Intermittent Claudication
**Intermittent Claudication: A Comprehensive Overview**
Intermittent claudication is a common condition characterized by leg pain or discomfort caused by insufficient blood flow to the lower limbs. It typically occurs during exercise or walking and subsides with rest.
**Overview:**
* Affects both men and women, particularly over the age of 50.
* Primary cause is atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries.
* Other risk factors include smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity.
**Symptoms:**
* Pain or cramping in the buttocks or legs
* Numbness or tingling
* Weakness or fatigue
* Reduced exercise tolerance
**Diagnosis:**
* Physical exam
* Blood tests
* Ankle-brachial index (ABI)
* Ultrasound or CT scan
**Treatment:**
* Lifestyle modifications (e.g., exercise, smoking cessation, weight loss)
* Medication to improve blood flow (e.g., aspirin, statins)
* Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) or stenting
* Surgical bypass grafting
**Prevention:**
* Maintain a healthy weight
* Exercise regularly
* Quit smoking
* Manage blood pressure and cholesterol
* Control blood sugar levels (for diabetics)
**Keywords:**
* Intermittent claudication
* Leg pain
* Insufficient blood flow
* Atherosclerosis
* Risk factors
* Symptoms
* Diagnosis
* Treatment
* Prevention
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