Pain in the legs, tingling and swelling should not be seen as normal. They need treatment and may be signs of poor blood circulation, responsible for triggering complications such as varicose veins and thrombosis....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Caused by the accumulation of fat on the walls of the arteries, it is more common in women, especially those who are over the ideal weight and habitually take the contraceptive pill.
The situation is aggravated by the cold, as low temperatures cause the arteries to contract, making it difficult for the blood to pass through. This article acquaint you with the symptoms and prevents for poor blood circulation according to experts at Healthline.
Symptoms
– Leg ulcers. Wounds that are difficult to heal, generally painful and circular in appearance, with variable depth, which almost always appear after small traumas.
– Swelling. Swollen hands and feet can be signs that the vascular system is not working properly.
– Discolouration of the skin. When the blood supply is compromised, the skin may change colour. This symptom is called cyanosis, where the skin looks shiny and has a bluish tinge.
– Hair loss and brittle nails. Weak and falling hair, very dry skin and brittle nails are clear signs that the body is not getting the right amount of nutrients.
– Weakened immune system. The body’s ability to detect and fight disease-causing agents is influenced by blood flow. This can lead to increased healing time of injuries and wounds.
– Cold hands and feet. When the blood flows properly, the body temperature is maintained. If the flow is slow, it causes a feeling of cold, especially in areas with large nerve endings, such as hands and feet.
– Tiredness. When the blood flow is lower, the oxygen and nutrients to feed the muscles decrease and the body gets tired more easily. This symptom is characterized by shortness of breath, pain in the muscles and less stamina in daily activities.
– Erectile dysfunction. Men with poor circulation have insufficient blood flow to the reproductive organs, making it difficult to have satisfactory sexual intercourse.
– Angina pectoris. Angina is marked by a decrease in blood flow to the heart and causes intense pain and tightness in the chest area.
– Lack of appetite. Which leads to weight loss, a common symptom of poor circulation.
– Confused thinking. The brain is largely dependent on blood flow to function properly. Poor circulation leads to increased mental fatigue and affects short and long-term memory.
– Numbness. Increased numbness in the limbs, a sensation that doesn’t last for just a few minutes.
How to improve blood circulation
Take note of some basic measures that help prevent and even treat poor blood circulation:
Wear comfortable clothes. Avoid garments that compress the muscles, as well as tight shoes.
– Eat foods rich in fibre. Eat foods that aid digestion, preventing increased abdominal pressure and weakening of vein walls, which reduces the risk of constipation, varicose veins and haemorrhoids.
– Keep your legs elevated. Raising your legs a little while sitting up and keeping them elevated for a few minutes when lying down helps the blood return well to the veins. Sleeping with your feet on a pillow is also advisable.
– Exercise regularly. Regular exercise benefits blood circulation because muscles when exercised compress the veins, pushing blood to the upper body.
– Opt for foods with polyunsaturated fats. Unlike saturated fats, they reduce viscosity, increasing the fluidity of the bloodstream, help regulate blood pressure, vasodilation and blood clotting.
Polyunsaturated fats are found, for example, in fatty fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel or in vegetable oils (corn, soybean, sunflower). It is important to try to reduce your intake of dairy products and red meat and sausages.
– Keep the body hydrated. Drinking between two and three litres of water a day facilitates the elimination of toxins and improves circulation.
– Avoid excessive heat. Being exposed to very high temperatures or for a long period of time harms blood circulation, as the blood capillaries suffer vasodilation, causing tiredness, swelling and pain in the extremities.
Doing relaxing massages. The technique favours blood circulation and improves tissue irrigation.
Wear elastic stockings. Daily use of elastic compression stockings improves blood circulation, helping the blood to rise to the heart.
Stop smoking. Nicotine damages the arteries and favours the appearance of varicose veins.
Check cholesterol levels. High cholesterol makes it difficult for the blood to pass through the arteries and generates the symptoms of bad circulation.
If the symptoms persist for three consecutive months, consult an angiologist, a specialist indicated to diagnose and treat problems related to blood circulation.
Thanks for reading; Like share and comment your opinions in the comments section below.
