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Intermittent Claudication
	Cigarette smoking is the most important risk factor for vascular disease bar none. Blockages may cause pain in the thighs or buttocks. The pain of intermittent claudication has three characteristics: It is a cramping pain in the calves that is brought on by exertion It is relieved by rest It is reproducible; that is, it almost always occurs after having walked the same distance, for example. (However, the pain may occur earlier if walking uphill or more quickly.) Diagnosis & Tests Pain brought on by walking is less serious than pain occurring during sleep or while at rest; these are indications of disease progression, and warrant more aggressive therapy. In more advanced cases, the pain may also come on at rest, especially during the night. Conventional medicine uses doppler studies (a specialized ultrasound test) and transcutaneous oxygen pressure measurements to evaluate blood flow. Blood pressure, lipids and blood sugar (in diabetics) should be lowered and monitored closely. Small cuts and wounds on the lower legs may heal very slowly; thus foot care is an important part of treatment.
Intermittent Claudication is benefited or hindered by:
	Acetyl-L-Carnitine Angioplasty Inositol Hexaniacinate Surgery