Intermittent Claudication is defined as a severe pain in the calf muscles that occurs during
walking, but subsides with rest. It is a result of inadequate blood supply, which may be due
to atherosclerosis, arteriorsclerosis obliterans, arterial spasm, or an arterial blockage. Surprisingly, this is very common throughout the population. It tends to occur
more frequently in men than women, and of the population under 60 years old, almost 2% has
experienced it. In the 60-70 year old range, almost 4%, and over 70 years old, at least 5%
of the population is diagnosed. Intermittent Claudication has a favorable prognosis, as
the condition stabilizes or improves in most patients.
Helpful Links:
Intermittent Claudication
Syndrome
Syndrome
laudication, a sudden and
severe pain in the calf muscles, is a common ailment. If the pain generally comes when
walking, and goes away when the legs are at rest, it is called intermittent claudication,
and it is caused by a blockage, or occlusion, in the arteries that bring blood to the lower
extremities. Deposits of cholesterol and other substances, called atherosclerotic plaques,
are the reason for the arterial blockage, and after gradual build-up, the passageways narrow
until a sufficient amount of oxygen-carrying blood can no longer pass through
to nourish the tissues. Exercise, especially walking, tends to exacerbate the situation.
Intermittent claudication is a painful condition,
but has a good prognosis. By lowering blood cholesterol and reducing platelets, further
damage to the arteries will be prevented.
There are several herbal supplements that are
useful in relieving the pain of intermittent claudication.
Ginkgo Biloba is the most
effective herb known for this ailment. As an antioxidant, Ginkgo helps
to prevent arterial wall damage. It dilates blood vessels and helps prevent platelet
accumulation, as well as provides a tonic effect to the blood vessels that aren't receiving
enough oxygen. Clinical studies comparing Ginkgo with placebos and prescription drugs proved
that Ginkgo actually works better for intermittent claudication than the drugs. Because the
effect of Ginkgo is cumulative, the longer it is taken, the better it works. Another herb
known to decrease platelet accumulation is Garlic. Garlic has also proven effective in lowering total
cholesterol and triglycerides while at the same time, raising the "good cholesterol" HDL.
Ginger is an antioxidant
and an anti-inflammatory. It helps lower cholesterol and prevents platelet accumulation
like Garlic. Ginger, and Hawthorne Berry both help shrink the plaques that are clogging arteries and help stop
more from forming. In addition, Hawthorne, which is full of flavonoids and proanthocyanadins,
also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and it strengthens collagen, which is
the substance that holds cells together.
These
products are available from our
Virtual Store.
Our liberal
Money Back Guarantee applies.
There are several herbal supplements that are
useful in relieving the pain of intermittent claudication.
Ginkgo Biloba is the most
effective herb known for this ailment. As an antioxidant, Ginkgo helps
to prevent arterial wall damage. It dilates blood vessels and helps prevent platelet
accumulation, as well as provides a tonic effect to the blood vessels that aren't receiving
enough oxygen. Clinical studies comparing Ginkgo with placebos and prescription drugs proved
that Ginkgo actually works better for intermittent claudication than the drugs. Because the
effect of Ginkgo is cumulative, the longer it is taken, the better it works. Another herb
known to decrease platelet accumulation is Garlic. Garlic has also proven effective in lowering total
cholesterol and triglycerides while at the same time, raising the "good cholesterol" HDL.
Ginger is an antioxidant
and an anti-inflammatory. It helps lower cholesterol and prevents platelet accumulation
like Garlic. Ginger, and Hawthorne Berry both help shrink the plaques that are clogging arteries and help stop
more from forming. In addition, Hawthorne, which is full of flavonoids and proanthocyanadins,
also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and it strengthens collagen, which is
the substance that holds cells together.
These
products are available from our
Virtual Store.
Our liberal
Money Back Guarantee applies.
Note:
This information is provided for educational purposes only
and is not intended to replace the use of a qualified
health care professional. We strongly recommend the use
of a physician for the diagnostic phase of any treatment.
With an accurate diagnosis in hand, we believe the consumer,
at that point, has a basic, unalienable right to seek out
factual information on all therapeutic approaches, both
orthodox and alternative, and choose those approach(es)
that are right for them. Nonetheless, a "good doctor"
should be considered a requisite starting point.
To U.S. Users:
None of the products mentioned on this page have been
evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration;
therefore, they are not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure, or prevent any disease.