Circulation refers to the process of blood traveling throughout the body via vessels, including arteries, veins and capillaries, to bring oxygen and nutrients to cells and organs. Restricted blood flow to the extremities can cause pain in the short term, and more serious health conditions if not treated. Teens with poor circulation typically have a primary disorder that interferes with blood flow, or make lifestyle choices that can result in circulation problems.
Circulatory Disease
Raynaud's is a circulatory disease that interrupts the flow of blood to the fingers, nose and ears because of a spasm in the blood vessel. According to the Raynaud's Association, about 5 to 10 percent of Americans have Raynaud's, but only about 20 percent seek treatment. The BBC reports that Raynaud's is common in teens, but this age group is only affected by the condition for a few years before it clears up on its own by their early 20s. Raynaud's is often triggered by exposure to cold temperatures or mechanical stress, such as an intense vibration like when using a drill. The trigger causes arteries to spasm and shut down, which prevents blood from traveling to the extremities. Raynaud's causes the skin to turn white, blue or bright red. When the spasm fades and blood supply is restored, it can cause pain, numbness and tingling.
Chromosomal Defect
DiGeorge syndrome, a disorder diagnosed early in life, is caused by a chromosomal defect. Characterized by the poor development of different body systems, DiGeorge syndrome is not always evident until later in a child's a life. The Mayo Clinic reports that signs and symptoms include bluish skin due to poor circulation of oxygenated blood, fatigue and low body weight.
Diabetes
Diabetes, a disease characterized by abnormally high levels of glucose in the body, can cause large and small blood vessel complications, according to AboutKidsHealth. Complications with big blood vessels, known as macrovascular, include poor circulation to the extremities. While these circulatory problems are rare prior to puberty, once a child hits her teens, she is at increased risk for these complications. Additionally, smokers with diabetes are at higher risk for circulation problems. According to the American Lung Association, nearly 70 percent of adult smokers picked up the habit by the time they turned 18, and each day 3,900 teens smoke their first cigarette.
Obesity
Obesity is one of the most common causes of circulation problems. Obesity is defined has having a body mass index of 30 or more. In 2007 the journal "Microcirculation" reported that obesity impairs blood flow in the muscles. In 2001, researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that overweight women experienced reduced levels of energy to cells due to limited blood flow to muscles. When the women lost the weight, the metabolism of energy in the cells was similar to those who were never overweight. An estimated 16 to 33 percent of kids and teens are obese in the United States, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Characteristics
Symptoms of poor circulation include a dull, cramping pain, known as claudication, according to ePodiatry.com. When a teen has poor circulation, his feet, toes or hands can become numb or tingle. The skin can turn pale when the blood is cut off, or turn blue or red. The extremities become cooler, causing cold hands or feet. In the later stages of poor circulation, the skin can break down, resulting in infections and sores that take a long time to heal.
References
- BBC: Health: Raynaud's phenomenon
- Raynaud's Association: What is Raynaud's
- MayoClinic.com: DiGeorge syndrome
- National Institute of Mental Health: Teens with Deletion Syndrome Confirm Gene's Role In Psychosis
- American Lung Association: Children and Teens
- PubMed.gov: Regulation of muscle blood flow in obesity
