Claudication is usually an indicator of peripheral arterial disease, one of the classic symptoms of which is pain in the muscles of the legs, especially the calves.
This pain is called claudication, also known as intermittent claudication.
Symptoms include pain in the legs while exercising; intermittent pain; pain when at rest if the condition is serious; and discoloration or ulceration of the skin.
Claudication is usually because of atherosclerosis of the arteries of the arms and legs, which reduces the blood supply to the limbs.
Smoking, high blood pressure, increased cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, age over 50 years, and a family history are all risk factors for this condition.
Cold climates increase this condition.
Cessation of smoking and regular exercise, especially walking, can reduce symptoms considerably.
The Ayurvedic treatment of claudication consists of treating the risk factors and the patho-physiology of this condition.
Medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Triphala-Guggulu, Medhohar-Guggulu, Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), and Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurrao), are used to reduce high blood cholesterol and also to reduce weight.
These medicines also help to reduce the deposition of fat, cholesterol and other material which causes atherosclerosis in the arteries.
Medicines which act on the 'Mansa' and 'Meda' dhatus (tissues) are also useful for this.
These include medicines like Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Triphala (Three fruits), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Chirayta (Swertia chirata), Chandan (Santalum album), Sunthi (Zinziber officinalis) and Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica).
Diabetes, if present, is treated with medicines like Karela (Momordica charantia), Chandraprabha Vati, Mamejva (Enicostemma littorale), Haridra (Curcuma longa) and other medicines.
In order to increase blood supply to the limbs, medicines like Tapyadi-Loh, Kaishor-Guggulu, Abhrak-Bhasma and Ekang-Veer-Ras are used.
Medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Kutki, Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea), Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri), Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi) and Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) are used to help stop smoking.
Claudication is a potentially serious but treatable circulation problem.
If left untreated, it can reduce the quality of life and in severe cases, can lead to gangrene and may require amputation of the limb.
Early detection and treatment of this condition, and reduction in the severity of risk factors, is therefore very important.