Circulation enables movement of blood through the body, which supplies vital organs with oxygen and important nutrients. If the circulation is somehow impaired, it can affect the proper function of different systems and organs in the body. If the problem is left untreated, it can harm vital organs such as the heart, kidneys and brain and may even have fatal consequences.

Improper circulation is the main cause of problems such as atherosclerosis and peripheral artery disease. Obesity, diabetes, blood clots and heart disease may also spawn from improper circulation, while alcohol abuse, poor diet and smoking may impair your circulation. The good news is that the symptoms of the condition are pretty hard not to notice. Detecting them on time and treating the root cause appropriately can repair your circulation and reverse the damage it might have already done. Here are 10 warning signs of poor blood circulation:

Numb hands and feet

Numbness in the limbs is almost always a sign of poor circulation. Numbness in the hands and feet can also be caused by constant pressure in the hands and feet, compressed nerves, sensitivity to cold, lack of magnesium and vitamin B12.

Swelling in the lower extremities

Swelling in the lower extremities can be a result of too much sodium, sitting in one position for a longer period, malnutrition, pregnancy, aging or obesity, but if it goes on for a longer period it may be caused by poor circulation. The lack of blood flow doesn’t allow the kidneys to perform well, resulting in the accumulation of fluids in the tissues and swelling in different body parts. If you’re experiencing this problem, lay down and raise your legs above your heart and the swelling should stop soon.

Fatigue and tiredness

The lack of proper blood flow means that the body isn’t getting enough oxygen and nutrients, which interferes with normal organ function. This will result in fatigue, shortness of breath, sore muscles and lack of stamina.

Cold hands and feet

Proper circulation ensures regulated body temperature, so if it’s somehow impaired, you may suffer from temperature irregularities. When the blood flow is impaired, blood can’t reach every point of the body, making the farthest points such as the fingers and toes go cold. In this case, you should rub the affected areas in order to get the blood flowing and prevent other problems.

Varicose veins

Improper blood flow can twist and swell the veins in our body, resulting in varicose veins and other cardiovascular problems. Varicose veins usually appear on the legs and can be itchy and painful as well. Luckily, they are mostly an aesthetic problem that can be resolved by wearing compression stockings that can improve your blood flow.

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