When you think of heart health and circulation you most likely think of your heart, arteries, and veins. And while these are definitely important, you’d be leaving out one of the largest portions of your circulatory system - microvessels. In fact, microvessels make up over 74% of your blood vessels.
FUN FACT: If you were to place all the micro blood vessels in your body end-to-end, they would extend more than 74,000 miles. That’s over ⅓ of the way around the world.
Why are we talking about microvessels?
We see patients all the time who are dealing with poor circulation. And while looking at the heart, arteries, and veins is a good start, it’s often not enough to help them regain their quality of life.
Think of your circulatory system as a series of highways and roads. The heart acts as a traffic light, the arteries and veins are your major highways, and the micro blood vessels are the side streets. Without a doubt the highways get the most attention because they help the vast majority of people get to and from their respective destinations. Same goes for the arteries and veins; they help transport the bulk of oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide, and waste around your body. However, what if the side streets are closed or experiencing congestion? How are you going to get off the highway to get to the grocery store, to your house, or any other location? The same issue goes for microvessels. If they become constricted or blocked, portions of the body are no longer able to receive the oxygen and nutrients they need. And likewise, the body is unable to transport carbon dioxide and waste away from affected areas of the body. When this happens, the body starts to show a variety of symptoms.
Symptoms to look for:
There are a wide range of symptoms that can indicate whether you or a loved one are experiencing poor circulation. These symptoms not only can affect your quality of life but may even cause severe complications. Common symptoms include:
numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
cold hands and feet
swelling in the feet, ankles, and legs
memory loss and difficulty concentrating
digestive issues
fatigue
joint and muscle cramping
skin color changes
ulcers in the legs or feet
varicose veins
1. Numbness and tingling in extremities:
One of the most common symptoms of poor circulation is numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. When something is restricting the flow of blood, and blood cannot reach the extremities in sufficient quantities, a person may also have a sensation of pins and needles.
2. Cold hands and feet
Reduced blood flow causes the hands and feet to feel much colder than the rest of the body. When blood cannot flow at healthy rates, this can lead to temperature fluctuations in the skin and nerve endings of the hands and feet.
3. Swelling in the lower extremities
Poor circulation can cause fluid to accumulate in certain areas of the body. This is called edema, and it often occurs in the legs, ankles, and feet. Edema may also be a sign of heart failure. It can occur when the heart is unable to circulate an adequate supply of blood throughout the body. Edema in the lower extremities can also develop when blood collects in those areas. Pressure builds, forcing fluid from the blood vessels into surrounding tissues.
Symptoms of edema include:
heaviness and swelling
tight, warm skin
stiff joints
pain in affected areas
Some people notice that they have edema because clothing or jewelry starts to feel tight.
If a person with edema presses on the affected area, they may notice an indentation in the swollen skin.
4. Cognitive Dysfunction
Poor blood circulation can affect the functioning of the brain, leading to memory loss and difficulty concentrating.
These and other cognitive problems can result from:
a reduction in the flow of blood to the brain
a reduction in the amount of blood pumped throughout the body
certain changes in blood pressure
5. Digestive Problems
Digestion relies upon blood flow, and poor circulation may be linked to fatty matter that can collect in the lining of blood vessels in the abdomen. Digestive problems related to reduced blood flow include abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stools, constipation, and cramping.
6. Fatigue
Poor blood flow affects energy levels and can cause fatigue. Also, the heart must pump harder when circulation is poor, which can lead to further fatigue.
7. Joint Pain and Muscle Cramping
Poor circulation can cause pain in the legs, feet, arms, and hands. Cold hands and feet may ache or throb, especially as they start to warm and blood flow returns. Poor circulation in the legs and arms can also cause these areas to ache, including the calf muscles. This type of pain in the legs is often worse when sitting or standing for long periods.
Also, when the blood does not circulate correctly, oxygen and nutrients cannot reach tissues effectively, which can result in stiffness and cramping.
8. Skin Color Changes
When an insufficient amount of arterial blood reaches the body's tissues, the skin may appear pale or blue. If blood is leaking from capillaries, these areas may appear purple.
The following areas may be discolored: nose, lips, ears, nipples, hands, and feet.
9. Leg Ulcers
Poor circulation affects the body's ability to heal, which can lead to ulcers in the legs and feet. Ulcers can also develop when blood pools in the veins of the legs, which causes swelling beneath the skin.
10. Varicose Veins
Poor circulation causes existing varicose veins to become visible. Varicose veins make it harder for blood to return to the heart. They can also lead to symptoms, such as:
heaviness in the legs
aches in the legs
itchiness
swelling
veins that appear to be knotted
Varicose veins are common among people who regularly stand for long periods.
Treatments:
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned, it’s important to talk to a medical professional so they can diagnose the cause and proper treatment. When it comes to poor circulation there are a number of different treatments that may be recommended. Some of the more common treatments include:
Lifestyle changes
Exercise
Diet
Prescription Drugs
While these treatments are a great start, they do not specifically target poor microcirculation or to restore your quality of life. For those needing it, we offer another therapy called PEMF using the BEMER device.
What is BEMER therapy?
BEMER stands for Bio-Electro-Magnetic-Energy-Regulation and is a PEMF medical device used to stimulate circulation to the microvessels in affected areas of the body.
How does BEMER work?
BEMER uses a low frequency PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) to deliver electro-magnetic energy to the areas of the body where circulation may be lacking. These magnetic fields stimulate and normalize the body's blood flow in the affected areas allowing the body to naturally heal itself.
Is BEMER right for you?
We have a number of patients using BEMER but just like any other therapy or treatment, it’s important to discuss your symptoms with a medical professional first. It’s also important to point out that BEMER therapy is not just used for poor microcirculation.
Other applications include:
Optimizing physical fitness
Increasing endurance and energy levels
Boosting concentration and mental acuity
Reducing stress
Improving immune system function
What should you do?
If you or a loved one are experiencing any symptoms related to poor circulation or want to learn more about the BEMER therapy, give us a call at (704) 752-8100 or click below to sign up for a free 15-minute phone consultation. We’ll be glad to walk you through your options and answer any questions. Want to combat poor circulation at home? You can buy the BEMER PEMF device used at Better Brain & Body.
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