Unhealthy habits and lack of exercise continues to progress in our society. We are more seeing health issues in people who are of an age thought to be "young and healthy", and this includes circulation issues. Problems with circulation often plague the legs and other lower extremities. It is commonly though that only older individuals suffer from this, however this is not the case. With the increase in obesity in children and teens, circulation problems are on the rise in youth as well. If you or someone you know has this issue, there are tips you can follow to help get it under control and avoid expensive surgery or serious illness.
Here's the number one tip- exercise. I know that one word can conjure up feelings of doubt and apprehensiveness, but it is really much easier than you think. A simple walk or jog during your favorite time of day can help a lot with circulation and get the blood flowing. Walk with your pet or family member to make it more enjoyable. Or, if you have a workout regimen of your own, that's great too. Exercising the body parts that have issues will stimulate blood flow to that area, bringing helpful oxygen and nutrients to the area for rejuvenation.
If you are a smoker with circulation issues, it is advised that you either quit or reduce use. Over time, smoking can harden the arteries which can further the negative effects of poor circulation and increase blood pressure.
When laying down for the night, or sitting in a chair, put your legs up on an elevated surface. Your legs lie at a low elevation in your body, which means that blood can have a hard time being pumped out. Elevating the legs helps ease the load and prevents blood from pooling. Pooling of the blood can cause pain, aching and deterioration of tissue, which should be avoided.
Frequently eating foods high in fat or sugar can have noticeable changes in your chemical makeup. The most significant effect is the thickening of the blood. Thickened blood is obviously harder to pump around the body, and can reduce circulation. Take charge of your diet and eat foods high in fiber to thin the blood to healthy, manageable levels.
Another healthy addition to any regimen is taking herbal supplements. With the wide variety of supplements out there, it can be confusing. There are a few key supplements that have proven to be effective in reducing poor circulation. These include pycnogenol and hose chestnut.
A great way to help with circulation with minimal work is to wear compression socks. These socks are specially designed to lightly "massage" the feet and calves to move blood around. They can be worn at any time and are an easy way to do something healthy for your legs.
