Poor leg circulation can be a symptom of a number of health issues. It is also a relatively common medical issue. Efficient circulation of blood throughout your body will keep your heart pumping. It will also ensure that the blood flows through your body and brain.
What causes poor leg circulation? There are a number of causes: smoking is one potential cause because smoking can constrict the arteries and that can cause circulation issues. Peripheral vascular disease, or PAD, is a build-up of plaque in the arteries and a hardening of the arteries; both of which can affect blood flow and result in poor leg circulation. High cholesterol can also cause a thickening or blockage in the arteries and affect your blood circulation.
One of the health issues related to diabetes is poor circulation; particularly poor circulation in the extremities (hands and feet). Thyroid problems, obesity, and pregnancy can also be causes of poor circulation. Less serious issues that can cause circulation problems include lack of exercise, sitting in a cramped location (for example, an airplane seat for a long distance), or sitting for a long time without movement.
The symptoms of leg circulation problems are often obvious: a tingling sensation in your feet or legs (also known as feeling as if your legs have ‘fallen asleep’); cramping in your calves or sometimes even in your feet; throbbing of the veins; swollen ankles, toes, and calves; and cold feet. The feet and legs may also look pale, white and bluish. Slow healing of cuts, bruises, blisters, and even ingrown toe nails is a result of poor leg circulation.
Poor circulation symptoms need to be treated; ignoring the symptoms can mean that more serious issues may go untreated. For example, a dangerous condition called deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, can create blockage through clotting blood in a vein. If not properly diagnosed, DVT can lead to serious health issues. All poor leg circulation problems require a consultation with your medical doctor.
There are actions you can take to improve your leg circulation. Eat a nutritious and healthy diet with a good balance of low salt, low fat, high fiber and lean proteins. Exercise regularly and frequently. If you have poor leg circulation it is a good idea to try to exercise several times during the day. At the office, walk up and down stairs instead of using the elevator. Park your car at the end of the parking lot and walk across to the store or office. Go for a brisk walk. Movement and activity will help your blood flow. Drink lots of water (about eight glasses per day for the average person) to improve hydration, which in turn improves your overall system. Make sure you visit your medical doctor and get a regular check-up; including cholesterol levels and blood pressure checks. Poor leg circulation can be an indicator of other health issues.
Other poor leg circulation home remedies include:
* Cayenne Pepper. Make yourself a daily pepper drink to stimulate your circulation. Take 1 tsp of cayenne pepper, 2 tsps of apple cider vinegar, up to 2 tsps of honey and 8 ounces of water. Mix well and drink (quickly). Additionally, you can mix about a half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper into hand cream or lotion and rub onto your legs and feet. This peppery lotion will stimulate the skin cells and make your skin feel tingly.
* Garlic is recognized as an old home remedy that lowers cholesterol, helps maintain good blood pressure, and stimulates the circulatory system. You can take garlic in pill form (cooking with garlic sometimes results in overcooking the benefit right out of the garlic).
* While more controversial, Ginkgo Biloba is recognized by many as a good home therapy to improve circulation and blood flow throughout the body. The controversy with this herb is that it can interact with other medications. Make sure to talk to your doctor if you use this herb.
Poor leg circulation can be an indicator of other health problems therefore, before you begin to take action to improve leg circulation, see your doctor. You will need to be thoroughly checked to ensure that the treatments (natural and holistic or medicinal and prescriptive) are right for the problem.
Circulatory System Health is essential for your well being. Often ignored, poor circulation symptoms are frequently indicators of more serious Circulatory System Diseases. Find out more about herbal, holistic alternative approaches on the herbal Old Home Remedies website.