11.27.24
The Link Between PAD and Kidney Disease Treatment in Rogers, AR
When you’re suffering from kidney disease, you may not assume that your arteries are to blame. But your vascular system affects more than you might realize. At Ozark Regional Vein & Artery Center, treating vascular conditions is what we do best.
We want to help our patients eliminate serious medical conditions, like kidney disease, so they can live comfortable and full lives. But how does an arterial condition cause a condition like kidney disease?
Read our new blog to learn about the link between arterial treatment and kidney disease treatment in Rogers, AR. All it takes is the right care to get a new lease on life.
Understanding Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, for short, is a condition that stems from fat build-up in arteries that run through your legs. The arteries in your leg are an extremely important part of your everyday functionality—they transport blood from your heart to various different places across the body, including your legs.
But when plaque begins to build up in those arteries, they become constricted, unable to transport as much blood as necessary.
If you feel a restless or burning sensation in your legs, you may be suffering from PAD. Other common symptoms include:
- Cool feet
- Unhealing sores on toes and feet
- Common skin infections of the feet or legs
- Redness and discoloration of the skin
If you’ve noticed one or more of these symptoms, you could be suffering from PAD.
What causes peripheral artery disease?
Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of PAD. Atherosclerosis is a fancy term for “plaque build-up” in the arteries. But what causes atherosclerosis, and how can you prevent it?
One prevalent cause of atherosclerosis is tobacco use. If you smoke cigarettes, you are at a much higher risk of developing peripheral artery disease. Other common atherosclerosis contributors include:
- Being over the age of 50
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Abdominal obesity
Another common cause of PAD is kidney disease. Strangely enough, PAD can also lead to kidney disease. These two conditions are closely related. Let’s learn how.
The Relationship Between Kidney Disease and Peripheral Artery Disease
Studies show a connection between PAD and kidney disease. Not only do patients with PAD have a higher chance of developing kidney disease, but patients with kidney disease also have a higher chance of developing PAD.
The exact cause of this relationship is unknown, but the data shows that patients suffering kidney disease are more likely to have PAD than other serious conditions, like a stroke or myocardial infarction.
While experts aren’t certain, the relationship may stem from atherosclerosis. Plaque build-up in the legs could indicate plaque build-up in other areas, like the renal arteries, which can cause kidney disease.
If you’re suffering from kidney disease, we recommend reaching out to a vein and artery specialist to check for PAD. But how can you be sure if you have kidney disease in the first place?
The Signs of Kidney Disease
If you suspect that you may be suffering from kidney disease, it’s important to reach out to a doctor right away. Many people don’t notice they have the disease until it’s progressed to a more advanced stage. You should keep an eye out for symptoms like:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Abnormally frequent or infrequent urination
- Muscle cramps
- Itchy and dry skin
- Shortness of breath
Leaving kidney disease untreated is a bad idea. Advanced kidney disease may lead to kidney shut down, and without a transplant, this can easily be fatal. If you have PAD or any of the above symptoms, screen for kidney disease. Kidney disease treatment in Rogers, AR can be a life-saving procedure.
If you think you may be at risk for developing kidney disease in the future, be sure to drink lots of water. Additionally, avoid ibuprofen, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and any antibiotics that might harm your kidneys. Your provider can recommend medications that won’t affect your kidney health.
Finding Your Treatment
PAD could be a sign of kidney disease, and having both conditions increases your risk factors. It’s important to treat PAD as soon as possible. But how can you find the right PAD treatment for your needs?
At Ozark Regional Vein & Artery Center, we have the resources you need to live a healthier life. To start your journey, you’ll meet with our team for an in-person consultation. It’s important to our specialists that we get to know you on a deeper level before we start treatment.
We’ll ask you questions about your treatment goals and complete a physical exam to evaluate your current condition. From there, we’ll get started on your treatment. Now, let’s take a closer look at your options for PAD treatment.
Angioplasty
The first option we offer for PAD is the angioplasty. The angioplasty manually clears blocked leg and kidney arteries so you can maintain normal blood flow. During this procedure, we’ll insert a catheter into a blood vessel and then snake it to the problematic artery.
This catheter has a balloon at its tip, and when we inflate the balloon in the narrow section of the artery, the artery expands, which clears the blockage. Once the leg arteries expand, the blood flow in the leg will return to normal. But the results of an angioplasty are not permanent.
Following the completion of your angioplasty at our clinic, you should be able to return to your home almost immediately. We will keep you for observation at our clinic for about an hour, but then you can have a friend or family member drive you home.
We’ll also provide you with personalized post-care instructions before you go. You should avoid any strenuous exercise, like heavy lifting, for at least 24 hours after your treatment.
Remember—atherosclerosis causes the blockages of the arteries in the first place, and this procedure will not cure that root condition. But an angioplasty would pair well with kidney disease treatment in Rogers, AR.
Stenting
We often pair stenting with angioplasty. A stent is essentially a support pillar for a newly-opened artery. If we use a balloon-tipped catheter to help clear clogs, then we will likely insert a stent to maintain consistent blood flow.
A stent is a small coil that can expand inside the artery to maintain the artery’s structural integrity. As we inflate the catheter balloon, the stent will expand as well. Then, we will remove the balloon, but the stent will remain.
As with the angioplasty, a stenting procedure is not a major surgery, meaning that you won’t have to stay overnight at our clinic following the treatment.
Follow-Up Appointments
After you’ve received an angioplasty and stenting procedure as a part of your kidney disease treatment in Rogers, AR, the best way to monitor your results is with a follow-up appointment at our clinic.
At Ozark Regional Vein & Artery Clinic, we know that your treatment doesn’t end when your procedure does. Dr. Stout always tells new arterial patients “welcome to the family”. We want to maintain a total understanding of your condition following an appointment with our team.
We’ll examine the symptoms of your PAD, and we can also take a closer look underneath your skin with one of our vascular imaging methods. If we do decide that you’re in need of further treatment, we can talk about your options.
Health and Wellness Advice
If you’re suffering from PAD or kidney disease, treatment in Rogers, AR can help you feel your best again. But if angioplasty and stenting procedures won’t treat your kidney disease, what will?
One of the best options for treating kidney disease is leading a healthier, more active life. You don’t have to sign up for a marathon or an intense crossfit class to see results, either. The simplest changes, like walking more often, can make a huge difference for your health.
Our team members have the practical wellness advice you can use to transform your life for the better. Talk with our providers for their fitness and health recommendations.
Kidney Failure
If the worst occurs, and high blood pressure damages the kidney’s microscopic blood vessels, then the kidney can go into permanent failure.
From there, we recommend dialysis, the process of manually filtering waste from the kidneys. At Ozark Regional Vein & Artery Center, we can perform a variety of dialysis treatments.
We can install a fistula or a graft as a connection between a vein or artery in your arm. This allows us to connect your vein and artery to a dialysis machine in order to clean your blood and reinsert it into the body.
We can also insert a catheter in the vein for long-term dialysis as well. Here, you can find support as you recover after kidney failure.
Learn More About Your Vein and Artery Professionals
You deserve to live your healthiest life every day. If you’re interested in seeking out peripheral artery disease treatment in conjunction with your kidney disease treatment in Rogers, AR, then reach out to our team of vein and artery specialists today.
We only hire the best, because we’ve seen firsthand how the right vascular treatment can change—and even—save lives. That’s why we’re in this line of work! We want to keep the people of our community safe from life threatening vascular conditions.
To learn more about our clinic, our treatments, and our practices, read our educational blog. This blog has all the information you need about Ozark Regional Vein & Artery Center, and we update this page often, so make sure you check out this invaluable patient resource.
Meet With Our Team to Discuss PAD and Kidney Disease
Treatment in Rogers, AR, takes many forms. We have procedures for a variety of afflictions. You shouldn’t ignore the relationship between PAD and kidney disease, so if you have one or both of these conditions, you should schedule a meeting with our team today.
You can also use our virtual consultation tool to receive a personalized treatment recommendation. It’s completely free and easy to use, so there’s no reason to wait. Take a few minutes and try it to get started on the path to a healthier you.