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 Nail Fungus
Nail fungus, in the simplest of terms, is a fungal infection that impacts your toenails. You can also get nail fungus on your fingernails, although it is uncommon. While not serious, nail fungus can lead to brittle nails which may eventually fall off. So, what can you do about it?
In this article, we’re going to examine what nail fungus is and treatment for nail fungus.
What is Nail Fungus?
Nail fungus, as mentioned above, is an infection that often appears as a yellow spot under the nail. When this infection spreads, the nail may fall off. Additionally, if the fungus impacts the skin, it is known as “athlete’s foot.”
Some common symptoms of nail fungus include:
- Thickening nail.
- Yellow, brown, or white discharge.
- Distorted nail.
- Brittle or “crumbling” nail.
- A foul smell.
The main cause of nail fungus is dermatophyte fungi. While you can get fungus at any age, it is more common to happen in people later in age. It’s theorized that reduced blood flow and weakened immunity may play a role in the development of nail fungus. Additionally, heavy sweating is associated with the development of fungus.
5 Treatments for Nail Fungus
It’s important to treat nail fungus to avoid it from getting worse. Most cases also won’t resolve on their own. Here are a few medical and home remedies you may want to consider:
1. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has many uses. And if you’re into the all-natural realm of things, this might be the route you want to take to treat your nail fungus. Some research, via small clinical studies, demonstrates that tea tree oil could potentially treat nail fungus.
Apply tea tree oil to the nail twice daily, using cotton swabs or something similar.
2. Snakeroot Extract
Snakeroot extract is used medicinally for a variety of reasons, including high blood pressure and mental illness. It’s also shown great promise in treating nail fungus due to its potent anti-fungal effects. In fact, research even shows how snakeroot extract might be more effective than the commonly prescribed ciclopirox.
3. Vicks VapoRub
This one might come as a bit of a surprise! However, Vicks VapoRub, which includes eucalyptus and camphor, may have a positive effect on nail fungus, and studies even back this up.
Like other remedies, applying this once or twice a day directly to the nail can help your fungus disappear.
4. Oral Anti-Fungal Drugs
If you book a visit to your doctor, they may prescribe you medication that targets the fungi, such as terbinafine and itraconazole. These oral drugs help a healthy nail grow in after the fungus-infected part of the nail grows out.
Unfortunately, these medications must be taken for about 6–12 weeks for them to be effective. In some cases, it may even take four months for the fungus to disappear with oral medication.
Additionally, you want to be cautious using these medications since they can have various side effects including liver damage and skin rashes. For those with skin conditions and liver diseases, your doctor probably won’t recommend these drugs and may opt for more all-natural remedies.
5. Medicated Nail Polish or Nail Cream
Ciclopirox is one of the most common prescriptions for nail fungus. Like nail polish, you simply paint it on your nail once each day. You do this for a week, before wiping it off with alcohol and starting the process over again. For severe cases, an individual may have to do this for a year or more.
Then, there are nail creams that are antifungal. These are usually applied after you’ve briefly soaked the nail. For this option, you can get over the counter or prescription creams.
Preventing Nail Fungus
While treatment can help you combat a current fungus infection, what can you do to prevent a future one? Here are a few tips:
- Make sure to wash both your feet and hands regularly.
- Trim your nails and file them down regularly.
- If you sweat excessively, change your socks.
- Wear shoes that allow your feet air to breathe.
- Wear flip-flops or swim shoes in changerooms and shared pools.
- Avoid nail polish and fake nails.
In severe cases of nail fungus, surgery may be required to remove the nail and apply the topical medication directly to the affected area. Additionally, removal of the nail may be necessary if your pain becomes debilitating.