Why does my blood feel sticky?

Have you ever felt like your blood was thicker than usual? Like it just wasn’t flowing as smoothly as it should be? Well, fear not my friend, because I’ve got the low-down on why this happens and what you can do about it.

The Thick of It: What Causes Sticky Blood?

You see, blood is made up of all sorts of components – red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets…the list goes on. And sometimes these little guys get a bit too friendly with each other and start clumping together. This then causes a sort of traffic jam in your veins which can make everything sluggish and sticky.

But what exactly causes these friendly clumps to form? Here are some possible culprits:

Dehydration

When you don’t drink enough water (I know, I know – but hear me out), your body starts to conserve fluid by thickening up your blood. So if you’re someone who’s always forgetful when it comes to drinking H2O (like that cactus on your windowsill), this could be the issue.

High Cholesterol

Cholesterol gets a lot of bad press (insert angry mob here), but in reality we need certain amounts for our bodies to function properly. However, when levels get too high they can cause those aforementioned clumps – sort of like how grease clogs up pipes (a particularly nasty mental image there).

Hormones

For those lucky few with the ability to bear children (which is so unfair really), fluctuations in hormone levels during menstruation or pregnancy can lead to stickier-than-usual blood flow. But hey, at least y’all have an excuse for eating pickles and ice cream…

How Can We Get Things Flowing Again?

So now that we know why our insides feel like molasses (mmm pancakes) , let’s talk about what we can do to get our blood flowing freely again. Here are some tips:

Hydrate, hydrate, HYDRATE

I know it’s basic (like when you learned how to spell your name), but really – drinking enough water is important for so many reasons. And if you’re someone who gets bored of plain old H2O, try adding fruit slices or herbs like mint or basil.

Move It Or Lose It

By staying active and getting moving (no need for acrobatics here), we help increase blood flow in the body which can break up those pesky clumps. Whether it’s a quick walk around the block or trying out yoga (even though all of those contortions look impossible), any sort of movement helps.

Eat Clean

Again with the basics (not like my math skills though…) , eating a diet rich in fruits and veggies can help reduce cholesterol levels which leads to less stickiness overall. Plus- bonus points because healthy food tastes great too!

When In Doubt, Ask A Professional

Of course there may be certain cases where sticky blood is more than just a passing annoyance; underlying health conditions such as anemia and diabetes might cause this issue too. That’s when it’s time to talk with your doctor about possible treatment options (they went through med school for a reason afterall) . But until then, drink up that water and keep on movin’!

Random Posts