Blood Circulation and its effect on our health

Our body circulatory system have 3 parts: pulmonary circulation (lungs), coronary circulation (heart), and systemic circulation (the rest). This system mainly involves the heart, the lungs and the blood vessels. The lungs provide oxygen for the heart to pump to the rest of our body. This is done through blood circulation, the blood carries the oxygen from the lungs to the heart.

The heart then pumps the blood full of oxygen to all of our body cells. Nutrients are also carried in the blood to these cells. Our body cells and tissues will die if they do not receive blood.

The blood always circulates throughout our body, in arteries, capillaries and veins. It moves in the arteries away from the heart, to other parts of the body. As the arteries gets smaller as the blood travels away from the heart, they become capillaries. It is from here that oxygen is supplied to the tissues and in turn, takes away the waste and carbon dioxide.

The returning blood circulation then enters the right side of the heart and moves on to the lungs, where carbon dioxide is deposited. It then picks up more oxygen and returns to the left side of the heart. The whole process is repeated as the heart pumps the blood again.

So, how do blood circulation affects our health? In many ways, in fact, the circulation affects the whole body and its functions, and is a basic precondition to maintain good health. Below are some cases of the effects of blood circulation.

Brain
In this circulatory system, about 20% of the blood pumped from our heart goes to the brain, which only represents 2% of our body's weight.
Good Blood Circulation gives:

* Good memory and concentration
* Good coordination of body parts
* Quick response to stimulation

Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Headache
* Feeling faint and dizziness
* Reduced or poor mental clarity - forget names easily
* Poor comprehension of figures


Severely Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Dementia
o Short term memory loss, inability to think through problems, confusion, paranoia, bizarre behaviour
* Stroke
o Long term build up of cholesterol in the brain's blood vessels may narrow the blood vessels and hence, disrupt blood flow.
o When the blood vessels in the brain are blocked or rupture due to increased pressure, a person is said to suffer from stroke.
o Stroke victims may suffer paralysis, impaired speech, or even death.



Heart Muscles
Good Blood Circulation gives:

* Good energy and stamina
* Regular and normal heart rate

Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Shortness of breath
o Breathing difficulty is a common symptom of inadequate blood flow to the heart
* Feeling faint and dizziness
* Fatigue
o Easily feels tired when performing physical activities such as jogging

Severely Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Angina
o Chest pains due to poor circulation to the heart
* Heart attack
o Fatty materials build up gradually in the heart's blood vessels, narrowing the path and obstructs blood flow. Eventually, this triggers a heart attack.
o Heart failure have a high risk of death, while a mild or moderate heart attack may gradually cause heart failure months or years after the heart attack.



Liver
Our liver performs many vital functions, which includes:

* Metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and protein
* Removal of worn-out cells, drugs and toxins
* Storage for glycogen, vitamins and minerals
* Activating Vitamin D

Good Blood Circulation gives:

* Good energy and stamina
* Few or no allergies
* Smooth and healthy skin
* Normal glucose level

Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Poor appetite and weight loss
* Itchy skin

Severely Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Lethargy
* Jaundice



Kidneys
Our kidneys

* Eliminate excess water, urea, uric acid and other waste materials
* Regulate the blood pressure, blood pH and blood volume
* Help synthesize and secrete hormones

Good Blood Circulation gives:

* Good energy and stamina
* Little or no incidence of water retention
* Normal blood pressure and heart rate

Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Build-up of waste and water in your body
o Symptoms: Swelling of face, hands, ankles or feet
* Fatigue
* Rapid heart rate and light-headedness

Severely Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Kidney failure



Legs/Hands
Good Blood Circulation gives:

* Warm feet and hands
* Low incidence of foot ulcer
* Quick healing of all wounds


Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Cold hands and feet, may feel numb

Severely Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Varicose veins
* Poor healing of wounds
* Cyanosis
o Skin looks blue due to lack of oxygen supply to body parts



Reproductive Organs
Good Blood Circulation gives:

* Normal sex drive
* Hormonal balance
* Enhanced vitality

Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Low libido

Severely Unhealthy Blood Circulation gives:

* Impotency