Causes of Poor Circulation Problems

The circulatory system functioning well is vital to health. Without arteries carrying oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, organs and tissues cannot thrive. The circulatory system is made up of veins, arteries, capillaries and blood. The blood is pumped by the heart throughout the network of blood vessels to the rest of the body. When anything impedes the flow of blood traveling to or from the heart, the entire circulatory system is impacted and problems develop.

Identification

• Symptoms of circulation problems vary according to the cause, but most often symptoms are seen in the body extremities, especially the legs or feet, as they are most distant from the heart. Common symptoms include leg pain, weakness, numbness or cramping, pain or weakness in your arms (especially after physical activity), coldness in one lower leg or foot, discoloration of your legs, hair loss on your lower legs and feet, changes in the appearance of your toenails, chest pain comparable to a heart attack, symptoms of stroke such as sudden weakness or numbness, slurring of speech and drooping of facial muscles.

Arteriosclerosis/Atherosclerosis

• These related conditions, often referred to interchangeably, are the most common causes of circulatory problems. When too much pressure has been building up in the arteries, the artery walls begin to harden. This eventually leads to a reduction of blood flow to the organs. This is arteriosclerosis. When fat builds up in the arteries, restricting blood flow, this is atherosclerosis. Both conditions typically occur over time and may not present symptoms until a medical emergency such as a stroke or heart attack reveals the problem. Regular physicals and a healthy lifestyle, particularly a smoke-free one, will help prevent serious incidents in many cases.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

• This common circulatory condition causes narrowed arteries, which results in reduced blood flow to the arms and especially the legs. Frequently, the main symptom of peripheral artery disease is pain or cramping when walking, especially in the calves. The pain abates after resting. Peripheral artery disease or PAD is often connected to the condition atherosclerosis. If atherosclerosis is not the culprit, it could be due to a blood clot or a limb injury. Those at risk include the obese, smokers, diabetics and those with high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Diabetes

• One side effect of diabetes is reduced blood flow to extremities due to a narrowing of the arteries. When blood flow is inadequate, it is difficult for wounds to heal properly. Infection can set in, giving rise to the threat of amputation. To prevent such problems from occurring, a diabetic patient needs to watch for signs of poor circulation and use preventative techniques. These include regular check ups to watch for signs of poor circulation, good foot hygiene and careful trimming of toenails, good diet and prompt medical treatment of injuries.

Polycythemia Vera

• In this blood disorder, the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells. This causes a thickening of the blood, which then results in poor circulation. This is a rare disorder that develops gradually and often has no symptoms for a long time. It is frequently diagnosed from a blood test done for other reasons. However, it is a serious condition that requires treatment. While its early stages will remain silent, symptoms can develop such as chest pain, breathlessness when lying down, dizziness, headaches, itchiness, and numbness, tingling and weakness or burning in the extremities. It may cause blood clots, which can lead to a stroke.

Treatment

• Poor circulation can be treated, but the treatment will depend on the cause. With diabetes, watching for infection from circulation problems is crucial. With arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis, lifestyle changes and medication or possibly surgery such as a bypass or angioplasty may be required. The treatment for peripheral artery disease is similar. In all cases, a healthy lifestyle will have a definite positive effect on any condition.