The blood in your body is carried throughout all the organs via a very complex network of veins, vessels, and arteries pumped by one of the body’s most important organs — the heart. The blood carries all the important nutrients, gases, and wastes to and from the cells. The blood also helps carry your body’s soldiers—the white blood cells—that help fight off any foreign invaders. They are also important in stabilizing your body temperature and pH to maintain homeostatis.
All vertebrates have what is called a “closed” circulatory system. The blood never leaves the network of veins and arteries, while some of the invertebrates have an open circulatory system.
The Circulatory System
The main parts of the human circulatory system include the heart, the veins, and the blood that flow through them. It is not just the blood that moves through the circulatory system though. Another type of fluid that benefits from the system is the lymph, that makes up the lymphatic system together with the lymph nodes and lymph vessels.
The circulatory system includes three loops. The first is the systemic circulation which carries the oxygenated blood away from the heart to be distributed to the different parts of the body, and then returns the deoxygenated blood back to the heart. During the process, the oxygen that is carried by the blood diffuses to the different cells surrounding the capillaries while, at the same time, the carbon dioxide diffuses into the blood, still coming from the capillary cells.
The second loop is the pulmonary circulation. It is the contrast of the systemic circulation and is the part of the cardiovascular system that carries deoxygenated blood away from the heart, to the lungs, and then returns oxygenated blood back to the heart. In this circulation, the blood moves from the heart’s right ventricle, to the lungs, and then comes back to the left atrium. The last is the coronary circulation which provides blood to and from the heart muscles itself.
Anything that can impede or hamper this flow of blood throughout the body is called as a circulation problem. There are so many things that can disrupt the blood circulation, from the most trivial (temporary numbness due to a momentary interruption like sitting on your arm, for example) to life-threatening (any heart problems). It can even be safely assumed that all diseases involving the cardiovascular system is a circulation problem. The symptoms will also depend on what specific circulation problem you’re having, although the most common symptom is a decreased in efficiency and fatigue due to the organs not receiving the blood properly.
Circulation problems can also compromise your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections and diseases. The lymphatic system—an integral part of the body’s immune system—depends on the circulation of blood to travel to the parts of the body that have an infection. Any delay to that is a risk to your recovery.
Getting Rid of Circulation Problems
- Determine the source of the problem. The best step to do first is to determine what the exact cause of your circulation problem is. Have yourself checked by a doctor. Most circulation problems have their root on the heart, so it’s a good idea to start from there.
- Eat healthy. One of the most common causes of circulation problem is the buildup of cholesterol plaque on the walls of your arteries. Cholesterol clogs up the arteries, blocking or stemming the flow of blood to the heart. The result is poor circulation that may eventually lead to heart conditions such as hypertension or even heart attack. Try to have a healthy diet. Ease back on foods rich in bad cholesterol and saturated fats such as butter or prepared foods. Introduce nutritious foods like vegetables and fruits. Studies have also shown that fiber-rich foods can help reduce cholesterol. For best results, consult with your dietitian for the correct diet program for you.
- Exercise. Exercise is a great way to promote circulation to your body. When you exercise, your heart pumps blood faster than the normal pace, jumpstarting its circulation throughout your whole system. Exercise also helps in reducing the risk of getting any heart-related problems. You don’t even have to do rigorous or heavy workouts to reap the benefits.
- Consider hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy or getting hot and cold showers regularly is also a great way to improve your circulation. If you know the exact spot of your circulation problem, then concentrate there. When you get under a hot shower, the blood rushes to your skin and feeds it, and when you immediately put in the cold, the blood rushes back to the internal organs. When you shiver, it just means that the blood is flushing out of your skin, leaving it oxygenated. When you apply a hot shower again, the blood flushes back to your skin.The action of the blood rushing to and from your skin increases your circulation. The therapy can be repeated up to five or six times for the best results; however, don’t start on hot and cold right away. Gradually increase the temperature between hot and cold over a couple of weeks so you won’t get system shock from it.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Fluids help in the circulation of the blood to your system. The recommended eight glasses per day is a good option; however, stay away from caffeinated drinks as they can increase the risk of you getting a heart problem.
You only have to make sure that your blood is flowing properly throughout your body. A healthy lifestyle complete with daily exercises and a balanced diet will go a long way. Cardiovascular problems are one of the leading causes of death in the world. You can prevent becoming another statistic by making sure that your circulation problems are addressed.
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