Peripheral artery disease in the elderly
Peripheral artery disease, abbreviated as P.A.D. This is a chronic ailment. It is characterized by pain and weakness in the lower extremities while walking. This practically occurs due to atherosclerosis, which causes improper or abnormal blood flow to the limbs due to the narrowing of the arteries. It is a common concern among the elderly population, demanding proper treatment. However, dealing with this day out and being careful not to irritate the condition any further can cause strain on you as the caregiver.
Understanding peripheral artery disease in the elderly
Peripheral artery disease is a common problem for your loved one. Which primarily occurs due to improper blood flow to the lower extremities. The symptoms of P.A.Doften mistaken for usual pain and weakness in the legs due to advancing age. As a result, if untreated, it can become a significant cause of gangrene and limb amputation.
Your loved one with peripheral artery disease must be highly vigilant about their feet. Living with P.A.D. poses several risks for developing foot ulcers and wounds, which are very difficult to treat. In addition, improper blood flow to the lower extremities causes poor oxygen flow to the affected areas. This makes wound healing very difficult.
Risk factors for P.A.D.
Also, to atherosclerosis, several other risk factors contribute to the development of P.A.D. Your loved one is at increased risk of suffering from P.A.D. If they have the following:
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A longstanding history of smoking
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Chronic degenerative diseases: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and obesity
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A history of heart disease in the family
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Exceptionally high levels of C – reactive protein
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Cause of P.A.D.
Not everyone with P.A.D. will produce symptoms. And only 50% of the elderly suffering from P.A.D. will exhibit symptoms.
Peripheral artery disease causes intermittent claudication. Pain, as well as the weakness that occurs with walking and subsides when your loved one rests. The symptoms of claudication include—pain along with cramps in the legs. Long periods of walking or extended periods of physical activity trigger it.
As a caregiver, it becomes essential to understand and acknowledge the various signs and symptoms of P.A.D. Proper knowledge will enable you to take your elderly to the doctor at the right time. And prevent complications from occurring.
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The thigh and calf muscles hurt the most. In addition, there is pain after activities such as climbing stairs or walking.
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Numbness along with weakness in the legs.
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The color of the legs changes.
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There is a change in the temperature of the legs; the lower part is colder compared to the other areas.
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Toenail growth is slow
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Toenails become brittle and break easily
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Slower pulse rate in the leg
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The skin of the legs becomes shiny and appears to be thinner
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Wounds and sores on your feet and toes do not heal
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Erectile dysfunction
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There is a slower growth of hair on the legs or a loss of hair.
All the symptoms mentioned above show that your loved one is fighting peripheral artery disease. However, if you fail to recognize these symptoms ward them off as a common old-age problem. Then you are only putting your loved one at an increased risk of developing severe complications. First, the disease progresses to a more advanced stage due to not getting treatment. Then the leg pain would occur even when your loved one is resting. Finally, gradually the pain may become so severe that it disrupts your loved one’s sleep.
Tips to take care of your loved ones with peripheral artery disease
Living with P.A.D. can be difficult if the condition is not diagnosed at the preliminary stage. There is increased leg pain, making matters worse for your loved one. However, you can take the following steps to ease the pain and make your loved one comfortable.
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Exercise
Exercise is considered the cornerstone for the treatment of P.A.D. And it has been shown to improve peripheral circulation, cardiopulmonary create function, walking capacity, and functional capacity. So this is one of the best ways to relieve pain and combat the symptoms of P.A.D.
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Dietary changes
A change in the dietary pattern appears to be a must for elderly patients with P.A.D. This is b the cause of the elderly with P.A.D. having high cholesterol levels from hypertension. As a result, it becomes necessary to limit the saturated fat intake, and also to determine the salt intake becomes mandatory.
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Medications
Medications are usually prescribed for treating high cholesterol levels. For this, statins are the best to take, and anti-hypertensive drugs are also given to check blood pressure levels. In addition, doctors recommend ramipril or cilostazol to improve the walking capacity and make the experience pain-accessible.
A longstasmoking history is considered one of the worst risk factors for developing P.A.D. Therefore, caregivers need to ask their elderly loved ones to quit smoking. Once your elderly stop smoking, it will slowly arrest the disease progression and help improve the symptoms.
Caring for the elderly’s foot
P.A.D. has some severe consequences for your loved one’s feet. The skin on your loved one’s feet becomes very thin and shiny. Furthermore, having
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poor blood flow and less oxygen supply
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Chances of developing sores
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Wounds increase to a great extent
As a result, wound healing becomes very difficult. And therefore, your loved one needs to be extra careful about their feet health. Here are tips to help you care for your elderly’s feet.
Tips and suggestions
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Keep feet clean
Help your loved one to wash their feet regularly with warm water and soap. Practicing proper hygiene will help decrease the number of bacteria on foot.
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Massage and moisturizer
This will help feet feel better and will prevent dryness and cracked feet.
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Wear proper-fitting socks and shoes.
Make sure you choose the right socks and shoes for your loved ones. Poor-fitting shoes can become a significant problem for your loved one. Instead, select the ones that fit comfortably and are comfortable to walk in them.
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Proper wound care
It would be best to be vigilant about developing wounds and sores. Treat them promptly and seek help from a medical practitioner.
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Caution with pedicures
You also need to be extra careful while cutting the toenails of your loved ones. Improper trimming of the toenails can call for trouble and can cause bacterial infections.
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Never go barefoot
Do not allow your loved one to roam around barefoot. This offers no protection against household hazards or foot infections.
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Seek a podiatrist
· If you find your loved one suffering from foot problems. It is best to seek medical help for complete recovery. Some of these problems are:
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Athlete’s foot
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Hammer’s toe
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Blisters
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Bunions
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Corns and calluses
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Gout
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Ingrown toenails
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Toenail Fungus
Conclusions
All the tips above will make life much easier for your loved ones. As we age, our legs and feet tire and lose the elasticity and collagen that support our feet. Your feet can indicate significant problems, so listen to them and properly care for them. Attending to your loved one with P.A.D. can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. With the appropriate knowledge, you can do this. Remember to care for yourself and keep your business going while caregiving. I’m here to assist you on this journey; schedule your planning session with me so we can look at how to keep your life and your business running smoothly. Also, check out this post on foot care.
