By Health_thoughts June 12, 2019 - 6:07pm

Millions of Americans struggle with poor circulation as a result of numerous underlying health conditions. While serious circulatory issues can be life-threatening, minor ones are more of a nuisance than anything else. Still, figuring out how to overcome poor circulation will lead to a healthier and more comfortable day-to-day life.

The Causes and Risks of Poor Circulation

Poor circulation expresses itself in a variety of ways. Common symptoms include numbness and tingling in the extremities, cold hands and feet, swelling in the lower extremities, cognitive dysfunction, digestive problems, fatigue, joint pain, muscle cramping, changes in skin color, leg ulcers and varicose veins. Obviously, many of these symptoms are generic, but when multiple factors are present, it’s possible that poor circulation is to blame.

Various underlying health conditions can cause poor circulation. They include atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in blood vessels), diabetes mellitus, blood clots, obesity, Raynaud’s disease, and smoking tobacco products.

While it may be nothing more than a minor annoyance at the moment, poor circulation can lead to serious health issues and even heart attacks or strokes later in life. It’s important to get your poor circulation properly diagnosed so that the right treatment plan can be prescribed by a qualified medical doctor.

5 Tips for Improving Poor Circulation

While you should always get medical advice from certified health professionals, here are some suggestions for simple ways you can improve circulation issues in your day-to-day life:

1. Watch Your Diet

While circulatory issues can be treated with medication, who wants to be tied to medicine for the rest of their life? (Especially when the side effects can be just as undesirable as the underlying condition.) By changing up your diet and relying on natural food to aid circulation, you may be able to treat minor circulatory issues without a prescription.

If you’re looking to improve blood flow, try integrating the following into your regular diet: cayenne pepper, pomegranate, onions, cinnamon, garlic, fatty fish, beets, turmeric, leafy greens, citrus fruit, walnuts, tomatoes, berries, and ginger.

2. Exercise Regularly

Being active is one of the top proven ways to increase blood circulation. You don’t need an intensive workout routine to see positive results. Just 20 or 30 minutes of walking around the neighborhood is enough to amplify blood flow in a profound way.

If walking isn’t exciting enough for you, try jogging, cycling, or even yoga. Anything that gets your blood pumping for an extended period of time is a good thing.

3. Wear the Right Clothing

Did you know that you can improve circulation in certain areas of the body with the right clothing choices? This is especially helpful for women who have varicose veins or circulatory problems in the legs.

The right pair of hosiery can provide just enough compression to improve circulation and decrease venous swelling. Not only does this ease the uncomfortable symptoms of varicosities, but it can also prevent blood clotting in the legs.

4. Take Care of Yourself

Make sure you’re taking care of your body and investing in healthy decisions that promote good circulation. Proper hydration is critically important and should be something you prioritize every single day. It’s also not a bad idea to indulge yourself in a deep tissue massage every now and then. Targeted treatment can encourage blood flow in areas that may not regularly receive ample circulation.

5. Eliminate Bad Habits

Bad lifestyle habits often inhibit proper circulation. Smoking, for example, is known to be a leading factor in people with poor blood flow. Obesity is also a common issue. Stress, which often leads to smoking and unhealthy eating habits, can impact blood pressure and leave you with symptoms of poor circulation. Correct these habits and you’ll enjoy some degree of improvement.

Start Feeling Better

Poor circulation isn’t something to ignore or take lightly. While some circulatory issues are more serious than others, they should all be dealt with proactively. In conjunction with your doctor’s orders, try implementing a few of the suggestions highlighted in this article. They’ll help you feel better sooner rather than later.