Poor circulation

Circulatory insufficiency is one of the circulatory disorders and makes itself felt by brief drop in blood pressure without unconsciousness, accompanied by dizziness and black in front of the eyes. The brain is briefly supplied with less oxygen, causing weakness and dizziness. A circulatory weakness is usually not a serious disease. However, a medical examination should exclude any underlying diseases.

contents

• Circulation and blood vessels
• Control mechanisms of the circulation - blood pressure
• Symptoms associated with circulatory insufficiency
• Causes of circulatory weakness
• Diagnosis of circulatory insufficiency: hypotension
• First aid in a weak circulation
• Therapy of circulatory insufficiency
• Naturopathy in circulatory weakness
• Holistic - dynamic life processes
• Strengthen circulation
• Prognosis of circulatory weakness

Circulation and blood vessels

The circulatory system, consisting of the heart and blood vessels, is a transport system that sends blood throughout the body, supplying it with oxygen and nutrients, but also removes metabolic end products and carbon dioxide. In technical language is called cardiovascular system.

The cycle consists of a systemic circulation and a pulmonary circulation. The purpose of the systemic circulation is to supply the entire organism with oxygen-rich blood. In contrast, the pulmonary circulation transports the depleted, oxygenated blood. The blood vessels represent the actual transport system. These include the aorta, the arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules and veins. Vessels and the heart are connected to a dynamic unit that controls the processes of life. Above all, heart and blood pressure affect this dynamic, but also hormone and nervous system are involved.

Control mechanisms of the circulation - blood pressure

The flow of blood is due to pressure differences in the circulatory system of equip. The blood flows with high pressure from regions of the heart to the periphery, for example into arms and legs, where lower pressure prevails. The flow rate is influenced by the blood pressure and the resistance of the vessels. Blood pressure is an important factor. It represents the force exerted by the blood on the vessel walls and is dependent on the blood volume, the peripheral resistance and the heart-time volume.

For example, blood pressure changes when a person loses large amounts of blood, which reduces blood volume. Narrow or dilated vessels also affect this by altering the peripheral resistance. Heart-time volume is the amount of blood that the heart pumps into the body in a given time. If this blood volume changes, so does the blood pressure.

Symptoms associated with circulatory insufficiency

The main symptom of circulatory insufficiency is hypotension (low blood pressure). This is the case when the blood pressure drops below the value of 100/60 mmHg in the male and below 110/60 mmHg in the female. However, this does not necessarily lead to symptoms. Many hypotension suffer no discomfort. Other symptoms include weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, blackening in front of the eyes, cold sweats, headaches and nausea.

Causes of circulatory weakness

Circulatory weakness is the result of low blood pressure. This can have a variety of causes. Hypotension and consequent circulatory weakness often affect young, slim women, especially when they are still growing. Here is spoken of an essential hypotension.

Symptomatic hypotension occurs due to a disease present. The low blood pressure arises for example in the context of heart failure (heart failure), aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aorta), diseases of the adrenal cortex or due to a long bed rest, resulting in a subsequent hypovolaemia. Thyroid dysfunction can also cause circulatory dysfunction. Various medications, such as psychotropic drugs, vasodilators, or diuretics, can trigger hypotension.

Another form of hypotension is orthostatic dysregulation, in which the blood pressure drops when standing. The cause of this is often a dysfunction of the venous valves causing the blood sags while standing and not enough to be pumped into the systemic circulation. But also nerve damage that occurs in conjunction with diabetes, can trigger this form of hypotension. Arteriosclerosis, in which the vessel walls are no longer as flexible and elastic, this may also require.

Normally, the body regulates the change of position to the horizontal as follows. The sympathetic becomes active, thereby narrowing the blood vessels, causing the blood pressure drops only slightly. At the same time the heart rate is increased, so that all organs can be supplied with enough blood.

Weather swings, long standing, too low fluid intake, all of which can trigger an acute hypotension. Circulatory insufficiency affects, above all, tall, slender young women, adolescent girls, pregnant women and senior citizens.

Diagnosis of circulatory insufficiency: hypotension

Most patients who suffer from circulatory dysfunction complain of recurring dizziness and dizziness, poor performance and concentration, black in front of the eyes when getting up, but also during prolonged standing. Often the sufferers are pale and freeze easily. Multiple blood pressure measurements taken on both arms and at different times of the day are important for the diagnosis. In most cases, the so-called Schellong test is also used. The blood pressure and pulse are recorded at rest, lying down and standing up. Essential hypotension affects especially slim, young women. For the diagnosis of secondary hypotension, for example, caused by heart failure, examination methods, such as ultrasound, blood tests, CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are used.

First aid in a weak circulation

If your circulation goes down, it's best to lay flat and raise your legs. Helpful is the cooling of the forehead with a wet cloth. Before getting up, eat a handful of walnuts and calmly drink a large glass of water to normalize your circulation.

Therapy of circulatory insufficiency

If symptomatic or secondary hypotension has been identified, the underlying disease is treated. However, essential hypotension only needs to be subjected to drug therapy in severe, severe cases. Here are sympathomimetics (stimulate the sympathetic) or dihydroergotamine (belongs to the drug group ergot alkaloids) are used. The patient must be informed that his circulatory weakness is not threatening. Physical measures, such as Kneipp castings and regular exercise are recommended to those affected. Ensure adequate hydration.

Naturopathy in circulatory weakness

Appropriate naturopathic healing methods can positively influence circulatory insufficiency and the associated hypotension. Patients are advised to move regularly, preferably in the fresh air. A moderate endurance training strengthens the circulation. The effect does not begin immediately, but regularity and consistency are worthwhile. A change in diet to healthy whole foods, a sufficient amount of drinking water in the form of still water and abstinence from nicotine and excessive alcohol consumption are an important part of the therapy. The daily coffee dose should preferably not exceed three cups. Similarly, black tea is only occasionally or, if daily, only in small quantities, recommended.

In order to improve the vascular tone, diversion methods, such as cupping and the Baunscheidtherapie help. Circulatory stimulating plants include rosemary, ginseng, hawthorn and camphor. Rosemary contributes to blood pressure increase, camphor has a toning effect on the circulation, hawthorn supports heart and performance and ginseng is a good general strengthener. Often these plants are contained in various complex agents for the treatment of circulatory insufficiency. To be prepared for all cases, it helps to carry essential rosemary oil. Adding a few drops to a handkerchief and inhaling the fragrance can be of great help in cases of acute circulatory insufficiency. As an alternative serve the emergency drops of Dr. med. creek.

A proven home remedy is also a tea with rosemary. For this purpose, pour a teaspoon of fresh or dried rosemary leaves with a quarter of a liter of boiling water and leave the infusion covered for five minutes before covering.

In naturopathic practice, foot reflexology is used to treat hypotension, the main cause of a weak circulation. This is often used successfully every week in a cycle of about ten repetitions. Through the reflex zones of the feet, the entire body can be rebalanced with the special form of therapy.

Bitter substances, which not only positively affect the digestive organs, can have a tonic effect on the circulation. Examples are wormwood, centaury and gentian.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the causes of low blood pressure are attributed to malnutrition and / or renal insufficiency. Differentiation is made here for symptoms such as headache, dizziness and the general condition of the patient. TCM tries to strengthen the kidneys, spleen and stomach with the help of herbal and treatment methods, which include acupuncture.

Holistic - dynamic life processes

The circulation forms a closed system of arteries, venous capillaries, blood and heart and controls the dynamics of life processes. This is mainly influenced by the pumping of the heart and the blood pressure. The holistically oriented therapists assume that patients with circulatory weakness and hypotension lack support and limited space. Also, the "hypotonic" people who are despondent from the basic mood and easily lose confidence. So in the holistic treatment of circulatory weakness also soul and spirit are part of it. A classical homeopathic treatment offers the approach for a holistic treatment concept. Frequently, various Bach flowers are mixed to integrate the psychic component of the person involved.

Strengthen circulation

To strengthen the cycle and to be prophylactic, the following can be done. Too quickly getting up after lying down or sitting down should be avoided. A few sips of black tea, still drunk in bed, can help. The breakfast should be rich in protein and contain enough liquid. Coffee generally only causes a short-term increase in blood pressure. It is better to drink green tea. Ensure a sufficient amount of liquid from two to two and a half liters of still water throughout the day. Patients suffering from circulatory problems should always carry a small bottle of water with them. Regular exercise in the fresh air, moderate endurance training, climbing stairs instead of lift, weekly sauna sessions, and daily changing showers, all this strengthens and tones the circulation.

Long standing should be avoided. If this is not possible, the circulation can be kept going with a seesaw on the toe bale. Also helps here the repeated clawing of the toes. This can happen absolutely unnoticed and is nevertheless a good help.

Prognosis of circulatory weakness

In general, low blood pressure associated with circulatory failure has a good general prognosis. If there are no underlying diseases, hypotension can even be associated with increased life expectancy. The biggest danger of circulatory failure is when the patient falls due to dizziness and / or fainting and injured. (Sw)

Picture: Gerd Altmann, Pixelio