Peripheral Vascular Disease
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD), also known as peripheral artery disease (PAD) or peripheral artery occlusive disease (PAOD), includes all diseases caused by the obstruction of large arteries in the arms and legs. While PVD is a very serious disease, it is a disease that is not regularly discussed, thus leaving people uninformed about its dangerous nature. Fortunately, NorthShore University HealthSystem has published a page addressing the major issues and the common questions associated with PVD. Their major topics of discussion include: pinpointing symptoms, offering possible treatments and identifying who is at risk.
The Facts:
• PVD affects 10 million people in the United States; 5% of the over 50 population
• Only a quarter of PVD sufferers are receiving treatment
• Only 50% of cases of PVD demonstrate symptoms
Unfortunately, half the cases of PVD go undiagnosed because there are no visible side effects. More than half the people with PVD experience leg pain, numbness or other symptoms; but many people dismiss them as a normal part of aging.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptom of PVD is claudication; painful cramping in the hip or leg area; specifically, while walking. Claudication occurs when there is not enough blood flowing to the legs during exercise. The pain is often over looked because it goes away when the muscles get a chance to rest. Other common symptoms include: numbness and tingling or overall weakness in the leg. If these basic symptoms go unnoticed, you may experience a burning pain in your foot or toes while at rest, or develop a sore on your leg or foot that does not heal. As PVD worsens, you my experience color change or hair loss on your legs. In certain extreme cases, untreated PVD can lead to gangrene which can lead to amputation.
Who is at Risk?
• Men over the age of 50
• Smokers
• Diabetics
• People who are overweight
• People with high blood pressure and high cholesterol
PVD is a very serious condition. It often goes unnoticed, but it is imperative that people become aware of PVD and its symptoms in order to avoid potentially fatal circumstance. Stay posted to the NorthShore University HealthSystem page on PVD as they seem to be ahead of the curve when it comes to PVD awareness.
Related posts:
- Peripheral Vascular Disease Questions As previously researched, PVD is the most common disease of...
- Leg Pain Not Caused by Injury Pain in your legs can be caused by minor leg...
- Soy’s Heart Healthy Benefits Many adults in America suffer from high cholesterol, which is...
- Heart Disease Symptoms Vary Between Men and Women It’s no secret that men and women’s bodies function differently....
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
[...] which is strongly associated with heart disease, and can lead to heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Some cholesterol is necessary because it is an important precursor to body’s production of [...]