POOR CIRCULATION

See also

Foot skin problems - for varicose eczema

Sub types

• Arterial: Intermittent claudication in limbs - causes ischaemic pains after walking fixed distance.
• Arterial: Raynaud's - limb vessels go into spasm with little provocation - cold white extremities.
• Venous: Thrombosis of a deep vein - a serious condition due to the risk of pulmonary embolism.
• Venous: Superficial thrombophlebitis.
• Venous: Varicose eczema - eczema associated with varicose veins.
• Cramp: Causation still unclear.

Danger signs

• Arterial disease may well be associated with vascular risk factors such as: smoking / hypertension / hypercholesterolaemia, there may be coexistent cardio or cerebrovascular disease - Contact GP

Notes for children

• Rare to see problems in children. Contact GP

Notes for the elderly

• Deep vein thrombosis: (DVT) acute onset of a hot, swollen, tender calf.
• May be associated with a period of immobility - Contact GP urgently.
• Usually dilation of foot veins and for accumulation of excessive water in foot.

General advice

• B-Blocking drugs, particularly in this age group, may exacerbate arterial problems.
• Superficial thrombophlebitis and varicose eczema are common.
• Smoking cessation advice where appropriate.
• Diet and exercise will improve circulatory efficiency.
• Elevation of a limb with venous lems is of benefit. Consider compression stockings.

Therapy

• Analgesia
• Low dose aspirin
• Fish oils
• Compression stockings
• Heparinoid creams

Dictionary

Arterial: relating to one or more arteries or the entire system of arteries.
Claudication; limping, usually referred to intermittent.
Embolism: obstruction or occlusion of a vessel by a transported clot or vegetation, a mass of bacteria or other foreign material.
Pulmonary embolism: embolism of pulmonary arteries, most frequently by detached fragments of thrombus from leg or pelvic vein.
Hypercholesterolaemia: presence of an abnormally large amount of cholesterol in the blood cells and plasma of the circulating blood.
Ischaemic: relating to or infected by ischaemia.
Ischaemia: local anaemia due to mechanical obstruction of the blood supply.
Raynaud'sphenomenon: spasm of arterioles, usually in the digits (and occasionally other acral parts such as the nose and tongue) with intermittent pallor or cyanosis of the skin.
Thrombophlebitis: venous inflammation with thrombus formation.

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