How to Lower your Risk of PAD at Home
Photo Courtesy: Canva If left untreated, Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) can lead to some pretty serious consequences such as heart attack, stroke, gangrene, and even limb amputation. PAD can also be difficult to diagnose as it is often mistaken for something else. Health Conditions Related to PAD: Individuals suffering from PAD can also be afflicted with other health conditions. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), for example, is the most common type of heart condition. It currently affects over 18 million people. It is similar to PAD as it consists of unhealthy plaque buildup in the arteries, thus limiting narrowing [...]
The Best Exercises for Peripheral Artery Disease
Are you suffering from chronic pain in your legs, feet, & ankles? If so, you may be suffering from Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). This circulatory condition occurs when excess plaque buildup accumulates in the artery walls. It can cause leg pain, muscle cramps & cold feet. Peripheral artery disease is extremely common, affecting one in five patients over age 60. There are many ways to combat the effects associated with peripheral artery disease. Depending on the severity of your condition, your physician may recommend medical intervention. However, there are also habits you can implement at home to improve your vascular [...]
Varicose Veins in the Feet- What is the Cause?
Varicose veins in the feet are bulging veins that run just beneath the surface of the skin. They are engorged, twisted, & typically dark blue in appearance. Varicose veins can be found anywhere on your body but occur most commonly in the legs & feet. While varicose veins do not usually warrant a cause for serious medical concern, they can be unsightly, uncomfortable, & a point of insecurity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what causes varicose veins in the feet. How do Veins & Valves Work? Varicose veins are the result of malfunctioning valves inside of the [...]
Are There Genicular Artery Embolization Side Effects?
Are you living with the painful symptoms associated with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee? You may have even tried to alleviate your discomfort with treatment methods like surgical procedures or medications to no avail. If so, a minimally invasive alternative treatment option available to combat osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is genicular artery embolization. During this procedure, a vascular specialist redirects blood flow in the knee to alleviate painful symptoms. Genicular artery embolization is not only less aggressive than surgery, but also completed in an outpatient setting. All the benefits associated with this procedure make it extremely attractive to patients [...]
Can Uterine Fibroids Cause Weight Gain?
As women approach the height of their childbearing years, they may start to notice some unusual changes, such as heavy menstrual flow, increased menstrual cramping, abdominal pain, and difficult urination. If any of these symptoms are applicable to you, you may be experiencing Uterine Fibroids. In addition to all these other uncomfortable symptoms, you could also notice weight gain in your abdominal region. Can Uterine Fibroids cause weight gain? The answer is yes. Uterine Fibroids can cause weight gain. When fibroids get very large, they can cause the abdomen to enlarge, making a woman look pregnant. Uterine Fibroids and Weight [...]
How does a Prostate Artery Embolization work?
Age-related health conditions are often inevitable, especially in men over the age of 50. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), for example, is seen in about 50% of men over 50-years-old and up to 90% of men over 80-years-old. Also referred to as enlarged prostate, BPH occurs when, as the name suggests, the prostate and its surrounding tissue expand. As the gland expands, it can squeeze the urethra and thicken the walls of the bladder. The bladder will weaken, and eventually lose its ability to empty fully. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is not cancerous, nor does it cause cancer. In fact, some men [...]
PAD Treatment: Bypass Grafting vs. Angiogram with Intervention
PAD Treatments Are you suffering from pain in your legs while you are walking? If so, you may have peripheral arterial disease, or PAD. One in every 20 Americans over the age of 50 are affected by PAD- making this condition extremely common, but treatable. Treatments for peripheral arterial disease can help to alleviate painful symptoms. Patients may experience leg pain, leg cramps, or foot ulcers. PAD treatment includes Bypass Grafting and an angiogram with intervention. What is peripheral arterial disease? Peripheral arterial disease develops when there is excessive plaque buildup on the arterial walls, causing the arteries to narrow. [...]
How to Treat Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee
Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, also known as the “wear and tear disease,” currently affects over 10 million Americans. It is the most common form of arthritis as 1 in 2 adults will develop the condition at some point in their lifetime. The commonality of this condition makes minimally invasive treatment options a top priority. Here at Pedes Orange County, we offer an alternative to the typical treatment options for osteoarthritis of the knee: Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE). What is Osteoarthritis of the Knee? Osteoarthritis of the knee develops when the spongy material in our joints called cartilage begins to [...]
Are Hypertension and PAD Linked?
What is PAD? Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a circulatory condition that occurs when there is excessive plaque build-up on the arterial walls, causing the arteries to narrow. This fatty plaque buildup is also known as atherosclerosis. Plaque is an unhealthy combination of fat, cholesterol, cellular waste, calcium, and proteins that cause blood clotting. When plaque accumulates in the arteries, it becomes hard and stiff, leading to atherosclerosis and PAD. Could PAD be linked to hypertension? PAD can impact any area of the body. However, it occurs most commonly in the lower extremities, such as the legs, feet, and ankles. [...]
Are Women at Higher Risk for Varicose Veins?
What are varicose veins? Varicose veins are bulging veins that run just beneath the surface of the skin. These veins will commonly appear on the legs and feet. They are a result of malfunctioning valves in inside the unhealthy vein. When these valves malfunction, blood is not pushed upwards back towards the heart. Instead, unhealthy valves cause blood to flow backward. The blood then pools and causes the vein to deform and bulge. Varicose veins usually do not warrant a serious cause for concern. However, they can be painful and create discomfort around your legs and feet. When inflamed, varicose [...]