Vascular Associates of South Alabama diagnose and treat peripheral artery disease (PAD) in Mobile, AL and surrounding areas of South Alabama. If you live in Mobile County and suspect you may be have peripheral artery disease, we can help! Getting a PAD diagnosis is often easy and painless, and treatment can make a huge difference in your future health and quality of life. Let Vascular Associates set your mind at ease with a vascular health assessment.
What are the Symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease?
Many people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) have no obvious symptoms, and others have only mild symptoms. It's always a good idea to see a physician if you have any reason to suspect you might have PAD, since the mildest symptoms can go unnoticed.
When symptoms do present, they can include any of the following:
- Painful muscle cramps in calf, thigh, or hip
- Leg pain that appears during walking/other activities, then disappears with rest
- Slow-healing sores on legs, feet, or toes
- Sensation of coldness in lower leg or foot
- Weakness, numbness, or tingling in lower legs or feet
- Weak or absent pulse in legs or feet
- Change in color of legs
- Shiny skin on legs
- Loss of hair/slow-growing hair on legs and feet
- Slow-growing toenails
PAD is linked to a number of other health conditions, including atherosclerosis (cholesterol build-up in the arteries), diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, obesity, smoking, and blood vessel inflammation. Advanced age and a family history of PAD also increase a person's chances of developing peripheral arterial disease.
PAD Diagnosis in Mobile County, Alabama
The physicians at Vascular Associates of South Alabama begin a PAD diagnosis by reviewing your symptoms and medical history. This is followed by a simple physical examination, including checking your pulse and skin temperature. Finally, the physician will perform a vascular ultrasound in our state-of-the-art outpatient facility, located right here in Mobile, AL.
A vascular ultrasound is a non-invasive test very similar to the ultrasounds used to monitor pregnancies. A hand-held device is passed over the surface of the skin, capturing images of the vessels. Our vascular experts use the video images captured by the ultrasound to evaluate your arteries and circulation. Vascular ultrasound images help our doctors develop an individualized treatment plan tailored specifically for you.
PAD Treatment in South Alabama
PAD treatment plans will vary by patient, but in most cases, PAD can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes-- simple things like being more physically active and eating a healthy diet. In more severe cases, a revascularization procedure may be necessary, often via a minimally invasive surgery. Your physician will walk you through all the options and help you decide what's best for your unique circumstances.
If you live in or near Mobile, AL and have symptoms of peripheral artery disease-- or have any other concerns about your vascular health-- the caring team at Vascular Associates of South Alabama would like to help. We're coastal Alabama's local provider of comprehensive vascular care. We welcome new patients and accept most major medical insurance plans.
Give us a call to schedule an appointment, or contact us online.