Did you know that poor blood circulation can cause a variety of health problems? Yes, every cell in your body is impacted by your blood circulation. Your body needs healthy blood flow to function properly. Blood is constantly being sent to various parts of the body by the heart as it beats. Blood flows through the body, bringing food and oxygen to all cells and organs to make sure they work right. It also aids in the removal of waste materials from the tissues.
Blood flows through a network of blood vessels that resembles a highway system that carries oxygen and other nutrients to all of your organs. Because of this, maintaining healthy blood circulation is crucial for sustaining good health. Without it, our hearts won’t be healthy, our immune systems won’t be strong, our wounds won’t heal quickly, and our minds won’t be keen.
In this article, we will go over not only how to improve your blood circulation, but also what causes poor blood circulation and how to avoid it.
Why you require healthy blood flow
Your body has roughly 60,000 miles of blood vessels, which is a surprising number. They are a part of your circulatory system, which also includes your heart and other muscles. Blood travels throughout your body on this system of roads. However, when you have poor circulation, the blood flow is slowed or blocked. This indicates that your body’s cells aren’t receiving enough oxygen and nourishment.
Our organs need healthy blood circulation to function properly. It guarantees that our organs receive enough nutrition and oxygen. Our heart and brain remain healthy thanks to proper circulation, which also promotes quick wound recovery. Poor circulation causes the blood to circulate less effectively, which can affect the kidneys, heart, and other organs. Thus, attempting to increase it is a smart idea.
When blood circulation isn’t as good as it should be, it’s harder for the body to work as well as it should. This could cause a lot of problems, like headaches, cramps, blood clots, varicose veins, fluid retention, bloating, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, hair loss, feeling tired, and more.
poor blood circulation symptoms
Your hands or feet may feel numb or cold if your limbs aren’t receiving enough blood. Your legs could appear blue if you have pale skin. Additionally, poor circulation can cause dry skin, brittle nails, and hair loss, especially on the feet and legs. Some guys may struggle to achieve or maintain an erection. Additionally, wounds, sores, and scratches tend to take longer to heal if you have diabetes.
Why does blood circulation become poor?
Poor circulation can be caused by a number of conditions, including:
Atherosclerosis:
This is a condition in which plaque, which is made up of fat and cholesterol, builds up in the arteries. It is one of the most common reasons for poor circulation. Because of this, blood flow is limited because the arteries get hard and narrow.
Most of the time, atherosclerosis hurts the arteries in the heart, head, arms, and legs. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition in which the arteries and blood vessels in the legs become rigid and thin. Atherosclerosis is the root cause of this illness.
Diabetes:
Diabetes can have an effect on blood vessels over time, which can cause plaque to build up. If blood glucose levels aren’t in check, people with diabetes are more likely to get atherosclerosis, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Blood clots:
Anywhere in the body, blood can clot and cause impaired circulation. It occasionally has the ability to entirely stop blood flow. A heart attack or stroke may result from a blood clot that spreads to other body parts. Therefore, in addition to increasing circulation, keep health insurance close at hand.
Smoking:
Smoking erodes the blood vessels in your body, which reduces blood flow. The risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis is increased by smoking. Additionally, it raises the cost of medical insurance. So don’t smoke or give it up.
Deep vein thrombosis:
This condition causes a blood clot to form in a deep bodily vein, usually in the leg. If the clot breaks lose, it could cause a pulmonary embolism, which is a blockage in the lung that could be fatal.
Varicose veins:
High blood pressure can harm the veins and result in varicose veins. Proper blood circulation is an issue because these damaged or varicose veins, which are mainly found on the back of the legs, cannot circulate blood as effectively as the other veins.
Things You Can Do to improve blood Circulation
1. Improve Your Physical activity
One of the finest ways to not only stay fit but also improve your blood circulation is through regular exercise. Basically, any exercise that makes your heart beat faster is good for circulation and the overall health of your arteries. Other advantages of exercise include the ability to control your weight, have better sleep, have better sex, have more energy, and have a better mood.
Activities that increase blood circulation include biking, running, and other cardiovascular workouts. Your body’s ability to take in and use oxygen will get better if you work out for at least 30 minutes every day. It will aid in enhancing the blood vessels’ ability to expand and function effectively.
2. Give up Tobacco
According to the American Cancer Society, circulation and lung function improve within two to three months after giving up smoking. Your blood circulation will improve more quickly the sooner you stop smoking.
The active component in cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco is nicotine. It damages the artery walls and makes your blood so thick that it is unable to pass through. If you do, quit smoking. Although it can be challenging, your pharmacist or doctor’s office can offer support.
3. Maintain Blood Pressure to normal
If it’s too high, it can lead to arteriosclerosis, which can stifle blood flow by hardening your arteries. Ask your doctor about the ideal ranges for your age and health. Aim for 120 mmHg above 80 mmHg or less. At the very least once a month, check your reading. A kiosk at your pharmacy or a home blood pressure monitor is both options.
4. Consume more green tea
Green tea has a natural compound called polyphenol that may protect against heart attacks and strokes. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol that has been shown to act as an antioxidant, is already in health supplements.
These teas’ antioxidant content helps increase blood flow and cardiovascular health. A study found that while black tea enhances blood vessel health, green tea lowers the risk of cardiovascular problems.
5. Consume more omega-3 fatty acids
Consuming omega-3s may help prevent cardiovascular disease because they have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They might also make the endothelial cells that line the blood vessels work better. Heart attacks and strokes can be brought on by high blood pressure and poor circulation. circulation. These fats are great for a healthy heart and help with blood flow. They are found in oily seafood like salmon, sardines, and tuna.
6. Stay Hydrated
About half of the blood is water. So, to keep things going, you need to stay hydrated. Per day, try to drink 8 glasses of water. When it’s hot outside or you exercise, you’ll need to drink more. Because of our fast-paced lives and busy schedules, staying hydrated is becoming more and more important.
A lack of water every two hours has caused a lot of health problems and weird things to happen. Fluid balance is very important if you want to stay fit and have steady blood flow. To stay hydrated, improve your blood circulation, and flush out harmful toxins from the body, try drinking at least 8 ounces of water each day.
7. Take care of your stress
Stress, which is known as a “silent killer,” is often to blame for cardiovascular diseases. A person’s stress levels may also be related to low circulation levels. Stress tends to cause the blood vessels to narrow, which has an effect on circulation. There are various effective methods you may use to keep an eye on and control your stress levels.
Some examples are yoga, meditation, learning how to breathe, spending time with close friends or pets, listening to music, and doing other things. Spend quality time with loved ones, practice yoga, or meditate to learn how to manage stress.
8. Unwind and twist
Yoga is a gentle workout that helps increase blood flow. Your cells receive oxygen as you move. Your organs receive blood when you twist. Additionally, when you are upside down, your heart and brain receive blood from the lower part of your body.
A non-yogi? Try the yoga pose “legs up the wall” when your ankles or feet start to swell. This simple technique, also known as viparita Karani, allows you to easily reverse the flow of your blood. Your left or right shoulder should be near the wall while you lie on the floor or on a yoga mat. Turn your body so that your feet are up on the wall, and press your bottom against it. For balance, extend your arms out on the ground with your palms down.
9. Wear compression socks
Utilize your clothes. Wear compression socks, which put a little pressure on your legs, to keep blood from pooling for too long. Instead, it will ascend to your heart once more. Consult your doctor to determine the ideal pressure and length for you. By putting pressure on the calves and feet with compression, which is recommended for varicose veins, you force the blood in those areas to go back to the heart.
These socks aid in maintaining constant blood flow throughout the circulatory system. Also, make sure you have health insurance so that you won’t have to worry about money if something goes wrong or you have to go to the hospital.
10. Raise your legs or lean forward at your desk
Long periods of sitting are bad for your back and circulation. Leg muscles get weaker, and the blood flow in your legs slows down, which could result in a clot. Consider a standing desk if you spend all day sitting at your desk at work.
Being on your feet activates the valves in your leg veins, which send blood up to your heart and may take some getting used to. Sitting or standing for a long time can cause cramps or swell in the legs. Just 20 minutes a day of elevating your legs can improve circulation.
11. Pump in more oxygen
“With oxygen” is what aerobic means. So, when you run, ride a bike, walk, swim, or do other similar exercises, you take in more oxygen and send it to your muscles. This increases blood flow, fortifies the heart, and decreases blood pressure.
Make it a point to work out five to seven days a week for 30 minutes. If necessary, cut it up into manageable pieces. The highest health advantages come from walking at moderate to fast speeds—at least 3 miles per hour. Sitting at your desk all day may slowly kill you. You might have a number of illnesses and diseases that you don’t know about, which can cause serious health problems due to less movement.
12. Do some Police Squat
This type of strength training not only improves blood flow but also lowers blood sugar and eases back pain. Start with your arms at your sides, keeping them relaxed, and your feet shoulder-width apart. Now slowly bend your knees and hips while maintaining a straight back, as if you were sitting in a chair. Bend your arms for balance as you get into your starting posture.
13. Eat fewer slices of meat and more plants
Let’s face it. We all know that a balanced diet has almost no drawbacks. Consume fruits and vegetables on a regular basis. Avoid saturated fats and too much salt, which are found in dairy products, cheese, red meat, and other animal sources. That will help you maintain a healthy weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and clear arteries.
Consume meals high in iron. If you don’t get enough iron, your body won’t make enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Include foods high in iron in your diets, such as spinach and lentils.
14. Dry brush your body
You read that correctly. We’re talking about using a soft-bristle brush to massage your body before taking a shower to increase blood flow. Beginning at your feet and working your way up to your heart, gently brush the area. Sweep in the appropriate direction with your blood.
Use a body brush that has flat, stiff bristles to massage your dry skin. With long leg and arm movements, begin at the bottom and work your way up. Draw circles on your lower back and tummy. Dry skin can also be removed by dry brushing. Do it each day just before taking a shower.
15. Receive a massage
A full massage not only helps with stress and anxiety but also makes the blood flow better all over the body. The movements and pressure of a massage help new blood flow through congested areas. Also, it gets rid of lactic acid from the muscles and speeds up the circulation of lymph fluid, which moves waste away from the muscles and organs. In the end, this may lead to better body functioning and reduced blood pressure.
Conclusion
For our body to work properly, blood flow is essential. Poor blood circulation can be caused by a variety of factors, but there are also methods to improve circulation, as was already noted. If your hands and feet feel numb, you lose energy, or you have trouble concentrating, these are all signs that your blood flow isn’t good enough. It can result in a variety of additional health problems if left unchecked.
Disclaimer:
The author’s views are his or her own. The facts and opinions in the article have been taken from various articles and commentaries available in the online media and Eastside Writers does not take any responsibility or obligation for them.
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