Insufficient Blood Circulation
Description
Insufficient blood circulation is the symptom of decreased blood flow, causing toxic buildup of waste products and undernourishment of body tissues. It is always related to other conditions.
Ischemia refers to a localized and temporary deficiency of blood supply due to obstruction of circulation to an organ or a specific area of the body. Hypoemia refers to local anemia specifically due to mechanical obstruction, mainly by contraction of the arteries. Types of ischemia are myocardial, postural, or retinal.
Raynaud's disease is the constriction and spasm of arterioles, most often occurring in the fingers but sometimes involving the toes, nose and tongue. It is most likely to affect women, the sedentary and smokers.
Causes
Blood pooling in extremities or general peripheral dilation
Insufficient vitamin C which causes weakened blood vessel walls
Hypertension
Shock
Weak heart
Malnutrition
Signs & Symptoms
Myocardial ischemia
Functional arterial constriction
Coronary heart disease
Postural ischemia
Raising an organ above the heart
Retinal ischemia
| Arterial embolism or spasm | Peptic ulcers |
| Pulmonary tuberculosis | Immune poisoning |
| Childbirth | Dizziness |
| Restlessness | Pale skin |
| Drowsiness | Rapid and weak breathing |
| Faintness | Chest pain |
| Cold, clammy, or sweaty skin | Rapid pulse |
| Dilated pupils | Exsanguination, as from recurring profuse hemorrhages |
Nutritional Supplements
Structure & Function: Circulatory Support
---------------------------------
General Supplements
---------------------------------
| Adult | Child/Adolescent | |
| Bioflavonoids | 500 - 1000 mg | 200 - 500 mg |
| Carnitine | 500 - 1,000 mg | 100 - 500 mg |
| Fish oils | 6 - 10 g | 3 - 5 g |
| Magnesium | 400 - 600 mg | 200 - 300 mg |
| Vitamin C | 1,000 - 4,000 mg | 500 - 2,000 mg |
| Vitamin E | 400 - 800 IU | 200 - 400 IU |
Note: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.
Dietary Considerations
Homeopathic Remedy
| * Crataegus Hawthorn tinct. | 6X to 15C |
| * Cactus grandiflorus | 3X - 15C or higher (to 1M) |
Treatment Schedule
Doses cited are to be administered on a 3X daily schedule, unless otherwise indicated. Dose usually continued for 2 weeks. Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose. Solid preps are usually 3 pellets per dose. Children use 1/2 dose.
Legend
X = 1 to 10 dilution - weak (triturition)
C = 1 to 100 dilution - weak (potency)
M = 1 to 1 million dilution (very strong)
X or C underlined means it is most useful potency
Asterisk (*) = Primary remedy. Means most necessary remedy. There may be more than one remedy - if so, use all of them.
References
Boericke, D.E., 1988. Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Coulter, C.R., 1986. Portraits of Homeopathic Medicines.
Kent, J.T., 1989. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Koehler, G., 1989. Handbook of Homeopathy.
Shingale, J.N., 1992. Bedside Prescriber.
Smith, Trevor, 1989. Homeopathic Medicine.
Ullman, Dana, 1991. The One Minute (or so) Healer.
Tissue Salts
Herbal Approaches
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Herbs
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Cayenne (Capsicum annuum)
Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale)
Raynaud's disease
Cayenne (Capsicum annuum)
Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale)
Ginkgo biloba
Gotu kola Centella asiatica
Hypericum
Valerian
Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.
Discussion:
Cayenne and Ginger Root may be taken internally for e.g. cold hands and feet, while capsaicin cream may be applied topically to stimulate circulation in case of claudication.
Raynaud's disease
Cayenne (or cinnamon) may be used in a salve, or taken internally to promote warmth and circulation. Topical application can be irritant so always try a small amount on a sample area first.
Ginger Root is also stimulating, usually as an external poultice or consumed as a tea.
Ginkgo increases peripheral blood flow and counteracts vasospasm.
Gotu kola protects tissues and vessels and facilitates healing.
A calming effect may also be desired, for which Hypericum and Valerian are among the best known choices.
References:
Barletta, S et al., Results with Centella asiatica in chronic venous insufficiency. Gax Med. Ital. 1981, 140:33-35.
Kartnig, T: Clinical applications of Centella asiatica. Herbs Spices Med. Plants, 1988(3):146-173.
Mitchell, W: Naturopathic specific condition review: Raynaud's disease. The Protocol J. of Botanical Med. 2(1).
Aromatherapy - Essential Oils
| Cassia Essence, | Chamomile Essence, |
| Cypress Essence, | Lemon Essence, |
| Neroli Essence, | Rose Essence, |
| Ylang Ylang Essence. |
Related Health Conditions
| Anemia | Bleeding |
| Childbirth | Coronary heart disease |
| Dizziness | Hemorrhage |
| Hypertension | Malnutrition |
| Pain | Peptic ulcer |
| Pulmonary tuberculosis | Shock |
References
Balaji P & Mosley JG: Evaluation of vascular and metabolic deficiency in patients with large leg ulcers [see comments]. Ann R Coll Surg Engl, 77:270-2, 1995 Jul.
Binaghi F et al., Relation between changes in the microcirculation in the capillaries supplying the toenails and the degree of chronic venous insufficiency. Minerva Cardioangiol, 42:163-8, 1994 Apr.
Bollinger A et al., Microvascular changes in venous disease: an update. Angiology, 48(1):27-32 1997 Jan.
Bland, Jeffrey. Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition. Keats, 1983.
Chasroff, I.J. & J.W. Ellis. 1983. Family Medical Guide. William Morrow and Company Inc., Pub. 594 pp.
Fagrell B: Advances in microcirculation network evaluation: an update. Int J Microcirc Clin Exp, 15 Suppl 1:34-40, 1995.
Ford ES et al., Baldness and ischemic heart disease in a national sample of men. Am J Epidemiol, 143(7):651-7 1996 Apr 1.
Freedman DS et al., Relation of body fat distribution to ischemic heart disease. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I (NHANES I) Epidemiologic Follow-up Study. Am J Epidemiol, 142(1):53-63 1995 Jul 1.
Giles WH et al., Serum folate and risk for ischemic stroke. First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey epidemiologic follow-up study. Stroke, 26(7):1166-70 1995 Jul.
Haglund U: Gut ischaemia. Gut, 35(1 Suppl):S73-6 1994 Jan.
Hay, C.R.M. & R. Saynor. Effect of Fish Oil on Platelet Kinetics in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease. Lancet, June 5, 1982.
Heinerman, John. 1982. Herbal Dynamics. Root of Life, Inc.: Publ.
Hegsted, M.D. 1976. Present Knowlege In Nutrition. 4th ed. The Nutrition Foundation Pub., Washington D.C. 605 pp.
Ingelfinger, F.J. 1980. Dorlands Medical Dictionary. Saunders Press Pub., Philadelphia. 740 pp.
Jerome SN et al., Microvascular dysfunction in postischemic skeletal muscle. J Invest Surg, 7(1):3-16 1994 Jan-Feb.
Leu AJ et al., Microvascular changes in chronic venous insufficiency--a review. Cardiovasc Surg, 3(3):237-45 1995 Jun.
Lynch SR & Baynes RD: Deliberations and evaluations of the approaches, endpoints and paradigms for iron dietary recommendations. J Nutr, 126(9 Suppl):2404S-2409S 1996 Sep.
Menger MD et al., Capillary dysfunction in striated muscle ischemia/reperfusion: on the mechanisms of capillary "no-reflow". Shock, 8(1):2-7 1997 Jul.
Sair M et al., Tissue oxygenation and perfusion in endotoxemia. Am J Physiol, 271(4 Pt 2):H1620-5 1996 Oct.
Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Stedman's Medical Dictionary. 24th edition. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1982.
Thomas, C.L. 1985. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Co. Pub., Philadelphia. 2170 pp.
Tucker K: The use of epidemiologic approaches and meta-analysis to determine mineral element requirements. J Nutr, 126(9 Suppl):2365S-2372S 1996 Sep.
Ubbink DT et al., Can transcutaneous oximetry detect nutritive perfusion disturbances in patients with lower limb ischemia? Microvasc Res, 49:315-24, 1995 May.
Ujiie,H et al: Reversibility of cerebral ischemia. Dynamic and xenon computed tomography study on ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Acta Neurochir. Wien. 1994; 127(3-4): 151-6.
Vavrouskova J et al., Nutritional status in patients with stroke. Diagnosis, therapy and its monitoringÍ. Vnitr Lek, 42:669-75, 1996 Oct.
Welsh DG & Lindinger MI: L-type Ca2+ channel and Na+/Ca2+ exchange inhibitors reduce Ca2+ accumulation in reperfused skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol, 80(4):1263-9 1996 Apr.
Yoshikawa Y et al., Systemic lupus erythematosus with ischemic peripheral neuropathy and lupus anticoagulant: response to intravenous prostaglandin E1. Cutis, 58:393-6, 1996 Dec.
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