Your body is a miraculous machine! Think about all the systems that
have to work together to keep you feeling and functioning at your
highest level. As an anti-aging doctor I try to prevent health problems
from occurring in my patients by taking a pro-active approach to their
well being. One area of particular concern and importance to me is
circulation.
I am often asked why the circulation of blood is so
important to our bodies. First and foremost, blood carries oxygen and
other nutrients that your body needs to function properly. When blood
can't reach certain places for any reason, it increases the chance of
developing serious health problems.
Let's take a look at a few of the risks involved when circulation slows down.
- Heart attacks and stroke are two of the most common and
dangerous consequences of poor circulation. When arteries become blocked
and oxygen cannot reach major organs in the body, death may result.
- Healing is based on good circulation and can improve your body's
response to infection. When the healing process is delayed the risk of
complications increases.
- Tingling and numbness in your hands and feet is a sign that
you're not getting enough blood to your extremities. You may also have a
hard time keeping your toes and fingers warm in cold weather.
- Shortness of breath, memory and concentration problems may also be associated with poor circulation.
What is Claudication?
In addition to the risks mentioned above, there is
one circulation problem that is of particular interest to me and affects
many of my patients. It is known as claudication; a condition that
causes pain during exercise. The symptoms are simple - a distinct pain
or cramping in your calf when you walk. Most people chalk it up to
getting older and just decide that their walking days are over. Instead
of hanging up those tennis shoes you should head straight to your
doctor's office to find out if your symptoms might be related to
peripheral arterial disease.
Claudication is actually a form of atherosclerosis
that develops in your arteries and affects your arms and legs. When you
suffer peripheral arterial disease, your arteries get clogged with
clumps of fat, cholesterol and other material called plaques that make
arteries so narrow that blood only trickles through. You experience pain
in the muscles of your legs, especially your calves. It is this pain
that is known as claudication and is actually a symptom that may also
occur in the arteries of your arms.
Claudication is seen in older adults, usually over
50 and is worsened by cold temperatures or medications that reduce blood
flow or restrict blood vessels. Claudication has two very distinct
features:
1. Pain that is brought on by exercise such as
walking that creates a need for getting extra oxygen to your muscles.
Because the arteries are narrowed, oxygen carrying blood cannot get to
your legs which cause aching pain in the location of the artery damage.
2. Pain that is intermittent means that it comes
and goes. It starts to hurt shortly after you begin to exercise when the
oxygen lessens. The more intense the exercise the worse the pain
becomes because it puts more demand on your muscles than simply taking a
walk.
Depending on the severity of your condition you may
continue to experience pain even when you are resting. Your toes may
feel cold or show a bluish tinge. If left untreated claudication can
interfere with your quality of life and limit your participation in
social and leisure activities.
Unfortunately, claudication often goes undiagnosed.
Many people believe that the pain they are feeling is just a function
of aging and don't seek medical attention. If you are asking yourself
whether your pain could possibly be claudication and not another
condition, its best to see your doctor. A diagnosis will be based on
your symptoms, medical history, and physical exam. Other tests may
include blood pressure checks in your ankles and arms, a magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray imaging with dye to reflect damage to
your blood vessels.
A Healthier Lifestyle Can Make a Difference
Usually the plaques that have damaged your arteries
are due to an unhealthy lifestyle. As part of a treatment plan for my
patients, I recommend exchanging some unhealthy habits for those that
are healthier in nature. Here are some examples:
- Quit smoking - this is one of the worst habits that contribute
to the development of peripheral arterial disease. Smoking along with
second hand smoke increases your likelihood of death due to the disease.
- Exercise - this actually can aid your condition by conditioning
your muscles to use oxygen more efficiently. Even if your muscles
receive less oxygen they can learn to better use it to promote growth of
new, healthy blood vessels.
- Lower your cholesterol - along with exercise, and a healthy diet
you can control your blood pressure and cholesterol levels that
ultimately contribute to artherosclerosis.
- Herbs show potential - According to the University of Maryland
Medical Center, some herbs also show potential in helping to improve
blood circulation. These herbs include lavender, hawthorn, and rosemary.
Always consult your physician before using any type of herbal or
alternative treatments for your medical conditions.
Sometimes symptoms of claudication persist even
after making changes to your lifestyle. In that case there are certain
medications available to improve circulation by decreasing blood
clotting, opening arteries and lowering cholesterol. There are other
procedures offered to clear blocked arteries including angioplasty and
thrombolytic therapy.
Most importantly, don't assume your leg pain is
just part of growing old. Claudication is serious and demands your
attention. Your health is at stake, don't ignore your symptoms! You can
be back on your feet and enjoying life with healthy lifestyle changes
and other treatment options available to you.
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