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Coping Methods For Peripheral Artery Disease & How Long Does The Symptoms Last?

One in each 20 Americans over 50 years old experience peripheral artery disease.(1) Poor nail development and diminished hair development on toes and legs is a symptom of PAD.

No one can say the exact period, for which symptoms related to peripheral artery disease will last.(3)

Coping Methods To Deal With Peripheral Artery Disease

Exercise/Walk And Take Proper Rest: You should walk or exercise whenever you suffer from peripheral artery disease. This is recommendable for everyone experiencing this condition. However, you have to consider certain things to perform exercises and control your pain to avoid any injury.(2)

  • You should listen to your body and know when you should pause. If your legs cause stroll, you should take a short break. You have to wait for the fading of your pain and start walking or exercising again. By taking rest at regular intervals, you will avoid any further pain and injury in your body. You should start walking at a slow pace as possible but never give up.
  • You should stretch before and after you walk. If possible, you should choose a route that lets you stay close to your home. Thus, you may return home quickly in the case of a requirement.
  • You have to start walking at a slow rate. However, as you walk, you will expect to step ahead easily. Moreover, more you exercise; you expect to achieve better results.

Take Proper Care Of Legs And Feet: Patients of peripheral artery disease often experience pain in their legs, especially in their thighs and calves. When the flow of blood fails to cause freely, you may feel numbness or pain. You are more likely to suffer ache while you walk or involve in any type of activity because your muscles need blood in a high amount at that time.

  • You should wear shoes, which fit properly to your feet. You should make sure of wearing comfortable footwear while you walk.
  • Check the toes and feet daily to identify cracks, sores, and anything else, which does not appear right. Sores in some cases do not heal well. If you find thick and hard skin patches or bumps, these may be corns, bunions, and calluses. You should undergo proper treatment for such problems from an expert podiatrist.
  • When you find the blood as fail to flow freely into your feet and legs, you are likely to suffer from an infection. Because of this, tiny sores create big problems. When you find such things on your feet, you should consult with your doctor immediately.
  • You should wash the feet daily and dry them properly. For this, you should avoid using hot water, instead; go with the warm one. Never allow soaking of your feet too long, as the skin may dry out. Wiggle the toes many times in one day to allow the flow of blood.

Schedule Your Appointment With The Doctor Regularly: You should schedule your appointment with your doctor regularly to get a proper follow-up of your treatment. If your doctor prescribes you certain medications to deal with your condition, you should never forget taking it. If you experience any severe condition, which makes you feel depressed or anxious, you should approach a support group or a counselor. Other than this, you should intimate your doctor about your pain, especially if it triggers or stops with exercise. In this situation, doctors will recommend massage therapy and other stretch exercises to help you feel better.(2)

How Long Do The Symptoms Last?

Peripheral Artery Disease involves the following major symptoms-

  • Loss of hair on the legs and feet
  • Numbness and/or weakness in the legs
  • Pain in the calf or thigh muscles while you walk or climb stairs
  • Feeling cold on the lower leg or foot and brittle toenails, while toenails grow very slowly
  • Ulcers or sores on the feet and legs, which need a long time to recover

No one can say the exact period, for which symptoms related to peripheral artery disease will last. However, doctors say that simple leg exercises, walking regimens, and treadmill walking for thrice in a week may help you to overcome symptoms in 4 weeks to 8 weeks.(3)

Conclusion

Hence, with the aforementioned coping methods, one can easily deal with peripheral artery disease. Moreover, the symptoms may last for 4weeks to 8weeks, provided the patient follows a proper exercise schedule.

References:

Also Read:

Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:June 3, 2020

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