Peripheral Arterial Disease(PAD) is prevalent in older adults, especially in the most senior people. As life expectancy increases worldwide, PAD will be an increasing health care problem in the future. PAD affects the legs. The disease develops when blood flow is reduced because of narrowed arteries in the leg. The amount of blood that flows to the legs decreases, making it hard for muscles and tissues to get nourished with oxygen and nutrients. It can cause pain or trouble walking, leading to limited mobility. Sometimes, PAD can also develop in the arms. PAD can potentially lead to life-threatening problems such as stroke, heart attack, and gangrene if left untreated. Therefore, you should see a specialist in peripheral artery disease in Frisco once you notice any symptoms. In this article, we look at the most common signs and symptoms of PAD to help you identify it quickly. Read on for more.
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Painful Cramping
When you have PAD, your leg muscles experience a reduction in blood flow, causing them to become partially starved for oxygen and nutrients. This condition can worsen over time, so you have difficulty walking.
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Numbness and Weakness in the Legs
Your feet and legs may feel completely numb, tingly, or weak. It can leave you feeling dizzy when trying to walk around because your legs are not getting the number of nutrients they need. You may find yourself having difficulty getting up from bed or needing assistance if you somehow end up on the floor.
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Skinny Skin Around the Ankles
As the disease progresses, blood flow in your legs becomes so restricted that it no longer delivers enough oxygen and nutrients to the skin. It makes the skin thin and pale as a result. In some cases, patients develop fragile skin with blue coloring due to poor circulation early on.
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Slow Toenail Growth
The PAD in your legs prevents the blood from carrying nutrients to the toes and fingernails, resulting in a smaller-than-normal toenail. You can also experience slow nail growth along with dryness, thin nails, and peeling.
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Sudden Pain in the Heel
You may feel a sudden, intense pain when walking if you have PAD. It is because it’s very common for people with PAD to develop blood clots in their legs. A blood clot that blocks up all of the arteries in your leg can result in swelling or even an open wound that won’t stop bleeding.
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Severe Swelling of the Legs and Feet
As the clotting process in your leg worsens, you may end up with swelling in your legs and feet. It can happen when blood flow decreases to the extent that it results in fluid buildup in the lower parts of your body. The swelling can cause increased pressure on veins in the legs, which results in more pain than usual.
In summary, PAD develops when blood flow is reduced because of narrowed arteries in the leg. It causes many different symptoms, such as severe leg swelling, sudden heel pain, and slowed toenail growth. You may also experience Skinny skin around the ankles, numbness, weakness in the legs, and painful cramping.
