The 7 warning signs of dangerous poor circulation – from hair loss to painful cramps

There is more to cold weather than just making you shiver and feel uneasy.

Additionally, the lowering temperatures may highlight subtle indicators of dangerously inadequate circulation.

Your heart provides oxygen and vital nutrients that your muscles, soft tissues, and organs require when it circulates blood throughout your body.

When something impedes your blood flow, including plaque accumulation, blood clots, or constricted blood vessels, you have poor circulation.

According to Dr. Margarita Brida, a consultant cardiologist for Guy’s and St. Thomas Specialist Care, circulatory system diseases impact over four million individuals in the UK and account for nearly 40% of all deaths annually, making them more prevalent than heart disease and cancer.

If blood flow to your muscles and tissues is restricted, they may be deprived of vital nutrients, and you may start to see the unmistakable signs of poor circulation.

According to Dr. Kaywaan Khan, it’s critical to recognize circulation issues early on in order to address the underlying reasons, even if many of their symptoms can be mild.

Harley Street General Practitioner’s private officeHannah London gives Sun Health seven indicators of poor circulation, including shaking, hair loss, and pale complexion.

1. Pale skin

According to Dr. Khan: “The skin may appear pale or blue-ish when blood flow to it is diminished.

This is due to a decrease in red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen and giving the skin its color.

“As well as this, poor circulation can make the skin look dry, dull and lifeless.”

In order to determine the underlying causes of these changes in skin color and look, Dr. Khan advises scheduling a blood test with your general practitioner.

“A blood test can help identify conditions such as anaemia or vitamin deficiencies that may be affecting your skin s appearance,” he states.

“Being able to diagnose the problem quickly means they can provide treatment quickly.”

2. Varicose veins

Have you noticed that your legs have protruding veins?

According to Dr. Khan, these are known as varicose veins and are frequently indicative of impaired circulation.

He explains: “They occur when the valves in your veins fail, allowing blood to pool rather than return to the heart effectively.

Underneath the skin’s surface, this accumulation of blood results in twisted, enlarged veins that are either blue or purple in hue.

These veins may pain, ache, or feel heavy; they are most commonly found near the ankles and feet.

“If left untreated, varicose veins can worsen over time, so early treatment is essential.”

Maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in regular exercise can be beneficial if you have lumpy veins in your legs or other body regions.

It may also help to put up your legs whenever you can and use moisturizing moisturizer.

If you have varicose veins and experience symptoms like discomfort, swelling, or itching in your legs, or if you develop a leg sore that hasn’t gone away after two weeks, you should consult a general practitioner.

3. Hair loss

Are you noticing more strands in your brush and some thinning in your hair?

This can be yet another indication of inadequate circulation.

“Poor circulation can prevent your hair follicles getting the nutrients and oxygen they need,” says Dr. Khan.

Hair loss may eventually follow from weak, thin, and fragile hair.

“While there are various causes of hair loss, poor blood flow is often a contributing factor, particularly in cold weather or for those with certain medical conditions that affect circulation.”

If you’re concerned about your hair loss, consult a doctor.

They might be able to identify the cause and provide potential remedies.

4. Tiredness

Dr. Khan continues: “Unusual fatigue or sluggishness may be a sign that your circulation isn’t working well, which is preventing your body from getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs.

“Excessive weariness results from your muscles and tissues not having the energy to work at their best when blood supply is restricted.

“As well as this, poor circulation can affect your body s ability to regulate temperature, leaving you feeling colder than usual.”

You may feel less motivated to move as a result, which adds to your daytime fatigue.

“As these are the most common causes of lethargy, make sure your body is kept warm and properly hydrated,” he advises.

“Aim to drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily, which can include water-rich foods, sparkling water, and herbal teas.”

It’s crucial that you prepare for cold weather as well.

“When stepping outside, ensure you are kept warm with a woolly hat, knitted gloves, thick socks and a plush scarf on top of your winter coat,” says Dr. Khan.

“Try to limit alcohol consumption, which dehydrates your body and worsens fatigue.”

5. Feeling cold

The fact that you feel colder as the outside temperature drops is not surprising.

However, this could provide you with some information about your circulation if you find yourself shivering all the time.

“While feeling colder as winter temperatures drop is normal, it’s important to keep an eye on how your body reacts to make sure that prolonged coldness or discomfort isn’t a sign of poor circulation or an underlying issue,” Dr. Khan says.

“For example, in diseases like Raynaud s syndrome, patients report white or blue fingers and toes in reaction to the cold or stress.”

This disorder causes discomfort, numbness, and pins and needles in your extremities by preventing blood flow to your fingers and toes.

According to Dr. Khan: “Symptoms like numbness, tingling, and frequent pain, along with changes in skin color, can be a warning sign of poor circulation which may cause prolonged discomfort.”

6. Painful cramps

“If you experience painful cramps during exercise, particularly in the thighs, hips, or calves, this could be a sign of poor circulation,” explains Dr. Khan.

“Your muscles need more oxygen-rich blood during physical activity to sustain the increased movement, but poor circulation makes it impossible for your body to meet that demand, which can lead to weariness, cramping, or discomfort.

“The pain normally subsides after resting, but if it persists with every movement, it may be a sign that your circulatory system isn’t operating at its peak efficiency.

“This condition, known as intermittent claudication, often occurs in individuals with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and can worsen without treatment.”

A frequent ailment known as PAD occurs when fatty deposits in the arteries obstruct the flow of blood to the leg muscles.

In addition to cramping, it can result in brittle or slowly growing toenails, numbness and weakness in the legs, and hair loss on the legs and feet.

“Book in for a GP consultation to help determine the underlying causes of poor circulation, such as PAD or other health conditions,” Dr. Khan suggests.

“A GP can perform tests, evaluate risk factors, and suggest treatment options such as medication, lifestyle modifications, or additional testing.”

7. Slow healing wounds

“If you notice that cuts or wounds are taking longer than usual to heal, poor circulation could be to blame,” says Dr. Khan.

“Your body finds it difficult to get the required immune cells to the injured location when blood flow is impaired, which delays recovery.

“This can increase the risk of infection, especially for people with persistent diabetes or vascular problems.

“Keep an eye out for symptoms of infection, such as pus, redness, or swelling, and consult your doctor if you feel generally ill.

“Keep wounds dry and clean, avoiding applying excessive pressure on the area.”

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