What is intermittent claudication?
-
Hello, What is intermittent claudication? My doctor told me that I am suffering from this. My muscles pain when I am active and stops when I take rest. In some cases, the pain is intense enough that it even interferes with simpler activities like walking. What should I do to manage this problem?
-
@manideepa Claudication treatment can take various forms, all of which focus on improving the circulation in the areas where you feel pain. Unfortunately, claudication also increases your risk for serious heart and circulatory problems, which is why treatment usually involves preventive measures to avoid those complications. Drugs can often play a major role in treating intermittent claudication. These drugs typically help improve circulation or prevent serious problems that are more likely because of claudication. These usually include:
Blood-thinning medications. These drugs reduce your blood’s ability to clot. This is important because it helps prevent life-threatening complications like stroke, pulmonary embolism or clots that can develop and block the arteries in your legs.
Statins. These medications lower your blood cholesterol levels. Higher cholesterol levels can cause plaque to build up more quickly. Lowering those levels helps prevent that buildup and any related complications like heart attacks.
Blood pressure medications. These medications typically make your blood vessels relax and widen, improving blood flow. Improving blood flow can ease or stop claudication-related pain entirely. These medications also help prevent problems like heart attack and stroke.