all.
Treatment of the pathology is
aimed at restoring natural blood circulation in the affected area. As a rule,
anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, in the later stages an operation is
prescribed, the purpose of which is to restore the disturbed blood flow.
If gangrene develops, limb
amputation is required.
Diagnosis of the disease
Accurate diagnosis, the doctor
prescribes special tests to determine whether the arteries of the extremities
are affected or not. One way to study peripheral arteries is to measure blood
pressure in the leg and arm and compare the results. This will make assumptions
about the development or absence of vascular pathology. In some cases, the
doctor prescribes an ultrasound examination of the peripheral arteries of the
lower extremities, this will provide complete information about blood
circulation in the affected area.
If the doctor has doubts after
the procedures, he prescribes angiography (X-ray examination of blood vessels)
and tomography (examination of the condition and structure). If the patient is
suspected of having a late stage of the disease, he is prescribed radiography.
Methods of treatment of peripheral arteries
The method of treatment depends
on the stage of the disease, as well as on the affected area. The main task of
treatment is to stop the progression of the disease, to minimize the risk of
complications.
The patient is prescribed a
course of treatment, in addition, he is advised to eat properly, change
lifestyle, give up alcohol and smoking. All bad habits have a negative effect
on human blood vessels.
If you start treatment of
peripheral arteries earlier, the course of treatment will be preventive
measures.
Of the drugs prescribed those
that are aimed at regulating cholesterol levels. Sometimes the course of
treatment includes drugs that reduce the effect of platelets. These drugs are
aimed at thinning the blood, which is a good prevention of blood clots.
Conservative treatment is used if
the disease is mild. In case of severe damage to peripheral arteries, surgical
treatment is required.
If large arteries are damaged,
angioplasty is used. In more advanced cases, arterial shunting is performed. Both
artificial prosthetic vessels and veins of the patient are used for this
purpose.
Surgical removal of
atherosclerotic plaque is sometimes used. To do this, open the artery, but this
procedure can disrupt blood flow through the vessel.
Disease prevention
Proper and balanced nutrition
will provide the human body with minerals and trace elements, the lack of which
can provoke the development of vascular disease.
·
Constant monitoring of blood cholesterol.
·
Taking drugs for high blood pressure.
·
Exclusion from the menu of spicy and fatty
foods.
·
Animal fat should be completely replaced by
vegetable.
·
Monitor your blood sugar.
·
Quitting smoking, alcohol.
·
Monitor your weight.
·
Taking aspirin to prevent blood clots.
·
Hiking in comfortable shoes.
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