Overview
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is commonly used to refer to peripheral vascular disease, meaning narrowing or occlusion by atherosclerotic plagues of arteries outside of the heart and brain. When narrowing occurs in the heart, it is called coronary artery disease, while, in the brain, it is called cerebrovascular disease. Peripheral artery disease most commonly affects the legs, but other arteries may also be involved.
Symptoms
Approximately half of people with this disease do not experience any symptoms. For patients with symptoms, the most common symptoms are intermittent claudication and rest pain.
[table id=5 /]Other symptoms and signs include:
- Numbness of the legs or feet
- Weakness and atrophy (diminished size and strength) of the calf muscle
- A feeling of coldness in the legs or feet
- Changes in color of the feet; feet turn pale when they are elevated, and turn dusky red in dependent position
- Hair loss over the top of the feet and thickening of the toenails
- Poor wound healing in the legs or feet
- Painful ulcers and/or gangrene in areas of the feet where blood supply is lost; typically in the toes
Causes and Risk Factors
Peripheral artery disease that affects approximately 10 million adults in the U.S. About 5% of people over the age of 50 are believed to suffer from peripheral artery disease. It is slightly more common in men than in women and most often occurs in older persons (over the age of 50). The known risk factors for peripheral artery disease are those that predispose to the development of atherosclerosis. Risk factors for peripheral artery disease include:
- High blood levels of the “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides
- Low blood levels of the “good” HDL cholesterol
- Cigarette smoking
- Diabetes mellitus (both type 1 and type 2 diabetes)
- High blood pressure (hypertension) or a family history of hypertension
- A family history of atherosclerotic disease
- Chronic renal failure
- Overweight or obesity
- Physical inactivity
PAD in Oriental Medicine
Peripheral arterial disease is always due to lack of free flow of qi and blood in the extremities. Generally, the disease begins with a simple blockage of the channels and network vessels, mostly due to the blood stasis, qi stagnation or cold congelation.
By regulating qi and blood flow in the legs, acupuncture could be very effective and helpful for Peripheral artery disease.
Recent study shows acupuncture treatment with electro stimulation significantly increased the blood flow
Recommended treatment in Affinity Acupuncture
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