The peripheral vascular disease is caused when there is an obstruction in the large peripheral arteries. This situation arises due to atherosclerosis. Due to the presence of this disease chronic ischemia is caused. This disease is commonly known as the peripheral artery occlusive disease. This disease can be widely divided into the following category: During the initial stage the patient experiences mild pain while walking. Sometimes severe pain is experienced even after walking a very short distance. Pain persists even while resting and it has also been seen that sometimes there is even a loss of sensation in the lower part of the body. When there are obstruction in the arteries the patient suffers from acute pain and discomfort.

What are the Symptoms of peripheral vascular disease?

: The common symptoms that a patient of peripheral vascular disease suffers from is cramping of the muscles due to less amount of blood flowing in the arteries. The patient also experiences acute pain and weakness. Common sore and wounds as well as ulcers take a longer time to heal. When the condition is quite severe the patient turns pale and the temperature of that part of the body becomes comparatively cooler than the rest of the body. Some changes can be noticed in those limbs which have been affected by the disease. Hair and nail growth do get affected.

What are the causes of peripheral vascular disease?

The most common cause of peripheral vascular disease smoking or intake of tobacco in any form. The people who smoke a lot run a greater chance of risk of suffering from this disease. But sometimes passive smokers are also affected. To a certain extent environment is also responsible for causing this disease. When a person suffers from this disease the arteries get blocked or narrowed down. This causes constant pain in the arms and legs. If timely and proper treatment is not given the limbs might need amputation. To do any type of activity we need to use our muscles and the muscles in turn need additional nutrients and oxygen. But when the arteries are narrowed down the muscles starve for oxygen and this is when the pain occurs.

What is the treatment for peripheral vascular disease?

If the arteries have narrowed down to a great extent the patient experiences pain while walking. Cramping is quite common in such cases. The main aim of the treatment is to help the patient walk without feeling any type of pain. People suffering from peripheral vascular disease are encouraged to do some physical exercises. This helps in the proper circulation of blood and the pain is eased out a certain extent. The people are told to walk till they can bear the pain. As the pain is felt then they are advised to take proper rest till they are comfortable to walk properly again.

People suffering from peripheral vascular diseases are advised to food which less fat-content. Considerable amount of fruit and vegetables should be eaten. People having the problem of high blood pressure or high cholesterol or diabetes should take adequate care of their health so that the risk of suffering from this disease is reduced. As the blood is unable to pass through the arteries they form clots and make the case even more complicated. In such cases aspirin is administered by the doctors so that the blood thins down and clotting of the blood is avoided. Other medicines are also prescribed to improve the circulation of the blood.

People suffering from the peripheral vascular disease sometimes experience acute pain while walking. Obstruction in the arteries lead to acute pain and discomfort and the patient suffers a lot from this disease. When the arteries are narrowed down the muscles starve for oxygen and this is when the pain occurs. Due to the presence of this disease chronic ischemia is caused.