Poor circulation is a serious condition and needs immediate medical attention. If you have any concerns with poor circulation in your feet contact one of our podiatrists of Podiatry Care Specialists. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.
In this post
When should I be concerned about foot circulation?
Know the Warning Signs of Poor Circulation
Leg numbness or weakness. Tingling (a “pins and needles” sensation) An ulcer on the toe, foot, or leg or poor wound healing. Slower growth of hair on legs or complete loss of hair on the legs.
Can poor circulation in the feet be cured?
If you don’t do something about your bad circulation, it won’t get better on its own. In fact, it can get worse. But you can manage and improve your poor circulation with lifestyle changes, medication and surgery, if necessary.
How do you fix poor circulation in feet?
Here are 7 quick tips to improve blood circulation in the legs and feet:
- Walking. Walking is the simplest yet most effective exercise to help improve blood circulation in your legs.
- Stretching exercises.
- Different sitting positions.
- Compression stockings.
- Yoga.
- A massage.
- Sauna bath.
What do poor circulation feet look like?
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.
What are the symptoms of a blocked artery in your leg?
Symptoms include leg pain, numbness, cold legs or feet and muscle pain in the thighs, calves or feet.
Exams and Tests
- A whooshing sound when the stethoscope is held over the artery (arterial bruits)
- Decreased blood pressure in the affected limb.
- Weak or absent pulses in the limb.
What is the main cause of poor circulation?
Several conditions can lead to poor circulation. The most common causes include obesity, diabetes, heart conditions, and arterial issues.
What causes poor circulation to feet?
Poor Circulation in the Feet
Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs is can be caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is the result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries. Plaque buildup or atherosclerosis results from excess calcium and cholesterol in the bloodstream.
Is there medication for poor circulation?
Pentoxifylline is used to improve blood flow in patients with circulation problems to reduce aching, cramping, and tiredness in the hands and feet. It works by decreasing the thickness (viscosity) of blood.
Which vitamin is good for blood circulation?
Vitamin B-3, or niacin, can help improve blood flow in several ways. For example, it can: increase blood vessel function. reduce blood levels of bad cholesterol.
What kind of doctor treats poor circulation in legs?
Poor circulation most often requires a cardiologist for accurate diagnosis and treatment, and it is not easy to treat poor circulation without the assistance of a cardiologist. Therefore, it is important to see a cardiologist anytime multiple symptoms of poor circulation are present.
What causes poor circulation in your legs and feet?
Typically, with age, plaque, a sticky substance made up of fat and cholesterol, builds up in the arteries. This plaque causes hardening of the arteries resulting in poor circulation in legs. The inability for oxygen to flow throughout our body causes many problems.
How long can you live with blocked arteries in legs?
This risk means that one in five people with PAD, if left undiagnosed and untreated, will suffer a heart attack, stroke, or death within five years. Untreated PAD can have other serious consequences, including leg muscle pain, discomfort during exercise, and loss of mobility and independence.
What is life expectancy with peripheral artery disease?
If left untreated, PAD can result in the need for a major amputation of the foot or leg. This is most concerning because the life expectancy for 60% of PAD amputee patients is only 2 to 5 years.
Which leg is the main artery in?
The femoral artery is the major blood vessel supplying blood to your legs. It’s in your upper thigh, right near your groin.
Does drinking water help circulation?
Staying hydrated helps circulation by improving blood flow throughout the body. Warm water is particularly beneficial as it encourages the veins to expand, thus allowing more room for blood to flow. Chilled water, on the other hand, may cause the veins to close up.
What does poor circulation feel like?
One of the most common symptoms of poor circulation is numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. When something is restricting the flow of blood, and blood cannot reach the extremities in sufficient quantities, a person may also have a sensation of pins and needles.
Do socks help with circulation?
So, what does adding in a fluffy pair of socks do? Those cuddly duds warm your feet, relaxing and widening blood vessels that constricted while cold. This improved blood circulation in your overall body helps release more heat through your skin.
Can poor circulation reversed?
A new study by researchers at Indiana University published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise suggests that the impaired blood flow in leg arteries can actually be reversed by breaking up your sitting regimen with five-minute walking breaks.
What is the best home remedy for poor circulation?
Tips for improving blood circulation in your legs naturally
- Get walking. Walking is one of the best low-impact ways to get your circulation moving in a healthy way.
- Elevate your legs.
- Get into yoga.
- Stay hydrated.
- Wear compression stockings.
- Get a massage.
- Stretch it out.
- Take a bath.
What is the best thing for poor circulation?
What You Can Do To Boost Your Circulation
- Increase cardiovascular exercise.
- If you smoke, quit.
- Drink black or green tea.
- If you are anemic, take iron supplements or eat iron-rich food.
- Dry brush your body.
- Decrease stress.
- Include more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet.
- Wear compression socks and elevate your legs.