How To Treat Intermittent Claudication

Shed Excess Weight

Overweight individuals who suffer from intermittent claudication can shed excess weight to improve their symptoms. Getting to a healthy weight is simple in theory, but not necessarily easy in practice. Weight loss is mostly achieved through diet, with exercise included. Some individuals choose to count calories, and others practice intermittent fasting or follow the ketogenic diet (or both). Personal preferences vary, but the best diet for any individual is the one they can stick to. Going on an extremely restrictive diet is a recipe for failure. For example, eating very few calories daily leads most individuals to quit their diets and binge, leading to weight gain instead of the intended weight loss. Losing one pound per week is a good goal. Exercise can help individuals lose weight, but it is important not to eat extra calories to the point where those burned through exercise are negated.

Control Related Health Conditions

It is important to control related health conditions when dealing with intermittent claudication. Some health conditions associated with intermittent claudication are peripheral artery disease and atherosclerosis. Peripheral artery disease is an illness of the cardiovascular system involving the narrowing of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is another cardiovascular illness; it involves the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which causes blockages. Atherosclerosis, like peripheral artery disease, can be caused by smoking, as well as by high blood pressure and high cholesterol. One of the most direct ways to prevent or reverse both of these conditions is to quit smoking. Staying at a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly are also important. It is important to get these conditions under control because they not only cause intermittent claudication but also increase the individual's risk of a heart attack and stroke.