Poor circulation in your feet can cause a variety of problems, from slight discomfort to life-threatening conditions. Being proactive about your circulatory health will diminish the chances that more severe symptoms will arise. Lean more about what causes bad circulation in feet in the paragraphs below.
The Underlying Causes of Bad Circulation in Feet
Treatment for poor foot circulation is dependent on the underlying cause. For some patients, merely incorporating a more active lifestyle is enough to improve blood flow. Others, however, may be suffering from a disease that depends on specific treatment to improve circulation.
Bad Food Circulation Causes:
- Age – Our heart structures tend to get more rigid as we get older. The heart tends to fill and empty more slowly because aging decreases the volume of the left ventricle. The heart rate declines, and less blood can circulate through the body.
- Sedentary lifestyle: As we age, we are also much less active. Movement is necessary to keep our hearts pumping blood through our bodies. Of course, this isn’t only a cause for concern with seniors. Anyone who doesn’t make time to participate in physical activities each day is at risk for lousy circulation regardless of their age.
- Obesity: Several factors affect circulation in obese persons. The first being that the heart has to work much harder to pump blood throughout the body when the patient is overweight. Secondly, extra weight on the feet can cause further circulation issues. The heart has a more challenging time pumping blood through the body when maintaining an active lifestyle.
- Diabetes – A common symptom of diabetes is impaired circulation in the feet. Blood vessels can become damaged when the body experiences high blood glucose levels for many years. Plaque begins forming in the blood vessels, and they are no longer able to deliver enough blood to the feet.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) – DVT occurs when a blood clot forms deep within the body. Most often, it happens in the legs and can block the blood flow to the feet. Obesity, pregnancy, smoking, birth control pills, hormone therapies, recent surgeries or injuries, and staying seated for a long time can contribute to the risk of developing DVT.
- Atherosclerosis: Known as the arteries’ hardening, atherosclerosis restricts the blood flow to the extremities, including your feet. It also causes Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), which affects the veins and arteries outside of the brain and heart and causes serious circulation problems.
How to Improve the Circulation in Your Feet
If you are experiencing poor circulation symptoms, especially in your feet, you need to seek medical advice. Diagnosing the underlying problem will be the first step in improving and preventing bad circulation in the feet. If the disease is ruled out, your doctor may encourage a treatment plan that could include the following:
- Eat a healthy diet
- Exercise regularly
- Elevate your feet
- Wear compression socks
- Apply warmth to your feet
- Enjoy a foot massage.
The staff at Canyon Oaks Foot and Ankle will be able to diagnose the underlying cause of the impaired circulation in your feet. They will then be able to recommend the best available treatments to improve the blood flow. Call us today to schedule an appointment.