Do I have poor blood circulation?

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Do I have poor blood circulation?

Thanks for asking. If you've got heavy legs, nighttime cramps, varicose veins or swelling in the legs, you may have blood flow issues. When you consider that our bodies contain an incredible 60,000 miles worth of blood vessels, it's really not uncommon. Something like a varicose vein is usually relatively harmless. Other conditions include hemorrhoids and phlebitis, which is a blood clot in a deep vein. Worse still are varicose ulcers, which are a complication of varicose veins or phlebitis. It's important to know the cause behind any blood circulation issues and get treatment to avoid complications. How does the circulatory system work? It sends blood, oxygen and essential nutrients throughout the body. As you may remember from school science lessons, arteries transport blood to the arms and legs, while veins carry it back to the heart. Meanwhile, the capillaries, our smallest blood vessels, connect the arteries and veins. That means if blood flow is restricted to certain parts of the body, the symptoms of poor circulation kick in. That's particularly true for the body's extremities, like the arms, legs, hands and feet. Are there specific factors that would make me more likely to have poor blood circulation?

Yes, as poor blood circulation isn't actually a condition in itself. Rather, it's a consequence of other conditions like diabetes, obesity and atherosclerosis. Risk factors include being overweight, having a family history of such conditions, pregnancy, smoking and use of hormonal contraceptives, among others. Our lifestyles count for a lot too, which is why it's important to stay active and avoid being too sedentary. To improve blood flow, you should develop the leg muscles and drink at least 1.5 litres of water per day. Break up periods of sitting down by getting up and walking around at regular intervals. Even when sat down, it's good to stretch the legs or perform leg and ankle movements. Heavy legs can also be exacerbated by consuming too much salt, as salt retains water. Why do I feel like the symptoms are always worse in the summer? Well, heat causes the veins to die late, so you're probably right. One tip for easing the symptoms is raising your legs, whether you're seated or lying down. You can also shower them with cold water, get a massage or wear compression stockings.

There you have it.

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Bababam.