Having cold feet is common And in most cases, there is nothing to worry about. This effect is often caused by cold weather and can easily be solved by putting on an extra pair of socks.
However, if You have chronically cold feetcould be a symptom of an underlying problem.
Here are a couple of Medical conditions that can lead to cold feet and it is worth reviewing.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a condition that causes fatty deposits in the arteries and prevents proper blood flow to these extremities, resulting in poor circulation. When Not enough warm blood flows to your feet, which can cause them to feel cold.
“The arteries in your feet are the smallest, which means they’re more likely to be affected first. When these arteries are blocked, you can experience cold feet and sometimes even pain,” explains Danielle DesPres, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine.
According to DesPres, the Risk factors for atherosclerosis include:
- Smoke
- Having high blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Old age
Diabetes
There are a few reasons why the Diabetes can cause continuously cold feet:
Diabetic neuropathy: While diabetes itself may not cause cold feet, some people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes experience nerve damage or neuropathy in the feet. It is more common in people who have type 2 diabetes — 50% of people with type 2 diabetes may develop nerve damage, compared with 20% of people with type 1 diabetes. This nerve damage can disrupt the temperature-sensing nerves in the feet, causing unpleasant sensations.
Poor circulation: For people with type 2 diabetes, the condition can also cause cold feet because people with diabetes tend to have poor blood circulation in general. “Over time, high blood glucose levels associated with diabetes can damage the lining of the tiny blood vessels leading to the feet, causing them to narrow and harden and reduce blood flow to the area. This can cause cold feet,” says DesPres.
Raynaud’s disease
Raynaud’s disease is a rare condition that causes blood vessels in the hands and feet become narrow whenever you feel cold or stressed.
When this happens, blood cannot reach your extremities and you may notice that they turn white or blue. Hands and feet will also be colder than they should be.If you have this condition, when your feet get hot, you may notice that they become more red.
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People who live in colder climates are more likely to get Raynaud’s disease. It’s also more common in women and people with a family history of it. Although it’s not dangerous, it can be an irritating condition.
Peripheral neuropathy
In addition to diabetic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy refers to any condition that causes damage to the nerves in your peripheral nervous systemThe peripheral nervous system is made up of all the nerves in your body except those in the brain and spinal cord. It is responsible for sending signals from your brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body.
The Symptoms of this condition often appear first on the feet.and many people who suffer from it report experiencing cold feet. They may also feel tingling, burning, or itching sensations in their feet.
“When someone has neuropathy, the nerves are damaged and can cause feelings of numbness, cold burning, and tingling in the feet. It is these abnormal sensations that can make someone notice that your feet are freezing because your nerves are producing an abnormal sensation “, DesPres qualifies.
One of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes. However, other risk factors include:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Family history of the condition.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which your body produces fewer red blood cells than normal. It is usually caused by a deficiency in iron, as iron is an essential mineral for producing red blood cells.
This condition can cause a host of problems, including chronically cold feetThis is because a person with anemia has a reduced number of red blood cells and hemoglobin, responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body.
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“If your body doesn’t produce enough hemoglobin, it won’t be able to make enough oxygen-rich red blood cells to keep your feet warm. This is because the muscles and tissues in your feet aren’t getting enough oxygen to function as efficiently as they should,” says DesPres.
Other causes of cold feet
Some other possible causes of cold feet include:
- Anxiety:When you feel anxious, your body releases adrenaline. As well as switching your body into fight-or-flight mode, this hormone also causes blood to move away from less important parts of your body, such as your hands and feet, to protect your major organs. This can make your extremities feel colder.
- Hypothyroidism“With this condition, the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones to function properly. An underactive thyroid can lead to reduced circulation, decreased blood flow to the feet, and a general feeling of cold feet,” DesPres adds.
- Buerger’s disease: This condition causes your arteries and veins to become inflamed and blocked with blood clots. The exact cause of the condition is unknown, however, research shows that tobacco can irritate the linings of your arteries and veins, causing them to become inflamed. Most often, it affects your hands and feet first, and this can lead to coldness and numbness in those areas.
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If you suspect that your cold feet may be caused by
For any of the above conditions, it is worth consulting a doctor to address the root of the problem and get the treatment you need.
However, if your cold feet is not something that is caused by any underlying medical condition, then here are a couple of tips to help you: home remedies you can try to warm them up:
- Exercise regularly. This helps improve blood circulation and warm your feet.
- Dress warmer. Simply getting thicker socks and making sure your feet are always adequately covered may be all you need.
- Treat yourself to a foot massage. Massages can also help improve circulation and get the blood flowing to warm up the area.
- Quit smoking. Nicotine can also cause poor circulation, so quit smoking.
In summary
Having cold feet is very common and, in most cases, is not indicative of any disorder or condition.
However, if you have cold feet more often than you think is normal, you should consult a doctor, so he can help you. determine the cause and obtain appropriate treatment.
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Tags: Diseases, Health, Healthy Living