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.
Is Endometriosis Genetic?
It’s not uncommon for people to feel some discomfort or pain before, during, and after their menstrual cycle. However, if you find this pain extreme or consistent, there may be underlying medical problems worth addressing. It’s important you talk with your doctor about any reproductive health concerns so you can get the treatment you need to feel better and stay healthy. Many people are surprised to learn that their pain is caused by a condition called endometriosis.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition referring to the abnormal development of the endometrium. The endometrium is the tissue that lines the uterus. This tissue is normally different from tissues in the surrounding organs of the reproductive system.
However, abnormalities sometimes result in tissues similar to the endometrium growing beyond the uterus. Endometriosis manifests itself differently between individuals. Most often, cases involve tissue abnormalities in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the pelvic region. In severe cases, tissue may expand beyond this area.
The condition may result in several different symptoms, including:
- Dysmenorrhea — painful periods are common for many people; however, excessive or extreme pain is sometimes the result of a medical condition. Discuss painful periods with your physician.
- Painful intercourse — many different factors cause sex to be painful. Pain during or following intercourse is sometimes a sign of endometriosis.
- Heavy bleeding — very heavy bleeding or intermenstrual bleeding (bleeding between periods) should be discussed with a primary care physician.
- Infertility — although not everyone that experiences endometriosis has problems getting pregnant, infertility is a common symptom. Many individuals who have endometriosis discover their condition when consulting with a fertility doctor due to difficulties conceiving.
Those with endometriosis may also suffer from diarrhea, constipation, nausea, bloating, or loss of energy. Sometimes, these symptoms are only present during the menstrual cycle. The severity of symptoms varies between individuals, and while some may suffer from severe symptoms, others only experience mild troubles. In many cases, endometriosis is ignored or misdiagnosed as a “normal” period.
How Do I Get Diagnosed for Endometriosis?
Early diagnosis of endometriosis is key to getting treatment and managing symptoms. In addition to the physical exam where doctors ask you questions about your condition, diagnosing endometriosis requires several physical evaluations.
Pelvic Exam
In a pelvic exam, a trained medical professional will manually feel your pelvic area. They do this to determine any abnormalities around your pelvic such as cysts or scars. While this can help, many times, an endometriosis examination requires additional diagnostic tests.
Ultrasound
Ultrasounds use sound waves to create images of your internal anatomy. This technique is incredibly useful for capturing images of internal organs, including those of the reproductive system. Standard ultrasounds may help detect cysts, but transvaginal ultrasounds are more common for diagnosing endometriosis. It involves using a transducer, a unique camera device used in ultrasounds. Doctors may press it directly against your abdomen or insert it into the vagina.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is another popular technique used to capture the body’s internal images. Rather than using high-frequency sound ways, MRI machines use a strong magnetic field and radio waves to capture detailed pictures of internal tissues.
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopes are like cameras meant to allow surgeons to see inside of the body. Physicians make a small incision and insert the device inside your body to see direct pictures of your internal anatomy without exposing your internal organs.
What Causes Endometriosis?
There are several different reasons why an individual may have endometriosis. While it is difficult to determine the exact cause of a particular case of endometriosis, scientists have found several explanations to explain the condition.
Retrograde Menstruation
When an individual experiences a period, their menstrual blood that contains endometrial cells expel from the body. With retrograde menstruation, these cells would go back into the pelvic cavity and thicken and grow.
Peritoneal Cell Transformation
Peritoneal cells, which normally line the inner side of your abdomen, undergo a transformation into endometrial-like cells during maturation.
Scar Attachment
Following a medical procedure resulting in a scar forming around the reproductive area, such as during a cesarean delivery (C-section), endometrial cells attach to the scar and continue to flourish.
Blood Flow
Vessels may carry endometrial cells to other areas in the body.
Other Conditions
There is also a theory that other people do have endometrial cells growing outside of their uterus occasionally, but their body knows to attack it and prevent growth. Individuals suffering from immune disorders may not have the fighting power to prevent this growth.
Is Endometriosis Genetic?
Researchers found a strong connection between cases of endometriosis and genes. If an individual has a mother, sister, or grandmother who has endometriosis, the chances of her receiving a diagnosis significantly increases. If you believe you or a loved one may be suffering from endometriosis, make an appointment with your physician.