Peripheral Artery Disease Remedies
October 8, 2009
Peripheral artery disease is characterized by reduced blood flow in the extremities of the body, especially in the legs. Poor blood circulation is primarily responsible for this condition.
Peripheral artery disease causes
Narrowing of the blood vessels is responsible for slowing down blood circulation in the body. Owing to atherosclerosis or plague formation in the arterial walls, the arteries become narrow. Plague deposition in the arteries that supply blood to the limbs causes peripheral artery disease.
Sometimes formation of blood clots in the arteries supplying blood to the limbs can cause this disease. Limb injury, infection or abnormal structure of the muscles or ligaments of the limbs might increase the risk of blood clotting in the arteries that carry blood to the extremities of the body.
Smoking, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, high blood cholesterol level, high homocysteine level and excess C-reactive protein level increase the risk of peripheral artery disease. Slow down in blood circulation could be a sign of aging. The risk of peripheral artery disease increases with age. People with a family history of peripheral artery disease, stroke and heart illnesses might develop this condition.
Peripheral artery disease symptoms
People suffering from this disease experience intermittent pains in the legs or leg cramps while walking or doing any activity. This symptom is known as intermittent claudication. Severe periphery artery disease causes pain in the leg even while resting.
Other symptoms of this disease include numbness in the legs, the leg affected by this disease will feel cold, change in leg color, hair loss on the legs and sores on legs and feet that are difficult to heal.
Peripheral artery disease Home remedies
Medications and even surgery might be required to remove the plagues or clots in the arteries. Lifestyle changes and adjustments in the diet are needed to reduce the symptoms of the disease. People suffering from this disease should avoid smoking.
Blood thinning herbs such as ginkgo could help to reduce pains. Intake of omega-3 fatty acids found abundantly in fish oil could help to prevent atherosclerosis, which is usually responsible for this condition. Besides fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids are also found in flax seeds, canola, oil, soy and walnuts.
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