Fairview Heights, IL, Foot Doctor: Podiatry 1st Can Help With Your Poor Circulation

One of the most important things Fairview Heights, IL, foot doctor, Dr. Anderson encounters, diagnoses, and treats are conditions affecting the circulatory system. Poor circulation, more formally referred to as peripheral arterial disease (PAD), occurs when fatty deposits clog the arteries in the legs, preventing proper blood flow from reaching the rest of the legs and feet. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), as many as 12 million Americans are living with PAD. The question is, how can your foot doctor help?

Fairview Heights, IL, Foot Doctor Explains PAD 

Before your Fairview Heights, IL foot doctor can start treating you for PAD, you’ll need a comprehensive exam. In addition to taking a personal and medical history and discussing risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and lack of physical activity, your doctor will be on the lookout for the following symptoms:

• Cold and/or numb extremities
• Slow-healing wounds or ulcers on your legs or feet
• Unexplained swelling
• Varicose veins
• Dry, brittle toenails
• Foot or toe pain, especially at night
• Pain and/or fatigue in your legs that is worse when walking

Most importantly, your foot doctor near Fairview Heights, IL can administer a test called an ankle-brachial index (ABI). This test compares the blood pressure in your arm to the blood pressure in your ankle; if the pressure in your ankle comes up short, that’s a significant indication that you have slow circulation.

Treating Poor Circulation – How Podiatry 1^st Can Help

Our podiatry office focuses on non-invasive treatment options first. For patients with PAD, this means treating underlying factors that may be impeding circulation. Both through in-office treatments and via referral, your Fairview Heights, IL, foot doctor can help PAD patients:

• Manage their diabetes and bring blood sugar levels under control
• Lower their cholesterol
• Stop smoking
• Learn about nutrition and plan out a healthy diet
• Control their blood pressure
• Start an exercise program 

We may also prescribe medications to help prevent clotting or recommend compression stockings, custom orthotics or footwear to help ease symptoms and promote healing.

Whether you’re concerned you may be experiencing poor circulation or you’re a current PAD patient looking for a second opinion on your treatment plan, you’ve come to the right place. Call 618.277.9533 to schedule your first visit to our podiatry office – your wellness awaits!

Award-winning Fairview Heights, IL, Foot Doctor for Improving Poor Circulation Serving Columbia, Belleville, Fairview Heights, O’Fallon, Shiloh, Okawville, Mascoutah, Freeburg, Trenton,Waterloo, Swansea, Columbia, and Smithton