How Poor Circulation Affects Your Feet
Do your feet feel cold or numb? Are your feet red, blue, purple or white? If so, you may have poor circulation in your feet.
Poor circulation in the feet happens when the blood vessels that transport blood, oxygen and nutrients to cells throughout the body close, harden or narrow. Other signs of poor circulation can include:
dry, cracked feet
hair loss on the feet or legs
weak toenails
slow wound healing wounds
Causes of Poor Circulation
Below are some of the more common conditions that can cause poor circulation in the feet.
Raynaud's disease is a condition that causes your fingers and toes to feel icy or numb when you’re stressed or exposed to cold temperatures. The symptoms occur when the small arteries that supply blood to your skin become narrow, reducing blood flow to your affected areas.
If you have diabetes, you are at risk of your blood vessels becoming damaged if you experience high blood glucose levels for extended periods of time. These high blood glucose levels can lead to reduced circulation in the feet as well as foot ulcers that do not heal.
Is your blood pressure too high? This could be a sign of arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis occurs when the arteries harden, and blood can’t travel through them easily. You may have symptoms such as pressure in the chest, shortness of breath, an irregular heartbeat and confusion.
Cramping in the legs and leg pain can be signs of peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD can happen when plaque builds up in the arteries, reducing or stopping blood flow.
Other causes of poor circulation in the feet can include physical inactivity and smoking.
Treatment For Poor Circulation
Poor circulation in the feet is treated by getting to the underlying cause of the condition. You’ll want to schedule an appointment with Westfield podiatrist Dr. David Sullivan for a complete exam. Wondering what you can do to help improve the circulation in your feet? Here are five helpful tips.
Get moving and exercise regularly. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise. Try not to sit for long periods of time. Setting a reminder can help you remember to get up and move.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol as they can constrict blood vessels.
Stop smoking. Smoking increases your risk for cardiovascular disease.
Elevate your legs. Raising your legs above your heart for 20 minutes a day can improve circulation and help reduce swelling.
Wear compression socks. These types of socks apply pressure to the legs and feet, forcing blood to travel back toward the heart.
Concerned that you may have poor circulation in your feet? Don’t delay! Contact our office to find out what could be causing your poor circulation and to get a treatment plan put in place.