Poor circulation to feet can cause cold feet, as well as swelling and cramping — and sometimes it may even be a sign of deeper issues like diabetes or high blood pressure.

You might have circulation problems if you have red toes, tingling in your feet, or hair loss on your legs. Also, blood clots in the leg can happen when veins are damaged, slowing or even stopping blood flow entirely. Controlling bad blood circulation in feet usually starts with managing unhealthy behaviors. Among them are smoking cigarettes, lack of exercise, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

 

The Science Behind Poor Circulation to Feet

Poor circulation to feet can settle in when the blood vessels in your legs become hard and narrow. Consequently, your feet and legs don’t get enough blood, thereby making it much harder for nutrients and oxygen to reach those areas of the body.

When waste products build up in your soft tissues, you’ll have poor circulation. The skin on the feet and legs can become thin and dry, hair can fall out, and feet can become cold. When you walk short distances, it can also hurt your calf muscles. If poor circulation is present, foot and leg skin easily get infected, inflamed, and ulcerated.

It’s possible to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels by eating healthy, exercising often, and quitting smoking.

 

Poor Circulation to Feet: The Facts

A plexus of small veins with a diameter of 1 – 2 millimeters makes up the intricate network of your foot’s sole — a structure that’s key to understanding poor circulation to feet. From a functional and biological standpoint, the deepest veins in your foot are the most fascinating ones.

Multiple complex compartments that work like muscle pumps produce the energy needed for blood to overcome what is termed “hydrostatic pressure,” the distance between the heart and leg when you’re standing. This sophisticated network is an amazing part of everyone’s body, as it provides the oxygen and fluid needed to meet the most basic, yet complex, part of living every day. This includes walking.

Medical and health specialists have been experimenting with a variety of successful treatments for veins in the foot. Fortunately, these treatments for bad blood circulation in feet are based on long-term and reliable research.

 

Causes of Poor Circulation to Feet

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD) can cause poor circulation to feet. What’s more, cold feet due to poor circulation, foot pain from poor circulation, and itchy feet due to poor circulation are usually all related to these main causes.

With PVD, your blood flow slows down and gets worse. PVD is caused by blood vessel narrowing, blockages, or spasms. Blood vessels outside the heart can be affected by PVD, including arteries, veins, and lymphatics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 10 million Americans have PVD. This condition, which affects nearly 20 percent of Americans over 60, can interfere with wound healing, especially in the lower extremities.

When it comes to PAD, plaque buildup results from too much calcium and cholesterol in the bloodstream. Atherosclerosis can be caused by other conditions as well, like obesity and inactivity. These conditions need to be handled once they’re detected. PAD and atherosclerosis can have similar symptoms. Mild cases are usually absent of any symptoms.

 

Some More Information on PAD and Other Diseases

PAD affects both men and women. The risk of PAD is higher among African Americans. However, there’s a possibility that Hispanics have a similar or slightly higher rate of PAD than non-Hispanics. In the United States, there are 6.5 million people over 40 with PAD. Atherosclerosis may not always be the cause of PAD and other health conditions can mimic those symptoms. There can be a restriction in the amount of blood flowing through the arteries because of this. Vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessels, can cause bad blood circulation in feet, as well as your legs.

When you experience stress or cold temperatures, Raynaud’s disease can make your fingers and toes feel icy or numb. Narrow arteries reduce blood flow to your skin, which in turn causes the symptoms.

High blood glucose levels for long periods can damage your blood vessels if you have diabetes. Those same high blood sugar levels can lead to foot ulcers and poor circulation to feet.

Do you have high blood pressure? Arteriosclerosis could be the cause. Artery sclerosis happens when the arteries harden so blood can’t flow easily. Symptoms include chest pressure, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, and confusion.

Lastly, physical inactivity and smoking can also cause poor circulation to feet.

 

Treatment for Swollen Feet and Poor Circulation

The underlying cause of poor circulation to feet needs to be handled. You should make an appointment with a health specialist for a complete exam.

Additionally, if you want to improve your foot circulation and live a healthier life as you start your treatment journey with a doctor, consider the following tips:

• Exercise often and get moving. You can’t beat walking for exercise. Avoid sitting for long periods. Get up and move by setting a reminder. Caffeine and alcohol can constrict your blood vessels, so you should try to avoid using both.
• Wear compression socks and raise your legs above your heart for 20 minutes a day to improve bad blood circulation in feet and reduce swelling. Socks like these apply pressure to the legs and feet, forcing blood back to the heart.
• Needless to say, you should try to kick the habit of smoking. Cardiovascular disease becomes more of a risk when you smoke.

You won’t get better on your own if you don’t do something about your foot circulation problems. Poor circulation to feet can get worse. With lifestyle changes and the right treatment options, you can improve your situation. It’s important to keep up with your medical appointments, take any medicines you’re prescribed, live a heart-healthy lifestyle, and know the warning signs of serious problems if you have poor circulation.

 

Something Extra

Here’s what you should ask your doctor:

• Should I take a baby aspirin every day?
• Can I just make life changes or do I need treatment?
• Can you recommend exercises and give more tips for living with foot circulation problems?

Look for a vascular specialist who offers noninvasive diagnosis and intervention, minimally invasive treatment, and state-of-the-art care by a highly skilled multidisciplinary team.

On a side note, remember that blood delivers oxygen and vital nutrients to cells, tissues, and organs throughout the body. Poor circulation to feet can also slow down wound healing, increasing the risk of infection. Supplements are not a treatment for circulation problems; however, they may help with symptoms for some people or generally support heart health.

You can research more about capsaicin, omega-3 fatty acids, beetroot powder, vitamin B3, L-arginine, garlic, curcumin, and more. Supplements don’t guarantee circulation problems will go away, but they may be worth trying. Some supplements and their benefits don’t have much evidence to back their ongoing use for specific health issues. The effectiveness of supplements depends on the underlying cause of circulation problems. A person who’s low in B vitamins might benefit from taking them. Those with underlying diseases might need to take steps to prevent or control those diseases.

Remember that coldness, itchiness, and pain are all signs of bad blood circulation in feet, but there’s more to it than that. A correct diagnosis will shed light on your specific underlying problem and cause.

Despite foot circulation problems that cause pain, numbness can be just as uncomfortable. When your feet become numb, it’s common to experience that pins-and-needles feeling.  Not only can this be uncomfortable, but that same numbness can cause balance issues and hide possible foot injuries.

 

Wellness and Pain

Poor circulation to feet should not be ignored, as it is a serious condition with daily implications for your life and health. You’re better off seeing a doctor who truly cares about you. An evaluation or treatment may include a nerve conduction velocity and electromyography (NCV/EMG) test for nerve damage, orthopedic leg pain remedies, trigger point injections, massage therapy, acupuncture therapy, or IV hydration.

Practitioners at Wellness and Pain confidently provide these important evaluations, apply their professional expertise, and offer the caring, sensitive, and proactive foot circulation treatment you need to improve any symptoms you are experiencing.

Best Solution for Varicose Veins: Causes and Treatment

What are varicose veins and how will you know which treatment is the best solution for varicose veins? Essentially, enlarged and twisted veins are what make up varicose veins. Although varicose veins can happen anywhere in the body, they are more commonly found in the legs.

Having varicose veins isn’t dangerous. However, they’re uncomfortable and they may worsen with time. Varicose veins can be quite noticeable, leading to feelings of embarrassment or discomfort. However, it’s important to know that there are several treatments available for enlarged or bulging veins, and even a cure for swollen or damaged veins.

Blood pressure in the veins causes varicose veins. Vascular one-way valves move blood toward the heart. When the valves in the veins are damaged or weakened, blood can collect in the veins. Veins enlarge because of this. Blood can pool in leg veins after sitting for a long time, increasing the pressure within them. Increased pressure can stretch your veins.

Some people call varicose veins “spider veins.” The red, blue, or purple spider veins that are visible just below your skin are a result of damaged blood vessels. There is really no need to worry about these damaged blood vessels. Usually, spider veins don’t cause any symptoms.  Similar to treatments for enlarged or bulging veins, there are ways to get rid of spider veins and feel better about your skin. “Telangiectasia” is the medical term for spider veins. You might see them in clusters that look like spider webs or tree branches.

Unless you don’t like their appearance, they don’t need treatment; however, they are usually easy to get rid of with treatment. You may also stop new ones from forming by making some lifestyle changes going forward. Nonetheless, you should look into the best solution for varicose veins.

Risk Factors May Help You Choose the Best Solution for Varicose Veins

Choosing the best solution for varicose veins is easier when you understand your risk of developing varicose veins. Certain families may have a higher risk of varicose veins due to inheritance. High blood pressure can cause varicose veins. People suffering from high blood pressure may be overweight or obese, aging, female, inactive, had a leg injury, are pregnant, smoke, or take hormonal replacements.

The medical term for having blood clots in the deep veins is “deep vein thrombosis” (DVT). There’s no connection between varicose veins and this condition. The reason for that is, varicose veins affect the veins close to the surface of the skin. With severe varicose veins, however, there’s a chance of getting blood clots. You need medical attention right away if you have blood clots. Blood clots not only hurt and cause swelling, but they can make your legs red. Occasionally, blood clots happen in the arms. Contact your physician if you have symptoms of a blood clot, as they can help you decide which treatment is necessary to bring about a cure for swollen or damaged veins which may end up forming blood clots.

This is where the best solution for varicose veins comes into play. Sometimes, a blood clot may break off and travel to the lungs, resulting in a condition known as “pulmonary embolism.” There is a risk of death if you have a blood clot in the lungs. This can cause chest pain, breathing problems, coughing (and blood coughing), fast heartbeats, sweating, and fainting. Don’t wait until the symptoms of a blood clot in the lungs get worse.

Is There Any Need to Worry?

You don’t need to worry about having varicose veins when you learn the best solution for varicose veins. Varicose and spider veins aren’t dangerous on their own. It just means some blood vessels are damaged. There’s no real harm in varicose and spider veins. You might not like their looks, but you won’t die from them. Just remember, because of the different treatments for enlarged or bulging veins, there can be a cure for swollen or damaged veins too.

There are times when varicose and spider veins are just early signs of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). The disease can make you feel miserable and cause complications. Get in touch with your healthcare provider if you notice varicose veins. Your physician can check your risk factors and give you a physical.

Spending a lot of time in the sun, taking hormone therapy during menopause, using oral contraceptives or hormone replacement, being overweight or obese, getting older, being female, leading a sedentary lifestyle, having a leg injury, being pregnant, or having a history of smoking can cause spider veins, just like varicose veins.

What Type of Treatment Exists for Varicose Veins?

Once again, the best solution for varicose veins is based on your age, health, medical history, and the extent of the condition. Your healthcare provider will help you figure out the best treatments for enlarged or bulging varicose veins. If there are no symptoms present, medical treatment may not be necessary. Despite this, varicose veins can sometimes worsen without treatment. You may want to try sclerotherapy as part of your treatment.

In both spider veins and varicose veins, sclerotherapy is the most common treatment. Doctors inject varicose veins with a salt solution (saline) or a chemical solution (sclerosant) to stop blood flow through them, allowing new veins to take over. If the veins are twisted and not straight enough, doctors may recommend sclerotherapy as a treatment option.

You may wish to wear elastic compression stockings. These compression stockings work to squeeze the veins and prevent blood from pooling. Wearing compression stockings every day can be a very effective treatment for enlarged or bulging veins. Overall, focus on the best solution for varicose veins for your circumstance.

Your physician may tell you to elevate your feet three or four times a day for 15 minutes each. While sitting or standing for long periods of time, you should occasionally bend your legs to keep blood flowing. Elevating your legs helps to relieve leg swelling and other symptoms when you have mild to moderate varicose veins.

Other treatments for varicose veins may involve lasers or radiofrequency energy. Doctors use lasers or radiofrequency energy to heat up and destroy varicose veins. They perform microphlebectomy by inserting special tools through small incisions to remove varicose veins. Vein stripping can be done alone or in combination with microphlebectomy. Finally, doctors may recommend vein stripping for some patients. In this surgery, they completely remove varicose veins.

Can Varicose Veins be Prevented?

Actually, the best solution for varicose veins is a combination of many options under one umbrella, such as working on keeping a healthy weight, exercising regularly, putting your feet up while sitting, avoiding crossing your legs while sitting, and not wearing tight clothes to help prevent varicose veins.

There’s nothing more common than varicose veins. Around 90 percent of people develop spider veins, 80 percent develop reticular veins, and 50-60 percent develop varicose veins or symptoms of poor venous circulation.

Luckily, having varicose veins doesn’t mean you’ve got a disease or circulatory issues. Weakened vein valves cause vein varicosities, which have nothing to do with heart problems, heart disease, or arterial disease.

Blood returns to the heart through the venous system, which is why varicose veins exist. The arterial system is the source of peripheral artery disease and heart disease. Blood is circulated through this system from the heart to the rest of the body.

Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation at Wellness and Pain

Oftentimes, patients discover that the best solution for varicose veins may be Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation.  Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation uses radiofrequency energy to heat and destroy veins. You can treat two veins in less than 10 minutes. Insurance often covers spider veins if they are more than just cosmetic. You won’t need to recover, and you’ll be treated at specialized centers where transportation is provided. Sedation or local anesthesia are options for the 10-minute procedure, which may bring about a cure for swollen or damaged veins.

At Wellness and Pain, we can recommend the best solution for varicose veins after a quick diagnosis. Get started today!