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.
Diabetic Macular Edema Explained
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a complication of diabetes that occurs when excess fluid starts to build up in the eye's macula. The macula is the part of the eye that allows us to focus and see fine details, and it is located in the retina, which is full of blood vessels. High blood sugar levels can damage the retina's blood vessels. The damaged blood vessels then begin to leak fluid, thereby causing swelling and other complications. This damage is called retinopathy and generally develops over time.
What Causes Diabetic Macular Edema?
As earlier stated, DME usually occurs due to high blood sugar levels. Other factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels can also contribute to blood vessel damage. In other instances of diabetes, pregnancy may also increase the risk of developing DME.
Risk Factors
Since DME results from high blood sugar levels, it is common for people with diabetes, especially uncontrolled diabetes, to be at risk for DME. Additional risk factors that can lead to DME include:
- Poor blood sugar management
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Kidney disease (nephropathy)
- Sleep apnea
- Pregnancy
Associated Symptoms of Diabetic Macular Edema
In its early stages, there may be no symptoms. However, if you have diabetes, it is important to see an eye care doctor every year so they can examine your eyes for any changes. If you also notice any sign of retinopathy or DME, early treatment can prevent or restore vision loss. Let’s take a look at some of the common signs and symptoms of diabetic macular edema:
- Blurry or blocked central vision
- Distorted or "wavy" central vision (called metamorphopsia)
- Seeing floaters or strings of floaters in your vision
- Blind or dark areas or spots in your field of vision
- Difficulty reading at any distance
- Colors appear more washed out than usual
When to Call the Doctor
Call your eye doctor right away if you notice any of the above symptoms. Be sure to tell your eye doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Blurry vision
- Seeing colors that look washed out
- Seeing more floaters in your vision
- Double vision
Diagnosis and Different Treatment Options
Diabetic macular edema can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. There are effective treatments available for DME. Be sure to talk to your doctor to find the right option that will work for you. If you have received a DME diagnosis, ensure that you start treatment quickly to help prevent long-term eye damage and vision loss. Your doctor can recommend any of the following treatments:
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy involves the use of tiny lasers to target damaged areas in the retina. This process seals leaking blood vessels and prevents abnormal blood vessel growth. Laser therapy is effective in maintaining your current vision level and helps prevent further loss of vision. You’ll likely need several laser treatments overtime to repair eye damage and may require additional treatments if more eye damage occurs.
Anti-VEGF Shots
When you have DME, your body tends to produce a protein called VEGF in excess. When this happens, your blood vessels begin to grow too quickly; so, they are weak and leak blood and fluid into your retina and macula.
There are three types of anti-VEGF medicines usually used for DME; they include aflibercept (Eylea), bevacizumab (Avastin), and ranibizumab (Lucentis). These Anti-VEGF shots help to inhibit the effects of the VEGF protein. However, anti-VEGF shots may not be helpful for everyone and should not be used during pregnancy.
Focal-Grid Macular Laser Surgery
This treatment type works by sealing blood vessels in your retina to slow leaking and bring down swelling. If you have DME in both eyes, your doctor will treat one eye at a time, usually within a few weeks. In some cases, a laser may be used along with anti-VEGF shots if the shots alone are not helping.
Corticosteroids
These drugs are often called steroids and are used to target inflammation. They are usually prescribed to help lessen swelling in your retina. Steroids are usually not as effective as anti-VEGF shots, and they can cause other eye problems, like cataracts and glaucoma. They are not traditionally given as first treatment.
NSAID Eye Drops
Doctors sometimes use eye drops as a preventive measure for DME before or after you have eye surgery. These drugs are called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) because they help fight inflammation like steroids but do not have the same side effects. Doctors usually prescribe NSAIDs to prevent or ease swelling.
Can Diabetic Macular Edema Be Prevented?
You may not be able to prevent macular edema if you have diabetes, a pre-existing eye condition, or have suffered an eye injury in the past. However, you can follow the nutrition and lifestyle recommendations from your health care provider to avoid developing diabetes in the first place. You will likely be advised to do the following:
- Keep your blood sugar level under control. Check your blood sugar level several times a day (ask your doctor exactly how often). The American Diabetes Association recommends people with diabetes keep their A1C levels under 7%.
- Stop smoking or do not start. Ask your doctor for help quitting. Smoking increases your risk of diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and blocked retinal blood vessels. All those toxins damage the eyes’ tiny vessels.
- Exercise often. Try not to go more than two days between exercising. If you do, the glucose-metabolizing effects of physical exercise will wear off.
- Eat healthy. Follow your doctor's nutritional guidelines but, in general, avoid junk food and fast food, and try to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, especially dark, leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and collard greens.