The human body is an amazing machine. The more you use it, the better it works. But, it does require maintenance to keep it going strong and will send you warning signs when there is trouble ahead. “Your body is talking to you all of the time. The thing is, we often don’t hear what it’s saying,” said Dr. Kerry Zang of CiC Foot and Ankle in Flagstaff.
It’s easy to turn a deaf ear, focusing on louder concerns like your children, your partner, or the reality that you’re just getting older. One of the conditions Dr. Zang is concerned about is peripheral artery disease (PAD), because it’s easy to overlook it as a consequence of aging.
“If you find yourself needing to rest because your leg cramps when you walk even a short distance, or at night you need to stand up to relieve a cramp in your foot, that’s your legs and feet telling you they need help,” explained Zang. It’s not because you’ve reached a certain age and you need to slow down. Unfortunately, because people tend to think that way, PAD is often not diagnosed until it has progressed.
PAD is a buildup of fatty material inside the arteries, which limits the amount of blood that passes through them. This buildup occurs gradually over time and hardens into plaque inside the artery and is a condition known as atherosclerosis. Sometimes it’s called “hardening of the arteries.” No matter what you call it, this plaque causes a narrowing of the passageway, restricting the amount of blood that flows throughout the body.
“Blood brings oxygen and nutrients to your feet and toes, which they need to stay healthy,” said Zang. Without proper blood supply, the nerves and muscles in your feet are affected and become painful, resulting in burning, tingling, numbness or cramping. “When you ignore it, it can get worse. When you identify it and treat it, it’s possible to reverse it,” said Zang.
Those with PAD are at a much higher risk of other circulation or cardiac issues and generally have a much higher rate of amputations and death from heart attack or stroke. But there are telltale signs related to poor blood flow to your legs and feet. You’ll have pain, cramping or wounds that won’t heal. If you ignore these signs, it may lead to an amputation. And, if you get an amputation because you have PAD, your life expectancy is worse than if you had breast cancer or lymphoma. PAD is often called the silent killer because a lot of people don’t know they have it, and it’s a highly lethal condition if left untreated. Simply put, PAD is serious and should not be ignored.
But, there is good news. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference. Symptoms of PAD often are felt in your feet first and they are an indication of what’s going on in the blood vessels throughout your body. “The earlier the condition is identified, the better your opportunity for preventing it from getting worse,” said Zang.
He urges his patients to talk with their doctor about any changes they notice in their feet. Lifestyle changes, medication and treatment can help prevent PAD from progressing to dangerous consequences. “Without treatment, it will just get worse; there is no benefit to waiting,” said Zang. One of the most important outcomes of diagnosing PAD at the first sign is the ability to manage the disease and potentially reduce or prevent complications from occurring.
In some cases, people have been diagnosed with, or think they have, neuropathy. This happens because the symptoms of PAD are very similar to the symptoms of neuropathy and include burning, tingling, numbness and/or pain. Medication is often prescribed, with mixed results. “When a patient has been taking medication and they are not finding relief, it’s time for them to start asking questions,” said Zang. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to diagnose the condition that’s causing the pain.” Often, with this particular set of symptoms, it’s PAD.
“If your feet burn, tingle or feel numb, it’s your body telling you it needs help, and you should listen,” advised Zang. “In fact, if you are experiencing any type of discomfort or things just don’t seem right, tell your doctor. The only way we can help is if you let us know you need it.” FBN
By Reisha Zang
Reisha Zang is director of patient education at CIC Foot and Ankle. She can be reached at 480-860-6455 or reisha.zang@ciccenters.com.