Pain is your body’s way of alerting you that something is amiss. Leg discomfort is something you cannot ignore as it affects every aspect of your well-being. Although not every leg discomfort is significant, it could occasionally be. If you are experiencing leg pain, you should consult a physician to determine the cause. Your St. Louis leg pain specialist will assess your discomfort to determine if it results from a vascular disorder. Meanwhile, check out this post to discover three telltale signs that a vascular issue is the root of your leg pain.
What Does Vascular Imply?
Vascular is a medical word describing veins and arteries. The vascular system, commonly referred to as the circulatory system in human anatomy, transports oxygen across the body and eliminates waste.
If your circulatory system is malfunctioning, areas of your body might not obtain oxygen, or your body may fail to eliminate waste effectively. There are indications to watch out for that may suggest a more serious vascular issue within your lower body.
3 Signs That Your Leg Discomfort Might Be A Vascular Problem
1) Swelling
Inflammation indicates the presence of an issue in or around the afflicted region. There are two main causes of inflammation: swelling and edema. Inflammation develops when an infection or injury irritates your body’s tissues. On the other hand, edema develops whenever bodily components, like tissues and blood vessels, retain an abnormal amount of fluid.
While inflammation is not necessarily troubling, you should be careful if you experience severe or easily noticeable inflammation in your leg. This inflammation is a warning sign that blood or oxygen is not effectively assessing the intended destination.
2) Skin Changes
Changes to the skin are another indication of a possible vascular disorder in the legs. Changes to the skin may involve discoloration or texture. Leg discoloration indicates problems with the veins or a problem with circulation. Likewise, skin texture changes show you have an existing vascular disorder.
3) Pulse or Numbness Concerns
Numbness in the lower extremities might suggest inadequate blood flow to your lower body or probable nerve injury; hence, it’s quite alarming. If you have a weakened pulse in your legs or cannot detect a pulse, this may signal circulation problems.
How Can You Avoid Vascular Concerns?
Persons with a genetic history of vascular disorders are prone to developing similar difficulties. However, there are techniques to avoid or reduce the likelihood of developing circulation issues, particularly in the legs:
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Engage in regular exercises, including taking brief strolls for about half an hour
- Manage your alcohol consumption
- Uphold a healthy weight
- Manage your cholesterol levels and blood pressure
- Manage stress
If you are experiencing leg discomfort accompanied by inflammation, numbness, or skin changes, seek immediate medical attention. Dr. Goke Akinwande, and the expert staff at Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical Therapy will educate you on the relationship between painful legs, and vascular concerns. Once your doctor identifies the root cause of your concerns, he will suggest the most appropriate care plan. Call the office near you or use the online booking tool to arrange an appointment today.