Various Signs and Causes of Poor Circulation in Feet Dallas, Tx.
Majorly human body circulation system is responsible for sending blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout your body. When blood flow to a specific part of your body is reduced, you may experience the symptoms of poor circulation. Poor circulation is most common in extremities, such as your legs and arms.
Podiatrist Dallas, Tx says that hard to believe, but your body holds about 60,000 miles of blood vessels. Along with your heart and other muscles, they make up your circulatory system. This network of roadways carries blood to every corner of your body.
But when your circulation is poor, it slows or blocks the blood flow. That means the cells in your body can’t get all the oxygen and nutrients they need.
Aging and cold weather amplify these symptoms, so it’s particularly important to help seniors improve foot circulation in winter. Let’s see the causes and symptoms of poor circulation as well as tips to boost foot circulation.
Signs of Poor Circulation in Feet
When your limbs can’t get enough blood, your hands or feet may feel cold or numb. If you’re light-skinned, your legs might get a blue tinge. Poor circulation also can dry your skin, turn your nails brittle, and make your hair fall out, especially on your feet and legs.
The most common sign of poor circulation includes:
· tingling
· numbness
· throbbing or stinging pain in your limbs
· pain
· muscle cramps
Each condition that might lead to poor circulation can also cause unique symptoms. For example, people with peripheral artery disease may have erectile dysfunction along with typical pain, numbness, and tingling.
Causes of Poor Circulation in Feet
Podiatrist suggest that treatment for poor circulation in feet depends on the cause. Here are some of the most common causes.
Age
Unfortunately, there is some degree of circulatory impairment that is unavoidable with age due to baroreceptors becoming less sensitive and the aorta becoming thicker and less agile, which affects blood pressure.
Peripheral artery disease
PAD is a disease that affects veins and arteries outside of the heart and brain. It’s caused by atherosclerosis, which restricts blood flow to all extremities, but particularly the legs and feet. This disease can pose severe circulation problems.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) can lead to poor circulation in your legs. PAD is a circulatory condition that causes narrowing of the blood vessels and arteries. Both conditions decrease blood flow to your extremities and can result in pain.
Over time, reduced blood flow in your extremities can cause:
· numbness
· tingling
· nerve damage
· tissue damage
PAD is most common in adults over age 50, but it can also occur in younger people. People who smoke are at a higher risk for developing PAD early in life.
Obesity
Being overweight forces the heart to work harder to pump blood and also puts more weight on the feet, which may lead to circulation issues
Carrying around extra pounds puts a burden on your body. If you’re overweight, sitting or standing for hours may lead to circulation problems.
Being overweight or obese also puts you at an increased risk for many other causes of poor circulation, including varicose veins and blood vessel problems.
Blood clots
Blood clots block the flow of blood, either partially or entirely. They can develop almost anywhere in your body, but a blood clot that develops in your arms or legs can lead to circulation problems.
Blood clots can develop for a variety of reasons, and they can be dangerous. If a blood clot in your leg breaks away, it can pass through other parts of your body, including your heart or lungs. It may also lead to a stroke.
DVT is a blood clot that forms deep in the body, often in the leg, which inhibits or blocks blood flow to the feet. If the DVT breaks free, it can cause a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
Varicose veins
Venous insufficiency can happen at any age but is prevalent as we age due to damage or weakening of veins. It leads to fluid in the feet, engorged veins, edema, and potentially DVT, which result in circulation issues.
Varicose veins are enlarged veins caused by valve failure. The veins appear gnarled and engorged, and they’re most often found on the back of the legs.
The damaged veins can’t move blood as efficiently as other veins, so poor circulation may become a problem. Although rare, varicose veins can also cause blood clots. Women are also more likely to develop them, as are people who are overweight or obese.
Diabetes
Many people may think diabetes only affects your blood sugar, but it can also cause poor circulation in certain areas of your body. This includes cramping in your legs, as well as pain in your calves, thighs, or buttocks.
Diabetes can cause swelling, hypertension, and impaired circulation in the feet. It can also cause neuropathy, a separate condition with similar symptoms to circulation problems in feet.
Diabetes can also cause heart and blood vessel problems. People with diabetes are at an increased risk for atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Raynaud’s disease
People who experience chronic cold hands and feet may have a condition called Raynaud’s disease. This disease causes the small arteries in hands and toes to narrow. Narrowed arteries are less capable of moving blood through body, so you may begin experiencing symptoms of poor circulation.
The symptoms of Raynaud’s disease commonly occur when you’re in cold temperatures or feeling unusually stressed.
Other areas of your body can be affected besides your fingers and toes. Podiatrist, says that some people will have symptoms in their lips, nose, nipples, and ears.
Women are more likely to develop Raynaud’s disease. Also, people who live in colder climates are more likely to have it.
