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Circulation
problems
Also
see:
High
Blood pressure
High
Cholesterol
We
can draw an analogy between the roads of London, with its various
lorries and vans making deliveries of many types of goods to all parts
of the UK, and our arteries delivering minerals, vitamins, enzymes,
amino acids, sugars and fats, and oxygen to all body cells and parts,
whilst the veins can be likened to the refuse collection. A simplified
analogy, of course, but you get the idea.
Narrowing
and Hardening of the arteries
A
narrowing or hardening of the arteries has serious, in time even
incurable, consequences. More people in the Western world die of
diseases of the arterial walls than of any other single cause.
Hardening of the
arteries (arteriosclerosis) involves damage to the cell wall, with an
accumulation of cholesterol, calcium deposits and free radical damage.
High blood pressure results because the blood exerts greater force
against the walls of the narrowed and more rigid blood vessels. This can
lead to stroke, angina pectoris (chest pain), kidney damage and heart
attack.
Embolism
and Thrombosis
Women
especially suffer from swollen veins, which often occur after surgery or
just after childbirth. Generally, the blocking of venous blood vessels
happens sometime between the third and the eighth day following surgery
or delivery. In such cases a physician will usually give anticoagulant
and vasodilator injections.
Intermittent
claudication
Arteriosclerosis
with associated inflammation, especially in the arteries of the lower
limb, causes severe pain that is worse on walking. It may occur in
non-smokers. The occlusion of arteries can be so severe that the
outcome, especially in those who continue to smoke, is often amputation.
The occlusion can occur in arteries other than in the leg and more
serious operations may be required if occlusions occur in the bowel.
Aneurysm
Broadly
speaking, an aneurysm can be a weakness within the arterial wall, where
the inner lining of the artery ruptures but the outer lining holds,
causing a swelling in the arterial wall.
If not surgically
treated, aneurysms can be fatal when they occur in arteries in the
brain, other vital organs or the aorta (the main vessel from the heart).
Sudden abdominal or chest pain, a sledge hammer-like blow to the head,
sudden blindness or neurological symptoms (paralysis, pain) must all the
treated as an emergency at the hospital. Aneurysms are difficult to
diagnose and any sudden pain should be seen by a medical practitioner.
We know of no complementary treatment other than support for pre- and
post-operative care.
Raynaud’s
phenomenon
Characterized
by constriction and spasm of the blood vessels in the extremities, such
as in the fingers, toes and tip of the nose. Cold, stress, smoking, and
other factors may cause fingers and toes to become numb; extremities may
appear white or bluish due to lack of circulation and arterial spasm.
This disease most commonly affects women and occasionally leads to
gangrene.
-
Eat
a high fibre diet to prevent constipation
-
Eat
a variety of fresh fruit, including blueberries and all blue/red
coloured berries (for their antioxidant value).
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Eat
plenty of fresh vegetables, of all colours, and plenty of garlic.
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Avoid
excessive meat and eat oily fish instead (e.g. salmon, mackerel,
sardines, etc.)
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Avoid
saturated fats as much as possible (animal fat, cheese and
hydrogenated vegetable oils).
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Avoid
sugar, junk foods and salt.
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Avoid
excessive alcohol, although one glass of alcohol per day, especially
red wine, would normally be beneficial (so long as there are no
other health conditions, e.g. liver disease).
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Smoking
impairs the circulation, so try not to smoke.
Other
suggestions
Nutritional
supplements
Often, a combination of supplements may help
in alleviating this condition. You may wish to consult a nutritional
therapist for personal advice. Supplements that may be helpful in
alleviating symptoms are shown below:
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