Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition in which the peripheral arteries to the legs, stomach, arms, and head are greatly narrowed, resulting in poor circulation. This disease affects countless Americans and can have devastating effects if not treated properly. If left untreated gangrene can accor. Gangrene refers to the dead tissue resulting from a blood flow issue. If this occurs, amputation is often considered the safest treatment option in order to save your life. If you have PAD and are worried about your condition, limb loss rehab on Long Island will be able to provide you the treatment you need and to get you on the right path to recovery.
Causes
There are many ways PAD can occur. Here are some of the more common causes may give you an idea of how to properly treat it:
- Atherosclerosis – this disease occurs when plaque builds up in your body’s arteries and is thought to be one of the main reasons how PAD can occur.
- Smoking – because cigarettes contain a lot of chemicals, your blood cells become increasingly at risk of becoming harmed. This can result in failing heart health and blood vessel function.
- High fats/cholesterol – diets high in fat and cholesterol can also lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, which make the risk of heart failure and PAD even higher.
Treatment
The goal of stopping PAD is to reduce the symptoms of the disease and stop its progression as well. Here are some ways to make sure that your PAD stays under control:
- Physical activity – An effective treatment for PAD is some form of workout plan. Your therapist can put you under cardiac rehabilitation. This includes exercises that are for extreme cases of PAD, where there’s increased plaque buildup.
- Diet – changing your diet is an important treatment since many PAD patients have high cholesterol levels. A diet low in saturated fats and trans fat can help regulate your body’s blood cholesterol levels, but medication may be necessary in order to make sure the levels stay properly regulated
- Cut out smoking – smoking contributes to many heart-related diseases. Cutting the habit out completely can make a huge difference in reducing heart risks.
- Procedure – sometimes exercise and habit changes are not enough to treat PAD. An angioplasty or stent procedure can be done in order to open the artery and increase the blood flow. In extreme cases, amputation may be required due to poor circulation. Our Limb loss rehab on Long Island can help you with surgical plans if you’re suffering from PAD.
Limb Loss Rehab on Long Island
The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Long Island will be able to assist you with limb loss rehabilitation needs. Our practice specializes in the physical medicine and rehabilitation for those living with a limb loss. For more information, contact us today.