As most experts will tell you, an effective peripheral arterial disease (PAD) treatment does actually exist. Peripheral arterial disease is a condition that occurs when the arteries in the legs and feet become narrowed or blocked, which will typically lead to reduced blood flow to these regions of the body. This can cause pain, numbness, and other symptoms, as well as leading to some very serious health complications..
The treatment for PAD that your doctor might recommend depends primarily on the severity of the condition, but there are several effective options available. Lifestyle changes are among these, although they are mainly used for prevention. Making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and following a healthy diet can still help improve the symptoms of PAD to some extent.
There are also certain medications which can be prescribed to help manage symptoms and prevent complications. Some of the best examples include blood thinners, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and medications that improve blood flow.
Finally, endovascular clinic treatments such as angioplasty are minimally invasive procedures that involve a small balloon inserted and inflated in the blocked artery to widen it and improve blood flow. In some cases, a stent may also be placed to keep the artery open.
In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to bypass the blocked artery or remove plaque buildup. Although such procedures carry some risk, you’ll find that in most cases they won’t be needed as long as you visit an interventional radiologist to get your diagnosis and treatment options sooner rather than later.
