Are Your Feet Suffering from Poor Circulation?
Poor blood circulation in your feet can be due to nerve damage or Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), most common among diabetic patients. As fatty deposits narrow your arteries, blood flow to other parts of your body (especially your feet) reduces. While this may not cause any discomfort initially, if you ignore this condition or leave it untreated, you could suffer severe consequences like surgeries or even amputation of the affected areas.
Restricted blood flow in your lower limbs can expose you to several problems like fungal skin infections, cuts, wounds, or the development of ulcers due to poor healing, brittle toenails and more.
Here are some warning signs that you should not ignore:
- Numbness or a tingling feeling in the feet while walking or resting.
- Frequent foot cramps, especially those that last for a longer duration.
- Cold feeling in your lower legs or feet.
- Skin or nail discoloration, usually a blueish shade, indicates insufficient blood flow.
- Weakness in your legs.
- Sores, cuts, or wounds on the feet that don’t heal properly.
- Hair loss or shiny skin on the legs.
PAD can also aggravate other foot conditions, as poor blood circulation slows down the entire body’s healing process. If you notice any of the above signs or anything unusual in your feet, visit your podiatrist immediately. Delaying treatment will only worsen the conditions and result in discomfort and piercing pain.
Here are some lifestyle changes that your doctors recommend managing PAD:
- If you smoke, you need to quit smoking right away.
- Regular exercise like walking can help reverse the symptoms of PAD. However, consult with your podiatrist before starting any exercise routine.
- Eating a balanced and healthy diet will take you a long way.
- Keep your cholesterol and blood sugar levels in check. Avoid foods that increase either of these.
- Manage blood pressure and weight.
If you experience pain and numbness in your legs or feet, you may want to visit both your primary care physician and a podiatrist.
At the New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group, there are almost 30 foot and ankle surgeons, podiatrists, and doctors. With more than 30 locations, from Newark, NJ, to Cape May, NJ, we value convenience and excellent service for our patients. We offer compassionate, cutting-edge care across our network, and we specialize in treating the following conditions: ankle and sports injuries, heel pain and plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammertoes, corns and calluses, ingrown toenails, diabetic foot care complications, children’s foot problems, skin conditions of the feet, and fungal nails. Our group is among the best foot and ankle providers in the country. To schedule an appointment, first find a podiatrist in your area.