Causes
An inadequate flow of blood to a part of the body may be caused by any of the following:
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (compression of the brachial plexus)
- Atherosclerosis (lipid-laden plaques obstructing the lumen of arteries)
- Hypoglycemia (lower than normal level of glucose)
- Tachycardia (abnormally rapid beating of the heart)
- Hypotension (low blood pressure, e.g. in septic shock, heart failure)
- Thromboembolism (blood clots)
- Outside compression of a blood vessel, e.g. by a tumor or in the case of superior mesenteric artery syndrome
- Embolism (foreign bodies in the circulation, e.g. amniotic fluid embolism)
- Sickle cell disease (abnormally shaped red blood cells)
- Induced g-forces which restrict the blood flow and force the blood to the extremities of the body, as in acrobatics and military flying
- Localized extreme cold, such as by frostbite or improper cold compression therapy
- Tourniquet application
- An increased level of glutamate receptor stimulation
- arteriovenous malformations, and peripheral artery occlusive disease
- rupture of significant blood vessels supplying a tissue or organ.
- Anemia vasoconstricts the periphery so that red blood cells can work internally on vital organs such as the heart, brain, etc., thus causing lack of oxygen to the periphery.
Read more about this topic: Ischemia