<p>November Is National Diabetes Month. Vascular Surgeon Dr. Pushpinder Sivia Explains How to Recognize Poor Circulation Before It Leads to Serious Complications.</p>
<p>Most people with diabetes focus on controlling their blood sugar, protecting their eyesight and preventing kidney problems. But there's another dangerous complication that often goes unnoticed until it's too late: poor circulation that can lead to amputation.</p>
<p>It's called peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition in which plaque buildup narrows the arteries, reducing blood flow to the legs and feet.</p>
<p>People with diabetes face a significantly higher risk of developing PAD, and the consequences can be devastating.</p>
<p>"Most people with diabetes know their blood sugar numbers. But almost nobody knows how well blood is flowing to their feet. That's a blind spot that can have devastating consequences," says&nbsp;<a href="https://empirevein.com/en/our-team/dr-pushpinder-sivia/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Pushpinder Sivia</a>, board-certified vascular surgeon at Empire Vein &amp; Vascular Specialists, who has performed more than 5,000 angiogram procedures for <a href="https://empirevein.com/en/vascular-services/peripheral-artery-disease/?_utm_source=Patch_RIVERSIDE_&amp;utm_medium=PR_article&amp;utm_campaign=DIABETES_PAD" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">PAD</a>.</p>
<p>PAD isn't just a threat to your legs. The same plaque buildup can affect arteries supplying the heart and brain, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.</p>
<h3>1. Don't Automatically Blame Leg Pain on Aging</h3>
<p>Do your calves ache when you walk but feel better when you stop? Do your legs feel unusually heavy or tired after walking a short distance?</p>
<p>Don't automatically blame arthritis, aging or being out of shape.</p>
<p>Leg pain that repeatedly appears with walking and disappears with rest is a classic warning sign of PAD. Your muscles may not be getting enough blood to meet their needs.</p>
<p>Other warning signs include:</p>
<ul><li>One foot feeling colder than the other</li><li>Numbness, weakness or changes in skin color</li><li>Sores on the feet or toes that won't heal</li><li>Foot pain at night or while resting</li></ul>
<h3>2. The Scariest Symptom? Sometimes There Isn't One.</h3>
<p>Diabetes can cause nerve damage, known as neuropathy, that makes it difficult to feel pain.</p>
<p>That means someone could have a serious circulation problem without experiencing the typical warning signs.</p>
<p>A patient might develop a small blister or cut and barely notice it. When poor circulation prevents that wound from healing, a seemingly minor problem can become a limb-threatening emergency.</p>
<p>This combination of diabetes, nerve damage and poor circulation makes regular foot checks especially important.</p>
<h3>3. Who Should Be Screened?</h3>
<p>People with diabetes should discuss PAD screening with their healthcare provider, especially if they:</p>
<ul><li>Are age 50 or older</li><li>Smoke or previously smoked</li><li>Have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or kidney disease</li><li>Have neuropathy, foot ulcers or slow-healing wounds</li><li>Experience leg discomfort when walking</li></ul>
<p>A simple, painless test called the ankle-brachial index (ABI)&nbsp;compares blood pressure in the ankles and arms to help identify blocked arteries. Additional testing may be needed for some patients with diabetes.</p>
<h3>4. Five Simple Steps That Could Save Your Feet</h3>
<p>Check your feet every day.&nbsp;Look for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling or changes in skin color. Don't forget between your toes.</p>
<p>Never walk barefoot.&nbsp;Even a small cut can become a serious problem, especially if you have reduced sensation.</p>
<p>Don't wait on a wound.&nbsp;A foot sore that isn't healing deserves prompt medical attention. Early treatment can prevent serious complications.</p>
<p>Keep walking.&nbsp;Regular exercise can improve walking ability and help manage vascular risk factors. Ask your physician about a safe exercise program.</p>
<p>Protect your arteries.&nbsp;Control blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol. If you smoke, quitting is one of the most important steps you can take.</p>
<h3>5. Amputation Isn't Inevitable. There Are Treatments.</h3>
<p>For many patients, PAD can be managed with medications, lifestyle changes and structured exercise programs.</p>
<p>When blood flow becomes severely restricted, minimally invasive procedures may help restore circulation and save threatened limbs.</p>
<p>These treatments include balloon angioplasty, stents, plaque-removal devices and intravascular lithotripsy (IVL), which uses sonic pressure waves to help open arteries hardened by calcium.</p><figure>&#65279;<img src="https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/27251524/20261104/061003/pad-before-after___04181002430.jpg?width=600" id="PAD before-after.png" data-image="PAD before-after.png" srcset="https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/27251524/20261104/061003/pad-before-after___04181002430.jpg?width=320 320w, https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/27251524/20261104/061003/pad-before-after___04181002430.jpg?width=375 375w, https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/27251524/20261104/061003/pad-before-after___04181002430.jpg?width=420 420w, https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/27251524/20261104/061003/pad-before-after___04181002430.jpg?width=720 720w, https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/27251524/20261104/061003/pad-before-after___04181002430.jpg?width=600 600w" sizes="(max-width: 325px) 320px, (max-width: 375px) 375px, (max-width: 420px) 420px, (max-width: 768px) 720px, 600px"></figure>
<p>More advanced cases may require bypass surgery.</p>
<p>"Too many people believe that losing a toe, foot or leg is simply an unavoidable consequence of diabetes," says Dr. Sivia. "That's not true. With early detection and the right treatment, many amputations can be prevented."</p>
<h3>The Bottom Line</h3>
<p>You probably know your blood sugar numbers. But do you know how well blood is flowing to your feet?</p>
<p>This National Diabetes Month, take a few minutes to check your feet, pay attention to changes in your legs and ask your healthcare provider whether PAD screening makes sense for you.</p>
<p>Because protecting your feet today could mean keeping them tomorrow. Visit <a href="https://empirevein.com/en/vascular-services/peripheral-artery-disease/?_utm_source=Patch_RIVERSIDE_&amp;utm_medium=PR_article&amp;utm_campaign=DIABETES_PAD" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">empirevein.com</a> for more information or to schedule a consultation.</p>

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