Your arteries provide nourishment to your tissues so disorders affecting your arteries' ability to carry out oxygen distribution can have disastrous consequences. Peripheral artery disease can affect your foot. Your podiatrists at Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland offer diabetic foot care in Olney, Camp Springs, Silver Spring, Kensington, Laurel, and Maple Lawn, MD, also serving Clinton, MD.
What is Peripheral Artery Disease?
Peripheral artery disease (PAD), known also as peripheral vascular disease, causes narrowing of your arteries that bring oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. Peripheral artery disease generally occurs due to fatty deposits, known as plaque, in the arteries supplying blood to your legs. With peripheral artery disease, the walls of your arteries become stiff and can't expand like they normally would.
The narrowing of the arteries supplying your legs means that they won't be getting sufficient blood supply. Hence, PAD may result in tissue injury and cell death.
What Peripheral Artery Disease Does to Your Feet
Lots of people with PAD don't show any symptoms, especially early on. You may experience mild or moderate pain called intermittent claudication from walking that goes away after resting. You may begin to develop symptoms that occur more frequently as your condition progresses, including:
- Numbness
- Tingling in the feet and toes
- Hair loss in legs
- Dark and blue skin
- Pain that worsens when you elevate your legs
- Brittle and slow-growing toenails
- Cramps and pain at night
- Sores that refuse to heal
Treatment for Peripheral Artery Disease
Treating PAD often involves lifestyle modifications and medication. Lifestyle changes for PAD management include switching to a low cholesterol diet, exercising, quitting smoking, and practicing proper foot care. If you've got underlying medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, ensuring that you're managing your health is essential. Your podiatrists in Olney, Camp Springs, Silver Spring, Kensington, Laurel, and Maple Lawn, MD, also serving Clinton, MD, offer diabetic foot care to help manage your condition.
Medications that help manage conditions such as your blood cholesterol levels or high blood pressure may be necessary. Other therapies such as surgery or a walking program may be part of your treatment.
Schedule a consultation with your podiatrists at Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland in Olney, Camp Springs, Silver Spring, Kensington, Laurel, and Maple Lawn, MD, also serving Clinton, MD, for diabetic foot care to manage your condition by calling the following numbers:
Olney (301) 924-5044
Camp Springs (301) 868-7670
Silver Spring (301) 439-0300
Kensington (301) 942-8110
Laurel (301) 317-6800
Maple Lawn (301) 317-6800