What does smokers leg look like?

sore feet, toes, or legs. discoloration of the legs. shiny, pale skin on the legs, which may appear bluish in some people.

medicalnewstoday.com - Smoker's leg: Causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention

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Excessive smoking can lead to smoker’s leg. In this circulatory disease, blood vessels narrow and restrict blood flow to the lower limbs. In people with smoker’s leg, blood flow reduction may cause leg pain or cramps when walking. The treatment options for smoker’s leg may include lifestyle changes, prescription medications, and, in severe cases, surgery. In this article, we discuss the causes of smoker’s leg. We also look at how to treat and prevent the condition. What is smoker’s leg? Share on Pinterest Cineberg/Getty Images Smoker’s leg refers to symptoms in the leg resulting from a condition that doctors call peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD causes narrowing of the blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to the arteries in the leg. It can also affect blood flow to the: arms

stomach

brain According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 6.5 million people in the United States aged 40 years and above have PAD. PAD is more common in African Americans than in people belonging to other racial groups. PAD is most often due to atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries, which restricts blood flow outside the heart. When a person develops smoker’s leg, they are likely to experience pain in the legs when walking. This symptom occurs due to insufficient blood in the limbs. Causes of smoker’s leg The most common cause of PAD is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis occurs when fatty deposits build up inside the arteries, restricting blood flow to other parts of the body. Blood clots may also form on the artery walls, decreasing the size of these blood vessels and sometimes blocking them. Although doctors often consider atherosclerosis to be a heart-related issue, symptoms can occur throughout the body, including in the legs. Other factors that may increase the chances of developing smoker’s leg include: smoking

being over the age of 60 years

having overweight or obesity

diabetes

high blood pressure

high cholesterol

chronic kidney disease or being on dialysis

Symptoms Many people with smoker’s leg experience no signs or symptoms. However, some people may have leg pain when walking, which the medical community refers to as claudication. The severity of claudication ranges from mild to severe. The most common symptom of PAD is muscle pain or cramping when walking, especially in the: buttocks

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hips

thighs

calves Walking may trigger the symptoms, which usually disappear a few minutes after resting. Other symptoms may include: leg weakness

hair loss on the feet and legs

coldness in the lower legs or feet

sore feet, toes, or legs

discoloration of the legs

shiny, pale skin on the legs, which may appear bluish in some people

toenails growing slowly

decreased or absent pulse in the feet

erectile dysfunction

Treatment The treatment for smoker’s leg typically involves lifestyle changes and medications. These treatments help manage symptoms and stop the aggravation of atherosclerosis. Lifestyle changes People can adopt certain measures to help reduce the symptoms of smoker’s leg. These include: Engaging in regular physical activity: A doctor may recommend regular physical activity under a supervised trainer. Leg exercises, walking regimens, and treadmill exercise programs may decrease symptoms. A doctor may recommend regular physical activity under a supervised trainer. Leg exercises, walking regimens, and treadmill exercise programs may decrease symptoms. Stopping smoking: Cigarette smoking is the most common risk factor for PAD. Quitting smoking may help slow the progression of PAD and reduce the risk of complications. Cigarette smoking is the risk factor for PAD. Quitting smoking may help slow the progression of PAD and reduce the risk of complications. Reaching or maintaining a moderate body weight: People with overweight or obesity have an increased chance of developing smoker’s leg. People with overweight or obesity have an of developing smoker’s leg. Eating a balanced diet: Many people with PAD have high cholesterol levels. Eating a balanced diet that is low in cholesterol and trans fats and rich in vegetables and fruits can help lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Many people with PAD have high cholesterol levels. Eating a balanced diet that is low in cholesterol and trans fats and rich in vegetables and fruits can help lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Avoiding certain cold medications: Over-the-counter medications containing the decongestant pseudoephedrine constrict blood vessels, which may worsen symptoms. Medication A doctor may prescribe medications to reduce pain and other symptoms of smoker’s leg, including: cilostazol (Pletal) to reduce claudication symptoms

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daily aspirin therapy or clopidogrel (Plavix) to reduce blood clotting

statins, such as rosuvastatin (Crestor) or atorvastatin (Lipitor), to reduce cholesterol levels

angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors to lower blood pressure levels

medications to manage blood sugar levels, in people with diabetes Angioplasty and vascular surgery If routine changes and medications do not work, a doctor may recommend angioplasty, stenting, or vascular bypass surgery. Angioplasty involves inflating a balloon across the narrowing to increase the size of the diseased artery. In doing this, it helps increase blood flow throughout the body. Stenting involves placing a hollow metal tube into the affected artery and deploying it across the narrowing to unblock the artery. Vascular bypass surgery involves reconnecting blood vessels to redirect blood flow from one area to another. Surgeons use this technique to allow blood to pass around a blockage. Prevention A person can help reduce the risk of developing smoker’s leg by: quitting smoking

maintaining a moderate weight

eating a balanced diet

exercising regularly

managing blood pressure and blood sugar levels

Lifestyle changes and medications often help treat and prevent smoker’s leg. However, some symptoms may require immediate medical intervention. A person should see a doctor immediately if they have: leg pain or numbness when walking

pale or discolored limbs that have a very weak or absent pulse

PAD symptoms and are over the age of 50 years with a history of smoking or diabetes

medicalnewstoday.com - Smoker's leg: Causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention

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