Poor Circulation In Feet

By Ade Adetunji, DPM

Largo Foot and Ankle Health Center

. http://www.largofoot.com/

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Poor Circulation In Feet

Causes and Symptoms

Poor blood circulation in legs and feet is a condition that may cause damage to the tissues in these parts, causing utter discomfort and a wide array of other symptoms. Though the condition is usually seen in elderly, it may develop in young people too. Apart from the increasing age, there are various factors that play a key role in causing this problem. They include genetics, lifestyle factors, medical conditions, etc.

One of the most common causes of poor circulation in feet is peripheral vascular disease, which is otherwise known as peripheral artery disease (PAD). This condition is characterized by obstruction or narrowing of the large arteries that are far from the heart and the brain. Most commonly, this occurs in the extremities, especially the feet and the legs.

The causes for peripheral vascular disease may also vary, but the most common one is atherosclerosis (narrowing of arterial walls with fatty deposits like cholesterol). Contributory factors include:

• Smoking
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity
• Diabetes

Even pregnant women may experience the symptoms of poor blood circulation in feet.

Symptoms Of Poor Circulation/PAD In Feet

Poor blood circulation in feet and legs may cause various symptoms that may vary with the underlying cause as well as the severity of the condition:

• Fatigue, tiredness, or pain in your legs, thighs, or buttocks that always happens when you walk but goes away when you rest
• Foot or toe pain at rest that often disturbs your sleep.
• Skin wounds or ulcers on your feet or toes that are slow to heal (or that do not heal for 8-12 weeks)

However, many individuals with poor circulation do not experience typical leg symptoms such as cramping, pain, or fatigue known as claudication.

Apart from pain and cramps, some of the affected people may develop swelling of the feet. They may also experience frequent cold feet, which are considered a symbol of low blood circulation (in feet). Cold feet are more commonly experienced at night before sleep, after having certain foods or during periods of immobility.

Some may experience severe and sudden leg pain due to formation of a blood clot, which may stop or slow down the blood flow all of a sudden. This is caused by deep vein thrombosis, a condition wherein, a blood clot forms in the deep veins of the legs.