What happens when the pipes in your sinks become too lined with debris and residue? They don’t drain as easily. This is especially true if a large clog develops. The water will fill up the sink instead of running down through your plumbing. You can develop similar problems in your blood vessels. This causes poor circulation and it can have far-reaching consequences for your health.
Limited Flow
When you have this problem, decreased blood flow slows down the amount of vital blood that is able to reach some areas of your body. Typically, this affects your extremities, giving it the name peripheral vascular disease. It’s particularly common in your feet, where your circulation is naturally weaker. Something blocks or limits the flow of blood through the arteries leading to your lower limbs, depriving them of sufficient oxygen and nutrients.
Over time, this can allow damage and discomfort, especially when you’re active. You experience aching and cramping in your feet and legs when you move around. You may begin to struggle with this pain when you’re sitting as well as you circulation gets worse. Often, the surface of the skin on your feet becomes colder and may change colors. You may develop uncomfortable, tingling areas or numbness as well. This condition also puts you at high risk for slow-healing sores, like ulcers.
Weakened blood flow can have many different underlying causes and varying factors that play into the problem. Diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, thyroid issues, and obesity can all lead to peripheral vascular disease. These pre-existing conditions cause a stiffening in your arteries. They can also cause plaque build-up or clot formation, progressively blocking blood flow to specific areas. For people with diabetes, circulatory issues are often tied to neuropathy. The same elevated sugar levels that damage your blood vessels and contribute to poor blood flow also damage your nerves.
Age certainly affects the condition as well. You’re more likely to struggle with insufficient circulation in your feet the older you become. A lack of exercise, a poor diet, and smoking habits also increase the chance that you’ll develop blood flow issues over time. Fortunately, you can take steps to eliminate the discomfort in your feet and legs, as well as prevent more serious damage.
Improving the Arteries
You’ll need to have your lower limbs checked for blood clots or complications from your poor circulation. Dr. Noah Levine will use different tests to check your blood flow. He will also help you look for an underlying cause that led to the issue. Then, he can help you develop a plan to increase your circulation and protect your lower limbs.
Exercise is key for dealing with peripheral vascular disease. The more your heart pumps, the more blood is able to push through to your feet and ankles. We can help you establish a foot-safe exercise program. You’ll need to take extra care to prevent puncture wounds and other damage to your feet, too, since circulatory issues decrease your immune system, making it harder to recover from injuries. This may include changes to your footwear. If you have bad health habits, you’ll need to work to correct them—like losing weight and quitting tobacco products.
Weakened blood flow can actually have long-reaching effects on your lower limbs. Don’t take your feet for granted. Peripheral vascular disease can cause significant damage if not addressed. If you already know you struggle with circulatory issues, or are concerned about aching or other symptoms you experience in your feet and legs, don’t wait. Contact us at Absolute Foot Care Specialists here in Las Vegas. Use our website contact page or call (702) 839-2010 to reach us for an appointment or for more information.
