SOUTH BAY VASCULAR SPECIALIZES IN TREATING PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE (PAD)

THE FOLLOWING POINTS ARE SHARED FROM THE

"TAKE A STAND AGAINST AMPUTATION WEBSITE"

Cardio-Vascular Systems Inc (CSI). To learn more, click on the link below.

https://standagainstamputation.com/peripheral-artery-disease/

Recognized for her expertise in treating patients suffering from Peripheral Arterial Disease, Dr Kokinos has been chosen by Cardio Vascular Systems Inc. (CSI) as one of Silicon Valley's leading experts in the diagnosis and treatment of PAD. In recognition of this expertise Dr Kokinos and South Bay Vascular Center have been honored on CSI's website in their Physician Locator Section as one of  Silicon Valley's leading Peripheral Arterial Disease experts. https://csi360.com/covid_pad_locator/

What is Peripheral Arterial Disease? (PAD).

When you have PAD, your arteries are narrowed, restricting the blood flow to your legs, feet and/or toes. Symptoms include aches, numbness and burning sensations. If left untreated, things can get rapidly worse, including the possibility that his disease could lead to having one's leg amputated.⁹ PAD is the biggest disease that most people have never heard about. It affects more than 18 million people – more than cancer, stroke and congestive heart failure.⁴ 

Are You At Risk for Peripheral Arterial Disease? (PAD)

Smoking: Of all the risk factors for peripheral artery disease (PAD), smoking is considered the most powerful predictor of PAD.

Diabetes: Diabetes is a powerful risk factor of peripheral artery disease (PAD). One in three people over the age of 50 with diabetes is likely to have PAD.⁴⁰ People with diabetes and PAD have a 10 times greater risk of amputation than patients without diabetes.¹²

Chronic Kidney Disease: Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are at a greater risk of developing peripheral artery disease (PAD).

• Researchers estimate that 24% to 37% of patients with CKD also have PAD.⁴⁴
• 26 million American adults have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and millions of others are at increased risk of the disease.⁴⁵
• PAD is an often overlooked and under-diagnosed condition in patients with CKD.^44,46

Why it is important to diagnose and treat the early symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease? (PAD)

Left untreated, peripheral arterial disease can lead to amputation. In fact, studies have shown that among patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI), the worst form of PAD, AMPUTATION IS ESTIMATED TO BE ~25%.⁵ 

Symptoms that may be signs you have PAD.

• Is it painful to walk?

Have you noticed pain in your leg when you walk? Is it more than just feeling tired when walking?  Peripheral artery disease (PAD) can cause leg pain while walking. Aches and pains from PAD are the result of narrowed, hardened arteries in the legs, limiting blood flow to your legs and feet. When there isn’t enough blood in your muscles and you try to move them, the pain in your leg can be severe. The discomfort can cause you to favor one of your legs while walking to avoid the pain.¹⁹ The pain can worsen when you’re active and decrease when you’re at rest.²³ But you know it can come back.

• Have toes or feet that look pale, discolored or blue?

When the blood flow to your legs, feet and toes is restricted – as it is with PAD – the skin in these areas can’t get enough nutrients. You may notice your skin feels drier than normal, and is an unusual color. Parts of your skin could appear to be more red when you’re sitting or standing. Or, your skin might have an unhealthy paleness when your leg is elevated.

• Does leg pain frequently interrupt your sleep?

Are you in the habit of hanging your foot off the edge of the bed to relieve the discomfort? Is sleeping upright in a chair the only way you can get rest? These might be more than normal effects of getting older. Pain in your legs and feet at night, or when you’re trying to sleep, is a symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD). And nighttime leg pain could mean you have the worst form of PAD – critical limb ischemia (CLI). Are you in the habit of hanging your foot off the edge of the bed to relieve the discomfort? Is sleeping upright in a chair the only way you can get rest? These might be more than normal effects of getting older. Pain in your legs and feet at night, or when you’re trying to sleep, is a symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD). And nighttime leg pain could mean you have the worst form of PAD – critical limb ischemia (CLI).

• Have sores or wounds on your toes, feet, or legs that heal slowly or not at all?

One of the first signs of the worst form of PAD, peripheral artery disease (PAD) called critical limb ischemia (CLI), can be a nonhealing wound or ulcer. Pay attention to lingering cuts, scratches or sores on your toes, feet or legs. If these wounds don’t seem to be getting better, it could be serious. If you have PAD, the arteries in your legs have narrowed and hardened, limiting blood flow to your feet and legs. This makes it harder for your body to heal itself. Blood cells that help you heal and fight infection struggle to reach the wound because the blood flow is so restricted. People with PAD and diabetes are especially at risk.

• Have a leg or foot that feels colder than the other?

Good circulation is important and it isn’t something you should ignore. Your blood helps regulate many things in your body. If blood is not easily reaching your toes and feet, those areas will experience a drop in temperature. If you have PAD, the arteries in your legs have narrowed and hardened. This limits blood flow to your legs and feet and can make them feel cold.

• Have thick, yellow toenails that aren’t growing?

Changes due to PAD can include thicker toenails and loss of hair on your leg, feet or toes. As you get older, you might notice changes to the look and feel of your skin and think these changes are a normal part of the aging process. But these changes could be a symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD)

• Painful Heavy Legs

Unexplained pain or a feeling of heaviness in your legs could be caused by narrowed, hardened arteries from PAD. It may mean you have limited blood flow to your legs and feet. In the worst form of PAD, called critical limb ischemia (CLI), the obstructed blood flow is so considerable and widespread that the pain can be intolerable

• Numbness or Burning in Your Legs

If you notice a strange tingling in your foot, or you feel like your entire leg is on fire, pay attention to what your body is telling you and see a health care professional. Don’t ignore these kinds of unusual sensations, especially if they get progressively worse or more painful – they could be signs of a larger issue that requires a doctor’s attention. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) can cause uncomfortable numbness or burning sensations in your feet and legs. The restricted blood flow brought on by PAD can harm your body in a variety of ways, including damaging your nerves, which transmit messages between your brain and the rest of your body.

IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW SUFFERS FROM ANY OF THE SYMPTOMS ABOVE, CALL OUR OFFICE AT 408-376-3626 TODAY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH ONE OF OUR PHYSICIANS.

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