Ways to Treat Poor Circulation in Fingers

With the arrival of winter, many start getting the feeling that their fingers and toes have become cold and dull. The basic reason is the decrease in blood flow towards their extreme body parts. It is a type of peripheral vascular disease. There are a number of factors that cause poor circulation in the hands and feet.

The most important ones are unhealthy lifestyle, cold exposure, and an improper diet. A right diagnosis of the root cause is a must for the permanent treatment. A doctor will look at one's medical history, family history, and lifestyle to determine the basic reason behind the condition.

• Fingers feel colder than the rest of the body
• Tingling or prickling sensation within any of the fingers
• Formation of sore or ulcers on the fingers due to decreased blood flow
• Feeling of numbness in the fingers
• Fingers appear pale or even blue due to lack of blood.

As one grows older, their blood vessels may become harder and stiffer. It inhibits the proper circulation of blood, especially to extreme body parts that include fingers. This is one of the most common causes of poor circulation in fingers and toes in old people.

When one gets exposed to cold temperatures, the blood vessels in hands and feet tend to constrict. Basically, this is the body's response to the cold. However, the constriction of blood vessels can also occur when one is under physical or mental stress. When this condition lasts for too long or happens too much, it is medically termed as Raynaud's syndrome.

Arteriosclerosis, which is the hardening or thickening of the arteries, causes poor circulation of blood. High level of cholesterol and diseases such as diabetes lead to the thickening and hardening of the walls of blood vessels. It affects the transport of blood from heart to both the upper and lower extremities of the body.

Following a diet that is deficient in vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids for a long period of time may cause the arteries, veins, and capillaries to break down. Defective blood vessels, in turn, restrict the flow of blood to all body parts. Thus, lack of a balanced diet may be a reason behind this condition.

Veins may develop a blood clot due to a physical blow. This blood clot may further lead to the inflammation of the veins. This condition is called venous thrombosis. This is an acute disease that lasts for about 2-3 weeks. Venous thrombosis is another common cause of poor circulation in fingers, toes, and other extremities of the body.

Several body conditions such as pregnancy, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, phlebitis, etc., bring blood circulation problems along with them. Poor circulation in fingers may be one of such problems.

► One can take herbs like ginkgo biloba and nutrients such as niacin and inositol hexaniacinate that produce a relaxing effect on the arteries and veins. One can use them in curing this condition. Consult a doctor for their intake amounts.

► If cold temperatures is the cause for it in one's case, then try all possible ways to keep warm. Wear woolen clothes and cover the fingers with gloves. Staying physically active will keep the body warm, and hence will prove to be of great help.

► For the people affected by Raynaud's syndrome, the intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (or EPA) that is obtained from fish oil is recommendable. This increases the tolerance of cold and delays the onset of any symptoms. However, excessive intake of EPA can thin the blood. Therefore, a doctor's prescription is needed before its use.

► Avoid smoking and consumption of medications meant for treating pulmonary congestion, migraine, and diet pills when experiencing poor circulation. This is because, they cause clamping down of the blood vessels.

► Medical treatments for poor circulation generally include medicines that block calcium channels, since they help in dilation of the blood vessels.

If one experiences this condition frequently, he/she needs to take some extra care to prevent its onset in future. Needless to say, follow a balanced diet, stay physically active, avoid smoking, and eating fatty foods, and last but not the least stay protected from cold.

Disclaimer: This is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.