November Is National Diabetes Month. Vascular Surgeon Dr. Pushpinder Sivia Explains How to Recognize Poor Circulation Before It Leads to Serious Complications.
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.
It's called peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition in which plaque buildup narrows the arteries, reducing blood flow to the legs and feet.
People with diabetes face a significantly higher risk of developing PAD, and the consequences can be devastating.
"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>.
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.
<h3>1. Don't Automatically Blame Leg Pain on Aging</h3>
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?
Don't automatically blame arthritis, aging or being out of shape.
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.
Other warning signs include:
<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>
Diabetes can cause nerve damage, known as neuropathy, that makes it difficult to feel pain.
That means someone could have a serious circulation problem without experiencing the typical warning signs.
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.
This combination of diabetes, nerve damage and poor circulation makes regular foot checks especially important.
<h3>3. Who Should Be Screened?</h3>
People with diabetes should discuss PAD screening with their healthcare provider, especially if they:
<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>
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.
<h3>4. Five Simple Steps That Could Save Your Feet</h3>
Check your feet every day.&nbsp;Look for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling or changes in skin color. Don't forget between your toes.
Never walk barefoot.&nbsp;Even a small cut can become a serious problem, especially if you have reduced sensation.
Don't wait on a wound.&nbsp;A foot sore that isn't healing deserves prompt medical attention. Early treatment can prevent serious complications.
Keep walking.&nbsp;Regular exercise can improve walking ability and help manage vascular risk factors. Ask your physician about a safe exercise program.
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.
<h3>5. Amputation Isn't Inevitable. There Are Treatments.</h3>
For many patients, PAD can be managed with medications, lifestyle changes and structured exercise programs.
When blood flow becomes severely restricted, minimally invasive procedures may help restore circulation and save threatened limbs.
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.<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>
More advanced cases may require bypass surgery.
"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."
<h3>The Bottom Line</h3>
You probably know your blood sugar numbers. But do you know how well blood is flowing to your feet?
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.
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.

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Diabetes and Amputation: The Warning Signs You...

November Is National Diabetes Month. Vascular Surgeon Dr. Pushpinder Sivia Explains How to Recognize Poor Circulation Before It Leads to Serious...

Diabetes and Amputation: The Warning Signs You Can't Afford to Ignore

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October Is Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month - Your Legs Could Be Warning You About a Life-Threatening Circulation Problem.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
By <a href="https://empirevein.com/en/our-team/dr-pushpinder-sivia/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Pushpinder Sivia</a>, board certified vascular surgeon
Empire Vein &amp; Vascular Specialists encourages Southern Californians to recognize the warning signs of blood clots and blocked arteries, two potentially dangerous conditions that can often be identified with a simple, noninvasive vascular ultrasound.
1. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A Blood Clot That Can Turn Deadly
The startling facts:
<ul>
<li>As many as 900,000 Americans&nbsp;are affected by DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE) each year.</li>
<li>An estimated 60,000 to 100,000 Americans die&nbsp;annually from these blood clots.</li>
<li>Approximately 1 in 4 people who die from PE experience sudden death as the first symptom.</li>
</ul>
DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. If a portion breaks loose and travels to the lungs, it can cause a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism.
Three warning signs you should never ignore:
<ul>
<li>Sudden swelling in one leg.</li>
<li>Unexplained calf pain or tenderness.</li>
<li>Redness or warmth in one leg.</li>
</ul>
The role of ultrasound:&nbsp;Venous duplex ultrasound is a painless, noninvasive test that can detect clots in the deep veins and help physicians make a rapid diagnosis.
Emergency warning:&nbsp;Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, or coughing up blood may indicate a pulmonary embolism. Call 911 immediately. New, unexplained one-sided leg swelling also warrants prompt medical evaluation.
2. Peripheral Artery Disease (<a href="https://empirevein.com/en/vascular-services/?utm_source=Patch_CV_&amp;utm_medium=PR_article&amp;utm_campaign=ULTRASOUND_EN" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">PAD</a>): The Silent Threat to Your Legs
The startling facts:
<ul>
<li>An estimated 10 to 12 million Americans age 40 and older&nbsp;have PAD.</li>
<li>Approximately 150,000 lower-extremity amputations&nbsp;occur annually in the United States, with PAD contributing to many cases.</li>
<li>PAD is associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and limb loss.</li>
</ul>
PAD develops when plaque builds up inside arteries, restricting blood flow to the legs and feet. Many patients have no typical symptoms, allowing the disease to go undetected.
Four warning signs you should never ignore:
<ul>
<li>Leg cramps, fatigue, or pain while walking that improve with rest.</li>
<li>One foot noticeably colder than the other.</li>
<li>Foot or toe pain while resting, particularly at night.</li>
<li>Sores on the feet or toes that won't heal.</li>
</ul>
The role of ultrasound:&nbsp;An ankle-brachial index (ABI) test compares blood pressure in the arms and ankles to detect impaired circulation. Arterial duplex ultrasound can then help physicians locate narrowed or blocked arteries and guide treatment when indicated.
Emergency warning:&nbsp;A suddenly painful, cold, pale, or numb leg or foot may indicate acute limb ischemia and requires immediate emergency care.
3. Varicose Veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency: More Than a Cosmetic Problem
Varicose veins may be a sign of chronic venous insufficiency, a condition in which malfunctioning vein valves allow blood to pool in the legs.
Four warning signs:
<ul>
<li>Bulging or twisted varicose veins.</li>
<li>Heavy, aching, or swollen legs, especially after prolonged standing.</li>
<li>Brown discoloration or thickened skin around the ankles.</li>
<li>Slow-healing wounds near the ankles.</li>
</ul>
The role of ultrasound:&nbsp;Venous reflux ultrasound evaluates whether vein valves are functioning properly and identifies abnormal blood flow that may be contributing to symptoms.
4. Why Vascular Ultrasound Matters
No needles. No radiation. No surgery.
Vascular ultrasound uses sound waves to evaluate circulation through the body's arteries and veins. It is a noninvasive diagnostic tool that can help physicians:
<ul>
<li>Detect potentially dangerous blood clots.</li>
<li>Identify narrowed or blocked leg arteries.</li>
<li>Diagnose venous reflux associated with varicose veins.</li>
<li>Guide treatment and monitor circulation over time.</li>
</ul>
For people with leg symptoms or risk factors such as diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, or a history of vascular disease, an appropriate vascular evaluation can identify problems before they become more serious.
The bottom line:&nbsp;Leg pain, swelling, and circulation changes should not automatically be dismissed as normal aging. Recognizing symptoms and obtaining timely evaluation can help prevent serious complications.
For more information or to schedule a consultation call 1-888-263-6199. Visit <a href="https://empirevein.com/en/vascular-services/?utm_source=Patch_CV_&amp;utm_medium=PR_article&amp;utm_campaign=ULTRASOUND_EN" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.empirevein.com</a>
Empire Vein &amp; Vascular Specialists is located in La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, Riverside, Ontario and Victorville.

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October Is Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month - Your Legs Could Be Warning You About a Life-Threatening Circulation Problem.     ...

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