By SHolland00 August 9, 2017 - 10:23am

Circulatory problems impede the flow of blood in veins and arteries. They range from minor annoyances to becoming serious and possibly life threatening, most often affecting aging adults. Fortunately, most can be treated fairly easily, such as low-dose aspirin taken daily. Here are a few circulatory problems and what can be done to prevent and/or treat them.

Claudication
This is muscle fatigue or cramp-like pains in one or both legs. The pain is felt when the person walks and goes away when they rest. It’s usually caused by arterial blockage in the legs, but can also be caused by pressure on the nerves in the spine. Claudication can be prevented by not smoking, weight loss, exercise and reducing the amount of saturated fats in the person’s diet. The person should partner with their doctor for other ways to treat claudication and its symptoms.

Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are distended veins that are most often found in the ankles and legs. They are usually found just under the skin and can be seen as twisted, red or blue lines. Varicose veins are usually benign, though they are unsightly and can hurt or sting. Though sometimes they’re not preventable, ways to reduce the risk of varicose veins are to keep up a healthy weight, be sure not to sit or stand for long periods of time, wear compression socks, and elevate the legs whenever possible. Advanced varicose veins often must be treated at specialized clinics like Ivein Treatment Center.

Arterial Thrombosis
Thrombosis is a condition where a blood clot forms in an artery. The clot blocks the flow of blood either partially or completely. The disruption in blood circulation makes it difficult or impossible for the surrounding tissue to receive nutrients and can result in tissue necrosis. These clots, called embolisms, are most often found in a person’s legs but can be found in nearly every artery in the body. This includes the arteries that serve the brain and the heart. Sometimes, a clot that forms in a leg artery can grow large enough to break away and travel to distant sites in the body, where it can cause great damage.

People who are at risk for thrombosis smoke, have high blood pressure, diabetes, hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. They may have suffered an injury to a blood vessel or have heart disease. They may also suffer from blood clotting disorders. The risk can be reduced by losing weight, exercising and taking blood thinning medications prescribed by a doctor. It’s important for a person who believes they have an arterial thrombosis to be under a doctor’s care