Poor Circulation Causes

Today, poor circulation is a common health problem and a large number of people are suffering from it. Even though bad circulation can occur in any part of the body, it is the upper and lower extremities of the body where the attack of poor blood circulation is mostly felt. Some general signs which indicate that a person may have poor circulation include, tingling and numb feelings in hands and feet. Muscles cramps, discoloration of the skin and cold hand and feet are some of the other effects. It can be a symptom of major health complication. However, not all poor circulation causes are serious issues.

Causes and Symptoms

There are several factors that can be held responsible for poor circulation. It can be due to neurological problem, excessive body weight, aging and so on. Some of the commonly found causes are follows:

Arteriosclerosis
In simple terms, this condition can be described as hardening of the arteries. This happens due to thickening of the walls of the arteries that carries the blood to the extremities of the body like arms and legs. As a result, movement of the blood to these parts of the body becomes difficult. High cholesterol and high blood pressure can trigger such arterial problems. It can be a side effect of diabetes as well. Moreover, aging, smoking, lack of physical exercise, obesity can aggravate the problem further.

Venous Thrombosis
In this condition, a vein gets inflamed due to formation of blood clot inside it. It often occurs after a physical blow on the affected area. It is indicated by swelling and discoloration of the skin, which is tender to touch. Sometimes, fluid accumulation in nearby cells and tissues may take place which is known as edema. Usually, these symptoms last for one or two weeks and then the clot disappear. However, if the surrounding muscles squeeze and the clot get dislodged then it becomes and embolus and will circulate through the bloodstream.

Other Causes
Nutritional deficiency is another factor that can lead to poor circulation. When the body is not getting adequate amount of natural vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or fatty acids then the functioning of the veins, capillaries and arteries get badly affected, and result in improper circulation of blood. Pregnancy, thyroid problems, diseases of lungs, kidney or liver can have an adverse effect on the blood circulation. Toxins that enter our body through tobacco smoke, consumption of alcohol and caffeine substances and chemical irritants of smoke may affect the circulation as well.

Treatment

The treatment depends on the health condition of the patients. There are several prescription medicines that are used to treat specific health condition and improve blood circulation. Doctors prescribe blood thinners to dilate the clogged arteries. For prevention of any further clotting of blood, anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents may also be prescribed. In some serious cases, surgery may be required where normal blood flow is restored through another vein that bypass the clog. Sometimes, the size of the artery is enlarges through surgical procedure.

Along with the medicinal treatment, eating a balanced and healthy diet is also very important. It includes fresh fruits, vegetables that are rich in dietary fiber which plays a major role in removal of unwanted fats from the body. Eliminate fatty, fried foods from the diet as the unhealthy fat content of these foods tend to clog arteries. Those who get this health problem due to nutritional deficiency should eat eggs, meats and dairy products as they supply us with natural vitamins. Physical activities like swimming, walking, cardiovascular exercises help to open small blood vessels in the body and ensure proper circulation of blood throughout the body. Consult with your doctor about which activities are best suited for your body and include that in your lifestyle, in order too keep yourself physically active.

If you observe any of the initial symptoms of poor circulation like cold feet, do not ignore it and check it out with your doctor. You should keep your body healthy and mind free from stress in order to prevent circulation problems in future.