Foot Circulation Problems

Foot circulation problems are caused by blockages in the arteries and veins both in and leading to the feet. While arteries transport blood away from the heart and spread it to other areas of the body, veins bring blood back to the heart (and lungs) for oxidation and a resupply of nutrients. Circulatory problems often occur in the feet because their veins and arteries are the furthest away from the heart. While peripheral vascular disease is the medical term used to cover a wide array of foot circulation conditions, more specific problems include arteriosclerosis, varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis and peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral Vascular Diseases

• Peripheral vascular diseases are characterized by reduced blood flow to the feet that cause oxygen-deficiencies in foot muscles. Symptoms include claudication, or a dull cramping in the calf muscles; a tingling or numbness in the feet or toes; changes in skin color and temperature; and skin infections or sores. In some cases, toenails will become brittle and thick. People with diabetes are the most at risk for peripheral vascular diseases, but people who smoke or have high blood pressure or high cholesterol are also at risk.

Arteriosclerosis

• Arteriosclerosis is characterized by the hardening of arteries, which restricts blood flow. According to FootcareDirect.com, arteriosclerosis is a leading cause of death in the United States. While healthy arteries are elastic and flexible, pressure can cause artery walls to become thick and rigid with plaque over time. Arteriosclerosis in the legs can cause leg and foot pain while walking and claudication. Treatments include cholesterol medications, antiplatelet medications, anticoagulants, blood pressure medications, and in some cases may require angioplasty (mechanical widening of the blood vessel), endarterectomy (surgical removal of plaque from an artery), thrombolytic therapy (breaking up blood clots) or bypass surgery.

Varicose Veins

• Varicose veins are veins with valve disruptions that are characterized by being irregularly swollen. While healthy veins prevent blood from moving backward and pooling in the feet or legs, varicose veins do not. The extra blood they are forced to hold causes them to swell, which can result in poor circulation to the legs and feet. Treatments include compression stockings, injection therapy, laser surgery and other surgical procedures.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

• Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a condition that causes blood clots to form in veins that are deep inside the body, usually in the legs. It can cause pain and warmth in the affected area, and it may also cause swelling in the leg, ankle and foot. Deep vein thrombosis treatments are designed to prevent blood clots from growing and from breaking loose. They include blood thinners, filters, compression stockings and clot busters.

Peripheral Neuropathy

• Peripheral neuropathy is the most common type of diabetic neuropathy, and often causes damage to the nerves in the legs and feet. Symptoms include numbness in the feet, a tingling or burning sensation that spreads from the bottom of the feet and toes upward, intensified sensitivity to pain, and muscle weakness that results in difficulty walking and balancing. All forms of diabetic neuropathy can be prevented and treated through the careful controlling of blood sugar.