Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) is an ailment that results in a reduction in blood circulation to the leg. This diseases in caused in most cases by hardening of the arteries, which is a disease that is also known as atherosclerosis. This disease is caused by a build-up of fatty plaque in the wall of the arteries. As a result, the artery is narrowed (stenosis) or blocked (occlusion), thereby reducing the arterial supply to the legs.
Symptoms
The symptoms of PVD vary depending on how severe it is. There may be no symptoms in the mildest form of this disease.
One of the symptoms of PVD is pain in the leg when walking, also referred to as intermittent claudication. This pain is mostly felt on the buttocks, thighs, or calf. The pain is mostly felt when walking and is relieved with rest. The walking distance of the patient will shorten as the disease advances.
The patient may also feel pain when resting. This pain is called rest pain and is as a result of further reduction in circulation. This pain is severe and unremitting, and is usually felt and the feet and worsens during the night. The patient can relieve this pain by hanging the feet over the edge of the bed. If you experience such pain, then it is a sign that circulation has reached a critical stage, and the limb is under threat.
Some of the signs of very advanced PVD is gangrene, which is caused by ulceration due to poor wound healing and tissue loss.
Diagnosis
In addition to the above said symptoms, a loss of pulses in the leg may be revealed by clinical examination. Non-invasive Doppler studies in the vascular laboratory can provide a more accurate assessment of the state of the leg circulation.
Changes in the nails and skin refereed to as trophic changes may occur in advanced stages. These changes include loss of hair, brittle nails, and thin, shiny skin. Severe impairment of the circulation might be indicated by reddish discoloration of the feet (positive Buerger’s test).
Treatment
In most cases, there is no need for intervention in PVD cases. Initial management of PVD involves the management of risk factors with advice to exercise regularly, quit smoking, dietary advice, lose weight, and blood pressure control. A patient may not need intervention if he or she stabilizes or continues to improve.
In case a patient does not improve or stabilize, or he or she has more severe symptoms of the disease such as non-healing ulceration, tissue loss, or rest pain, then intervention is required.
If you have any signs and symptoms of this disease, visit a physician for Peripheral Vascular treatment Melbourne.