Heart attacks, strokes, and damaged veins are just some of the many health problems associated with poor circulation. Blood keeps the body and its organs functioning properly by delivering valuable oxygen and nutrients with the help of your circulatory system. When your circulation isn’t up to par, you might notice changes in your body that can severely affect your day-to-day life and can lead to larger problems down the road.
To determine if you suffer from poor circulation, here are some of the most common signs to watch out for:
Numb or Tingling Sensations: We’ve all experienced that pins and needles feeling that occurs when a foot or other body part “falls asleep.” While this is a normal sensation, experiencing it more frequently can indicate an issue with your body’s blood flow.
Memory Loss: Blood fuels every part of your body, including your brain. When circulation is poor your brain may not be getting enough oxygen and nutrients. This results in decreased cognitive function, which can affect clear thinking and memory.
Decreased Appetite or Digestive Issues: When your gastrointestinal tract does not receive proper blood flow it cannot break down and digest food efficiently. Since your body is metabolizing food slowly, or not at all, you’ll be less likely to feel hungry and more likely to experience nausea and bowel issues.
Lack of Energy: If your circulation is inadequate your body is not receiving the energy it requires to function. As a result, you may become tired and sluggish while your body tries to preserve the little energy it has left.
Cold, Discolored or Swollen Extremities: If your fingers and toes are always freezing, chances are your blood is having a hard time reaching those areas. You may also notice that your hands and feet begin to swell or turn a bluish color, which indicates an inability for your blood vessels to hold fluid or a lack of oxygen, respectively.
Weak Hair and Nails: In order for your nails and hair to grow long and strong, your scalp, fingers and toes must be filled with nutrient-rich blood. Brittle hair and chipping nails show signs that your blood is not delivering necessary nutrients.
Spider or Varicose Veins: Do you notice thin, weblike, purple veins just below the skin’s surface, or bulging rope-like veins on your legs? If so, that means that your blood is not circulating properly through your legs, vein valves are malfunctioning, and blood is pooling.
After reading through these signs and symptoms, are you concerned that you may have poor circulation? If so, see your physician immediately to determine proper treatments, and pay close attention to your vascular health. If you notice any unsightly or painful veins, Advanced Dermatology is here to help. As a leading vascular surgeon at Long Island’s #1 vein practice, Dr. John Gallagher offers corrective vein treatment procedures to patients throughout Long Island, Queens and the surrounding areas.