Poor Circulation in Arms

There are a number of factors that lead to improper flow of blood or poor circulation in arms. The most common ones are deficiency of essential nutrients, constriction of blood vessels due to cold temperatures or physical trauma, and diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, etc. To learn more on what causes poor circulation in arms and some home remedies as a treatment for poor circulation, take a look at the following.

Causes of Poor Circulation in Arms

• As a response to cold temperatures, your body constricts its blood vessels. This restricts blood flow to various body parts. Arms can be one of them.
• Poor circulation in arms can be a symptom of kidney, lung and peripheral vascular diseases.
• In older people, blood vessels become harder and stiffer. This prevents proper flow of blood in the body.
• Disease conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension and heart diseases affect circulation of blood. Such an ailment might be the reason behind poor circulation in arms.
• Raynaud's syndrome has poor circulation in arms as one of its symptoms. Read more on Raynauds Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment.
• Deficiency of vitamins, minerals and fatty acids may cause the breaking down of blood vessels. This is another cause of poor circulation in arms and hands.
• Studies have shown that obesity may lead to poor circulation in arms and legs. This is because, extra weight compresses the veins and arteries.
• Caffeine and medications for treating migraine and pulmonary congestion constrict the blood vessels, and thus leads to improper flow of blood towards the arms.
• Improper sleeping and sitting positions can compress the blood vessels in your arms. This might be a probable cause of poor circulation in arms while sleeping.
• Formation of blood clot in the veins may give rise to inflammation. This condition is called venous thrombosis. This is the most possible cause of poor circulation in arms at night.

Treatments for Poor Circulation in Arms

• Follow a balanced diet. This will cover up the deficiency of nutrients, if any.
• Eat herbs like gingko biloba or go for nutritional supplements in order to improve the functioning of blood vessels.
• Wear comfortable clothes with loose or free sleeves.
• Increase your intake of vitamin C and betacarotene as they improve blood circulation. Peppers and ratatouille are sources of betacarotene while citrus fruits will give you vitamin C.
• Protect yourself from cold temperatures. Try to avoid handling cold objects as well.
• Eat pumpkin or pumpkin seeds as it improves blood circulation. More on how to improve blood circulation in the body.
• Avoid taking substances that can constrict blood vessels. Some of them are caffeine, alcohol and nicotine.
• Increase the intake of garlic and watermelon. They help in keeping the body warm.
• Massage the arms with warm olive or mustard oil at least once a day. Do it before going to bed for the best results.
• Last but not the least, stay physically active. It will keep your body warm as well as improve the blood circulation.

See also

• Poor Circulation in Hands and Feet
• Blood Circulation Problems

Poor circulation in arms needs to be diagnosed in time, as it might be an indication of some even more complicated underlying disease. Visit a doctor for correct diagnosis and treatment of this disease. The natural treatment methods suggested in this article will help you in recovering fast from the symptoms of poor circulation in arms.