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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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| What is Peripheral Vascular Disease? |
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| Peripheral Vascular Disease is a global term for “hardening or choking of the arteries”. “Choking or blockage of arteries similar to the condition in the heart, can and does occur in the blood vessels of the limbs. In majority of the cases it is the lower limbs that are involved. |
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| Symptoms of Peripheral Vascular Disease? |
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| The symptoms are related to lack of oxygen to the muscles and the skin in the legs due to blockages (stenoses) that develop in the leg arteries. The arteries bring the oxygen in the blood to these muscles with each heartbeat. Symptoms can be mild and occur only with walking. Patients experience muscle cramping or tightness with activity that disappears at rest. This is called intermittent claudication. As blockages increase, pain at rest occurs and ultimately ulcers gangrene and skin loss occur, leading to possible amputation if not treated. |
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| What are the Treatments for PVD? |
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| Treatment for PVD depends on the location and severity of the artery blockages, balloon angioplasty and stenting are options. At times bypass surgery is needed for more extensive blockages. Healthy habits such as exercise, low fat diets, and non-smoking minimize the risk of developing PVD. |
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| What is Deep Vein Thrombosis(DVT)? |
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| DVT most often occurs when blood moves through deep veins at a slower rate than normal and when there are factors that make the blood more likely to clot. Instances such as a long air flight or patients who are bedridden, the blood moves slower and is prove to clot. Injury, major illness, and some medication also increase the tendency for blood to clot. |
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| What is Pulmonary Embolism ( lung clots)? |
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| Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms within deep-lying veins, this most often occurs in the legs. If the clot breaks lose, it can travel through the bloodstream, blocking arteries in the lung, causing permanent damage or death. |
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| What are Varicose Veins? |
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| Veins channel blood back to the heart with the help of one-way valves, which prevent blood from flowing backwards down the legs. When these valves function improperly, blood begins to back up, causing the vessels to enlarge. These enlarged veins are called either spider or varicose veins. Spider veins refer to enlarged veins that are close to the surface of the skin and appear as small red, blue or purple veins. Varicose veins are larger swollen veins and are located much deeper under the skin. Symptoms of varicose include: swelling, fatigue, heaviness, aching, burning, itching, throbbing, cramping and restlessness of the leg. In neglected cases this may result in ulceration and eczema in the lower limb. |
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