During September, Jefferson Regional Wound Care Center is promoting its work with peripheral artery disease, a condition that develops when the arteries that supply blood to the internal organs, arms and legs, become completely or partially blocked as a result of atherosclerosis.
Peripheral artery disease affects between 8 million and 12 million people in the U.S., contributes to slow-healing wounds and is associated with amputation. Though the symptoms may be serious, 40% of people with the disease do not experience any symptoms, according to a news release.
Jefferson Regionall Wound Care Center treats chronic wounds with underlying conditions of the disease, as well as performing noninvasive tests for peripheral artery disease and counseling patients on how to manage the illness. If left untreated, the condition can lead to lower limb amputation and death.
“During the month of September, our team will focus on bringing awareness to Peripheral Artery Disease, its impact to chronic wounds and how we can help.” said Dr. Jan Ryszkowski, medical director of Jefferson Regional Wound Care. “People who are living with PAD, especially those with diabetes, often do not fully recognize the risk of amputation that comes with the disease. A small wound can have catastrophic effects in patients with PAD.”
Timely detection and treatment of any wound can reduce the risk of amputation and improve quality of life. Jefferson Regional Wound Care offers advanced wound care treatment, technology and research. That means patients heal faster than those who receive only generalized wound care.
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In addition to chronic wounds on the toes, feet or legs, there are numerous other issues affected by peripheral artery disease:
A four time greater risk for those who smoke or have a history of smoking.
One in every three diabetics over the age of 50 is likely to have the disease.
People with high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol or a personal history of vascular disease, heart attack, or stroke are at greater risk.
The risk increases as people age since the disease develops gradually.
Nearly everyone with peripheral artery disease is unable to walk as fast or as far as they could before, a symptom that many attribute to routine aging.
A typical sign is experiencing fatigue or a heaviness in the limbs or cramping in the thigh or calf after walking or climbing stairs and then feeling better after resting.
Leg or foot pain may cause trouble sleeping for those with the disease.
The skin of the feet may change color and become pale or turn blue.
Toenails that do not grow as well as before and decreased hair growth on the toes and legs may be another symptom.
For more information on managing peripheral artery disease and treating chronic or infected wounds, contact Jefferson Regional Wound Care at 1609 W. 40th Ave., Ste. 102, or call (870) 541-8747.