Insulin is a hormone that moves glucose from the bloodstream to the cells. Therefore, in the absence of insulin, blood glucose levels rises. A high blood glucose level is a characteristic of diabetes. Several complications occur when the body is exposed to too much glucose. Some of these complications are stroke, heart attack, coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease. The American Diabetes Association reports that a person who has diabetes is likely to have peripheral artery disease.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease is a condition that typically affects the legs. The arteries that carry blood to the legs become narrow in this disease. Due to this, blood supply to the legs become low. When the legs don't receive enough blood, cells in that area may begin to die. People with peripheral artery disease may need to have their legs removed or amputated if this condition is not treated. The Mayo Clinic states that about 10 million individuals in the United States have peripheral arterial disease, but only a few of them seek and receive treatment.
Cause
The American Heart Association reports that peripheral artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which fat builds up on the walls of the arteries. The fat combines with other substances in the body to form plaque-- a hard material that makes the normally flexible blood vessels inelastic and stiff. Due to atherosclerosis, the arteries that supply the legs with blood get clogged and are unable to transport oxygen rich blood to the limbs. Peripheral artery disease occurs as a result of this.
Effect of Diabetes
The "American Medical Association Guide to Preventing and Treating Heart Disease" suggests that diabetes contributes to the development of atherosclerosis--the cause of peripheral artery disease. Atherosclerosis begins when the inner walls of the arteries are damaged. Fats which are later converted to plaque then accumulate in these damaged areas. Diabetes may cause the initial damage of the arteries and subsequently peripheral artery disease.
Signs
Pain in the legs is a symptom of peripheral artery disease. It happens when the legs don't get enough oxygen during activities like walking. This is called intermittent claudication. The pain may stop during periods of rest. In severe cases of peripheral artery disease, the pain does not go away, even at rest. Other symptoms are leg wounds that don't heal quickly, hairless legs, coldness in the legs, shiny skin on the legs and absent or weak pulses in the legs.
Prevention/Solution
"Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: Integrating Science and Clinical Medicine" states that peripheral artery disease is extremely common in diabetic patients. This condition can also put individuals at risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Prevention of this problem in diabetics is important because diabetes can lead to nerve damage and lack of sensation in the legs and feet. As a result of this, diabetics with peripheral artery disease may not feel any of its signs.
Peripheral artery disease may be prevented by quitting smoking, regular exercise, a healthy diet and good blood glucose control. The American Diabetes Association suggests that diabetics may prevent this disease by aiming for an A1C below 7 percent. The A1C is a test that measures average blood glucose levels after two or three months.
References
- "American Medical Association Guide to Preventing and Treating Heart Disease"; Martin S. Lipsky, American Medical Association and Marla Mendelson; 2008
- "Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: Integrating Science and Clinical Medicine" by Steven P. Marso, David M. Stern and David M. Stern, M.D; 2004
- PAD Coalition: What is the link between Diabetes and P.A.D.?
- The Mayo Clinic: Peripheral Arterial Disease
- The American Diabetes Association: Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
