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.
Stage 3 Kidney Disease Explained
In this article we look at the most common symptoms of kidney disease. If you've ever wondered, “what is stage 3 kidney disease?” then you are in the right place.
Do you think you or someone you know might have it? This article will explain what kidney disease is, the causes and symptoms, and we will go over how someone can get a proper diagnosis and begin treatment.
Symptoms of Kidney Disease
The early stages of kidney disease may not have any noticeable signs or symptoms. However, as kidney disease progresses, more symptoms are evident. Usually, when symptoms of kidney disease appear, there is a significant loss of kidney function.
Some of the symptoms are nonspecific or can be a result of other diseases, but other risk factors can lead to a suspicion of kidney disease. Symptoms of late stage kidney disease may include:
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Weight loss
- Itching or numbness of the skin
- Fatigue, or feeling tired most of the time
- Changes in behavior or sensorium
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Pallor or anemia (low hemoglobin count)
- Decreased amount of urination
- Sleep problems
- Swelling of extremities or generalized swelling
Understanding Kidney Disease
Put simply, kidney disease occurs when there is damage to the kidneys. The kidneys are bean-shaped organs that are responsible for the filtration of blood and remove waste through the production and excretion of urine.
Kidney disease can be acute or chronic. Acute kidney disease usually lasts days or weeks, while chronic disease lasts months to years. As a person gets older, the chances of getting kidney disease increases, especially if that person has any risk factors, which may include:
- Comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Family history of kidney disease
- Congenital disorders or abnormal structure of the kidney
- Old age
It is important to detect kidney disease early so that appropriate treatment can begin. This will help prevent permanent damage to your kidneys and help avoid life-changing treatment, such as dialysis.
What Causes Kidney Disease?
There are many different causes of kidney disease. Some are genetic, while others are acquired or due to a person’s environment and lifestyle.
The most common causes of kidney disease include diabetes and high blood pressure. Diabetes causes kidney disease by damaging the filters of the kidney, which leads to the leaking of important substances, such as a protein that is needed by the body.
Hypertension causes kidney disease by damaging the blood vessels of the kidney. These injuries make the kidney do a poor job of filtering wastes and in severe cases leads to the buildup of harmful toxins in the body.
Other causes of kidney disease may be infections, toxins, drugs, or congenital or autoimmune diseases. Examples of other causes of kidney disease may include:
- Autoimmune diseases, such as Goodpasture’s disease or nephritis from lupus
- Genetic conditions, such as Alport syndrome or polycystic kidney disease
- Infections and their complications, such as pyelonephritis or glomerulonephritis
- Drugs or toxins, such as lead poisoning
- Renal artery stenosis
Stages of Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease is when there is an irreversible injury to the kidneys over a long period. It has five different stages which represent the condition and function of the kidney.
Stage 1 kidney disease occurs when the disease has just begun, and stage 5 indicates complete kidney failure. As the disease progresses, your kidneys have a harder time filtering your blood, and if it progresses to stage 5, they stop functioning altogether.
According to the American Kidney Fund, stage 3 kidney disease occurs when a patient’s estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is between 30 and 59. There is moderate kidney damage, but they are still able to function.
Symptoms do not usually show in stage 3 kidney disease. However, if you experience any swelling in the hands or feet, back pain, or frequent urination, it could be an indication. Don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your doctor if you feel like something is off.
Stage 3 Kidney Disease Diagnosis
During stage 3, the damage to the kidneys is moderate and the loss of kidney function is evident. As mentioned above, a patient’s eGFR values are found to be in the range of 30 to 59.
Other laboratory examinations can be used to determine kidney disease as well. These include checking a protein called albumin in your urine, which is not usually present in patients with normal kidneys. Albumin is normally filtered and stays in the blood, but in patients with kidney disease, due to the damage to the kidneys, it leaks out. Checking the albumin not only helps determine if kidney disease is present, but also evaluates response to treatment.
A patient’s kidneys can also be evaluated through imaging, especially if the cause may be genetic.
Is it the end of the world if you are diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease? Despite having a noticeable change in kidney function, there are still things that can be done.
The goal for patients with this stage of kidney disease is to avoid further progression. Kidney disease will worsen over time if nothing is done to prevent its progression. This is important because kidney damage can be permanent.
Treatment Options for Kidney Disease
It is important to identify kidney disease because early detection can prevent progression to irreversible kidney damage. Stage 3 kidney disease can usually be cured without dialysis or a kidney transplant.
There are medical and non-medical options for kidney disease, but the goals of therapy are to treat the underlying cause and to prevent further progression of kidney disease. Medications to control hypertension and diabetes are wide and varied. Other medications to treat other causes of kidney disease are also available (for example, antibiotics for infection).
Further medications can be given for complications of kidney disease (iron supplements for patients with anemia, calcium supplements, and medications to induce urination for those with decreased urine). A consult with a nephrologist who specializes in kidney disease is also important.
Non-medical options include changing diet and lifestyle. These include decreasing salty food intake, increasing physical activity, stopping smoking, and stay within the ideal body weight. These changes are important for patients with Stage 3 kidney disease because they will help halt progression.