The symptoms of poor circulation usually affect the feet and the legs. There are various medical conditions that cause poor circulation symptoms. Blood clots and diabetes can cause poor circulation. Heart disease and Raynaud's disease can also cause poor circulation symptoms to occur. MayoClinic.com states that peripheral artery disease can also cause poor circulation. There are some things people can avoid to improve circulation, such as cigarette smoking, drinking caffeine and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Poor circulation can become a serious health problem if it is not managed properly.
Numbness
Poor circulation causes numbness in the extremities. The arms and hands, legs and feet will be most affected by the numbness. The area affected will feel like it is no longer there and there will be no feeling in the area even when touched. This can affect the way a person walks, allowing for the possibility of falling. Numbness in the extremities is usually preceded by tingling. This is because of the lack of oxygen that is normally carried to the area by blood.
Tingling
Pricking sensations in the fingers and toes or the hands and feet is common with poor circulation. Because the blood isn't being dispersed the way it should be to these areas, it is common to feel tingling at any time. Most patients with poor circulation will feel tingling in the hands and feet after walking a long distance or exerting themselves more than normal. If the lips start to tingle, it could be a symptom of something more serious than poor circulation, and medical attention should be sought immediately.
Burning
The tips of the fingers or the tips of the toes are the areas most commonly affected by the burning sensation that accompanies poor circulation. Some patients, however, may have such severely impaired circulation that the entire leg or arm burns. The burning sensation, like numbness, is usually preceded by tingling. While burning sensations of the extremities is a common symptom of poor circulation, it can also be a symptom of a more serious medical condition.
Cyanosis
Cyanosis is the medical term that describes the skin's change to a bluish tone. Blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body which normally produces a red color. When the blood doesn't have oxygen to carry, it is blue. This shows through the skin as a bluish color. Texas Heart Institute explains that it is common to see cyanosis in the hands, feet, arms and legs when there is poor circulation. This symptom can be intermittent and can be relieved by exercise.
