Good blood circulation is essential for good health. Your blood helps transport nutrients and oxygen to every part of your body.
Any problem with your circulatory system can lead to a variety of other health issues. If left untreated, it can cause serious damage to your brain, heart, liver, kidneys and limbs.
You can have poor blood circulation for several reasons, with the most common being atherosclerosis, or “hardening of the arteries”, and peripheral artery disease (PAD).
It can also be a result of other health problems like diabetes, heart disease, obesity or blood clots. Smoking, excess drinking, pregnancy and eating disorders can also make you more vulnerable to this condition.
By knowing the symptoms of poor circulation, you can target the root cause and get it treated timely. It is important to consult a doctor when experiencing symptoms of circulation problems, as it can lead to a heart attack, a stroke and even death.
Here are the top 10 warning signs of poor blood circulation.
Swelling
Swelling is a common symptom of poor blood circulation. For example, swelling is common in the legs of people who suffer from circulation problems because of poor blood flow from your legs back to your heart (this is called edema). Or swelling could be a sign of heart disease where the heart can’t circulate enough blood around the body.
PubMed Health explains that the swelling happens because blood builds up around the feet and ankles and forces fluid from the blood vessels into the surrounding tissue. Heart-related circulation problems may also cause abdominal swelling.
Numb Hands and Feet
Numbness in some points of the body, especially the extremities can be an indication of problems with the circulation.
Also, numbness can appear as a result of persistent pressure on the hands and feet, compression of the nerves, exposure to cold, lack of magnesium and lack of vitamin B12. It can also be a sign of diabetes, underactive thyroid and multiple sclerosis.
Persistent Fatigue and Tiredness
Fatigue can appear as a result of different medications and physical exertion, but if there is a persistent feeling of fatigue and tiredness then it may be related to poor blood circulation.
The improper blood circulation interferes with the normal functioning of the organs, even the muscles which do not have enough oxygen and necessary nutrients.
Along these symptoms, breathlessness, sore muscles and lack of stamina can appear.
Fatigue can also result from excessive intake of caffeine, alcohol, unhealthy eating habits, poor habits, depression, anxiety, stress and grief.
Sudden Hair Loss
Hair loss is an evident indication that there is an improper distribution of blood in the body. When the scalp does not receive the needed nutrients in the right time and amount, the hair becomes dry, thin and starts falling down.
For this purpose, it is recommended to massage the scalp with some hair oil in order to prevent hair loss. In this way, you will improve the blood flow and the hair follicles. Make sure you see a doctor if some additional treatment is needed.
Brittle nails and dry skin can also be a consequence of improper circulation because if the lack of nutrients.
However, hair loss can occur due to stress, aging, genetic factors, hormonal imbalance, smoking, thyroid disorder, infections of the scalp, chronic illnesses or iron-deficiency.
Varicose Veins
Beware of varicose veins because they are easy to detect, they are extremely visible and swollen. The veins pop because of lack of circulation, making the person experience heaviness and leg pain.
Erectile Dysfunction
If there is no a proper blood flow in the reproductive organs, this may lead to erectile dysfunction. Further on, this can cause problems to achieve or sustain erection. This condition can be connected to atherosclerosis. So, men who suffer from this problem should consult a doctor in order to evaluate the risk of cardiovascular disease.
If you are dealing with this, it is very important to consult your doctor and to get the proper treatment and medicine.
Weak Immune System and Slow Healing
A weak circulatory system will have a direct impact on your immune system. Due to poor circulation, the vitamins and minerals that your body needs to fight off infection are not distributed timely and in adequate amounts. This affects your body’s ability to detect and fight off pathogens.
With a weakened immune system, you may get sick more often and cuts, wounds and grazes may take longer to heal.
To improve blood circulation and boost your immunity, include exercise in your daily routine. As little as 20 minutes of walking five days a week can improve blood flow throughout your body
Skin Discoloring or Cyanosis
Cyanosis is a discoloration of skin as a result of low levels of blood oxygen or an improper blood circulation. So, the color can change from bright red to dark one, the skin around the eyes, lips and gums can be blue. Even the fingers and toes can get a bruised look.
When such discoloration appears on baby’s skin, it may be an indication of a congenital heart disease. In this case, it is of crucial importance to look for an immediate medical advice.
Tightness or Heaviness in the Chest
Your heart is responsible for pumping blood around your body, but to function properly the heart also needs adequate blood flow. Low circulation in the arteries to your heart causes tightness and heaviness in the chest.
The heavy feeling will come and go randomly. Medically, this problem is known as angina pectoris, or simply angina. Chest pain may also be a sign of atherosclerosis in these arteries.
However, chest pain can also be a symptom of a muscle spasm, heartburn, acidity, an upper respiratory infection, a stomach ulcer, and indigestion.
If you have chest pain, consult your doctor right away to prevent a potentially life-threatening medical problem.
Cool Hands and Feet
Good circulation maintains a regulated body temperature. When there is some problem with the circulation, the body can’t have a normal body temperature, so the hands and feet are usually cold. This is because the blood can’t reach the furthest points in your body, such as the fingers and toes.
In this case, you can rub the affected point so that you encourage the blood flow.
Another reason that causes cold hands and feet is the underactive thyroid, peripheral neuropathy or Raynaud’s syndrome. If you experience this problem without any known reason, consult your doctor to find out the exact cause for it.
source : http://hfstips.com
