(866) 552-4866 While out with friends one day, Devin* finally admitted something he had been experiencing but not telling anyone about. To put it bluntly, his life has been turned upside down by leg pain, numbness, tingling, and other symptoms that have not only made daily activities uncomfortable but also have him wondering what's causing them. To make matters worse, he's always been hesitant to see a doctor without first trying to figure things out on his own, so he turned to the internet for answers. Instead of finding clarity, he felt more confused than ever. Two conditions kept appearing on his search results: peripheral arterial disease (PAD) vs. neuropathy. But which one is it?
Devin is not the only one confused by the peripheral arterial disease vs. neuropathy debate. After all, both share similar symptoms, such as the ones mentioned above. So, it's no wonder that it can be difficult to tell them apart and seek accurate care. With September as PAD Awareness Month, now is an excellent time to understand the key differences between PAD and neuropathy, learn the warning signs for each, and, if you have PAD, consider a vascular screening. This is especially true if you have diabetes, a history of smoking, or are over 40.
Our team at StrideCare wants you to take control of your vascular health, and the one of best ways to start that journey is through education.
Do you have leg pain, numbness, and tingling? These symptoms can indicate a vascular-related issue. Schedule a consultation with a StrideCare vascular specialist today to learn how advanced treatments can help.
Is It PAD or Neuropathy?
When comparing peripheral arterial disease and neuropathy, the biggest distinction is the underlying cause of the symptoms. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is caused by circulatory problems. In other words, you do not have enough blood flow in your legs and feet. Conversely, neuropathy is caused by damaged nerves. Yes, they can both cause similar symptoms in your legs and feet, but there are very distinct differences between the two diagnoses that demand clarity.
So, let's break them down one by one.
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Also known as arteriosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, or peripheral vascular disease (PVD), it occurs when the arteries that supply blood to your legs narrow or become blocked by plaque. Plaque is made of fatty deposits, calcium, and cholesterol. When these substances harden, a person experiences a wide range of symptoms and becomes at risk for coronary artery disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Nearly 10 million people over 40 have PAD, and the scary part about peripheral artery disease vs. neuropathy is that while symptoms can vary widely, many people don't even have symptoms at first.
Others may have minor leg discomfort or fatigue that is assumed to osteoarthritis or neuropathy. Just a few of the symptoms people with PAD may experience include the following:
- Cramping in the legs or hips, especially while active, but feels better at rest
- Changes in the appearance of extremities (color, loss of hair, shiny skin)
- Cold legs and feet
- Thickening of the toenails
- Open sores that don't heal
- Dry, scaly, flaky, or leathery skin
- Erectile dysfunction
- No pulse or weak pulse in legs and feet
While anyone can get PAD, it is more prevalent in older people, starting around age 40 and sharply increasing at 70 and older. Black Americans also have an increased risk of PAD, as do those with a poor diet, hypertension, high cholesterol, and a sedentary lifestyle. Patients with PAD also often display hypertension, are diabetic, and are former smokers.
NEUROPATHY
Neuropathy, on the other hand, interferes with the way nerves send signals between your brain and your legs or feet. It is a painful and often debilitating condition that affects a network of nerves called the peripheral nerves that run throughout the head, neck, and body. Neuropathy can have a variety of causes, ranging from diabetes to injury, infections, and exposure to toxins. Prolonged exposure to elevated blood sugar levels is usually the issue in individuals with diabetes.
When the nerves are damaged in this way, they fail to function correctly, often sending pain signals even when you cannot point to a reason. This leads to poor blood flow, inflammation, and slower signal transmission. These issues can lead to many of the symptoms people experience, especially tingling, burning, and numbness in the extremities.
Risk factors for peripheral neuropathy can include:
- Diabetes
- Alcohol
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Infections
- Auto-immune diseases
- Certain medications
- Exposure to toxins
- Family history
The Easiest Ways To Tell if It's PAD or Neuropathy
Many people assume numbness automatically means poor circulation, but that's not always true. Therefore, one of the easiest ways to distinguish peripheral arterial disease vs. neuropathy is to pay attention to when the symptoms occur.
Pain that predictably appears with activity and improves with rest is more characteristic of PAD, while burning or tingling that occurs even when you're sitting or lying down is more consistent with neuropathy. In fact, people with neuropathy are more likely to experience burning pain, pins-and-needles sensations, electric shock-like sensations, and increased sensitivity to touch.
Here is a basic chart to help you understand the differences:
PAD vs. Neuropathy: When to Worry?
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, whether due to peripheral arterial disease or neuropathy, it is best to seek help from a qualified medical professional sooner rather than later. With PAD you need to contact a vascular surgeon if you experience:
- Leg pain that consistently occurs when walking
- Foot or leg wounds that won't heal
- Cold, discolored, or painful feet
- New numbness or weakness
- Burning pain that continues to worsen
- Symptoms that interfere with daily activities
One of the biggest dangers of peripheral arterial disease is that it can continue to progress and lead to limb-threatening complications, heart attack, and stroke. The earlier PAD is identified the sooner treatment can begin to improve circulation and help reduce future cardiovascular risk.
If you believe your symptoms are vascular-related, seeking an expert opinion is one of the smartest things you can do to take charge of your current situation and your ongoing and future health. Vascular screenings can assess the severity of your condition and recommend a treatment plan that fits your needs.
September's PAD Awareness Month reminds us how important it is to consult with a vascular surgeon about the benefits of vascular screenings sooner rather than later. If you want to discuss your treatment options, schedule an appointment with StrideCare today.
Our team at StrideCare offers the following PAD services:
- Diagnostic Arterial Ultrasound — A non-invasive test that uses ultrasound technology to get a full view of the circulatory system.
- Angiography — Introduces a contrast dye into the arteries, which allows the blood vessels to be seen on an X-ray.
- Angioplasty — A minimally invasive treatment that uses advanced laser technology to clear plaque on large blood vessels.
Featured in this video is StrideCare's expert Vascular Surgeon Dr. Mina Tawfik, M.D, discussing a diagnostic Angiogram. An angiogram involves introducing a contrast dye into the arteries via a small catheter that allows blood vessels to be seen on an x-ray. This diagnostic test is used to detect restricted blood vessels that may be causing a great deal of discomfort and pain.
StrideCare Is Your Vascular Specialist Close to Home
It is essential to recognize the symptoms of peripheral arterial disease and seek guidance from a medical professional who can advise you on your next steps. Turn to StrideCare as a leader in performing leading-edge procedures to treat PAD and other conditions—all the while providing compassionate patient care.
StrideCare's mission is to surround ourselves with the best in this field so that our patients are never short of options for reclaiming their lives. Our doctors stay on the cutting edge of medicine, helping patients avoid traditionally long, invasive surgeries used in the past to treat vascular disease. The experts at StrideCare will recommend a personalized plan to help you achieve the best results. They diagnose and treat using innovative, minimally invasive procedures with little to no pain, short recovery times and high success rates.
Our vascular specialists and caring staff utilize the latest technologies and treatments to help our patients reclaim their lives. At StrideCare, we are here to help, all while providing compassionate patient care. Please contact us at 866-552-4866 or complete the appointment form to schedule a consultation.
Before starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
StrideCare Vascular serves South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia communities: Charleston, Orangeburg, Mount Pleasant, Murrells Inlet, Summerville, Walterboro, West Ashley, Addison, Allen, Anna, Arlington, Austin, Carrollton, Celina, Clear Lake, Craig Ranch, Dallas, Euless, Flower Mound, Forney, Fort Worth, Frisco, Garland, Houston, Irving, Katy, Kaufman, Mansfield, McKinney, Mesquite, including Midland, North Dallas, Odessa, Paris, Pecos, Plano, Prosper, Rockwall, Round Rock, Rowlett, Royce City, San Antonio, Sherman, South Dallas, Southlake, Stone Oak, Sugar Land, Sulphur Springs, The Woodlands, Waxahachie, Webster, Petersburg, Tappahannock, Richmond, Colonial Heights, Mechanicsville, Midlothian, Henrico, and more.
*Patient names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.