Sometimes my toes turn purple, and it scares me.

[YellowLioness]

If I sit in one position for too long, or don't get enough exercise, my toes will literally turn purple. My feet FREEZE constantly at work.

 

Does anyone have any ideas on how to encourage circulation?

[Pocky]

Have you had blood tests/physical done by a doctor since this started?

[YellowLioness]

Uh, no actually. Why?

[DerangedAngel]

It is not an uncommon for people to have poor blood circulation. Do your digits often feel cold or numb? If so you may not be getting enough oxygenated blood circulating throughout your body.

 

To help circulation, you should continue to stay away form liquor and smoking. Regular aerobic exercise and a good diet can also help to increase blood flow, as well as keeping warm.

 

If you feel that this problem is getting worse or is causing you any pain or discomfort be sure to consult your doctor. Poor circulation can be hereditary or the result of other various disorders that can be treated.

 

Into herbs/herbal teas? Try some:

 

Gingko*

Cinnamon*

Prickly Ash

Lycium

Dan shen

Ginger*

Hawthorn

 

*I believe those are the best three, and luckily, the best tasting.

 

-Deranged

[Papillon]

Sometimes simply changing your chair will work wonders.

[Fayebelle]

I had Very mild frostbite on my toes as a kid so now when they get cold or lose circulation they get this creepy deadfish white color and lose feeling.

 

Anybody know if this is a sign of diabetes? I know that messes w/circulation too.

[Beth]

I am not laughing at you, but the title of your thread had me laughing so hard I almost wet myself! I'm imagining a 1950's horror movie with Boris Karloff or a first draft of a Stephen King novel!

 

What are you doing or wearing when this happens? Could it be that your circulation is being cut off? If you can associate this with a specific cause (tight shoes, sitting in a specific chair, etc.) then you can alter the possible cause and see if that helps. Really though, I think you should have a doctor check it out.

[YellowLioness]

I'm imagining a 1950's horror movie with Boris Karloff or a first draft of a Stephen King novel!

:lmao:

 

Hrm, to answer questions:

 

No, never had frost bite, Faye.

 

About diabetes? My grandpa on my mom's side had severe diabetes. I have hypoglaucemia (spelling?) now, so I have to be pretty careful about what I eat.

 

To help circulation, you should continue to stay away form liquor and smoking. Regular aerobic exercise and a good diet can also help to increase blood flow, as well as keeping warm.

 

I'm an occasional smoker, it's not like all the time. I smoke when my BF grabs a pack.

 

As for drinking, I love the taste of beer, but not the hang over in the morning. So I never actually get DRUNK any more, despite my recently changed quote. I used to be a hellion, though. ;-)

 

I generally walk anywhere from a mile to two miles during the evening time. However, during the day I sit and type on LS and work on my novel, and do whatever my boss asks me to do. So, not much exercise, there.

 

 

On a side note, my fingers turn purple, too.

[She's Come Undone]

Maybe God is getting you ready to replace Barney the Dinosaur??

[YellowLioness]

Maybe God is getting you ready to replace Barney the Dinosaur??

 

 

Am I really that heinous and evil?

 

Just teasing, Undone. :-)

[Pocky]

If you have diabetes in your family and you haven't seen a doctor since this started I'd suggest going just as a precaution. It's likely it's nothing but you should have some blood tests done just to make sure everything is okay.

[Matilda]

I would have a doctor check it out as well. Raynaud's disease is something that comes to my mind, but I have no idea if that is what is going on, or you simply get cold and have circulation that is not quite as good as it should be. But, you can check out the characteristics and see what you think.

 

http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/raynaud/ar125fs.htm

[RowanRavyn]

You really should be checked out by a doctor. Diabetes is just one of the things that could be going on. Poor circulation can be a sign of heart disease and thyroid disease.

 

Also, if you are forced to sit in one place (such as at work), remember to wiggle your toes often, or stand up and raise up on the balls of your feet several times. This will make your calves look great to boot!*

 

 

*However, this is not a replacement for going to the doctor.

[CallMeWeary]

I have a friend with Reynaud's - your symptoms sound like hers. I'd not mess with something like circulation, though. Could be anything, including something serious. Go see the doc.

[YellowLioness]

Thanks for all of your prompt replies!

 

Matilda and Weary,

 

I don't think it's Raunaud's disease. I don't have all the symptoms, because I don't have "attacks." My toes get purple, and stay purple.

 

I think it has to do with my low blood sugar, in all likleyhood.

 

I'm going to start exercising every day, walking from 1-2 miles, and also do the leg work outs that Ravyn suggested.

 

If that doesn't work, I'll go to a doctor in October, since I have a check up then, anyway.

 

I'll definately keep you all posted on what happens, and when I go to the doctor, I'll mention Raynaud's disease, that way, I have all my bases covered.

[neghlucky]

just massage your feet, thats a simple easy way to increase circulation and it feels good! i used to have this same problem until i started regularly massaging.