Symptoms of Poor Circulation In this article, we will focus on the symptoms of poor circulation and when you should seek medical help. Signs of Poor Circulation 1. Varicose Veins If the valves in the veins of the legs are damaged, your blood will find it difficult to get back to the heart. This results in engorged veins and will eventually cause varicosities in the legs. Varicose veins are more common to those who regularly stand for long periods. 2. Painful Muscle Cramping The most common symptom of poor circulation is claudication, described as muscle discomfort or painful cramping, particularly in the legs. This is felt when you exercise or walk and usually disappears after resting your legs. The muscles that are most involved are the hips, thighs or calves. Claudication happens if there is a hindrance to the normal blood flow. For example, in atherosclerosis, where there is a buildup of cholesterol plaques in the blood vessels, the muscles cannot get enough blood during physical activity. The cramping pain is the muscle’s way of warning you that it is not getting enough blood during exercise to meet its increased demand. 3. Numbness or Weakness Reduced blood flow to different body parts may cause slow and irreversible damage to the nerves, which may be felt as tingling, numbness or weakness in that area. This is particularly alarming because having numbness on the extremities decreases your skin’s sensitivity to pain. As a result, there may be instances where your skin has already been damaged or wounded, but you cannot feel it. 4. Temperature Differences in the Extremities Poor circulation can lead to fluctuations in your skin’s temperature regulation. For example, reduced blood flow to your hands or feet may make them colder than the other parts of your body. To assess the temperature of your skin, you can use the back of your hands for a more accurate assessment. 5. Wounds That Do Not Heal or Heal Slowly Wounds heal by the different components and cells delivered through the bloodstream to the affected area. When blood flow is compromised, the healing process takes much longer and may even lead to infections. Even the slightest break in the skin may lead to catastrophic changes that could lead to amputation, especially in people with diabetes. 6. Change of Skin Color When there is insufficient blood flow, the skin may appear pale or blue (cyanosis). The change of color in the skin indicates that the oxygen-rich blood is unable to reach those tissues. The commonly affected body parts that may have this symptom are the toes, fingers, palms, soles and lips. [youmaylike] 7. Poor Hair or Nail Growth Hair and nails need the nutrients in your body to keep them healthy. Nutrients are delivered to the hair and nails through the blood. Therefore, any blockage or hindrance of the normal circulation of blood may affect the growth of healthy hair and nails, which can lead to hair loss or poor nail growth. 8. Shiny Skin on Legs Shiny skin on the legs can indicate that the skin stretched due to excess fluids in the legs. Poor circulation can cause blood pooling in the legs, resulting in fluid leakage from the blood vessels to the surrounding tissues. In turn, the skin will stretch, giving it a shiny appearance. 9. Weak Pulses When blood flow is restricted, the usual, brisk pulses on the extremities become weaker. Doctors usually include this in their physical examination to rule out any peripheral arterial disease. 10. Erectile Dysfunction in Men The penis is made up mostly of blood vessels. Penile erection happens because the arteries of the penis are filled up with blood to elongate and stiffen the organ. When there is poor circulation, blood cannot fill up the blood vessels in the penis. Most cases of impotence are a complication primarily of the arterial system. What is Poor Circulation? Poor circulation is not a condition in itself, but having any of its symptoms may indicate more serious conditions, such as: Peripheral artery disease (PAD). Uncontrolled diabetes. Blood clots. Atherosclerosis (buildup of fatty deposits in the vessels). Heart conditions. Having poor circulation may not be apparent initially. Still, whether you experience symptoms or not, it is important to be aware of them early on to help detect the underlying cause. For example, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle and obesity are all factors that increase the likelihood of a person experiencing poor circulation symptoms. In Review The symptoms of poor circulation may vary for each person. In general, conditions that cause poor circulation are easier to treat when your doctor detects it early. If you experience any of these symptoms and suspect that it may be caused by a dysfunction in your normal blood circulation, it is essential that you see your doctor for assessment and treatment right away.
Caffeine Allergy Symptoms
Chugging a Red Bull during a basketball game, drinking coffee in the morning, having a cup of tea at the end of the night—that is what dreams are made of when you have a caffeine allergy. You may experience caffeine allergy symptoms and not even know it.
Although it plays a small part in your daily diet, caffeine has a significant role in improving your health. A report published by Harvard Medical School explains that coffee consumption leads to a decreased risk of type II diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cirrhosis, colon, liver, and uterine cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease.
While your caffeine-loving mind may love these dramatics, the truth is that caffeine is not a part of the essential food groups. So, even if you give up on caffeine, you won't experience any earth-shattering changes.
Caffeine Allergy Symptoms
Remember that caffeine sensitivity and caffeine allergies are not the same.
Caffeine sensitivity occurs when your body is slow to metabolize caffeine, so you experience caffeine's effects differently. In comparison, caffeine allergies cause a range of varied reactions. For example, some of the physical symptoms caused by caffeine allergies include:
- Hives
- Lip, mouth, and tongue itchiness
- Swollen tongue or lips
- Headaches
- Heart palpitations
- Nervous jitters
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Stomach pain and diarrhea
- Muscle tremors
These symptoms typically develop within hours of exposure and are usually treated with antihistamines. But for those who experience severe allergic reactions such as coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing, that calls for further medication.
Your doctor will tell you not to ingest any food or drink with caffeine in it. But, they will also recommend staying away from self-care products that may contain caffeine. This includes bath bombs, lotions, and skincare products.
Do I Need to See a Doctor for a Caffeine Allergy?
The worst thing you can do if you suspect a caffeine allergy is to self-diagnose your condition.
If you've consumed caffeine before and are suddenly experiencing symptoms, that is concerning, and will require a medical check-up. Once your doctor conducts a skin patch test and diagnoses a caffeine allergy, you should only think about cutting caffeine from your diet.
Your doctor will provide you with a list of products that contain caffeine—such as tea, coffee, chocolate, energy drinks, soda, diet soda, vitamin supplements, and some medications—so that you can avoid them in the future. They will also be able to explain why you are experiencing these allergic reactions.
What Can Cause a Caffeine Allergy?
Specific diets, medication, vitals, biochemistry, and age, in addition to a variety of factors, can impact your response to caffeine.
If you're an active caffeine drinker, there's the chance that you may have exhausted your adrenal glands, which may be causing other symptoms. If you develop a caffeine allergy over time, it's also possible you may have had caffeine intolerance all along, and it may not have reached its peak yet.
With caffeine allergies, it's unfortunately difficult to diagnose them definitively because they are rare. If your doctor asks you to skip all caffeinated food and drinks from your diet, and you see a positive response, it may confirm the diagnosis that you, indeed, have a caffeine allergy.
Managing Effects of Caffeine Withdrawal
If you've consumed caffeinated products regularly your whole life it won't be easy to manage your withdrawal from them, but it won't be impossible.
In the beginning, you will experience symptoms such as:
- Tiredness
- Headaches
- Shakiness
- Irritability
Remember that caffeine is a drug, so you will need to be patient when moving on from its use. Within two weeks, you will find yourself feeling much better. However, if you can't find a source of energy or a way to help you stay alert, here are some things you can do:
- Take breaks from staring at the screen. Instead of causing eyestrain by staring at the computer or your phone, moving away from the screen or closing your eyes and resting them will help you feel refreshed. If you can, get up from your desk and walk around for at least 5–10 minutes. You'll feel refreshed too.
- Drink water. A tall glass of water will make all the difference if you're feeling sleepy. Hydrating your organs will not only replenish the liquids you've lost during the day, but it'll also help you feel alert.
- Get enough sleep. 6–7 hours is enough to freshen up your mind. Whenever possible, take catnaps or close your eyes. Do what you can to give your overworked mind some rest.
- Eat a healthy diet. This doesn't mean that you give up your pizza but be sure to have balanced meals that fill your stomach.
Closing Thoughts
Your caffeine allergy will have no power over you if you follow the right tips. Stay true to your doctor's orders, and give your body some rest, so it can energize you when caffeine can't.
Trust these words: you will feel happier, healthier, and lighter, even without a cup of coffee in your hands!