Poor Blood Circulation And The Warning Signs That Come With It
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It’s human tendency to pay attention to the external changes their bodies go through instead of the internal ones. For example, if you suddenly gain weight, you will be alarmed. But, if you get a headache, you wouldn’t care much, although it could suggest a deeper issue! Similarly, poor blood circulation is a health issue most of us don’t stop to think about even when it could be a sign of other health problems.
Health issues such as obesity, high blood pressure, smoking addiction and diabetes can alter your blood flow. This is not favorable as your body needs a healthy flow of blood for it to stay fit and function properly. Hence, it’s vital for you to be aware of the signs of poor blood circulation, which we’ve listed below for your convenience-
In This Article
1. Tingling Sensation Or Numbness In Your Limbs
When blood supply is restricted, you may feel that tingling sensation or numbness in your hands and feet. A pins and needles feeling might arise too. If this happens once in a while, it’s okay. However, if it turns into a regular thing, a health issue might be the underlying cause. That’s why, this seemingly minor discomfort shouldn’t be taken lightly.
2. Impaired Cognition
According to the Journal of Geriatric Cardiology, reduced blood flow to the brain coupled with a significant change in your blood pressure can lead to cognitive deficiency (1). To put it simply, it means that your brain won’t be able to perform its functions as it should. As a result, you may suffer from poor memory, concentration levels or even bad decision-making. Needless to say, these problems can severely impact the quality of your life.
3. Digestion Issues
Poor blood circulation in your body can manifest itself and give rise to digestion issues. A buildup of fat in the walls of your blood vessels can hinder blood flow to the organs in your abdomen, according to the Cleveland Clinic (2). This in turn, can lead to digestive problems such as diarrhea, severe abdominal cramps, and bloody stools. This is a serious matter and you should consult your doctor immediately if you face this symptom as it can be life-threatening.
4. Loss Of Appetite
Blood is what your gastrointestinal tract needs for the proper digestion of the food you eat. If the gastrointestinal tract doesn’t get enough blood, your appetite will decrease dramatically. The National Lung, Heart, and Blood Institute states that a condition known as vasculitis, in which blood vessels swell up, can impact your hunger adversely (3). So, if your appetite reduces all of a sudden for no apparent reason, you should fix up an appointment with your doctor to figure out if poor blood circulation is the issue.
5. Fatigue
Fatigue is such a common thing that most people will blame it on work pressure or busy lives, and not think twice about it. However, fatigue is not as simple a thing as it sounds. If your blood lacks in oxygen, your muscles might feel more tired than usual, leading to fatigue (4). In fact, poor blood circulation can even slow down your recovery after a workout session. Of course, that will lead to the unwillingness to work out again.
6. Pain
Ever felt your hands and feet to be too cold? That happens when the blood supply to limbs is quite low, causing a condition known as Raynaud’s disease (5). This disease can make your hands and feet ache. While subjecting your body to heat can be a temporary solution, you’ll have to dig deeper if you want to cure this kind of pain.
7. Inflammation
Since we’ve talked about pain, we can’t rule out inflammation. These two go hand in hand. Lack of blood supply to the various parts of your body can cause them to swell up, leading to edema (6). This happens particularly in your ankles and legs as the blood builds up near your feet, forcing your blood vessel fluid to go around your tissues. Those who experience poor circulation due to heart issues may notice swelling in the abdominal area as well.
8. Angina
A type of heart condition, angina takes place when the blood flow to your heart is dramatically reduced (7). This can cause pain in the chest, specifically on the left side. Breathlessness may also occur if you’re afflicted by this condition. According to research, one of the symptoms of unstable angina is coronary circulation insufficiency (8).
Poor blood circulation is a serious issue. If you notice one or more of these symptoms in yourself, you should visit your doctor to know what’s wrong. If poor blood circulation turns out to be the cause, your doctor will refer you to a specialist so you can receive proper treatment. Timely cure can save you a lot of trouble. Take care!
