Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a disease of blood vessels that are located outside the heart and brain. The condition develops due to fatty deposits in the arteries and veins that stops the blood flow to the heart and mind as the case may be. It narrows the artery and restricts the blood flow, which causes problems to other organs of the body such as kidney, liver, and stomach.


Symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease-
Peripheral Artery Disease is the most common type of condition in people. Some people may not even notice the symptoms. The symptoms include:

Pain in the hips and lower leg area.
Brittle toenails.
Short breath while taking stairs.
Pain in the calf.
Numbness and coldness in the leg around a calf
Hair loss on legs and feet
Erectile dysfunction in men
Repeated sores and ulcers in legs
Causes of Peripheral Artery Disease-
The most common cause of Peripheral Artery Disease is the deposit of fatty substances inside the arteries. The fatty deposits build in the arteries gradually with a process called Atherosclerosis. Most of the time people do not know that they are facing the problem of Atherosclerosis. With time deposits increase and the arteries become narrow. It restricts the blood flow and causes problems for other organs.
Another cause for Peripheral Artery Disease is clot created in the arteries due to diabetes. Also, this problem is common in diabetic patients and increases with old age.

The risk factors that contribute to the development of Peripheral Artery Disease are high blood pressure, bad cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes.

Diagnosis of Peripheral Artery Disease-
The primary way to test and diagnose Peripheral Artery Disease is to check the blood pressure in the arm and ankles. If the pressure is low as compared to arm in the ankles, one might be facing Peripheral Artery Disease. It is commonly known as the ankle-brachial index. Other ways to determine Peripheral Artery Disease are CT scans, angiography, and blood tests. Since the disease is prevalent and gradually progress, most of the time it remains undetected.

It is essential that Peripheral Artery Disease gets detected and treated well in time. If the condition persists for a more extended period of time, it may result in loss of leg, increased chances of coronary artery disease and carotid atherosclerosis.

Treatment for Peripheral Artery Disease-
The only way to treat Peripheral Artery Disease is to indulge in physical activity. A regular regime of exercise and physical work will help a person to burn fat and makes the arteries fat free. Doctors suggest that daily 30 minutes of walking or gyming will help treat Peripheral Artery Disease with significant effects. One may notice the signs in just a couple of months.

Along with exercise, one also needs to monitor the weight and eating habits. Foods that are rich in fats and bad cholesterol should be avoided. Make changes in the lifestyle and eat a healthy balanced diet. Include fruits and fresh vegetables in the diet and follow a low carb diet for regular food intake. If a person is addicted to smoking and alcohol, then he/she should consider leaving the bad habits for their own good health.

Take Away-
Above are some of the common and tried treatments. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before opting for any of these options as these treatments are depended upon the condition of the patients.


Learning In depth About Peripheral Artery Disease!

Blood flows through the tubes called as blood vessels. There are two networks of blood vessels   the arteries and the veins. The arteries carry pure or oxygenated blood from the heart to the various parts of the body. The veins, on the other hand, collect impure blood from all over the body and reach it to the heart. Blood flow in the veins is controlled via valves, which ensure blood does not flow in the reverse direction (against its desired direction of flow). The veins in the legs, which are farther from the heart, are quite thick and exert extra pressure to pump blood into the heart. They need to transport blood against gravity and so in people who are prone to stand for long hours, they can become thicker, swollen, twisted, and engorged. In severe cases, there could even lead to bleeding.

Some common causes for varicose veins are:

Damaged valves which are not able to control the flow of blood in the required direction.
Veins with a thin wall that are unable to control blood flow.
Risk factors: Though these are the suspected causes, there are specific risk factors which aggravate the condition of varicose veins.

Family history
Smoking
Occupations which require prolonged standing (construction jobs, painters, etc.)
Pregnancy
Obesity
Age, which reduces the elasticity of the veins
Surgery in the leg, which could have hampered the values or veins
There are quite a few symptoms of varicose veins. These are quite distinct and present as:

Swollen, ropy leg veins which can be blue
Pain, especially with prolonged standing
Tenderness on touching the veins
Itching and heaviness along the veins
Skin changes like scaling and dryness
Night cramps around the area
Susceptibility to bleed from these veins
While varicose veins are easy to diagnose given their distinct clinical presentation, some additional testing can involve the following:

Doppler ultrasound
Scanning
MRI
As said, prevention is better than cure; here are some preventive measures that can be really helpful:

Elevate legs as much as possible. When working, take short breaks to reduce stagnation and promote blood circulation
Quit smoking
Avoiding alcohol, as it causes venous dilation
Weight management
Avoid tight clothing and sitting with cross-legs for prolonged periods as they put a lot of pressure on the veins and valves
Follow a regular exercise regimen to improve blood flow in the legs, like walking or running
Starting from the least invasive to the most, this condition can be treated by:

Compression stocking (Ted hose or Jobst stocking) which improves circulation and reducing pain
Surgical options include sclerotherapy, laser treatment, and stripping off the vein. These are done in very severe cases, but quite rare.

Varicose Veins - How Best It Can Diagnosed?

Your heart is the most important and vital organ of all and regulates the flow of heart to all parts of the body. Thus, the valves and the arteries which take the blood to your heart are also an important component in ensuring that the circulation is constant. Thus, any hindrance to this process will put a lot of pressure on your heart and lead to more serious problems in the long run. Coronary artery disease is one such problem and can seriously put the health of your heart at risk.

What is coronary heart disease?
Coronary arteries are very important blood vessels, which carry nutrients, blood and oxygen to your heart. If the level of bad cholesterol is high in your blood, it will start leaving deposits on the walls of the arteries which are commonly known as plaque. This plaque will start building up over time causing blockage of the arteries and disrupting proper blood flow. Excessive build up of the plaque may then rupture the lining of the plaque. This will then induce blood clotting and further prevent the normal flow of blood.

Symptoms
Primary symptoms may include

Shortness of breath: This may occur while you are exercising or performing activities which are mildly exerting.
Heart beats very hard and fast: Your heart may beat very hard and fast, especially when doing everyday activities such as climbing stairs or walking for a prolonged distance.
Angina or chest pain: You may experience pain in your chest as if someone was pressing against it with a lot of force. Angina is also triggered due to stressful activities or even emotional stress. It usually occurs on the left or the middle of the chest and may even be felt in the back, arms, and neck.
Heart attack: Heart attacks are the most common and the most serious complications of coronary heart disease. You would feel extreme pain, akin to crushing on your chest, shoulder, or arm. It may even be accompanied by jaw pain, and sweatiness.
Treatment
Non invasive forms of treatment are always preferable rather than invasive surgeries or procedures to treat coronary heart disease, especially where the risk of serious complications such as heart attack are still on the lower side. Some of the treatments used for coronary heart disease are as follows:

Making lifestyle changes: Quit smoking, reduce alcohol consumption along with consumption of regulated diet will automatically start cleaning plaque that has built up within the arteries. Losing weight also tends to help.
Medications: Special medications can take care of cases wherein the deposits are still lesser and the plaque buildup can be removed without the requirement of extensive surgery. Anti-cholesterol medications are one example of this.
Surgical procedures: These are usually employed when the blockage is severe and cannot be corrected by the conventional methods mentioned above. Some of the procedures are angioplasty, stent replacement, as well as coronary artery bypass surgery.

Coronary Artery Disease -  Know the Primary Signs!

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is caused by atherosclerosis or plaque build-up in the leg arteries. Mostly, individuals with PAD have mild or no symptoms. But with the extension of the blockages, individuals may experience disability and pain that restricts free walking. In more severe cases, individuals may develop a risk of losing their limb if the circulation is not improved. 

There are various ways to improve the flow of blood in the leg, especially for individuals with severe PAD. The objectives of improving the blood flow in the limb include improving functional ability, reducing pain, preventing amputation, and providing a better quality of life. 

Symptoms 

Symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease may include gangrene, claudication or pain in leg muscle while walking, pain at night mainly in the feet and leg, and feet sores.

Bypass Surgery

There are a number of treating methods for PAD. Both invasive and traditional methods are used to treat Peripheral Artery Disease. 

Stenting and Angioplasty are invasive treatment methods. The traditional method includes bypass surgery. The best available treatment method for an individual depends upon various factors such as severity, location of the artery blockage in the leg, general health of the patient, history of any vascular problems, and previous treatments.

Surgical bypass in the leg or Lower Extremity Bypass Surgery is usually the last option for the patients with PAD. This method is used when all the other alternative treatment methods fail or are not suitable for the individual. During the Leg Bypass Surgery, the surgeon forms an alternative channel for blood flow to bypass or avoid the blocked area and restore the direct flow of blood to the lower leg and foot. 

The risks and benefits of the surgery are calculated prior to the surgery. For the best result of the surgery, surgeons try to use the patient s own saphenous vein, from inside the leg, to execute these grafts. Surgeons may also use veins from other leg or arms or use prosthetic or artificial graft, in case the required length of the saphenous vein cannot be achieved. 

The results of artificial and saphenous vein from other limbs are not as effective as the saphenous vein from the same leg. Thus, the availability of an appropriate vein to execute this method is an important consideration that is taken into account before the surgery. 

Takeaway

Leg Bypass Surgery is one of the medical procedures for the treatment of Peripheral Artery Disease. In PAD, the artery of the leg is blocked which can hinder the daily life of the individual. 

The symptoms can be mild or absent but, in the case, where symptoms are severe, and affecting the quality of life of the patient, treatment becomes a necessity. Bypass surgery is the last option used when other alternative methods fail to help the patient. 

Leg Bypass - Know More About It!

Coronary Artery Disease - Symptoms and Causes

Coronary artery disease is the disease in which the major blood vessels (coronary arteries) that supply blood, nutrients and oxygen to your heart get damaged or disease stricken. It is mostly caused due to the coronary artery getting plagued or inflamed. The consequent reduction in blood flow to the heart causes the various symptoms of coronary artery disease like angina (chest pain), short breath etc.

Symptoms:

Here is a list of a few symptoms that help in identification of the coronary artery disease.

1. Angina

Pressure or tightness may be felt in or near the area of the chest that results in pain. It is mostly felt in the middle or left side of the chest.

2. Shortness of breath

Another symptom of coronary artery disease is short breath, fatigue and a feeling of exertion.

3. Heart attack

Complete blockage of the coronary artery results in a heart attack that is a prominent symptom of coronary artery disease. A person may feel heavy pressure in the chest, pain in the shoulder or arm, sweating etc. prior to getting a heart attack.

Causes:

Coronary artery disease occurs when damage or injury is done to the inner layer of the coronary artery. This damage causes plaque, which are deposits made of fat, cholesterol and other cellular waste materials to accumulate near the damaged area of the artery. This process is known as atherosclerosis.

The various causes that result in coronary artery damage are listed below.

- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- High stress
- Physical inactivity

Knowing Coronary Artery Disease - Symptoms and Causes

Blood vessels are normally hidden under the skin, but a common complaint of people who stand for long durations of time is the appearance of bluish veins on their legs. In most cases, these veins appear twisted and enlarged. This condition is known as varicose veins. Pregnant women also often suffer from this condition.

Causes of Varicose Veins:

Occupational: Standing long hours

Genetic tendency

Deep vein thrombosis: A condition which affects the valves of veins

It might get triggered during pregnancy and due to obesity

Apart from the appearance of veins, the patient may experience swelling of the calf muscles, cramps in the legs and a feeling of heaviness. If left untreated, it could result in the formation of varicose ulcers and other complications.

Homeopathy is a holistic form of treatment that is very effective when it comes to varicose veins. This form of medication does not address only the symptoms, but also takes into account the personality of the person and his or her overall health.

It helps to reduce pain, control further varicosity, reduces swelling. Homeopathy also helps significantly in the cases which have varicose ulcers. Homeopathic treatment is strongly recommended for all cases of varicose veins except for those which are truly surgical in nature.

Homeopathy treats this condition by stimulating the immune system and restorative processes in the body while strengthening the walls of the veins. It has negligible side effects, but should ideally be taken under a qualified homeopath doctor s guidance. Some homeopathic remedies used to treat varicose veins include the following:

Hamamelis: Hamamelis is the most popular homeopathic medicine used to treat varicose veins. This is prescribed in cases where the veins bleed and there is a feeling of tiredness. The patient may also feel the leg muscles becoming sore or bruised and suffer from inflamed varices.

Pulsatilla: This medicine is often prescribed to pregnant women suffering from varicose veins and in cases of varicose veins that are extremely painful. Some of the personality characteristics taken into account when prescribing Pulsatilla is intolerance to heat and thirstlessness.

Calcarea: Painless cases of varicose veins are often treated with Calcarea. However, there may be a burning sensation in the varicose veins. The patient, in such cases, is usually obese, but malnourished and sweats excessively though his/her hands and feet stay cold.

Graphites: Varicose veins that are excessively itchy can be treated with Graphites. It is also effective in cases where the patient suffers from cramps in the legs and other skin problems. Patients who benefit from Graphites for varicose vein treatment are often obese and suffer from constipation.

Arnica: Arnica is often used to treat varicose veins that are sore and bruised. In such cases, the patient s legs may also have blue black discolouration and they may appear as if they had been beaten. Any kind of exertion aggravates the symptoms.  

Homeopathic Remedies For Varicose Veins

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