What Are The Symptoms Of Intermittent Claudication?

• Pain, a burning feeling, or a tired feeling in the legs and buttocks when you walk.
• Shiny, hairless, blotchy foot skin that may get sores.
• The leg is pale when raised (elevated) and red when lowered.
• Cold feet.
• Impotence in men.
• Leg pain at night in bed.

How do you treat intermittent claudication?

Treatment of mild intermittent claudication begins with simple lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation, control of cholesterol levels, and beginning a walking program to build up tolerance to exercise. There are several effective

prescription drugs

approved for use to treat intermittent claudication.

What does intermittent claudication feel like?

Intermittent claudication is

a tight, aching, or squeezing pain in the calf, foot, thigh, or buttock

that occurs during exercise, such as walking up a steep hill or a flight of stairs. This pain usually occurs after the same amount of exercise and is relieved by rest.

What causes intermittent claudication?

Claudication is usually a symptom of peripheral artery disease, in which the arteries that supply blood to your limbs are narrowed, usually because of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis occurs when arteries get narrow

and stiff due to a buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) on your artery walls

.

Where do you feel intermittent claudication?

You usually feel these symptoms

in your legs, from your feet up to your buttocks

. It gets better or goes away when you stop moving. Other symptoms related to intermittent claudication include: An aching or burning feeling.

How do you check for claudication?

1. Ankle-brachial index (ABI). For this test, blood pressure is taken in your arms and legs. …
2. Auscultation. In this test, the doctor listens to the arteries in your belly (abdomen) or legs using a stethoscope. …
3. Doppler ultrasound. …
4. Angiogram (also called an arteriogram).

Is PAD a death sentence?

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a widely disseminated disease in our country and throughout the world (> 200 million people)

¹

. Critical limb ischemia (CLI) represents the end-stage of this terrible ailment and is a

veritable death sentence

for those with the diagnosis.

Is intermittent claudication an emergency?

Calf pain is the most common area of intermittent claudication. The severity of pain varies widely. Pain from this condition can range from mildly bothersome to debilitating. Severe intermittent claudication

can impair your ability to function and engage in any physical activity

.

Can you reverse intermittent claudication?

If PAD is the cause of intermittent claudication,

it’s treatable but not curable

. Physical therapy can improve walking distance. Drugs and surgery can treat PAD and minimize its risk factors. Aggressive treatment to minimize risk factors is advised.

What is the best treatment for claudication?

Medication therapies are often used initially as they are non-invasive. The two most commonly used medications include:

Cilostazol (Pletal)

reduces the pain of intermittent claudication by widening (dilating) the arteries, thereby improving the flow of blood and oxygen to the legs.

How do you treat intermittent claudication naturally?

1. Get some extra E. Take 400 to 600 IU of vitamin E every day to improve blood flow and increase walking capacity.
2. Try policosanol for your platelets. Reduce platelet stickiness and improve walking capacity by taking 10 mg of this natural supplement twice a day.
3. Trim the unhealthy fat.

How can you tell if you have poor circulation in your legs?

1. Painful cramping of the muscles in the hip, thigh, or calf after activity (claudication)
2. Leg numbness or weakness.
3. Coldness in the lower leg or foot, compared with other parts of the body.
4. A sore, poorly healing wound or ulcer on the toe, foot, or leg.

What is the life expectancy of someone with PAD?

The crude five-year death rate among patients diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease was

33.2%

. When adjusted for duration of follow-up, the rate is 82.4 deaths per 1,000 patient years.

Can you live a long life with PAD?

You

can still have a full, active lifestyle with peripheral artery disease

, or PAD. The condition happens when plaque builds up in your arteries. This makes it harder for your arms, legs, head, and organs to get enough blood. Although it’s serious and can sometimes be painful, there are lots of ways to slow it down.

What are the warning signs of clogged arteries?

In addition to developing feet and leg issues, clogged arteries can cause you to experience

dizzy, weak feelings

, and heart palpitations. You may also sweat, feel nauseated, or have difficulty breathing.

Does walking help claudication?

“Claudication pain is thought to be a result of insufficient blood flow to the exercising muscle. Walking while experiencing claudication pain could, over time,

stimulate the growth of new blood vessels in the legs and improve symptoms

.”