Neuropathy and PAD

neuropathy and PAD

PAD can cause leg pain that is felt with Treating what exercise and relieved with rest. When located in the leg, it is known as “claudication.” Most gets in the way people do not go from pain-free to severe pain overnight. Peripheral damage can cause of relief. exercise-related pain that can mimic PAD, and other musculoskeletal conditions such as restless legs syndrome and spinal stenosis What is peripheral neuropathy? can confuse the diagnosis, especially when Peripheral neuropathy describes a early peripheral artery disease is present. malfunction, disease or degenerative state of peripheral nerves that results in pain, How are PAD and neuropathies diagnosed? numbness, tingling, swelling or muscle Electrodiagnostic studies help Dr. Robert G. weakness in the limbs. Nerves can become Schwartz evaluate for damage to the sensory neuropathic as a result of diabetes, vascular and motor nerves. Medical thermography disease, infection and chemotherapy. helps him assess sympathetic nerves that Smoking, alcohol, environmental toxins, may be responsible for related pain and immuno-inflammatory disease and genetic temperature sensations. Dr. Schwartz uses predisposition are a few of the other potential vascular Doppler and duplex ultrasound causes. to check for restricted blood flow and claudication. Other tests — imaging exams, The blood flow connection. gait and motion analysis, laboratory studies, The most commonly diagnosed form etc. — may also be needed. of neuropathy is diabetic neuropathy. In diabetes, the nerves get sick from either Providing relief by reducing total load. increased blood sugar or too little blood Improving blood flow is essential for PAD reaching the nerves. In both cases, the and neuropathy. Nerve blocks and special nerve does not get enough oxygen. In fact, sympathetic blocks can relieve neuropathic evidence shows that a common cause pain and improve blood flow. Proper skin of peripheral neuropathy is early vascular care and nutrition are also vital, as is the disease, a disorder of blood vessels that reduction of toxins. reduces blood flow. Various medications can help increase blood What is peripheral artery disease? flow, stabilize nerve membranes, elevate the pain threshold and reduce inflammation. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) refers to Treating associated spinal nerve root irritation, blood vessel wall and flow abnormalities osteoarthritis and ligament pain can have within the limbs. As a result of diminished a dramatic impact on the pain associated blood flow, usually from hardening of the with both peripheral neuropathy and PAD. arteries, deep aching pain, loss of hair, As a complex, chronic pain physician and swelling and skin-color changes can occur. specialist in both physical and vascular The pain is most often in the calf, but medicine, Dr. Schwartz is uniquely qualified vascular disease can also contribute to pain to help you find the pain relief you need. in the thigh and buttock. Arm symptoms occur less often than leg Resolving even the most complex pain with symptoms, but vascular disease is felt to innovative solutions and proven leadership. be a primary component of thoracic outlet syndrome. In this instance, people complain of pain, swelling and skin-color changes associated with numbness and tingling sensations in the smallest two fingers of the hand.

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