Arteriosclerosis: Symptoms and Treatment

Arteriosclerosis leads to the stiffening of the arteries (particularly medium and large arteries) and loss of their elasticity. Arteries are the blood vessels in the human body, which perform the vital function of carrying oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body.

Ideally, the arteries should be flexible, strong, and elastic; however, too much pressure inside them can make the artery walls thick and stiff. The wall thickness can restrict the blood flow to various organs and tissues.

If vital organs like the brain or heart are affected, it can lead to a stroke or heart attack, and if other organs like limbs or kidneys are affected, it can lead to pain, numbness, or muscle cramps.

Arteriosclerosis commonly affects the limbs first. The disease is initially asymptomatic and develops slowly. It however worsens with age.

It may start building up during adulthood, but the signs or symptoms are not evident until a blocked artery cuts off an adequate supply of blood to the muscles and tissues. Enlisted below are some of the symptoms of arteriosclerosis affecting the limbs.

► Chronic Pain in the legs
A patient suffering from this problem generally complains of chronic pain in the legs. The color of the legs may also turn dark and most of the time, they remain cold. Because of the pain, the patient may find it difficult to walk and shows lethargy towards work.

► Loss of Hair on the legs and feet
The patient loses a significant amount of hair on the legs and feet. The decrease in hair is quite visible in such cases.

► Muscle pain
The patient may experience pain in the thighs, calves, or feet and finds it difficult to sit or sleep comfortably. This symptom should not be ignored, and a doctor should be consulted if the pain persists for a long period of time.

► Numbness in the legs or feet upon resting
The patient may often experience numbness in his/her feet or legs upon sitting in one position for a long time. The person also feels a sort of stiffness in the muscles and may find it painful to walk under such conditions.

Medications, surgeries, and a changed lifestyle can help a patient improve his/her heart efficiency. Mentioned below are a few treatment options.

► Cholesterol medications
Cholesterol treatment helps to slow down, stop, or even reverse the buildup of fatty deposits in the patient's arteries. Some doctors even prescribe anticoagulants, which act as blood thinners, thus, preventing the formation of blood clots.

► Antiplatelet medications
This kind of medication reduces the possibility of blood clumping in the narrowed arteries. Besides antiplatelet medication, balloon angioplasty is also a potential treatment option. It is used to open the coronary arteries but is performed on the blood vessels of the affected extremity.

► Surgery
Surgery is a useful intervention method and is often chosen over medication. There are various kinds of surgeries for the treatment of this disease, out of which bypass surgery, done using a vein or an artificial graft, is very common.

Besides this, endarterectomy (removal of the artery lining) and grafting (repairing or replacing the vessel) are other surgical methods employed.

► Self Care
The patient should start exercising and alternate it with periods of rest, as it helps in the improvement of blood circulation. Smoking should be given up in order to loosen up the arteries and increase the blood's ability to carry oxygen. It is also important to pay attention to any cuts or injuries, as they might increase the risk of infection.

Hydrogenated fats and an excess of saturated fats, like butter or cream should be avoided by the patient. Some doctors also ask the patients to stay away from refined and processed foods, pickles, strong tea, coffee, white sugar, and other such similar products.

As the symptoms of arteriosclerosis are not very evident in the early stages, a person should be on the look out for any signs that could be indicative of this disease. Have a healthy life!

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.