Do you experience swelling or cramping in your feet or legs? Do your feet often feel ice cold? You may be dealing with poor circulation of the feet and a Ronkonkoma podiatrist can help! Swelling and coldness are just two of the common symptoms associated with poor circulation. Others symptoms include:
• Fatigue or cramping during activity
• Cramping during inactivity
• Achiness
• Tingling
• Poor wound healing or an ulcer on the toe, foot, or leg
• Loss of hair on the legs or slower hair growth on the legs
• Skin of the legs appears shiny or has a change of color
• Weak or no pulse in the legs or feet
• Painful cramping of the hip, thigh, or calf muscles after activity
• Slower toenail growth
• Legs or feet getting colder much more quickly than other parts of the body
There is a reason for such symptoms. Certain behaviors contribute to the poor circulation of the feet. These involve:
• Tobacco smoking
• Lack of regular exercise
• Improper diet
• Sitting or standing in one place for long periods of time
• High blood pressure
• Peripheral artery disease- a condition where distant arteries aren’t able to receive normal blood flow because of narrowing vessels. This causes tingling, numbness, nerve, and tissue damage over time.
• Blood clots- When the body experiences abnormal blood clotting, clots can obstruct blood vessels, leading to pain and discoloration of the legs.
• Diabetes
• Varicose veins
Self-evaluation test
• Are my toes a red, purple, or blue color?
• Do I have unexplained hair loss on my legs and feet?
• Are my feet and hands getting colder much more quickly than other parts of my body?
• Do my feet “fall asleep” easily?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be suffering from poor circulation of the feet. Contact a Ronkonkoma podiatrist to receive treatment!
Some things you can do before meeting with a Ronkonkoma podiatrist are:
• Avoid sitting for too long
• Exercise- Keep your body moving and get your heart pumping. Great exercises include walking, biking, running, swimming, hiking, and yoga.
• Wear comfortable shoes- Tight fitting shoes like heels can restrict blood flow
• Quit smoking
• Restrict salt intake- Too much salt in your diet creates water retention and allows for leg swelling. This puts extra pressure on your veins which creates poor circulation.
• Lose weight- Maintaining a healthy body weight allows for your circulatory system to work efficiently.
• Gingko supplements- A herbal medication which opens up blood vessels allowing for better blood circulation.