See what questions
a doctor would ask.
Claudication occurs in leg, hip or buttock muscles and results from a reduced blood flow to the muscles. Sufferers usually feel mild to severe pain in their low extremity muscles while exercising. The pain usually goes away once the person rests. Claudication is a result of peripheral vascular disease which is the narrowing of blood vessels due to plaque build up. Pain occurs when these blood vessels spasm. Risk factors for claudication include smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension. The condition is diagnosed by measuring the blood pressure in the legs before and after exercise or by magnetic resonance angiography which checks arterial plaque deposits. The condition is treated by reducing the risk factors eg stopping smoking, managing diabetes. Exercise is also beneficial. Drug therapy using anti-platelet agents (blood thinning), aspirin, dipyridamole, clopidogrel, cilostaxol or pentoxifylline may also be utilized. If a patient suffers pain even while at rest, surgery may be required - balloon or stent insertion or blockage bypass.
Source: summary of medical news story as reported by Sun Herald
About: Claudication is caused by plaque build up in blood vessels
Date: 2 December 2004
Source: Sun Herald
Author: Dr Sangani
http:/ This summary article refers to the following medical categories:
Related Medical Topics
More News Topics
This summary article refers to the following medical categories:
Search Specialists by State and City