obstruct circulation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obstruct circulation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to health, medicine, or any situation where the flow of something (like blood or information) is hindered. Example: "A blood clot can obstruct circulation, leading to serious health complications."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The national government determined that the communal land system "impedes agricultural development, obstructs circulation of wealth, and weakens family bonds and the independence of the individual;" therefore, peasant farmers were instructed to forfeit their private land titles at which point they could be sold at "public auction to the highest bidder" (Williams 1994: 74).

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Remove any constrictive clothing or jewelry that could obstruct blood circulation.

WikiHow

Any kind of restricting clothing, like belts, tight pants, or even shoes, can obstruct the circulation.

WikiHow

It seems certain that the frequently observed fall in plasma volume in the last six weeks of pregnancy is an artefact of measurement due to poor mixing of tracer when the woman lies supine and obstructs the circulation to her lower limbs.

Harvard University

When the boundary obstructs the circulation, it decays exponentially with a well defined characteristic decay scale.

Johns Hopkins University

On the other side, your blood should not be thick and sticky, but flow smoothly and normally throughout your body in a state that is not prone to abnormal clot formation which obstructs normal circulation.

Huffington Post

In addition, disturbed venous blood outflow from fast growing metaphysis can obstruct intercellular fluid circulation and leads to cyst formation [ 2– 4].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

This date coincides with the attainment of present day elevations across the whole Qinghai-Tibet Plateau [ 98] and global changes in climate, with the Himalaya obstructing global air circulation and the predominance of a monsoon climate in the region [ 99].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

If the vents are covered with louvers and screens, as most are, circulation is obstructed, so the vents should be about twice the size they would otherwise be.

The New York Times

Pressure ulcers develop when capillary circulation is obstructed by prolonged pressure.

BMC Health Services Research

Under pathological conditions (as when CSF circulation is obstructed or intracranial masses are expanding), however, ICP cones can develop leading to uneven ICP levels [ 2, 3].

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing medical conditions or physiological processes, use "obstruct circulation" to clearly indicate the presence of a blockage or hindrance in the normal flow of blood or other fluids. For example, "A blood clot can obstruct circulation to the brain, leading to a stroke."

Common error

Avoid using "obstruct circulation" metaphorically when simpler terms like "block" or "hinder" suffice. Using it too broadly can sound overly technical or formal in everyday conversation. Instead of "The crowd obstructed circulation in the hallway", opt for "The crowd blocked the hallway".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obstruct circulation" functions as a verb phrase where "obstruct" (verb) acts upon "circulation" (noun). It typically describes a process where the normal flow of blood or other fluids is hindered or blocked. As per Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obstruct circulation" refers to the act of blocking or hindering the flow of blood or other fluids within a system, typically a biological one. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in written English. Analysis reveals its prevalence in scientific and medical contexts, with usage also appearing in news and encyclopedic sources. While "obstruct circulation" is a precise and descriptive term, alternatives such as "impede blood flow" or "hinder circulation" may be appropriate depending on the desired level of formality and specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impede blood flow

Replaces "obstruct" with "impede" and "circulation" with "blood flow", focusing specifically on blood.

block blood flow

Uses "block" instead of "obstruct", a more direct synonym, while specifying "blood flow".

hinder circulation

Substitutes "obstruct" with "hinder", conveying a similar meaning of impeding or delaying flow.

disrupt circulation

Replaces "obstruct" with "disrupt", suggesting an interruption or disturbance in the flow.

impair circulation

Uses "impair" in place of "obstruct", indicating a weakening or damaging effect on circulation.

restrict blood flow

Employs "restrict" instead of "obstruct", implying a limitation or constraint on blood flow.

inhibit circulation

Substitutes "obstruct" with "inhibit", suggesting a suppression or prevention of circulation.

compromise circulation

Uses "compromise" in place of "obstruct", indicating a weakening or endangering of circulation.

reduce blood flow

Focuses on the result of the obstruction which is reduction in blood flow.

constrict blood vessels

Specifies the mechanism by focusing on the constriction of blood vessels, which leads to obstruction.

FAQs

What does it mean to "obstruct circulation"?

To "obstruct circulation" means to block or hinder the flow of blood or other fluids in the body. This can be caused by various factors, such as blood clots, pressure on blood vessels, or narrowed arteries.

What are some signs that my circulation might be obstructed?

Symptoms of obstructed circulation can include pain, numbness, tingling, swelling, and changes in skin color in the affected area. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical advice.

What can I say instead of "obstruct circulation"?

You can use alternatives like "impede blood flow", "block blood flow", or "hinder circulation" depending on the context.

How can tight clothing "obstruct circulation"?

Tight clothing can put pressure on blood vessels, making it difficult for blood to flow freely. This can lead to discomfort, swelling, and potentially more serious health problems if the obstruction is prolonged.