How Diabetes Causes Poor Circulation ?
Diabetes is a problem with your body that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. And as that state affects nearly every aspect of our health, the impact it has on blood flow and circulation is particularly harmful.
The Relationship Between Diabetes And Poor Circulation Is Complex.
- Damage to Small Blood Vessels (Microangiopathy): The chronic effect of high blood sugar is that blood’s sugar-based material sticks to the tiny walls of the blood vessels in capillaries and arterioles. These deposits clog the vessels, so an increasingly less amount of blood can circulate in them. It is most prominent in the arms and legs.
- Vascular Inflammation and Constriction: Not only of physical constriction from plaque formation, diabetes can also cause chronic inflammation in the blood vessels. This inflammation also impairs circulation and substantially raises the chances of heart attack and stroke.
- Atherosclerosis (Hardening of the Arteries): High blood sugar, over time, can speed up the process of atherosclerosis in which fatty deposits (plaque) harden and narrow larger arteries. That’s a condition called peripheral artery disease (PAD) when it happens in the limbs and it severely restricts blood flow, especially to the legs and feet.
In a nutshell, diabetes impairs circulation by both damaging and narrowing small and large blood vessels at the micro- and macro-scale, thereby restricting oxygen-and-nutrient rich blood supply to all parts of the body.
Common Symptoms of Poor Circulation
When blood flow is not optimal, the body shows a number of warning signs. Poor circulation is commonly suffered in the lower part of the body by diabetics. Symptoms may include:
- Cramping in your calves, thighs or butts after walking.
- Cold hands and feet.
- Tingling or numbness (neuropathy) in your arms, hands, legs or feet.
- Pain in the extremities like stinging or pulsating.
- Toenails breaking easily and bald spots on the feet or legs.
- Greater risk of foot infections and sores that heal slowly (diabetic ulcers).
- Oxygen deprivation of the tissues.
What is Good for Bad Circulation?
If you have diabetes, proactive control is important to avoid or slow the development of circulation problems. You can do a lot to improve blood flow for the better by living and managing your disease carefully:
Keep Blood Sugar Under Control: This is the most important thing you must do in order to control diabetes as much as possible. Regular check-ups and compliance with medicine is important.
Stop smoking: The very worst thing you can do for your blood vessels is to smoke, because smoking hardens the blood vessels and significantly reduces blood flow. Stopping is the best thing you can do in terms of circulation.
Work Out Regularly: Regular exercise is said to stimulate overall circulation, as well as strengthen the cardiovascular system and help to reduce high blood pressure.
Keep Blood Pressure and Cholesterol in Check: High blood pressure and high “bad” cholesterol (LDL) can injure the blood vessels. Work with your doctor to maintain these levels in a healthy range, usually through diet, exercise and medication.
Feet: Inspect your feet and lower legs often. Inspect every day for cuts, blisters or infection.
Total Care for Your Circulation Solution
If you’re worried about how your diabetes is affecting your circulation or if you feel the symptoms of possible nerve damage (like numbness, pain and slow-healing wounds), speak with professionals who offer 360-degree diagnostics and care. Regular blood pressure monitoring and eye exams are also crucial to identify circulation problems early on. The Key to Preventing Symptoms and Encouraging Long-term Health Learning about diabetes circulation problems is extremely important for preventing symptoms and maintaining overall health. When you’re dealing with the delicate balance between diabetes and vascular health, it’s crucial that you have a team of experts working to put your health first. At Magnet Health NY, we offer our patients customized diagnostic testing and therapies designed to address circulation problems and thus prevent issues such as diabetic foot ulcers.