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.
What Are Childhood Cancer Symptoms?
Cancer in children is slowly becoming one of the most common causes of illness. Donations to cancer charities and research groups helps fund invaluable work in discovering new treatments and cures.
According to the World Health Organization, about 400,000 children between 0 to 19 years of age receive a cancer diagnosis each year around the world. Those who live in high-income countries have an 80% chance of survival. In contrast, those who live in middle- or low-income countries have an estimated 15–45% chance. These survival rates reflect access to cancer screenings and prompt treatments. The sooner cancer is diagnosed, the sooner you can start treatment.
High-income countries have access to all the necessary tools and medication to begin treatment plans, but those in the middle- or low-income countries do not. Nevertheless, even for those in the latter group, one factor that significantly improves their survival chances is whether the cancer symptoms are caught in their early stages.
Recognizing childhood cancer symptoms is essential when it comes to fighting back against cancer. In this article, we’ll go over common symptoms to look for, and how to seek proper treatment.
Understanding Childhood Cancer Symptoms
Before we begin, understand that there’s no standard list of symptoms for all types of cancer. Different types of cancer have different symptoms, and these symptoms will also vary between patients. However, there are some common symptoms the body exhibits initially that you can look for.
The most common types of cancer in children include brain cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, Wilms tumor, and neuroblastoma. These all affect different parts of the body. For each of these types of cancers, the symptoms listed below are the most common:
- A strange bump, unusual lump, or sudden swelling in any part of the body
- Sudden paleness and loss of energy
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Sudden ongoing pain in one section of the body
- An unexpected fever or unexplained illness that won’t go away
- Frequent terrible headaches often accompanied with vomiting
- Unexplained bouts of vomiting
- Feeling tired all the time
- Back or joint (bone) pain that won’t go away
- Sudden vision or eye changes
- Trouble urinating, or blood in their urine
- Unexpected weight changes or weight loss
Keep in mind that these symptoms are very common and similar to that of other diseases or basic illnesses. But, for a child, any or all of these symptoms are concerning. Take your child to the doctor if any of these symptoms are present.
What Happens Next
While hospitals do offer cancer screenings, there are, unfortunately, no recommended screening tests for children.
In that case, the right choice would be to go to your child’s pediatrician and get a consult. After they’ve performed a comprehensive medical exam, proper checkup, and received the results from your child’s blood work, they will be able to tell further what your child is suffering from.
But if your pediatrician does not find a solution, they may ask for further consultation with a specialist. It’s also your right to ask for a second or third opinion, so getting a specialist would be a good choice.
Keep in mind that if you suspect cancer, there is a chance that you may be at risk as well. Some specific types of cancers run in families through genes, so you or your child’s other parent may be at risk. However, unless you’ve never had a medical consult, this is highly unlikely.
What Causes Cancer in Children?
Unfortunately, when it comes to detecting the cause of childhood cancer, there is no known cause. Some studies that have tried to identify the source have concluded that lifestyle or environmental factors may be to blame.
In addition, chronic infections, especially if some experience it in their childhood, such as Epstein-Barr virus, malaria, and HIV, can also increase the child’s chances of developing cancer.
As stated above, genetics play a significant factor as well. Further research is needed to determine which types of cancer would have a greater chance of getting carried on through the gene,
Closing Thoughts
Knowing that a child has cancer is a terrible thought that no parent—or child—should go through. For those who may suspect the worst, your best chance at getting a favorable outcome is to have cancer diagnosed early.
Be aware of cancer symptoms and be quick if you detect any such problems in your child’s health. An early diagnosis and timely treatment can make the difference between a healthy life and needless suffering.