Poor circulation symptoms
If the flow of blood is restricted to certain areas of the body this may cause poor circulation. It is most often found in areas of extremities, such as the arms and legs. However poor circulation may also seriously affect the functioning of the heart and brain, especially if it is left untreated. Peripheral artery disease or peripheral vascular disease, are the most common causes of bad or poor circulation. These are both extremely serious conditions and will require treatment to improve the condition and eventually deal with the symptoms. Peripheral vascular disease can best be described as the narrowing of blood vessels which lie outside the brain and heart. This will eventually restrict blood flow. Peripheral artery disease will typically occur when fatty deposits form on the inside of your arterial walls. This will reduce and occasionally block blood flow.
Some of the symptoms of poor circulation include: cold feet and/or hands, the muscles of the calf cramping (this will include while asleep), swollen, aching or tired feet, varicose veins, your hands and feet tend to “fall asleep”, cramps in the buttocks, feet and legs, your skin may become discolored and infections may be extremely slow to heal, or may not even heal at all.
It is extremely important that if you suspect you are suffering from poor circulation that you visit your doctor immediately. Your doctor will then run a series of comprehensive tests which may include a physical examination, x-ray or MRI. This will help them identify the specific conditions that are typically associated with poor circulation. Your doctor will then make a diagnosis and should outline the options that you have to deal with this problem. If poor circulation is left untreated, this may result in far more serious complications. These may include blood clots, dementia and heart attacks. Certain conditions that may lead to poor circulation include diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Initially identifying and understanding the symptoms of poor circulation is a great first step. Once you have discussed your problems with your doctor they can advise you on the specific treatment options to help with this condition. The majority of treatment options will be related to your lifestyle and they often include quitting smoking, a better diet and nutrition and regular exercise. It is particularly important to lower both your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. You may also be advised to always keep your hands and feet warm and not sit, without moving, for long periods of time.
Diabetics often suffer from circulation problems and the best way to keep it under control is to monitor blood sugar levels and keep them within the desired range. If you are someone who suffers from high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, you may benefit from certain medications which are known to assist and improve blood flow. It is equally important however, to remember that poor circulation can occur in any area of the body. Poor circulation is most commonly caused by venous thrombosis. The symptoms will include tenderness, a blue-like discoloration, pain, accumulation of fluid, a warmish feeling and superficial veins may protrude from the groin, buttocks and lower abdomen and thigh areas.
As mentioned, poor circulation can manifest itself in a number of ways. This can include the brain. Our brain actually receives up to 20% of the blood circulated throughout our body. Should the flow of blood drop for any reason this may result in you feeling lethargic and suffering from a loss of memory or lack of mental clarity. Headaches and dizziness are the most common symptoms of poor blood circulation to the brain. If your heart is affected by poor circulation you may experience chest pain, high blood pressure and an increase in the levels of cholesterol. You may find ordinary tasks such as climbing stairs or gentle walking extremely difficult. It is likely to leave you extremely tired and breathless.
Poor circulation to the liver may affect your appetite and you may even experience sudden weight loss. If you notice that your hands, feet and ankles swell excessively, this may be a sign of poor circulation to the kidneys. As you may be well aware, poor circulation can have a serious impact on both your arms and legs. This can include numbness or cramps. If you suffer from serious blood circulation problems this can often lead to varicose veins and you may even find that parts of your skin will turn black or blue. This is typically down to a lack of oxygen being supplied to the concerned tissues. Unfortunately poor circulation is also known to affect your reproductive organs. You may constantly feel fatigued and have an extremely low sex drive. In the more serious cases of poor circulation you may even become impotent. The most important point to remember is that poor circulation is usually the outcome of certain lifestyle choices that we make, and unfortunately many of these choices can be detrimental to our health.
Comments are closed
Related Information
