Health Articles 101

Poor leg circulation is a problem for many older adults. Over time, the blood vessels in the legs and other parts of the body begin to narrow because of plaque buildup. Symptoms of poor leg circulation include a change in the color of the skin of the feet and lower legs, feet that are cold all the time, sores on the feet that do not heal, and cramping pain in the calves after walking for a while. Feet numbness and tingling are other common symptoms. Poor circulation in legs at night can disrupt sleep and therefore affect your overall level of health.

People who have diabetes are particularly likely to develop poor leg circulation. In addition to diabetes, there are other risk factors like smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a sedentary life style. If you want to avoid or at least delay the onset of poor leg circulation, you should be minimizing your risk factors immediately.

Your doctor has a number of poor circulation remedies, some more intrusive than others. The first and most obvious step is to minimize the risk factors mentioned. Your doctor may prescribe medications that prevent platelets from sticking together and forming clots and also medications to control cholesterol and blood pressure. Your doctor may recommend procedures to increase circulation in legs. Angioplasty is a procedure in which a small balloon is placed in the blood vessel. The balloon is inflated to open the narrowed vessel. Doctors can also employ surgical procedures. A section of healthy vein can be removed from another part of the body where it is not overly essential. This healthy vein can be attached to the diseased vein to create a bypass of the blocked section.

If you suffer from poor leg circulation you should certainly add a podiatrist to your medical team. Your podiatrist can help you find the right footwear to protect your feet properly and educate you about how to prevent more serious complications later on.

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