Narrowing or stricture of a vessel, duct or canal.
Symptoms of Stenosis
The following features are indicative of Stenosis:
numbness in a leg, foot, arm or hand
weakness in a leg, foot, arm or hand
tingling in a leg, foot, arm or hand
problems with walking and balance
pain or cramping in the legs
high blood pressure at young age
kidney dysfunction
pulmonary edema
narrowing of other arteries in the body
It is possible that Stenosis shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Stenosis
The following are the most common causes of Stenosis:
overgrowth of bone
herniated disks
thickened ligaments
tumors
spinal injuries
atherosclerosis of the renal arteries
fibromuscular dysplasia
Risk Factors for Stenosis
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Stenosis:
genetic factor
over the age of 50
high blood pressure
smoking
diabetes
high cholesterol
heavy alcohol use
cocaine abuse
increasing age
Prevention of Stenosis
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Stenosis. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
prevent yourself from spine injuries
exercise regularly
eat a heart-healthy diet
do regular exercise
maintain healthy weight
control blood cholesterol level
control blood sugar
avoid smoking
avoid alcohol
Occurrence of Stenosis
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Stenosis cases seen each year worldwide:
Common between 1 - 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Stenosis most commonly occurs in the following age group:
Aged between 20-50 years
Common Gender
Stenosis can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Stenosis
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Stenosis:
X-ray: To see the bony changes
Medical genetics: To produce cross-sectional images of the spine
CT scan (Computerised tomography): To see the detailed cross-sectional images of body
Blood test: To measure the cholesterol levels, renin and aldosterone levels, BUN, creatinine and potassium levels in the blood
Doppler ultrasound: To find the renal arteries blockages
MRA (Magnetic resonance angiography): MRA uses radio waves and strong magnetic fields to produce detailed 3-D images of the renal arteries and kidneys
Renal arteriography: To find the blockage in the renal arteries
Complications of Stenosis if untreated
Yes, Stenosis causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Stenosis is left untreated:
numbness
weakness
balance problems
incontinence
paralysis
aortic aneurysm
heart attack
heart failure
chronic kidney disease
stroke
vision problems
poor blood supply to the legs
Procedures for Treatment of Stenosis
The following procedures are used to treat Stenosis:
Surgery: Removal of lamina of the affected vertebrae and vertebrae in the neck to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord
Nephrectomy: To resolve systemic hypertension without compromising renal function
Renal artery bypass surgery: To create an alternate route for blood to flow around a blockage in the renal arteries
Renal angioplasty and stenting: To treat renal artery stenosis
Self-care for Stenosis
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Stenosis:
Apply hot or cold packs: Help relieving the symptoms of cervical spinal stenosis
Follow healthy diet: Reducing excess weight can decrease load-bearing stress on the lumbar spine
Maintain a healthy weight: Help to lower the blood pressure
Restrict salt in the diet: To reduce blood pressure
Be physically active: Being physically active on a regular basis may help to lose weight, lower the risk of heart disease, lower the cholesterol and lower blood pressure
Reduce stress: Stress can increase the blood pressure temporarily
Avoid alcohol: Too much alcohol may increase blood pressure
Don't smoke: Tobacco causes injuries to blood vessel walls
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Stenosis
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Stenosis:
Physical therapy: Build up strength, flexibility and stability of the spine
Chiropractic treatment: Helpful in restoring the normal spinal movement
Acupuncture: Stimulates the certain places on the skin to relieve the pain
Time for Treatment of Stenosis
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Stenosis to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision: