Cold feet when sleeping, warning of disease
Constantly feeling cold in the feet is not uncommon. This condition is annoying no matter where you go or what you do. In fact, a lot of people feel cold hands and feet or even the whole body is cold even though the weather is not cold at all. If your feet are still cold even with socks on, this could be a warning sign of serious health problems below:
Low muscle mass
Women and the elderly often have low muscle mass, so they feel cold more easily than other people.
According to Aarti Agarwal, medical expert and director of Juno Medical Center, some people tend to feel colder than others, even if they do not have any health problems. The cause of this phenomenon is low muscle mass.
Muscles generate heat, Aarti explains, and if you have low muscle mass, your body will try to retain heat by restricting blood flow to your extremities. So the condition can make your hands, feet, or even your whole body feel cold.
Poor traffic
The circulatory system is responsible for transporting blood throughout the body, and if it’s not working properly, it’s easier to feel colder than usual.
When blood is not circulating as freely or as quickly as it should, the body’s temperature drops. The blood vessels in the feet and hands are among the smallest and most sensitive, Aarti notes. It’s completely understandable that poor circulation can make feet and hands feel cold.
This condition can have many causes and smoking and obesity are among the most common causes. Health problems such as peripheral artery disease and Raynaud’s disease also contribute to unusually cold hands and feet. Exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, and adopting a balanced diet are essential to improving the circulatory system, strengthening blood circulation.
Stress
People should find ways to relieve stress because this condition reduces blood flow to the extremities.
If you’re feeling extremely stressed or anxious, your body’s “fight or flight response” kicks in. When this happens, your heart rate and blood pressure increase, and you may notice that your breathing becomes labored. This is because the body has to work to regulate blood, nutrients, and oxygen to major muscle groups.
In other words, since the hands and feet are not part of the major muscle group, blood flow to this area is reduced during times of stress. As mentioned, blood circulation plays an important role in regulating body temperature so this will make your hands and feet feel cold or hot in some cases.
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid is a small gland located in the neck that is responsible for producing hormones that greatly affect the body’s energy use.
If you have hypothyroidism, your thyroid won’t produce enough hormones and causes your body to slow down or work less efficiently. Feeling tired, achy, and sensitive to cold are hallmarks of this condition.
Hypothyroidism can occur as a side effect of certain medications, thyroiditis, and Hashimoto’s disease. In addition, women, people over 60 years old, people with a family history of thyroid disease, people with diabetes are also more likely to face this health problem.
Other health problems
People should see a doctor for advice if they notice that cold feet occur frequently.
Cold hands and feet can often be easily remedied through some home remedies. However, in some cases, it can also be a warning sign of serious health problems such as peripheral nerve damage, peripheral artery disease, Raynaud’s disease, Buerger’s disease, and anemia.
If you want to determine the exact cause of cold hands and feet, people should see a doctor for advice.
How to keep feet warm?
As mentioned, there are many reasons that can lead to cold feet and one of them is related to serious health problems. In addition to using medication and following your doctor’s instructions, you can apply some simple tips below to warm up your feet:
Stretch or move your feet to promote blood circulation.
Exercise to improve circulation.
Soak your feet in warm water for about 15 minutes.
– Use hot packs or heating blankets.
– Avoid unnecessary stress.
– Wear socks when you feel cold.
– Do not smoke or limit tobacco use.
(Source: Realsimple)
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