There are a couple conditions that could lead to poor circulation in your hands, including anemia, atherosclerosis and Raynaud’s disease.
Smoking will also make it more likely for you to have poor circulation. In this article, we'll have a look at the symptoms and causes of lack of circulation in the hands and when to call our GP for poor circulation in Fuengirola.
Am I suffering from poor circulation in the hands?
Poor circulation in the hands can cause the following signs and symptoms:
- Temperature: Your hands and fingers feel cold when you touch them.
- Swelling: The hands could swell and may also be painful.
- Color: The fingernails have a blue tint or they appear to be pale
- Blood refilling: Blood vessels could take longer than usual to be filled with blood. As an example, if you squeeze a finger, it might take longer than 3 seconds to be refilled with blood.
- Tingling or numbness: The fingers could have a tingling feeling or have a numb sensation.
- Pain: Extreme pain in the fingers and hands may suggest the lack of blood flow.
- Mobility: A person might have a hard time moving their fingers.
Causes
Circulatory system problems are very common. Poor circulation in the hands can be caused by a number of factors, including:
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a disorder in which substances that are fatty accumulate in the arteries, limiting blood flow throughout the body. Atherosclerosis sometimes goes unnoticed until it reveals itself as a medical emergency, such as a stroke or heart attack. Symptoms of atherosclerosis, on the other hand, can include:
- pain in the limbs
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- irregular heartbeat
Anemia
Anemia is a form of blood disorder that affects many people. It happens when there are insufficient red blood cells or when they aren't working well. Normally, red blood cells distribute oxygen across the body.
Anemia can cause the following symptoms:
- fatigue
- shortness of breath
- weakness
- dizziness
- irregular heartbeat
- pale or yellow skin
- headaches
- chest pain
If you think you have symptoms of anemia please contact our GP for poor circulation in Fuengirola
Raynaud’s disease
Raynaud's disease is a condition that occurs rarely and it is characterized by the blood vessels being narrowed. The following are some of the symptoms of Raynaud's disease, which may happen in response to stress or even cold temperatures:
- pain
- body parts turning pale or blue, including the fingers and toes
- burning sensation
- numbness or tingling
The period and frequency of episodes of narrowed blood vessels can range from minutes to hours.
Smoking
Smoking showed to increase the risk of getting peripheral arterial disease, which is a condition by a narrowing of the arteries, that is a consequence of plaque buildup. This could possibly lead to amputations. Not only that, but since smoking makes blood stickier and more vulnerable to clotting, it can increase a person's risk of blood clots. These risks, however, can be minimized if you stop smoking.
When to to call our GP for poor circulation in Fuengirola
A person's circulation can be enhanced at any age by making dietary adjustments and exercising regularly. But if symptoms persist without an apparent cause, you should call our GP for poor circulation in Fuengirola so that they can diagnose and start treatment for any underlying conditions causing poor circulation.