Ischemic pain is caused by decreased blood supply to a region, such as the leg or heart, resulting in intense sensations of tightness, burning, and stabbing pain. Treatments include medications, lifestyle changes, and surgery, with monitoring for signs of recurrence or ineffective treatment.
Ischemic pain is pain caused by decreased blood supply to a region such as the leg or heart. The affected tissue is not getting enough oxygen and nutrients, and pain is a warning sign that the cells are in trouble. If ischemia persists, the patient may develop widespread cell death and may experience complications such as ulceration down a leg with inadequate blood supply. Treatments are available for the management of ischemic pain.
The sensations associated with ischemic pain can vary, but tend to be very intense. The pain can be sharp, stabbing or biting. Patients usually feel a sense of tightness and burning. They may attempt to move, only to find that the pain becomes more intense and the muscles can twitch. Some ischemic pains can become unbearable for the patient and can recur, leading to chronic pain and irritation.
A common example of ischemic pain is angina, a condition in which diseased coronary arteries do not supply enough blood to the heart and the patient periodically feels tightness and burning. Some patients develop angina only during vigorous exercise, while others can experience it at any time. Drugs are available to treat angina, both during attacks and in the long-term prevention of future episodes. Patients may need to undergo some tests to confirm that the cause of the pain is indeed angina.
Another frequent location for ischemic pain is in the leg. This can be common in patients with circulatory disease. They will notice burning sensations and intense pain. Over time, gangrene can develop as cells die, skin peels, and inflammation sets in. This can lead to the need for an amputation to remove dead and diseased tissue. Especially when the circulatory disease includes neurological disorders, the patient may not be aware of the extent and severity of pain and injury in the leg, and therefore not immediately aware that there is an ischemic injury.
Treatments for ischemic pain may include medications to improve circulation, along with lifestyle changes such as exercise to work the affected area of the body or an improved diet. Surgery may be needed to treat vascular disorders. Often the patient has an underlying problem such as diabetes that contributes to ischemic pain, and controlling that medical problem can also resolve the pain. Monitoring for signs of recurrence or evidence that treatment is not effective will help a doctor intervene quickly if the patient is not responding well to treatment.
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