With obliterating atherosclerosis of the lower extremities, the walls of the vessels thicken due to deposits of fats and cholesterol forming atherosclerotic plaques. Gradual narrowing of the artery lumen can lead to its complete overlap.
Causes of obliterating atherosclerosis
The appearance of obliterating atherosclerosis of the vessels of the legs is associated with the same mechanisms that cause atherosclerotic processes and other localizations. Namely, provoking factors for the disease are:
- arterial hypertension;
- violations of lipid metabolism;
- diabetes;
- tobacco smoking;
- alcohol abuse;
- hypodynamia;
- obesity;
- irrational nutrition.
Symptoms of obliterating atherosclerosis of the lower extremities
For a long time the disease can not make itself felt. The initial symptoms of the disease are most often the following:
- chilliness and numbness in the feet;
- heightened sensitivity of the feet to low temperatures;
- fast-onset leg fatigue;
- burning sensation of the skin of the feet.
Then, as a rule, there are quite sharp pains in the gastrocnemius muscles, felt during walking and making it stop moving. This symptom indicates a narrowing of blood vessels and insufficient blood filling of tissues during exercise. The pain subsides after rest. This characteristic manifestation of obliterating atherosclerosis of the vessels of the legs is called intermittent claudication. Over time, intermittent claudication increases, especially when lifting up.
As a rule, the skin on the affected limb is paler, cold to the touch, the muscles are weaker. With the progression of the disease, cyanosis of the fingers and feet can be observed. Any minor trauma to the legs does not respond to local treatment, poorly heal, often progress and can cause the formation of ulcers. In some cases, edema of the lower leg and foot may develop.
A terrible symptom is the appearance of pain at rest, in the absence of movements, which is usually felt in the fingers and feet, more often at night. This may be a harbinger of gangrene - tissue necrosis, which is the last stage of arterial insufficiency.
Treatment of obliterating atherosclerosis of the lower extremities
The choice of the method of treatment of the disease is determined by its stage and nature of the course. Primary importance is given to the elimination of provoking factors (normalization of blood pressure, correction of violations of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, smoking cessation, compliance with the norms of physical activity, etc.).
Medication includes the administration of the following drugs:
- antithrombotic agents (aspirin);
- antispasmodics (xanthinal nicotinate, papaverine);
- drugs that reduce the aggregation of erythrocytes (pentoksifillin, rheopolyglucin);
- analgesics.
In acute thrombosis or embolism, subcutaneous or intravenous administration of anticoagulants and thrombolytic agents is performed.
Non-pharmacological methods of treatment may include such procedures:
- magnetotherapy;
- electrophoresis;
- hyperbaric oxygenation ;
- therapeutic baths (hydrogen sulphide, radon, coniferous);
- mud applications;
- ozonotherapy.
At the II-III stage of the disease, surgical treatment can be indicated by endovascular or open interventions. At the IV stage amputation to a certain level is more often performed.
Treatment of obliterating atherosclerosis with folk remedies
Traditional medicine offers treatment with herbal applications for this recipe:
- A tablespoon of a mixture of herbs including sage, St. John's wort , string, plantain, chamomile, pour a glass of boiling water, insist 2-3 hours.
- Warm the infusion to a temperature of about 37 ° C, moisten it with a folded 2-4 layer gauze.
- To wrap up a leg in a gauze, having preliminary spent massage, to cover from above a compression paper and a cotton fabric.
- Carry out the procedure twice a day, keeping the application for 2-3 hours.