When blood isn't flowing properly, your extremities will fluctuate in temperature. The restricted blood flow is what causes the numbness, and the blood not being able to return to the heart properly can cause swelling. Your skin might also appear pale or blue because of a lack of blood flow.
But if you feel run-down or experience frequent fatigue, it could indicate a problem with poor circulation. Poor circulation affects more than just your energy levels, however. In itself, poor circulation isn't a problem, but some of the ways it can affect you are more serious.
One way nurses assess circulation is by checking the pulse, the temporary swelling of an artery as blood passes through with each heartbeat. Capillary refill is also part of a circulation assessment, which is the time it takes for blood to return to a finger or toe after the blood supply is pinched off.
Signs and symptoms
People with poor circulation may notice their feet feel cold or numb. They may also notice discoloration. The feet may turn red, blue, purple, or white. These symptoms may worsen in certain situations, such as when a person sits still for long periods of time or goes outside in cold weather.
Poor circulation leading to a lack of oxygen reaching your vital organs, including the brain and the heart, can have serious consequences. The danger to your mental, as well as your physical, health cannot be overemphasized.
Gravity can pull blood down into your legs when you sleep on your back, which can pool there and cause swelling. But when you sleep on your side, blood can flow easily through the legs. This can help to reduce swelling and improve circulation. Also, sleeping on your side can help prevent varicose veins from worsening.
As the arteries harden, a substance called plaque builds up within the arterial walls, narrowing them. Left untreated, this can reduce or even stop blood flow to a limb, leading to tissue death and possibly amputation.
The main culprit behind poor blood circulation in the legs is peripheral artery disease, or PAD. PAD is caused by plaque accumulation in the arteries that supply blood to your legs and feet. While this may seem like a minor issue, PAD can lead to gangrene and amputation if left untreated.
Anxiety can cause changes to the heart rate and blood circulation. A faster heart rate makes it easier to flee or fight, while increased blood flow brings fresh oxygen and nutrients to the muscles. When blood vessels narrow, this is called vasoconstriction, and it can affect body temperature.
Arterial Doppler Ultrasound
A Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images that highlight blood flow in the leg arteries.
If a person is concerned about poor blood flow, they may want to avoid foods that are processed, or high in sugar, fats, or salt.
But circulation can get worse for a number of reasons, including conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and peripheral artery disease (PAD), or weight gain and age. When your circulation isn't working the way it should, some parts of your body may not get the nutrients they need. Varicose veins.
Circulation problems
Dizziness can result from a blood flow problem. If you cannot pump sufficient oxygen-rich blood to the brain, you can feel lightheaded and even faint. Low blood flow may be caused by blood clots, heart failure, arterial obstructions, and irregular heartbeats.
Drinking plenty of water is important for our general health, as well as a wide range of health conditions. Water also helps blood flow around the body and, in doing so, can boost circulation. Warm water is thought to be better in this instance as chilled water can close up the veins.
Packed with potassium, bananas can help improve blood flow by lowering blood pressure. Too much sodium in your diet can cause high blood pressure, but potassium helps the kidneys remove extra sodium from your body, which then passes through your urine. This helps relax blood vessels and enable blood flow.
Pomegranate Juice
This juice also has nutrients, including vitamin C, which strengthens blood vessels and can improve blood flow in that way. Pomegranate juice also has nitrate, which can widen blood vessels and facilitate blood flow.
Sometimes the only way to know if your arteries are clogged is to undergo a screening test such as a carotid Doppler ultrasound, which can check for blockages that might put you at risk of a stroke.