peripheral arterial disease

Are You at Risk for PAD?

By Cassidy Obis, Advocate BroMenn Medical Center
cans older than 50 has PAD. Those with it are at increased risk of heart attack and stroke. This makes them six times more likely to die within 10 years than those without PAD. Following are some of the risk factors and symptoms for PAD:  T hose who smoke or have a history of smoking have up to four times greater risk.  A frican-Americans are more than twice as likely to have PAD as their white counterparts. One in three diabetics over age 50 is likely to have PAD.  P eople with high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, or a history of heart disease or stroke are at greater risk.  Y our risk increases with age since PAD develops gradually.  W hile some dismiss it as aging, nearly everyone with PAD is unable to walk as fast or as far as before.  L eg or foot pain may cause trouble sleeping for those with PAD.  T he skin of the feet may change color and become pale or turn blue.  T oenails that dont grow as well as before and decreased hair growth on the toes and legs may be another symptom. There are several forms of treatment for PAD. For cases that involve chronic wounds, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is one option. It involves breathing 100 percent oxygen in a pressurized chamber. The increased oxygen to the wound aids in healing and growth of new tissue. With aggressive treatment and utilizing advanced modalities, we are able to heal those chronic wounds that people have suffered with for months or even years. These are wounds that limit quality of life activities, and we pride ourselves on addressing the causation and getting those long-term wounds healed, states Marcia Hauter, MD, and Medical Director of the Advocate BroMenn Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine. Other forms of treatment include making lifestyle changes, such as modifying your diet or adding exercise, physical therapy, medications, or surgery. If you think you may have PAD or are at high risk for it, consult your doctor or look for a public screening. Theres a simple, painless test that can diagnose it and allow you to seek treatment before symptoms worsen. Advocate BroMenn Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine successfully treats patients who suffer from a variety of chronic wounds. For more information, call the Center at 309-268-2920, or visit www.advocatehealth.com/bromenn/wound.

t affects between 8 and 12 million people in the U.S., but the majority of them dont know they have it. It has the same five-year mortality rate as breast and colorectal cancer. Its called Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and if left untreated, it can lead to leg amputation or even death. PAD is a circulatory problem that narrows arteries and reduces blood flow to limbs (typically your legs). Its often caused by plaque buildup in your arteries. With PAD, your legs dont receive enough blood flow. This can cause problems with wounds on your feet or toes not healing. A typical sign is experiencing fatigue or heaviness in the limbs or cramping after walking or climbing stairs. Many people with PAD have no symptoms or mistake symptoms for something else, so its important to know your personal risk factors. According to the American Heart Association, one in 20 AmeriPage 46 Healthy Cells Magazine Bloomington November 2013