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.
Treatment for Meniere's Disease
Meniere’s disease is very rare; it affects only 0.2% of the population in the U.S. While there is no cure, there are different treatment methods that help manage the condition and lessen symptoms. This article will explain what the disease is, what the symptoms are and possible treatments for Meniere’s disease.
What is Meniere’s Disease?
Meniere’s disease involves the accumulation of fluid in the inner ear, specifically the cochlea and the vestibular organ. The inner ear is responsible for balance and hearing, which is why the symptoms of Meniere’s disease are related to these abilities. However, there are many reasons for hearing loss, so it is not a direct indication of this disease.
Most people with Meniere’s disease are older. It usually affects people between the ages of 40 to 60. The occurrence of Meniere’s disease is roughly equal among genders, with some studies showing that females have a slightly higher chance of developing it.
Treatment for Meniere’s Disease
Currently, there is no known cure for Meniere’s disease. Treatment for Meniere’s disease will offer relief but is dependent on the symptoms of each individual person. Talk to your doctor about what option would be best for you. The following are some treatments for Meniere’s disease.
1. Lifestyle Changes and Remedies
Changing your lifestyle can have an impact on your overall health, as well as help improve specific symptoms. These changes can include changing your diet by decreasing salt intake and avoiding caffeinated drinks, alcohol and cigarettes.
2. Medication
Various medications can be used depending on which symptoms need to be addressed. Diuretics can be given to help reduce fluid in the inner ear. For patients who experience dizziness and tinnitus, medications such as betahistine can be given if diuretics do not solve the problem. Some medications can also be given as injections in the inner ear. These are usually reserved for severe cases and include the injection of steroids.
3. Medical Procedures
Hearing aids can be given to patients who are experiencing hearing loss. Other medical procedures include pressure pulse treatment or the Meniett device. This delivers pulses of pressure via an earpiece. The Meniett device is portable and noninvasive, which is why it is an option for people with Meniere’s disease.
For extreme cases or cases that do not respond to conservative management, surgery is offered by doing either endolymphatic sac surgery, vestibular nerve section or labyrinthectomy.
Endolymphatic sac surgery is done to decompress the endolymphatic sac and maintain the pressure within the inner ear. A vestibular nerve section involves cutting the vestibular part of the cochleovestibular cranial nerve. Labyrinthectomy involves the removal of parts of the semicircular canals and the vestibule.
Each of these surgeries has its own risks, with labyrinthectomy leading to complete hearing loss on the affected side, so it is only considered when no other treatment options are available.
Meniere’s disease may not be bothersome if diagnosed and managed early. Episodes of vertigo and hearing loss eventually stabilize in the later years. However, hearing loss can be permanent in some patients.
Thankfully, there are many treatment options for people with this condition. It is important to be aware of this disease so that affected people can be directed to the right specialists.
Symptoms of Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease has a classic triad of symptoms: vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss. Some symptoms, such as hearing loss, may occur slowly over time, whereas other symptoms, like vertigo, can occur suddenly.
Vertigo or spinning sensations that people experience can be very severe and may occur randomly. They bother most people because daily tasks can be affected. The duration of vertigo can vary — some episodes occur for minutes, while others last hours. Another thing that makes these vertigo attacks difficult to deal with is that they are unpredictable, and there is no way of knowing when they will occur.
On the other hand, tinnitus is what is commonly known as ringing in the ears. Some people can also experience buzzing, whistling, or hissing sounds.
Finally, hearing loss can occur due to the fluid buildup that affects the sensory cells of hearing. In Meniere’s disease, hearing loss often affects lower frequencies, although some people may experience permanent hearing loss.
Meniere’s disease can be debilitating. Aside from the unpredictable vertigo attacks, a small percentage of people with Meniere’s disease can experience a sudden sensation of falling, also known as drop attacks. These are also unpredictable and can be dangerous, as sudden falls can cause physical injuries.
Final Notes
Meniere’s disease can sometimes be hard to diagnose. Because the symptoms are common and happen for several reasons, they tend to overlap with other diseases. Furthermore, some people may think it is normal to have episodes of dizziness and not immediately seek treatment. Others may also not notice the presence of symptoms like hearing loss due to its gradual occurrence and progression.
This can delay a consult and prompt diagnosis. It is important that if you experience these symptoms, be seen by a physician so they can refer you to a trained ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.