Grant Regional | aspire to live well | Winter 2019

Get in step with treating PAD Don’t ignore this painful leg disease Do your legs ever ache after you walk awhile? And does the pain ease if you stop to rest? That could be a sign of peripheral artery disease (PAD)—poor circulation to your legs and feet. PAD usually develops over a period of years when blood ves- sels in the lower body narrow due to a buildup of cholesterol and fat. Other possible signs and symptoms of PAD include slow- healing toe, foot or leg sores; one leg feeling colder than the other; and a lack of leg hair or toenail growth. PAD is a serious disease—painful walking isn’t its only conse- quence. It also raises the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. And in the most extreme cases, blocked arteries can lead to gangrene and foot or leg amputations. Anyone can get PAD, but it’s more common among older adults and those with risk factors including smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Speak up Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of PAD. A simple test is used to diagnose the disease. Grant Regional offers treatments that can reduce your walking- related symptoms, lower your heart attack and stroke risk, and help keep PAD from getting worse. Treatments include exercise programs, medications and surgery to restore blood flow to your legs. Call 608-723-3236 for more information. Sources: American Heart Association; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of GRANT REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER, 507 S. Monroe St., Lancaster, WI 53813, telephone 608-723-2143, grantregional.com . Information in ASPIRE TO LIVE WELL comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2019 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Dave Smith President/CEO Dawn Bandy Chief Financial Officer Tami Chambers Chief Clinical Officer Gretta McKelvey Dir. of Regulatory Compliance/Clinical Services Stacy Martin Human Resources Rochelle Williams Marketing WINTER 2019 V A R I C O S E V E I N S What you can do about them Varicose veins are so common that about half of people over age 50 have them. Typically, these swollen veins that bulge above the skin show up in the legs. And for many people, they’re simply a cosmetic concern. But they can also cause an aching pain and swelling in the legs—and sometimes more seri- ous problems, such as blood clots and ulcers. What causes them? Normally, one-way valves in the leg veins keep blood moving up toward the heart. But if they don’t work properly, they allow blood to back up in the vein. Blood then pools, causing the vein to swell. This often happens because a valve has stretched over years, which is why varicose veins become more common with age. Carrying extra pounds also raises risk, as does sitting or standing for long periods of time. And more women than men have varicose veins. Getting help If you’re having pain—even a dull ache—in any varicose veins, tell your doctor. Also get medical help if: ●   ● The vein bleeds or becomes swollen, red, very tender or warm to the touch. ●   ● The skin on your ankle and calf thickens and changes color. ●   ● You have leg sores. Grant Regional offers minimally invasive treatment options, and many are covered by in- surance plans. While treatments like compres- sion stockings to manage symptoms are often prescribed first, there’s a variety of treatments that can actually eliminate varicose veins and improve your quality of life. For more informa- tion, contact Adam Schope, MD, by calling 608-723-3249 . Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Office on Women’s Health PAD is a serious disease —painful walking isn’t its only consequence. It also raises the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. 2 WINTER 2019

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTI0MzU=