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.
Learning About Mild Concussion Treatment
Research shows that concussions are often associated with people involved in sports. Most people involved in high-contact or high-risk sports are known to suffer from concussions and brain injuries due to regular head impact. In this article we will discuss mild concussion treatment options, as well as the possible causes.
What is a Concussion?
A concussion refers to a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that may occur after a blow to your head. It can also happen after a whiplash-type injury that causes your head and brain to shake quickly back and forth. It may result in temporary loss of normal brain function or an altered mental state that may include unconsciousness.
What Are the Causes of a Concussion?
The brain is made of soft tissue, therefore specific head impacts from falling, getting hit, or being in an accident can cause the brain to move around in your head. Concussions are caused by such direct trauma to the head. When this occurs, it may lead to bleeding, damage to the blood vessels, and injury to the nerves.
Concussions do not always involve passing out or a loss of consciousness. In many cases, people with a concussion never lose consciousness. In several cases, external signs of head trauma, such as bleeding, may also be absent. You should see a doctor immediately if you experience direct trauma to your head.
As earlier mentioned, people who participate in high-impact sports such as football or boxing have an increased risk of getting a concussion. Although concussions are not usually life-threatening, they may result in serious symptoms that require medical treatment.
Common Symptoms of Concussions
Symptoms may vary from person to person and usually depend on the severity of the injury and the person injured. A concussion can affect memory, judgment, speech, balance, reflexes, and muscle coordination. People with concussions often suffer from a brief period of amnesia or forgetfulness; this means they cannot remember what happened immediately before or after the injury. The most common signs of a concussion may include:
- Memory problems
- Confusion
- Double vision or blurred vision
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Drowsiness or feeling sluggish
- Dizziness
- Balance problems
- Slowed reaction to stimuli
The symptoms may begin immediately, or they may not develop for hours, days, weeks, or sometimes even months following the injury. The following symptoms can also occur during the recovery period after a concussion:
- Irritability
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mild headaches
When to See a Doctor
Although some concussions are less serious than others, experts advise that mild concussions should not be taken lightly. Most people may recover quickly following a concussion, while some can have symptoms lasting for several weeks. You should, however, seek urgent medical attention if:
- You keep having persistent headaches
- You experience slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination
- You suffer from incessant nausea or repeated vomiting
- You have seizures
- You experience any loss of consciousness
- Your symptoms keep worsening
- You have a history of multiple concussions
Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Concussions
Due to hidden symptoms in some cases, concussions may sometimes be difficult to diagnose. Symptoms may not appear for days or weeks after the injury. Some symptoms may last for only a few seconds after the impact, while others may linger. Whatever the case, it is important to see a doctor to get diagnosed early and take the proper steps to treat the injury.
Mild concussion treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms. In severe cases that involve bleeding in the brain, swelling of the brain, or a serious injury to the brain, you might need surgery or other medical procedures.
However, most concussions do not require surgery or any major medical treatment. The doctor may only give self-care instructions to follow. For mild concussions, some of these helpful instructions include:
- Take time to rest. You need to stop whatever caused the concussion immediately because resting is key. If you resume the activity too soon, you risk a greater chance of having a second concussion, which can worsen the damage. You have to rest for your brain to heal properly.
- Avoid repeat concussions. Successive concussions can have severe consequences such as brain swelling, permanent brain damage, long-term disabilities, or even death.
- Use medicine as prescribed. Treat pain with aspirin-free medications as prescribed by the doctor.
- Revisit your doctor. If the symptoms do not stop, please go back to the doctor.
Safety Precautions that Help to Avoid Concussions
A concussion is often difficult to prevent because it happens unexpectedly. However, there are safety precautions you can follow to lessen the possibility of a traumatic brain injury:
- When participating in high-contact or high-risk sports, wear protective equipment, as they increase the likelihood of a concussion. You can wear a helmet, headgear, padding, mouth guards, and eye guards to help safeguard against traumatic head injuries.
- Drive and ride smart by always wearing your seat belt, avoiding excess speed, and never driving when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Remove hazards in the home that may contribute to falls, e.g., installing window guards and blocking stairways.
- Avoid fights. Concussions are often sustained during an assault, and more men than women report traumatic head injuries.
- Exercise regularly to help you keep fit and maintain a better balance. It can give you stronger leg muscles and better balance, which can help prevent falls.
- Look out for other important safety precautions as the need arises.