Rest pain is a constant burning, tearing, aching, or shooting sensation in the lower leg, toes, or feet caused by reduced blood flow. It could be a symptom of lower extremity arterial disease, and individuals experiencing rest pain should ensure that they check their feet often and thoroughly for signs of gangrene. Simple lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, reducing blood pressure, eating a healthy diet, and exercising might be enough to reduce symptoms.
Rest pain is a constant burning, tearing, aching, or shooting sensation in the lower leg, toes, or feet caused by ischemia – reduced blood flow – of the lower leg. The pain begins or is aggravated by heat, when lying down or lying down in a chair. Sitting, dangling your feet, or standing can sometimes relieve symptoms.
Rest pain could be a symptom of lower extremity arterial disease. This occurs when the inner lining of blood cells gets damaged. Damaged blood cells cause cholesterol and other lipids to build up within the artery wall, making the lining rough and thicker than the lining of the healthy artery wall should be. Hardening of the arteries in this way is medically considered atherosclerosis and causes a reduction in blood flow, or ischemia.
As the arteries continue to thicken, the individual may begin to experience cramping and/or pain in the hips and legs when walking. When these symptoms occur, it is called claudication. Pain occurs when walking because the exercise causes blood flow to increase. The arteries are partially or completely blocked, so blood flow cannot increase and instead causes discomfort.
Pain at rest is the next stage after claudication, when the arteries have been damaged to the point that there isn’t enough blood to reach the feet. Individuals experiencing rest pain should ensure that they check their feet often and thoroughly for signs of gangrene. All body tissue relies on blood flow for oxygen and other nutrients to keep it alive. If a person’s feet go long enough without sufficient nutrition, the tissue will die, resulting in gangrene and possibly necessitating amputation.
Pain at rest is more common among the elderly, and smoking is a high risk factor. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels could also cause this symptom. Obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, and a family history of heart disease could also be factors leading to pain at rest.
Signs that a person may have reduced blood flow to their lower extremities are thickened nails, smaller calf muscles, or a foot or leg wound that is slow to heal or does not heal at all. Discoloration when you dangle your legs or less hair growth on your legs and feet could also be warning signs. Other symptoms include weak or no pulse, numbness, tingling, or cold sensations in the legs or feet.
You may need surgery to relieve severe symptoms. The progression of the underlying causes of rest pain can be slowed or halted by simple lifestyle changes. Quitting smoking, reducing blood pressure, eating a healthy diet, and exercising might be enough to reduce symptoms. If an individual suffers from diabetes and pain at rest, extra attention should be paid to diet, medications, or any other treatment plans in place.
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