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.
What Causes Tardive Dyskinesia?
Mental health is something that is very much highlighted nowadays and rightfully so. Thankfully, we now have a variety medication and treatment options to help treat diseases, but sometimes they can have certain side effects. One example of this is a condition called tardive dyskinesia. So, what cause tardive dyskinesia? It may sound very foreign, but it is one of the usual side effects of certain medications for mental or mood disorders. In this article, you will find out what tardive dyskinesia is, what its symptoms are, what causes it and how it is treated.
What is Tardive Dyskinesia?
Tardive dyskinesia is a syndrome that affects the brain and nerves. It is characterized by involuntary movements of the arms, legs, or limbs, as well as involuntary gestures, such as sticking out of the tongue and sudden and repetitive blinking of eyes. Tardive dyskinesia is a side effect of taking antipsychotic medications which are used to treat people with conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and other mental health or mood-related disorders. Cases have been increasing over the past years and around 500,000 people are affected in the U.S. Not everyone who takes antipsychotic medications will experience it, but it can occur in some people.
What Are the Symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia?
Dyskinesia is a medical term for involuntary movements of the body. People with tardive dyskinesia may experience a sudden stiffness of muscles in portions of their body, causing jerky movements that they cannot control. This can occur in the muscles of the face and mouth. This includes fast blinking of the eyes, uncontrolled sticking out of the tongue, uncontrolled movements of the mouth, such as chewing, puckering the lips, puffing out cheeks and frowning.
Dyskinesia of the limbs can also affect extremities, causing uncontrollable wiggling of the fingers, tapping of the feet on the floor, flapping of arms, thrusting out of the pelvis and swaying from side to side. These movements can be fast or slow, but they can affect daily activities and some affected people will find it hard to work. This condition is hard to diagnose because symptoms may take months or years to appear and can occur even with the discontinuation of medication.
Tardive Dyskinesia Causes
Antipsychotic medications treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, depression and other brain conditions. These are also called neuroleptic drugs. These medications block the neurotransmitter dopamine, a chemical messenger of the body. Having a small amount of dopamine in the body causes jerky and uncontrolled movements seen in this condition.
The antipsychotic drugs or medications that can cause tardive dyskinesia are the following:
1. Haloperidol
This medication is used to treat various and certain mental or mood disorders like schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. This medication helps you to think clearly, feel less panic and prevents suicidal thoughts in people who are likely to harm themselves. It can also be used to treat Tourette’s syndrome, which also involves uncontrolled movements or twitching.
The side effects of Haloperidol include:
- Dizziness.
- Drowsiness.
- Lightheadedness.
- Difficulty urinating.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Headaches.
- Anxiety.
2. Fluphenazine
This is an antipsychotic drug that is used to treat schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions and hostility.
Using this medication can cause side effects such as:
- Upset stomach.
- Weakness or tiredness.
- Excitement.
- Anxiety.
- Insomnia.
- Nightmares.
- Dry mouth.
- Changes in appetite.
- Skin sensitivity.
- Rashes.
If the following symptoms occur, like constipation, difficulty in urinating, excessive sweating, jaw, neck and back muscle spasms, irregular heartbeat and fever, consult a doctor.
3. Risperidone
Also known as Risperdal, this is used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia as well as episodes of mania, aggression, self-injury and sudden mood changes. This is usually given to teenagers and children aged 5 to 16 years of age who have autism.
Risperidone has side effects such as:
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Constipation.
- Heartburn.
- Dry mouth.
- Stomach pain.
- Dreaming more than usual.
- Agitation
- Anxiety.
4. Olanzapine
Also known as Zyprexa, this is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and teenagers. It is also used to treat bipolar disorder.
Its side effects include:
- Dizziness.
- Depression.
- Weakness.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Weight gain.
- Constipation.
- Pain in joints.
- Late or missed menstrual periods.
- Decreased libido.
Serious side effects include seizures, changes in vision, swelling of muscles, excess sweating and difficulty in swallowing. If these symptoms occur, consult a doctor.
Treatment Options
Proper diagnosis is helpful in order to treat tardive dyskinesia early. The best way to avoid it is not taking any medication that can cause the condition. If the medication cannot be avoided or no alternative medications are available, the medicine can be given by starting with the smallest possible dose.
Natural remedies and adjuncts can also help, but there is no scientific basis that they are beneficial and needed in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia. Natural remedies include ginkgo biloba, melatonin, vitamin B6 and vitamin E.
If prescribing antipsychotic drugs cannot be avoided and symptoms occur, the two FDA-approved medications to treat tardive dyskinesia include Deutetrabenazine and Valbenazine. Both of these medications work in similar ways to regulate the amount of dopamine flow in the brain area in order to control certain movements in the body. Just like management of mood and mental disorders, managing tardive dyskinesia is also done on a case-to-case basis. At the end of the day, your doctor will prescribe what is best for your situation.