One might have heard that certain things or conditions can cause poor blood circulation. The blood circulation system in the human body is responsible for distributing nutrients, oxygen, and blood. So poor blood circulation can be described as the inadequacy of blood flow in certain parts of the body and you may experience the symptoms associated with it. There are many causes of poor blood circulation including blood clots, plaque buildup, narrow blood vessels, and obesity which creates obstacles for your blood flow to reach every part of your body efficiently. Poor blood circulation can obstruct the cycle of oxygen and nutrient distributions to your blood cells and the process of carrying away the waste from them. 

Just like a delivery driver who experiences delays and problems during his route of delivery, your blood flow can experience roadblocks when something goes wrong with some part of the delivery system. Hence the parts which are at the longest distance from your heart can experience the first symptoms of poor blood circulation like your toes and fingers. This is directly proportional to the fact that your blood cells are not getting adequate oxygen and hence they can’t function well. This condition often results from other health issues and hence it’s important to treat the underlying causes of these symptoms. In this article, we will talk about the causes of poor blood circulation so that proper treatment can be offered to the body.

Causes of Poor Blood Circulation:

  • Blood clots: A blood clot may obstruct or restrict blood flow. Blood clots may form everywhere in the body, but when they form in the arms or legs, they can create difficulties with blood circulation. A blood clot may be life-threatening, particularly if it occurs in the lungs or brain. It might possibly result in a stroke. When this occurs, the consequences may be severe or even fatal. Often, a blood clot may be effectively treated if it is detected before it creates a more severe condition.
  • Smoking: Chemicals in cigarettes harm your blood arteries, increasing your risk of atherosclerosis. When your blood presses with great force on the walls of your blood vessels, this might weaken them. This makes it more difficult for blood to circulate through them.
  • Atherosclerosis: Plaque that contains fat and cholesterol piles up inside your arteries, limiting blood flow.
  • Diabetes: You may believe that diabetes just affects your blood sugar, but it may also lead to impaired circulation in some areas of the body. Too much glucose in the blood might damage the blood vessels. Diabetes is a prevalent illness that produces muscle cramping due to inadequate circulation and numbing feelings in the arms and legs.
  •  Deep vein thrombosis: Deep vein thrombosis is characterized by the formation of a blood clot in the leg, which restricts blood flow.
  • Pulmonary embolism: A blood clot breaks off in your leg and travels to your lung, preventing blood from reaching your lung.
  • Peripheral artery disease: PAD narrows the blood vessels and arteries, which worsens the body’s circulation difficulties. The plaque inside your peripheral arteries decreases the volume of blood that reaches your legs and feet. In a disease known as atherosclerosis, arteries and blood vessels harden owing to the accumulation of plaque. Both disorders reduce blood flow to the extremities and might cause discomfort.
  • Varicose veins: Varicose veins occur when veins widen due to a valve malfunction. When blood pressure rises, it may cause damage to the vein walls and valves. In varicose veins, blood may flow in the opposite direction. It most often affects the legs. The injured veins cannot perform their function of transporting blood throughout the blood circulation system, resulting in an impaired system.
  • Raynaud’s disease: Those who suffer from chronically chilly hands and feet may have Raynaud’s disease. This condition involves constriction of the tiny arteries in the hands and feet. Narrowed arteries are less able to transport blood throughout the body, therefore you may develop signs of impaired circulation. The symptoms of Raynaud’s illness are often triggered by cold weather or extreme stress.
  • Obesity: Carrying around excess weight puts a strain on the body. Sitting or standing for hours may cause circulation difficulties in overweight individuals, particularly while sitting, standing, or lying down for extended periods. Obesity may also put you at risk for medical conditions that reduce blood flow, such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

Poor blood circulation is more than a mere health problem or irritation. It is not something that should be disregarded, as it may indicate additional health issues. Consult your primary care physician if you have poor circulation and one or more of the additional symptoms listed.

By Manali