This 10 Warning Signs of Poor Blood Circulation Will Give You The Right Message That You Must Be Aware Of!

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Good blood circulation is essential for good health.

Your blood helps transport nutrients and oxygen to every part of your body.

Did you kn ow that any problem with your circulatory system can lead to a variety of other health issues?

If left untreated, it can cause serious damage to your brain, heart, liver, kidneys and limbs.

You can have poor blood circulation for several reasons, with the most common being atherosclerosis, or “hardening of the arteries”, and peripheral artery disease (PAD).

It can also be a result of other health problems like diabetes, heart disease, obesity or blood clots.

Smoking, excess drinking, pregnancy and eating disorders can also make you more vulnerable to this condition.

We listed below the top 10 warning signs of poor blood circulation:

1. Cold Hands and Feet - proper blood flow helps maintain a healthy body temperature. When blood flow is interrupted, the body cannot maintain its normal temperature, resulting in cold hands and feet.

Note: Other common causes of cold hands and feet are an underactive thyroid, Raynaud’s syndrome and peripheral neuropathy. If you have cold extremities without any known reason, consult your doctor to find out the exact cause.

2. Numbness in Hands and Feet - feeling numb in certain body parts, especially in the extremities (hands and feet) can also be a sign of poor blood circulation.

Note: You can also have numbness due to constant pressure on your hands or feet, exposure to cold, temporary nerve compression, a sedentary lifestyle and a nutritional deficiency of vitamin B12 or magnesium.

3. Erectile Dysfunction - in men, poor blood circulation leading to reduce blood flow in the reproductive organs may also cause contribute to erectile dysfunction. This problem is characterized by consistent problems in achieving or sustaining an erection.

Note: ED is often associated with atherosclerosis. Hence, it is suggested that men suffering from this problem should see their doctor to be evaluated for cardiovascular disease.

4. Persistent Fatigue and Tiredness - fatigue is a common side effect of physical exertion and many medications. However, a constant feeling of fatigue and tiredness may also indicate inadequate blood supply to different body parts.

Note: Other causes of fatigue include excessive alcohol use, excessive intake of caffeine, inactivity, poor sleep, unhealthy eating habits, anxiety, depression, grief and stress.

5. Tightness or Heaviness in the Chest - your heart is responsible for pumping blood around your body, but to function properly the heart also needs adequate blood flow. Low circulation in the arteries to your heart causes tightness and heaviness in the chest.

Note: If you have chest pain, consult your doctor right away to prevent a potentially life-threatening medical problem.

6. Varicose Veins - varicose veins that appear in the legs can be a symptom as well as cause of poor circulation. Due to improper blood flow, pressure builds and causes the veins located just under the skin’s surface to become swollen, twisted and very visible.

Note: If you have varicose veins, it is essential to wear compression stockings to enhance proper blood flow. Also, consult your doctor to determine the exact cause and treatment.

7. Sudden Hair Loss - hair loss without any known reason is a clear sign that blood is not getting distributed properly around your body. When the scalp does not receive essential nutrients in the proper amounts, hair becomes thin, dry and starts falling out at a rapid speed.

Note: Other factors behind hair loss include aging, stress, excessive smoking, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalance, genetic factors, scalp infections, thyroid disorder, iron-deficiency anemia and chronic illnesses.

8. Swelling of Lower Extremities - mild cases of swelling in your feet can be due to sitting or standing in one position for long periods of time, high salt intake, malnutrition, obesity, aging, a sedentary lifestyle, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and pregnancy.

Note: When you notice any form of swelling in your feet, raise your legs above your heart level. The swelling will subside once the circulation improves. Consult your doctor if you have persistent or extreme swelling.

9. Skin Discoloring or Cyanosis - if your skin or lips turn blue, it clearly indicates low blood oxygen levels or poor circulation. This problem is also known as cyanosis.

Note: Sudden discoloration of the skin in babies can also be the first sign of congenital heart disease, so it’s important to seek medical advice immediately.

10. Weak Immune System and Slow Healing - a weak circulatory system will have a direct impact on your immune system. Due to poor circulation, the vitamins and minerals that your body needs to fight off infection are not distributed timely and in adequate amounts. This affects your body’s ability to detect and fight off pathogens.

Note: To improve blood circulation and boost your immunity, include exercise in your daily routine. As little as 20 minutes of walking five days a week can improve blood flow throughout your body.

Tips to Improve Circulation
- Avoid coffee and switch to green tea for general well-being.
- Don’t overdo your alcohol consumption.
- Quit smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Add nuts, seeds, cayenne pepper or black pepper, garlic, onion and ginger in your diet to stimulate your circulatory system.
- Always invest in a good pair of shoes that do not hamper proper circulation in your legs.
- Make physical exercise a part of your daily routine.
- Stress can also affect circulation, so take necessary steps to handle stress.
- Add a few drops of rosemary essential oil to ½ cup of warm olive oil and use it to massage your body, especially the extremities.
- Try constrast hydrotherapy (alternate hot and cold treatment) to promote proper circulation.
- Poor posture can contribute to poor circulation. Be sure to keep your spine straight while sitting or walking.

We hope that this brief article is informative to you, share this post so that you can also inform others about this and might help them a lot.