by Newton Free Library

Circulation Booster

It seems that having fat or swollen ankles is becoming a more talked about problem for people every single day. There is a new trend that has led to the use of a circulation booster such as Ginkgo Biloba to aid in improved circulation to get rid of blood pooling in the area of the ankle. Many people with fat or swollen ankles (cankles) believe their ankles are like that because they have a high body fat percentage. In fact, that is only one of the reasons that a person might have cankles.

If you have poor blood circulation in your body then your heart will not be able to successfully pump the blood back up through your body if you are standing all day long. This leads to blood pooling in the area and giving your ankles a bloated appearance. In a situation like this you may need a circulation booster. There are a few things you can do to help the blood flow back around your body and away from your ankles.

To help to get the blood flowing in the area of your ankles you can undertake hot and cold treatment methods in you home shower. When you are taking a shower turn the water to hot and direct it towards your ankles for 30 seconds, be sure not to burn yourself. After 30 seconds are up turn the water to cold and yet again direct to your ankles. This will have the blood flushing to your skin and back to the vital organs. Do this 2-5 times and always finish on a cold wash.

After a day of standing on your feet all day long the blood has been pooling around your ankles. Raising your feet above your heart at night will help the blood move around your body and away from your ankles. This method is a simply yet very effective circulation booster.

Deep Vein Thrombosis could present with symptoms such as swelling, painful, redness, and warmth to the affected extremity. There are times that a person may not have symptoms, except for a sensation of calf pain that feels like a muscle spasm, but more intense. People that travel for long periods in a car or airplane are at risk, surgical patients, people that have poor circulation in their lower extremities just to name a few, have a high risk of developing a Deep Vein Thrombosis. The blood does not circulate well and therefore, once the person is up and moving around the clot becomes dislodged and can travel throughout the body. The blood pools becoming stagnate, and that is when the tiny clots can form. If you are a family member experience any of the symptoms it is best to call 911 as this is an emergency situation and the medics have taken a CPR class and are well trained in intervening in this medical emergency.

The emergency room physician will order a blood test called a D-dimer and Doppler ultrasound of the lower or upper extremities that will confirm the diagnosis. If the patient is having shortness of breath, the physician will order a V-Q scan of the lungs that will help aid in the diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism. And of course the physician will perform an assessment and ask questions that will help him or her to determine the cause. The CPR class will provide information and hands on training in performing CPR, and upon completion of the course you will become certified that lasts for 2 years.

There are medications and treatments that can be prescribed that will help keep the clot from causing further harm to the patient. Blood thinners may be given, and there are times that a filter will be placed in the inferior large vein to prevent the blood clot from traveling to the lungs. Prevented measures consist of frequent stops if traveling in a car, or if on an airplane wear ted hose (stockings) on the legs to help increase blood flow. Surgical or Medical patients may need to wear intermittent pneumatic compression device that helps increase blood flow in the legs, therefore decreasing the risk of a clot developing in the lower extremities. Consider the CPR class if you are in direct care of patients or if you would like to be able to give life saving interventions at any time.

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