Hands are very cold what to do. Causes of cold hands and feet: what to do when freezing. Underactive thyroid
A lot of people are familiar with this condition - icy hands and feet. This indicates a delay in blood circulation and an increase in blood viscosity. On the one hand, it is vascular sclerosis, on the other hand, it is a disease of the nervous system.
Cold hands and feet are observed more often in hypotensive patients.
Violation of blood circulation in the lower extremities leads eventually to obliterating endarteritis, atherosclerosis. If the legs and hands are cold always and everywhere, then the cause may be varicose veins, anomalies in the structure of blood vessels. General circulatory failure - disturbances in the work of the heart, vascular dystonia, can also lead to a decrease in the temperature of the extremities. In diabetes mellitus and thyroid diseases, there is a violation of the conduction of impulses along the sensitive and autonomic fibers of the nerves of the extremities. If, along with freezing feet and hands, you notice a decrease in skin sensitivity, a violation of the heart, brittle nails, a decrease in body temperature, pain in the lower leg, then you should consult a doctor.
NICOTINE IS THE ENEMY OF VESSELS. Smoking leads to vasospasm, causing circulatory disorders and inflammation of the inner wall of the vessel and connective tissue. The arteries of the lower extremities are the first to suffer. The only way to avoid or stop the development of a dangerous process is to stop smoking.
If you notice that the feet and hands often sweat for no apparent reason, you feel burning, itching, numbness, then you need to donate blood for sugar.
Raynaud's disease is characterized by painful spasms of the arteries of the hands and feet, their sudden cooling due to insufficient blood circulation. Raynaud's disease affects people with cold allergies.
If your fingers are cold, you need to harden the vessels. To do this, in a room with a normal temperature, dip your hands in a vessel with warm water for 3-5 minutes. Then go to a cold room (cold will cause the peripheral vessels to contract) and dip your hands again in warm water for 7-10 minutes (warm water will cause the vessels to expand). Here is such a gymnastics for the vessels will allow you to resist the vasoconstrictor reflex. This exercise should be done up to 3 times a day for a month or more. After hardening, wave your hands like a windmill, this causes blood to rush to your fingers.
DO NOT FORGET ABOUT FOOD. It is necessary to eat more foods rich in iron: poultry, fish, lean meat, lentils, green leafy vegetables. It is good to drink these products with orange juice, as it increases the body's ability to absorb iron.
At any time of the year, the body needs vitamin E, it dilates blood vessels, ensuring normal blood flow to the limbs. It is recommended to take as much vitamin C as possible, which strengthens the vascular wall.
The more often we contract muscles while running, jumping, swimming, the more blood our heart pumps, the more blood the vessels pass, the better the blood supply to the limbs. Exercise is especially important if you lead a sedentary lifestyle. The sitting position leads to vasospasm, causing the blood supply to the blood of the lower extremities becomes insufficient. Get up every 15 minutes, stretch, stretch your tired arms and legs. Even after a 3-minute warm-up, the working capacity increases sharply because the blood supply to the brain also improves.
WHAT DOES FOLK MEDICINE OFFER US?
Diet is of great importance. Give up coffee, cocoa, carbonated and mineral waters, exclude alcohol and nicotine.
♦ In summer, try to walk barefoot on sand, grass, morning dew, swim in ponds. While swimming, lightly and gently stretch your legs in the water.
♦ If there are no contraindications, take a sauna once a week. ♦ Soar legs up to knees in hot water. At night, you can put a heating pad to your feet.
♦ Do contrasting douches on the legs and arms. Alternate cold water with hot water, gradually lengthening the treatment time.
♦ Massage your arms (hands) and legs (knees to toes). Pay special attention to the calves, soles. Take infusions of wild strawberry herbs or an infusion of elderberries, black blueberries or mulberries at the rate of 1 tbsp. a spoonful of raw materials for 200 ml of water.
♦ Juice of horse chestnut flowers canned with alcohol at a ratio of 1:2, take 30-40 drops 3 times a day.
♦ Boil sprigs of needles with needles, leave for an hour, taking a bath for 15-20 minutes. There are no strict restrictions on the amount of raw materials.
♦ Take 1 tsp. flower honey keep it under the tongue until completely dissolved 6-8 times a day. Chur
Most people have experienced such a problem as cold hands and feet. The norm is cold hands and feet after walking in the cold, but constantly freezing limbs in a warm room may indicate problems in the circulatory system, and a number of other diseases. You should definitely pay attention to this problem so as not to start the disease and get rid of discomfort.
Causes
The problem of freezing limbs is often faced by the age category of people over 40 years old, but they can also suffer from chilly hands and feet at a young age.
Cold extremities may indicate the following diseases of the body:
Also, the causes of freezing hands and feet can be:
- toxic shock;
- sepsis;
- intervertebral hernia;
- consequences of a stroke;
- obesity;
- pregnancy.
When to see a doctor
If freezing limbs are observed constantly and an additional series of symptoms appears, then you should not delay contacting a doctor. Accompanying a number of symptoms:
- constant feeling of fatigue;
- dizziness;
- pain in the heart muscle and a feeling of rapid heartbeat;
- drops in blood pressure;
- hot or cold flushes;
- numbness of the extremities and a tingling sensation in the fingertips;
- severe pallor of the skin;
- sudden changes in body weight;
- swelling on the face;
- irritability;
- tinnitus;
- deterioration of short-term memory;
- aching pains in the body.
To begin with, you should contact a therapist who will determine the nature of the occurrence of freezing limbs and write out a referral to the necessary specialist.
Methods of treatment
Consultation with a doctor and the appointment of subsequent treatment will be the most effective way to get rid of this problem. There are also other methods of treating cold hands and feet.
Folk methods
Bath with mustard
In a hot water bath, add 3-4 tablespoons of dry mustard and steam your feet for half an hour. After the foot, wipe dry and put on warm socks, leaving them overnight.
Sea salt bath
Pour 3 tablespoons of sea salt, 2 tablespoons of milk and a few drops of rosemary oil into 3 liters of hot water. Steam your feet, and then rub your feet with baby cream and put on warm socks.
Bath with essential oils
In hot water, drip 20 drops of rosemary or clove ether and 2 tablespoons of milk per 1 liter of liquid. Steam your feet for about 20 minutes, then dry your feet and put on warm socks all night.
mustard plasters
After taking a bath, put on socks with dry mustard plasters placed inside on warmed feet. Leave socks on overnight.
Alcohol compress
Moisten the soles of socks in warm alcohol or vodka, soak your feet in hot water beforehand. After that, put on soaked socks, plastic bags and woolen socks on top.
Cream
Add a few drops of red hot pepper extract, rosemary ether and camphor oil to cosmetic vaseline. Mix thoroughly and apply to dry feet. After soaking the cream, you need to wear warm socks.
pepper tincture
Pour 2 teaspoons of ground or finely chopped red pepper into 200 milliliters of alcohol and leave the mixture to infuse in a dark place for 10 days. Rub the tincture on the feet daily before going to bed.
mistletoe
Grind dried mistletoe leaves into a powder. A teaspoon with a slide, the resulting powder, pour 250 milliliters of boiling water and leave for 12 hours in a thermos. Consume 2 tablespoons once a day before meals for 20 minutes.
Pepper
Pour ground red hot pepper into socks or steamed feet. A slight burning sensation will be insignificant in comparison with the benefits of such treatment.
natural juices
Mix a glass of juice of carrots, beets and horseradish, half a glass of lemon juice and a glass of honey. Use this mixture on an empty stomach, a couple of tablespoons daily in the morning. Keep refrigerated.
Sophora
Infuse 50 grams of Sophora flowers or fruits in half a liter of vodka for a month. Take tincture 3 times a day, 1 teaspoon.
Exercises
Bike
Lying on your back, raise your legs above your body, and “pedal” for 5 minutes. Then massage each foot in a circular motion.
shaking
Lie on your back on a hard, flat surface, raise your arms and legs above the body at an angle of 90 degrees and shake your limbs for several minutes in this position.
Nut massage
Squeeze a couple of walnuts between the palms and with a little effort make rubbing circular movements with the palms for several minutes. Do the exercise twice a day. You can also put the nut on the floor and “ride” it with your feet in the same circular motions.
Cane
Lie on your stomach and bend your knees, allowing them to dangle freely like a reed in the wind. You need to try to hit the heels on the gluteal muscle. Do this exercise for 5-7 minutes a day.
What Not to Do
If there is such a problem as freezing hands and feet, it is not recommended:
- put your hands or feet under very hot water;
- bask with the use of alcoholic beverages;
- cross your legs or in some other way pinch the limbs.
Prevention
To prevent the occurrence of such a problem as freezing limbs, the following recommendations should be observed:
- try to use all the necessary trace elements and vitamins;
- add kiwi, prunes, nuts, apples, black currants, oranges to the diet;
- eat less, but more often, which contributes to better absorption of food;
- give up bad habits and play sports;
- wear comfortable non-compressive shoes and clothes;
- to do a warm-up of arms and legs during sedentary work;
- visit the bath and sauna once a week.
Repeatedly faced with a situation where hands freeze even in summer. I heard somewhere that the main reason is the deep occurrence of blood vessels. In addition, there are also a large number of causes of pathology and ways to fix the problem. This condition can be a sign of health problems, so it is not recommended to postpone the visit to the doctor.
Constant freezing of the extremities can be a sign of serious pathology. The main reasons include the following:
- vegetative-vascular dystonia, heart failure - lead to dysfunctions of the circulatory system - the pathology is accompanied by increased fatigue, weakening of memory;
- varicose veins - against its background, there is a violation of blood circulation, pain syndrome manifests itself in the knees, pulling sensations occur under the knees;
- diabetes mellitus - accompanied by pathologies of peripheral nerves, increased fragility of blood vessels, there is a tendency to thrombosis;
- Raynaud's syndrome;
- iron deficiency anemia - oxygen deficiency worsens heat generation, with blood loss, a sharp cooling of the extremities is observed;
- hormonal abnormalities in the thyroid gland - lead to a slowdown in metabolic processes;
- aging of the body - in patients older than 55 years, there is a decrease in protective forces;
- peripheral vascular disease;
- stressful conditions - leads to violations of blood circulation;
- helminthiasis - against the background of the release of toxins, vasospasms are often observed;
- hypertension, hypotension;
- flat feet;
- atherosclerosis;
- previous frostbite;
- diathesis transferred in childhood;
- taking certain drugs;
- acute forms of allergies;
- advanced stage of osteochondrosis;
- overweight;
- prolonged stay at the tablet or computer;
- abuse of bad habits;
- magnesium deficiency in the body;
- increased blood viscosity;
- osteochondrosis;
- wrong diet;
- muscle strain.
Pathology can also be associated with the peculiarities of the constitution; patients with an asthenic physique often suffer from the disease. This condition occurs when blood circulation is weakened - small volumes of the heart do not provide blood delivery to long arms and legs. Blood does not flow to the limbs at the right rate.
Freezing left leg
The leg can also freeze due to varicose veins, long-term frostbite, VSD, nicotine.
Other reasons:
- atherosclerosis - causes the overlap of the aorta with cholesterol plaques, as a result, cold occurs in the legs, arms;
- increased blood pressure - leads to vasospasm, loss of capillary capacity;
- stroke - occurs against the background of a decrease in the sensitivity of nerve endings.
What to do
Cold feet may be a symptom of one of the listed diseases, in which case it is recommended to seek medical help. In the absence of illness, the absence of the effect of actions to warm them, certain actions should be performed that can be performed at home.
Ways to warm your feet:
- walking barefoot - if possible, on stones, in the summer - on dew, in an apartment - on a massage mat;
- movement, physical activity;
- cold and hot shower;
- daily massage of the legs, feet - an energetic effect on the heels, each finger individually, will help improve the situation.
What to do for the elderly
Older people often complain about cold feet, this condition is observed against the background of a slowdown in physiological processes, circulatory disorders. Aging of the body is accompanied by a decrease in muscle mass, therefore, heat transfer pathologies in the legs are considered a fairly common problem. Freezing limbs even in a warm room can significantly reduce the standard of living.
Elderly people can also use folk methods of treatment, they are recommended to be combined with medication. Special exercises that are easily replenished will also help to activate blood circulation.
Which doctor will help
If the feet remain cold all year round, the cause of this phenomenon should be established. If there is no effect from any of the actions taken, you should consult a therapist. He will diagnose, prescribe tests if necessary.
In case of vascular disorders, the patient is referred to a phlebologist, a cardiologist will help to identify violations in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. An angiologist specializes in diseases of the lymphatic system and arteries. Sometimes you may need to consult a urologist, gynecologist, neurologist. Acute forms of genital infections can provoke vasospasm.
What to do if your feet are cold at home
Many people suffer from cold feet even at home. They are advised to wear woolen socks and use a heating pad to keep warm. Massage with essential oils, they have a dilating effect on blood vessels. The procedure is not recommended for varicose veins.
In the future, you should give up smoking, alcohol, protein should be present in the diet. An important role is played by the selection of shoes, preference should be given to products made to size. Regular exercise, kneading the legs, maintaining water balance will help improve the situation.
Treatment
After the diagnosis, therapy is prescribed, in each individual case, the selection of medicines, vitamins is made.
- The main methods of treatment:
- strengthening of blood vessels - contrast baths for limbs have vascular strengthening properties;
- visiting baths, saunas;
- activation of blood circulation - standard exercises contribute to the activation of blood circulation, usually 10-15 minutes are enough. active movement, it can be dancing, swimming;
- inclusion in the diet of healthy foods - the use of iron-containing foods will help eliminate iron deficiency (meat, lean fish, seeds, legumes, leafy vegetables).
What Not to Do
Regardless of the cause of the phenomenon, they should not be placed in hot water. Alcohol has a short-term vasodilating effect, after a certain time, their strong narrowing will occur, as a result they will freeze more.
Prolonged stay in one position also helps to reduce the activation of blood circulation, as a result, they begin to freeze more. Sedentary work requires breaks for a little gymnastics. A few swings of the limbs, squats will help activate blood circulation, as a result, the patient is less cold.
Prevention
To eliminate the problem with frozen hands and feet, the use of preventive measures will help. After diagnosing the disease, the doctor prescribes treatment, the patient must follow his instructions. In the absence of serious pathologies, certain preventive measures must be observed, this will help increase the body's defenses, strengthen blood vessels.
Basic preventive measures:
- wearing clothes and shoes suitable for wearing under certain conditions, freezing of the toes often indicates incorrectly chosen shoes;
- physical activity - they provide strengthening of blood vessels, activate the work of the heart;
- adjustment of the diet, it is recommended to eat more vegetables, fruits, buckwheat porridge, sea fish;
- restriction or complete rejection of bad habits;
- trips to the bath;
- a cup of hot broth before going outside - will help prevent freezing;
- revision of the wardrobe, the rejection of tight clothing;
- limiting the use of coffee and other drinks that can affect the functioning of the cardiovascular system (especially important for VVD).
With constant freezing of hands and feet, you should reconsider your wardrobe, it is recommended to wear only warm clothes.
Conclusion
- Cold hands and feet are considered one of the unpleasant problems that occurs at different ages. There are a lot of reasons for lowering the temperature of the extremities, these can be including serious diseases.
- If other symptoms are attached, you should make an appointment with a doctor.
- After diagnosing the disease, treatment begins. In its absence, you should increase physical activity, abandon bad habits.
Most often, people do not attach much importance to cold extremities. This is especially true in cases where this feeling has already become familiar and does not cause discomfort. Basically, people's hands and feet get cold with the advent of autumn or winter, when a person is often exposed to hypothermia or getting wet feet.
But if the limbs are constantly cold when a person is in a warm room, it is necessary to determine the causes of the chills. As a rule, both men and women over the age of 40 face a similar problem. Most often, the main cause is poor blood circulation or a violation of the nervous system.
Why are my limbs constantly cold?
The natural temperature, which creates a feeling of comfort, corresponds to that at which development took place when a person was still in the mother's womb. These are the laws of physiology. If the temperature is above or below normal, it will cause inconvenience and discomfort to a person.
Chilled legs and hands are only a part of such inconveniences that a person feels when temperature conditions change. Quite often, such a phenomenon can serve as a symptom of some existing ailment, and not a response of the human body to the environment. Basically, patients do not attach importance to the question of why the hands are always cold, but they lose valuable time, and the existing disease is actively progressing at this moment.
At first glance, unreasonable freezing of the extremities is more of a concern for young women, but among men this symptom also occurs, however, more among patients aged 60 to 75 years. In this case, the coldness of the extremities indicates the development of physiological changes in the body, in other words, aging.
Many simply underestimate the situation. Not everyone knows what to do with it, and also at what stage to seek help from a specialist. Gradually, the chills of the limbs are joined by:
- Dizziness.
- Weakness.
- Nausea and vomiting.
The above symptoms indicate that the patient must undergo a comprehensive examination in order to establish the main cause, because the disease can become chronic.
That is why any sane person should be alerted by the fact of coldness of the hands and feet, especially if this was preceded by a very stressful condition, massive blood loss, and prolonged exposure to fresh air. Among the main causes of cold extremities of the hands and feet can be wearing tight jewelry, such as bracelets and rings. Also, some tight-fitting clothing, most often corsets, can cause this symptom.
Stress is also a widespread cause of circulatory disorders in the human body, because due to the influence of irritating nerve factors, the vessels begin to narrow. During panic attacks, the heartbeat increases, and the blood begins to flow to the limbs in a smaller amount, so the person's legs and arms begin to freeze.
Many people do not pay enough attention to their health, and constantly cold extremities are explained by prolonged exposure to fresh air at low temperatures.
Main reasons
There are several predisposing factors, therefore, figuring out why a person has cold feet and hands, the presence of the following pathologies should be excluded:
Depending on the underlying cause that provoked the existing diseases, other symptoms may be observed that are less noticeable than cold extremities.
The most common signs, which indicate the violations in the human body, are the following:
- Numbness.
- Pain.
- Crawling sensation.
- Change in skin color.
- Tingling of varying degrees.
These phenomena can manifest themselves both in a complex and separately. If the signs are combined, then this is the basis for to diagnose and identify the cause why hands are cold.
Constantly cold extremities in women
Women are characterized by a less stable psycho-emotional background, which means that they are more susceptible to the appearance of nervous diseases, the consequences of which may be chilliness of the limbs of the body.
For other diseases that can cause chills in women's extremities include the following:
- Atherosclerosis.
- Diabetes.
- Raynaud's phenomenon.
- Diseases of the peripheral vessels.
Women who suffer from diabetes have abnormally high levels of sugar in the blood and also in the urine. This, in turn, provokes narrowing of the arteries and capillaries in the body, after which the blood supply to the tissues worsens. Most often, patients are aware of the existing endocrine disorders, but they remain unidentified until the time of the examination. With the progression of the disease and in the absence of optimal treatment, the hands and feet become cold. At the same time, the reasons for women are not much different from those that are seen in men.
Simultaneously with the chills of the extremities, other symptoms may also be observed, for example, an unreasonable increase in body temperature,.
Peripheral vascular disease and atherosclerosis can develop as a result of chronically elevated blood cholesterol levels, which in turn cause narrowing of the blood vessels. At the same time, the tissues are deprived of the opportunity to fully absorb oxygen through the blood, since its circulation is disturbed due to blocking by atherosclerotic plaques.
Raynaud's phenomenon is accompanied by narrowing of small blood vessels, followed by a decrease in the reaction to the sensitivity of nerve endings in relation to cold. The genetic predisposition of cold hands and feet syndrome occurs most often in women under the age of 40. It should be noted that the violation in this case affects the normal blood supply to tissues in various parts of the body.
Women who suffer from Raynaud's syndrome, exposed to the negative effects of cold temperatures, have noticed that disturbances in the body begin to manifest with changes in skin color legs and arms. They become white or bluish. Along with this, the fingers look extremely painful.
Frostbite is a critical condition that can cause irreversible damage to blood vessels, caused by prolonged exposure of tissues to low temperatures.
Freezing in men
There are also a number of factors, which make the feet and hands cold to the touch in men. In this case, it is necessary to find out why the limbs are always cold, while undergoing appropriate treatment and eliminating the main pathology of the human body. The most common the reasons are the following:
To completely get rid of the coldness of the legs and hands, it is necessary to normalize your diet and follow the medical prescriptions of the doctor.
8 ways to keep your hands and feet warm
If you are already familiar with the regular freezing of your limbs, then, first of all, you need to contact a specialist and find out the root cause. You can warm your feet and hands at home using the following methods:
In conclusion, it is worth giving a few more recommendations. First of all, you need to watch your diet. It should contain the necessary trace elements and vitamins. At the same time, it is recommended eat as much kiwi as possible, oranges and black currants. This is due to the fact that vitamin C contributes to better blood clotting. Nuts and seeds help to strengthen the walls of capillaries in the body. Sources of iron are yolks, prunes and homemade apples.
During sedentary work it is recommended to constantly stretch your arms and legs. Squats, light gymnastics and walking will also help to disperse the blood and speed up the passage of blood through the vessels. If possible, it is recommended to visit the Russian bath as often as possible.
A person has cold hands and / or feet in a variety of conditions and diseases. The cause, as a rule, is diseases such as anemia, hypothyroidism, osteochondrosis or polyneuropathy on the background of diabetes. In women, this is often vegetovascular dysfunction or stress.
What do cold extremities in women and men say?
First of all, one should think about the violation of heat transfer and for this, investigate the function of the thyroid gland. Another common cause is impaired function of the peripheral nervous system. With polyneuropathy, chilliness and paresthesia are a very clear and sure sign of damage to the nerve trunks and vessels that feed them.
Table. The main causes of chilliness of the limbs:
Age category | Cause | How does it manifest itself besides loss of sensitivity |
Adolescent (puberty and prepubertal) | VSD | Feeling of incomplete inspiration, loss of consciousness, unstable pressure |
Anorexia | Sharp weight loss, violation of all types of metabolism, myocardial dystrophy | |
Women of reproductive age | Hypothyroidism | Puffiness of the face, pale skin, fatigue, lethargy, memory loss, other mnestic properties. |
Diabetes | Thirst, increased urge to urinate, unstable blood pressure, tachycardia. | |
Anemia | Pallor of the skin, unmotivated weakness, decrease in the usual level of stress, brittle nails, hair. | |
older women | Climax | Feeling hot flashes, pressure surges, anxiety, emotional lability. |
kidney failure | Weakness, nausea, urination disorders, edematous syndrome | |
Obliterating diseases of the extremities | Pain in the arms and legs, convulsions, hair loss, deterioration of the skin appendages. |
In addition, attention should be paid to eating behavior, work and rest, psychological well-being. These factors may contribute to the occurrence of the described symptoms.
Cold fingers and toes
It occurs in women and men, but in the fairer sex - more often. Find out if the patient smokes. Fingers and toes freeze due to insufficient blood flow to the tissues. The cause may be blockage of blood vessels.
Therefore, the second point that is very important to find out in women is the presence in the family history of obliterating diseases of the extremities, the presence of atherosclerosis of any localization, including the outcome in a vascular accident (stroke, heart attack).
Cold fingers of the right hand
More this symptom is typical for osteochondrosis or hernia of the cervical spine. Another possible cause is impingement syndrome, as well as shoulder-hand syndrome.
Cold and numb fingers
Chilliness and loss of sensation are often found together. For an accurate diagnosis, consultation and careful examination of a neurologist, and if necessary, an endocrinologist, is necessary.
Cold fingertips
It is required to assess the condition of all organs and systems. Especially if we have an elderly person in front of us. The emphasis is on the study of kidney and thyroid function, blood sugar levels.
Cold fingers of the left hand
Left-sided localization may indicate damage to the left main vessels as a result of nonspecific aortoarteritis, obliterating endarteritis, and atherosclerosis.
Cold hands and feet. The reason for women may lie in atherosclerosis.
Reflexively, these symptoms can occur with coronary heart disease (angina pectoris) or myocardial infarction.
Cold thumb on hand
The search is directed towards the diagnosis of neurological diseases (plexopathies, polyneuropathies). It is possible that this is a manifestation of chondrosis of the cervical spine.
Possible reasons
This is a very non-specific manifestation of diseases. A number of conditions and pathologies can serve as the cause.
Diabetes
Violation of carbohydrate metabolism manifests itself in different age periods. Young people are more likely to have type 1 diabetes; older, obese individuals are patients with type 1 diabetes.
In the early stages of the disease, the limbs do not freeze. This symptom reveals itself only after 1-3 years from the debut of the pathology and later. Emerging paresthesias and sensations of chilliness of the toes indicate complications from the cardiovascular and peripheral nervous systems. Women complain of chilliness of fingers, feet.
Sensitivity in the limbs is reduced, goosebumps are possible. These are manifestations of diabetic polyneuropathy of the lower extremities. Endocrinologists and neurologists in this case speak of a mixed or sensory form. The described symptoms disappear against the background of adequate hypoglycemic treatment and after the appointment of metabolic therapy (thioctic acid, antioxidants).
Raynaud's syndrome
This manifestation is characteristic of systemic connective tissue diseases, the so-called collagenoses. These include Sjögren's syndrome, lupus erythematosus, polymyalgia rheumatica, and many others.
Fingertips suddenly turn pale. They get cold, sometimes even hurt. Further, this phase is replaced by the expansion of peripheral vessels, so the skin becomes red or bluish-bluish. The pain becomes unbearable. After a few minutes, the attack passes.
Anemia
With anemia, an indicator such as hemoglobin decreases. The second possible option is to reduce the number of red blood cells. Red blood cells transport oxygen in hemoglobin. With anemia, its delivery to the tissues is significantly reduced.
As a result, energy and plastic metabolism in all tissues and organs decreases. Organs and tissues more distant from the heart experience a special deficit. Therefore, one of the manifestations of anemia is chilliness of the fingers of the extremities.
There are many symptoms that accompany anemic syndrome:
- Severe weakness;
- pale skin;
- Decreased habitually tolerated level of physical activity;
- Increased heart rate;
- Decreased blood pressure.
Anemia is confirmed after a complete clinical blood test.
Anorexia
We are talking about the pathology of eating behavior, more characteristic of young girls. At the same time, the consumption and assimilation of nutrients is reduced due to conscious systematic starvation. With anorexia, all organs and tissues of the body experience a pronounced nutritional deficiency. Therefore, all possible types of exchange are violated.
As a result, energy metabolism decreases, heat production suffers. As an outcome, the limbs are very cold. In this case, the whole body freezes.
Anorexia is now considered as a psychologically conditioned somatic pathology. It is based on stress or a traumatic situation. Without the intervention of experienced psychologists and psychiatrists, patients are doomed to an unfavorable outcome.
kidney problems
Hands and feet are cold (the cause in women may be associated with kidney disease) with insufficient organ function. Kidney failure is accompanied by the accumulation of nitrogen metabolism products or "slags". Edema may occur. This is a fluid that enters the interstitial (intercellular) space.
In this case, the patient is disturbed by symptoms such as severe weakness, nausea, shortness of breath, swelling and increased blood pressure. In addition, women with insufficiency of kidney function are often concerned about the chilliness of the toes. After a course of pathogenetic therapy, these symptoms regress.
Chronic sleep deprivation
Improperly organized leisure time, unplanned daily regimen affects the state of human health. Timely and full sleep is not a part of life that can be neglected not to the detriment of health.
With constant lack of sleep, not only hands and feet freeze, but also the functioning of internal organs is disrupted, the regeneration and repair of the skin and mucous membranes slows down, and the functioning of nerve cells is disrupted.
Stress
Hands and feet freeze (the reason for women may lie in an acute stressful situation) during periods of significant emotional stress. Reaction to them can be ambiguous. With a sudden rise in pressure, the vessels of peripheral tissues and organs spasm.
The result is a lack of blood and nutrients in the distal parts of the body. Therefore, under stress, very often women experience chilliness of the limbs, nose, lips, ears, and chin.
venous congestion
Diseases of the valvular apparatus of the veins can be the lot of not only older women, but also young ladies. This is due to poor heredity, which manifests itself in the weakness of connective tissue structures, including those that make up the venous walls. In addition, women are predisposed to this by a special hormonal background that changes during periods vulnerable to it: pregnancy, menopause.
With varicose veins, post-thrombophlebitic disease, blood flow from peripheral tissues to the heart is disturbed. In advanced cases, pronounced edema and trophic changes (up to ulcers) are formed.
All these changes cause the following symptoms:
- Feeling of fullness in the legs;
- Severe discomfort, stiffness;
- Pain when walking;
- convulsions;
- Puffiness.
With venous insufficiency, the temperature of the skin of the limb decreases, so the woman's legs are cold. Against the background of taking phlebotonics, using ointments, the state of health improves, the symptoms become less pronounced.
Obliterating endarteritis (intermittent claudication)
This is a vascular disease. Women and men who abuse smoking are threatened by its development. Although it is hereditary.
Insufficient blood supply due to inflammation of the inner wall of blood vessels and narrowing of its lumen causes coldness, chilliness of the limb. Outwardly, they become somewhat cyanotic. As a rule, cramps and pains disturb. The condition improves on the background of taking vascular drugs.
Low or high blood pressure
Arterial hypertension in young women is usually associated with pathologically increased vascular tone in the periphery. Therefore, with pressure surges, soft tissues experience a lack of oxygen. The tip of the nose, lips and fingers may also become cold and chilly.
This is due to the generalization of blood circulation: the main blood flow passes through the large main vessels to supply vital organs with nutrients. In this case, ischemia is experienced by the periphery. The fingertips at the same time sharply feel the lack of nutrients.
Hypotension (lowering blood pressure) affects all organs. The symptoms are similar to those described above, and they accompany the patient constantly, and not episodically during pressure rises.
Vegetative-vascular dystonia
This pathological condition is realized in the improper regulation of vascular tone: both veins and arteries. That is, the spasm and expansion of their lumen occurs inadequately to the energy and plastic needs of tissues and organs, it does not depend much on the hormonal background.
The regulation is perverted. As a rule, there is a constant vasospasm. Patients complain of headaches, numbness, chilliness of the fingers, disruption of the digestive tract by the type of constipation. Blood pressure rises, there is a feeling of incomplete inspiration.
Violation of the blood flow
The blood supply to the limb can deteriorate due to atherosclerosis in the vast majority of cases. It mainly concerns the legs. Atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremity is manifested by a decrease in skin temperature, convulsions, pain in the projection of the calf when walking, forcing the patient to stop. After a short rest, the pain goes away.
Outwardly, the skin becomes paler, the severity of the hairline decreases, and the condition of the nail plates worsens. Antiplatelet agents and vascular agents (courses) are used in the treatment.
Age changes
Hands and feet in older people (especially women) are more susceptible to cold than in young people. The reason that they are cold even in the heat lies in the usual age-related changes.
Age changes come down to the following:
- Thermoregulation is disturbed;
- The basic level of exchange decreases;
- The blood flow worsens due to atherosclerosis, deterioration of the rheological properties of the blood (it is more “thick”);
- The ejection fraction of the heart decreases, so the pressure "does not pump" the peripheral organs.
As a result, we notice that patients get chilly very quickly even at the optimum ambient temperature. Limbs get cold faster.
Hypothyroidism
The pathology of the thyroid gland, associated with a decrease in the production of its main hormones (triiodothyronine and thyroxine), is reflected in the overall metabolism. After all, it is these substances that determine the necessary intensity of plastic and energy metabolism.
One of the important functions of the thyroid gland is also that it is responsible for the calorigenic effect. That is, heat production. With a decrease in the production of hormones T3 and T4, less heat is generated. This explains the chilliness of the limbs.
Atopic dermatitis in childhood
The disease is allergic in nature. It is associated with the use of food allergens or contact with airborne irritants. The skin becomes "leopard" due to its heterogeneity and spotting. With untimely and incorrect treatment in childhood, these changes remain in adulthood.
But it is worth noting that this is rare. Atopic dermatitis and its consequences can be manifested by a periodic decrease in the temperature of the skin of the extremities in the area of the fingers.
The use of certain drugs
A decrease in body temperature may be associated with the use of antihypertensive drugs (from high blood pressure). There is an overdose here. Therefore, hypertension is replaced by low blood pressure.
Cold hands and feet (the reason for women may lie in the use of antithyroid drugs) in the treatment of diffuse goiter or other thyroid diseases, accompanied by hyperproduction of the hormones T3 and T4. The patient is artificially introduced into a state of hypothyroidism.
Feet can get cold when taking hypoglycemic agents. At the same time, patients sweat, they feel very dizzy, the feeling of hunger intensifies, and loss of consciousness may occur.
Acute allergic manifestations
We are talking about urticaria, Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock. In the first two cases, the described symptom is unlikely to occur. At least no one will pay attention to him.
In the case of anaphylaxis, loss of sensation in the legs, chilliness is an important symptom. Especially if the drug was injected into the region of the lower limb or intravenously. It is better to access the vein immediately upon the appearance of this complaint in order to introduce anti-shock agents if necessary.
Neurological diseases
Disorders of the sensitivity of the extremities fit into the picture of polyneuropathy. Most often, there is an alcoholic, dysmetabolic (after treatment with heavy drugs) and diabetic form of the disease. Usually all types of sensitivity are violated with a sensory variant. But the pain is not lost. On the contrary, patients complain of pain, independent of the load and contacts.
First, the temperature sensitivity is broken. Cold toes, feet. When the upper limb is affected, the hands are chilled.
Thyroid dysfunction
This is more about hypothyroidism, that is, a decrease in organ function. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is accompanied by a feeling of heat. If the thyroid metabolism is correctly corrected, the violation of sensitivity will not disturb.
Reduced hemoglobin
Anemia and fever are closely related. That is why with a decrease in the level of hemoglobin (for example, with chronic blood loss), the fingers of the feet and hands can become cold.
Osteochondrosis
Degenerative disease of the spine is accompanied by neurological disorders. One of them is a violation of sensitivity. When the pathology is localized in the lumbar or lumbosacral spine, the sensitivity of the feet and fingers is disturbed.
In addition, patients complain about:
- Back pain;
- Inability to bend or unbend;
- Shooting pain;
- Improvement after attempts at rubbing.
An x-ray or MRI of the lower back confirms the diagnosis.
Improper nutrition
With insufficient caloric intake of food in the body, there is not enough energy substrate. Therefore, not enough heat is generated. This can be with starvation, conscious improper diet, anorexia.
frostbite
Local exposure to the toes or hands will lead to hypothermia. Frostbite is more serious and dangerous. In addition to violations of sensitivity, chilliness and pain, trophic changes in the skin of varying severity are found, depending on the degree of frostbite.
What should I do if my hands and feet are cold?
With a constantly appearing feeling of chilliness, a causative factor should be sought. To do this, contact a therapist or neurologist. Periodically occurring symptoms are evidence that blood pressure is unstable.
It is necessary to pay attention to this, measure blood pressure and pulse twice a day, fix it, and then consult a doctor.
Prevention measures
Pay attention to nutrition is necessary in the first place. If there is no diabetes, then carbohydrates should be included in the diet. The emphasis should be on the so-called complex carbohydrate foods. Protein should also be enough. But with insufficient kidney function, it is better to limit its intake.
Hardening and adequate motor mode is a good prevention of circulatory disorders. In the absence of contraindications, limb massage can be used.
When is a medical examination required?
Hands and feet get cold (the cause in women is often pathological) for a reason, therefore, to determine the causative factor, you need to undergo a series of examinations.
This is required in the following situations:
- symptoms began to disturb constantly;
- impaired sensitivity;
- pain appeared;
- convulsions joined;
- worries about weakness;
- it became harder to exercise.
The spectrum of the examination is discussed with the attending doctor.
Hardware diagnostic methods
If you suspect a pathology of the thyroid gland, an ultrasound examination is used. Ultrasound of the abdominal organs, retroperitoneal space, small pelvis will not be superfluous.
At the same time, it will be possible to find out if there are any problems with the kidneys. Radiography of the spine determines the presence of chondrosis, protrusions or hernias. Confirm the hypothesis of MRI, CT, including the use of contrast.
Required tests
From the general blood test, the content of hemoglobin and erythrocytes is interesting for the diagnosis of possible anemia. To clarify its nature, they donate blood for the content of iron and vitamin B11. Of the biochemical parameters pay attention to the content of protein, blood sugar, creatinine. The last metabolite is necessary to determine the safety or impaired renal function.
Thyroid hormones are taken if hypothyroidism is suspected. These are T3, T4, as well as thyroid-stimulating hormone and antibodies to thyroperoxidase. All indicators allow you to understand the presence of thyroid pathology.
Methods of treatment
The approach to treatment is possible only complex. Treatment methods depend on the cause of the disease.
Medicines
Vascular agents help both in the presence of obliterating diseases and in polyneuropathy. Use Pentoxifylline, Actovegin. First, the drugs are injected into a vein, and then moving on to taking the tablet form. So the active substance realizes its action better. Of the contraindications - rhythm disturbances and phases of repolarization of the heart.
In polyneuropathy, the remedy of choice is Thioctic acid. Best of all - Berlition - an imported drug with a minimum number of side effects.
Anemia is corrected by taking iron supplements. If a severe degree is diagnosed, then a transfusion of blood or its components is necessary. Dystererosis requires the appointment of antithyroid drugs (Mercazolil) for hyperfunction and replacement therapy for organ hypofunction (Eutiroks).
Vitamin complexes
In case of violation of the exchange, their use is mandatory. You should pay attention to the absence of allergic reactions to this group of drugs. In the presence of chondrosis and other diseases of the nervous system, complexes of B vitamins are used.
Physiotherapy
Of the physical procedures, galvanization and electrophoresis have the best effect. For herniated discs, for example, electrophoresis with Kallipain is used. With polyneuropathy, magnetotherapy works well.
Massage
Regular self-massage is a very effective technique. Movements should be soft, smooth. Rubbing is also a good way to get rid of sensitivity disorders. Of the oils, it is better to use those that contain pepper extract.
Gymnastic exercises
They are pretty simple. These can be the usual flexion - extensor movements of the fingers or feet, which are diluted with rotational ones. Physical therapy doctors also advise exercises with balls, balls. Kuznetsov's applicator helps a lot.
Traditional medicine recipes
Their help is resorted to only after consultation with a certified doctor as an auxiliary method of treatment.
hot tubs
Reflex effect of high temperatures reduces vascular tone, normalizes it. The trophism of the skin and soft tissues improves.
Baths can be with medicinal herbs (chamomile, sage). The course is about a week.
Hot tincture
When applied topically, this agent improves tissue trophism due to irritation of nerve fibers, the influx of biologically active compounds. Prolonged use is not recommended. In the presence of allergic reactions, burning tincture is contraindicated.
Tea
A tonic drink reduces blood pressure, relieves vasospasm. The drink has pronounced antioxidant properties.
Compress with alcohol
Longer than 40 minutes, you can not apply it. This is fraught with burns. But reflexively, this method has its effect, so it has not lost its relevance today.
mistletoe leaves
Used as an infusion. Dry leaves can be purchased at pharmacies. You can insist for 11 hours and take over the next day.
The course should not exceed 30 days.
Sophora fruits or flowers
This medicinal plant is more used in the form of tinctures. In case of intolerance and allergic mood, the drug is not recommended.
What can not be done?
You should not self-medicate and wait until the disease becomes irreversible. Without consulting a doctor, you should also not turn to alternative medicine methods.
Fingers and toes are cold in men and women of different ages for various reasons. It is important to start diagnostic search and treatment in time. Adequate motor mode and proper nutrition are sufficient preventive measures.
Article formatting: Lozinsky Oleg
Video about why hands and feet are cold
Reasons why a woman's hands and feet are cold: