Circulation Problems & Symptoms

Blood circulation is the highway from which all the body's oxygen and nutrients come. Consequently, any problems with the circulatory system affect every part of the body within the system. In most cases, problems with the circulatory system spring from years of bad lifestyle choices, and it can take as many years to fix the problems.

Causes

• Generally, problems with blood circulation spring from the combined force of an unhealthy diet and failure to exercise for an extended period of time. Without exercise, muscles all over the body are unable to quickly move the blood back to the heart from the veins, and the fatty deposits on the heart caused by unhealthy foods block the flow of blood from the heart. In addition, too much cholesterol from unhealthy foods also adversely affects the circulation; cholesterol increases the viscocity of the blood and impedes its normal flow through the veins.

Heart

• One of the primary victims of poor circulation will be the heart itself. The fatty build-ups, called plaques, create high blood pressure and chest pain. This will cause the heart to become weaker in its role in circulation, leading to increased difficulty in completing physical tasks. The rise in cholesterol involved in poor circulation also increases the risk of developing a cardiovascular condition.

Brain

• The brain is one of the primary benefactors of the circulatory system, receiving about 20% of the blood being circulated at any given time. Without this allotment, you could lose maximum brain function. This could result in acting lazily or finding it difficult to concentrate or complete mental tasks. In addition, your memory may begin to suffer, and you might begin to experience headaches and attacks of dizziness.

Other Organs

• Other key organs can suffer from poor circulation. First, a lack of blood slows the liver, creating a dull complexion and a lack of appetite that could result in severe weight loss. In the kidneys, poor circulation results in a further rise of blood pressure and a feeling of exhaustion. The kidneys could also affect the limbs, causing them to swell. The limbs have other problems with poor circulation, since they could go numb or begin to cramp often. In addition, varicose veins or cyanosis (the blackening of skin) also result from a lack of blood in the hands and feet.

Sexual Energy

• Poor circulation even affects the sex drive and reproductive organs. A constant feeling of fatigue can permeate every aspect of life, while an overall lack of vitality could dampen arousal. In addition, poor blood circulation could result in impotence.