Introduction
Circulatory disorders of the feet can have many causes and manifest themselves through a variety of symptoms. Sensory disturbances, pain, tingling, paleness and poor wound healing of the affected extremity are among the signs of disturbed blood circulation. Not in every case a circulatory disorder of the feet must be caused by a disease of the vascular system. With regard to the reaction to stress and cold, personal and gender-related differences may exist.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a disturbed blood circulation of the feet are broadly diversified. In addition to pale, cold extremities, the initial symptoms of circulatory disorders include a tingling sensation or occasional numbness of the lower extremity. In the advanced stage, pain also occurs, which can increase under stress.
If a severe circulatory disorder such as pAVK remains untreated for a long time, damage to the skin and tissue can occur. Vulnerable skin areas, wound healing disorders and chronic, partially open and infected pressure points become apparent. In the worst case, black discoloration and death of entire toes may occur.
In addition to damage to soft tissues, irreversible damage to nerves can occur. Limited surface sensitivity can be the result. In the case of a circulatory disorder of the feet, the feet may become pale due to the lack of blood supply; in pronounced cases, a blue-reddish discoloration is also possible.
The blue discoloration occurs because the foot is not supplied with sufficient oxygen through the blood. However, blue feet do not only occur with circulatory disorders. They can also occur with poor blood return.
Furthermore, heart defects or other harmless things can be the cause. It is advisable to consult a doctor for a precise clarification. Especially young, slim women often suffer from cold feet.
The cause is usually low blood pressure (hypotension). This leads to poorer blood circulation, especially in the feet and hands. Although hypotension can be unpleasant, it is not dangerous.
However, cold feet also occur in cases of dangerous circulatory disorders – for example, in the case of pAVK (peripheral arterial occlusive disease). Vascular calcifications and arteriosclerosis lead to an occlusion of arterial vessels in the legs and thus to a reduced supply in the lower legs and feet. In order not to further deteriorate the blood circulation, it is advisable to keep the feet as warm as possible.
Tingling and other sensations in the legs are a common symptom. Everyone knows the unpleasant tingling sensation when warm blood flows into cold hands. Tingling can also occur in many other diseases besides circulatory disorders.
More often the cause of a tingling sensation is due to complaints in the nerves. A typical illness here is polyneuropathy. In this case, defects in the nerve endings cause sensations such as tingling.
A common cause of polyneuropathy is diabetes mellitus. Because of the many possible causes, a tingling sensation in the legs should be carefully examined by a doctor. Behind itchy feet there can be many different complaints – athlete’s foot, allergies, overstrain, metabolic disorders or rough feet.
But itchy feet also occur with circulatory disorders. The itching is caused on the one hand by the poor supply of nutrients to the feet and the lack of removal of various substances via the blood. On the other hand, poor blood circulation leads to dry, thin and injury-prone skin, which can easily lead to itching.
Foot swelling is typical of venous circulatory disorders, as the return of blood from the foot to the heart is difficult. However, swelling of the foot can also be caused by water retention in the tissue due to other diseases. To a certain degree, everyone’s feet swell up during the day, especially when standing.
With venous weakness, the foot swelling is much more pronounced. By putting the legs up, the venous system can be supported and the swelling can subside more easily. The toes are particularly susceptible to circulatory disorders, as their blood supply is not as pronounced as in other parts of the body.
They become pale and cold. In addition, feelings of numbness occur. Raynaud’s syndrome can also occur on the toes, although it is usually the fingers that are affected (see below).
A circulatory disorder of the sole of the foot is usually associated with a worsened blood circulation in the toes and the rest of the foot. It comes to the same symptoms.Feelings of numbness, tingling and cold feet appear. Pain in the sole of the foot is also possible, which repeatedly forces the person concerned to stop while walking.
All articles in this series: