Health

Peripheral Artery Disease

Published

3 years ago

November 13, 2021

Peripheral artery disease, also known as peripheral arterial disease, is a common circulatory disease that reduces blood flow to the limbs by narrowing arteries. If you suffer from the peripheral arterial disease (PAD), your arms or legs do not receive enough blood to sustain the demand. It mainly affects the legs. You may experience symptoms such as pain while walking. In most cases, peripheral artery disease is usually a sign of fatty deposits in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. If you live in El Paso and suffer from peripheral arterial disease, you may treat the condition by exercising, eating a healthy diet, and quitting tobacco. If your state does not improve, you may need treatment from a specialist who can diagnose and treat peripheral arterial disease in El Paso.

Symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease

Although most people with the disease show no symptoms, you may experience claudication; leg pain while walking. Common signs of claudication include cramping or muscle pain in the legs and arms that come from an activity like walking, but it fades away after resting for a few minutes. The location of the pain varies from one patient to another depending on the narrowed or clogged artery location. Most patients experience calf pain.

The severity of claudication varies from minor discomfort to severe pain. If you experience severe claudication, you may have trouble walking or doing other activities.

Other common symptoms of the peripheral arterial disease include:

Painful cramping in one or both thighs, hips, or calf muscles after activities such as walking
Numbness or weakness in your legs
Coldness in the lower leg or foot
Sore toes, legs, or feet that do not heal
Changed skin color affecting your legs
The slow hair growth or loss of hair on the legs and feet
The slow growth of toenails
Shiny skin on the legs
Weak or no pulse in the legs or feet
Erectile dysfunction for men
Pain when using the arms

If the condition advances, it may cause pain even while resting. Sometimes, you may experience severe pain that can disrupt sleep, but you can temporarily relieve the discomfort by moving around or hanging your legs on the edge of the bed.

If you experience numbness, leg pain, or other symptoms, you should see a doctor. You may also need screening if you are older than 65 with a history of smoking and diabetes, or under 50 with diabetes and other risk factors for peripheral arterial disease.

Causes

Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of peripheral arterial disease. Atherosclerosis causes the buildup of fat deposits on your artery walls, reducing blood flow. While it primarily affects the heart, it can also spread to other arteries around your body. The peripheral arterial disease comes about when atherosclerosis spreads to the arteries in your limbs. While it rarely happens, you can also suffer from peripheral artery disease due to inflammation of blood vessels, injuries affecting your limbs, radiation exposure, and unusual anatomy of the limb tissues or ligaments.

In summary, peripheral arterial disease is a circulatory disease that narrows the arteries reducing blood flow to the limbs. While most patients do not show any symptoms, you may have leg pain while walking. It is mainly caused by atherosclerosis.

Health

How Telehealth Works for Addicts in Recovery

Published

4 days ago

March 6, 2025

Michelle Langton

Technology has been shaping healthcare for decades, and these days, tech advancements for the health sector are happening faster than ever before. Telehealth has emerged as one advancement that has touched every healthcare discipline, from cancer care to pediatrics. The innovative approach of telehealth is breaking down barriers to care and even reaching those who are struggling with substance abuse.

By leveraging digital platforms, recovery specialists can offer better access to therapy sessions, support groups, and medical consultations. These breakthroughs in accessibility are significant for people in healthcare deserts who are languishing under increased addiction rates and a lack of reliable treatment options.

Nick Padlo, founder and CEO of Sophros Recovery in Florida, has seen the benefit of telehealth for recovering addicts firsthand. “Individuals struggling with addiction can now find support and guidance if they do not have access to a treatment center near their home,” he explains. “These virtual programs are designed to provide comprehensive care, similar to traditional in-person treatment, but with the added convenience of digital accessibility.”

Here, we explore the benefits of telehealth for recovery and how clinicians and other professionals in the field can best utilize it for better outcomes.

An increased need for comprehensive recovery

The United States saw over 107,000 overdose deaths in 2023. This was a notable increase from previous numbers. The emergence of fentanyl as the drug of choice for many and the perpetuation of alcohol and other drug abuses have made access to comprehensive recovery even more important than ever.

“Understanding the options available can be the first step to recovery,” says Padlo. When people have easier access to help, they may be more apt to seek sobriety.

The pandemic saw a marked increase in substance abuse, laying bare the need for digital access to recovery resources. During the COVID shutdown, the crucial need for an alternative to in-person treatment was evident, and the benefits of such treatment options allowed clinicians and other professionals to carry this digital access to recovery care through the pandemic and into the post-COVID world.

In addition, those living in rural areas or areas with a lack of access to comprehensive recovery care often have needs on par with those in larger urban areas. Telehealth allows people to access the same professionals that those in big cities rely upon.

Studies have shown that continuity of care is critical to the success of addiction recovery. Telehealth can facilitate ongoing engagement with those in recovery, securing continuity of care and leading to better recovery outcomes.

A modern approach

“Online addiction recovery typically involves a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, educational sessions, and support groups, all conducted via video conferencing or other online tools,” explains Padlo. The flexibility of these programs allows participants to schedule them around their availability and considering their other commitments.

“We aim to mirror the effectiveness of traditional methods,” says Padlo. “We are providing the same level of care and support through a virtual format.”

Padlo stresses that online recovery can also reduce stigmas that are associated with seeking help for one’s addictions. When those in recovery can participate from the comfort of their own home, they may be more apt to commit to the recovery process.

People will need to consider their personal circumstances when determining if telehealth for addiction recovery is right for them. They may want to evaluate how comfortable they are with technology and whether they have a stable internet connection. Also, it helps to have a strong support system to keep one accountable since it can sometimes be easier to ignore digital meeting commitments.

However, Padlo cautions that those with severe addiction issues or co-occurring addictions may fare better with in-person detox and recovery.

Telehealth can be a powerful tool in the fight against addiction. The option offers a range of benefits, including easier access, privacy, and even savings for some. According to a recent study by the Oregon Health and Science University, telehealth may be just the solution to overcoming the stigma of rehab and recovery and radically reducing barriers for people who need it the most.

While telehealth for addiction recovery may not be a one-size-fits-all solution, and some people may require more intensive care and medical intervention, it has broken barriers for those in areas of limited access to recovery or seeking an option that offers more privacy.

As the field of virtual health delivery continues to evolve, the benefits of telehealth for addiction recovery will become clear. Telehealth provides comprehensive, discrete, and effective care for those starting or continuing their recovery journey.