Poor circulation
, also called peripheral artery disease (PAD) or peripheral vascular disease (PVD), causes numbness or tingling in limbs, weakness, fatigue, dull aching and discoloration of lips or extremities. Diabetes, arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), obesity, kidney disease and high blood pressure commonly cause poor circulation. According to the American Heart Association, poor circulation affects about 8 million Americans. Early diagnosis and treatment of poor circulation and the underlying medical conditions that cause it decrease the patient's risk for heart attack and stroke and reduce discomfort.
Instructions
1. Stop smoking. Smoking damages arteries, strains the cardiovascular system, raises blood pressure and greatly increases the risk of poor circulation. Smokers also suffer from a greater risk of stroke, limb amputation and other complications from poor circulation. If you cannot stop smoking on your own, see a doctor for medical treatment options or join a support group.
2. Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables to reduce calories, lower blood glucose and lower cholesterol. Add in salmon, flaxseed and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, and take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement daily. Omega-3 fatty acids lower cholesterol, improving arterial health.
3. Walk daily, slowly building up the distance and time you walk. If poor circulation causes extreme discomfort in the legs, a doctor may prescribe physical therapy to build up the patient's tolerance to exercise. Over time, moderate exercise improves blood circulation through the body.
4. Maintain a healthy body weight. Lose extra weight if necessary. Carrying extra weight puts strain on the cardiovascular system, decreasing the heart's ability to circulate blood throughout the body. Obesity also puts a person at higher risk for diabetes and high blood pressure, two risk factors for poor circulation.
5. Take anti-coagulant medications as directed by a doctor. For mild cases of poor circulation, an over-the-counter aspirin daily may improve the condition. In other cases, prescription medications such as clopidogrel reduce clotting factors in the blood, preventing stroke and other complications.
6. Control diabetes. Check blood sugar levels regularly, and use insulin and other diabetes medications as needed. Uncontrolled diabetes is the main cause of poor circulation.
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