Dealing with bad circulation
Bad circulation occurs when blood flow is restricted to certain areas of the body. The legs, heart and brain can suffer serious consequences if bad circulation is left untreated. Take steps to improve bad circulation and reduce symptoms.
Causese of Bad Circulation
Bad circulation is often caused by peripheral vascular disease (PVD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD). Both conditions are serious and require action to control the symptoms and address the problem.
Peripheral vascular disease is caused when blood vessels on the outside of the heart or brain narrow and restrict blood flow. Peripheral artery disease develops when fatty deposits are formed on the inside of the artery walls, slowing the blood flow.
Identifying Bad Circulation
Know the symptoms of bad circulation so you can take action to combat the problem.
- Cold feet and or hands
- Cramping in the calf muscles while awake and sleeping
- Cramping in the legs, feet and buttocks when active that gets better with rest
- Swollen, achy and tired feet
- Feet and hands fall asleep
- Varicose veins
- Skin that becomes blue, red or pale
- Infections that are slow to heal or don't heal at all
Risk Factors of Bad Circulation
Your physician will run tests that could include a medical exam, physical, X-rays and MRI to diagnosis the conditions associated with bad circulation. Once the diagnosis is made, you need to take action to correct the problem. If left untreated, bad circulation can lead to serious problems such as blood clots, heart attack, stroke and dementia. Some conditions that lead to bad circulation are diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Effects of Bad Circulation
Understanding the symptoms of bad circulation and talking with your doctor about the problem offer insight into fixing the condition. Treatment options are mostly lifestyle related and include getting regular exercise, stopping smoking, not sitting for long periods of time without moving, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, and keeping your feet and hands warm.
If you are diabetic, keeping your blood sugar in the normal range is the best way to help alleviate circulation problems. People with high blood pressure and high cholesterol will also benefit from medication that helps blood flow.
Significance of Bad Circulation
Everyone needs to understand the symptoms and dangers associated with bad circulation. If you are suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned in this article, seek medical attention. Bad circulation can be treated and quality of life improved.
