8 medical issues that could result in icy feet
Medical problems include atherosclerosis, diabetes, Raynaud's disease, peripheral neuropathy, and anemia can all be indicated by persistently cold feet.
Consult your doctor about the best course of action if you think you might have one of these disorders so you can address the underlying cause of your cold feet.
But if you've checked out these causes, you can try to warm up your feet by doing more exercise, dressing in layers, and getting a massage.
It's normal to get cold feet, and most of the time nothing to worry about. Chilly weather frequently results in cold feet, which are readily treated by putting on an extra pair of socks.
But if you experience chilly feet all the time, that could be a sign of something worse. Here are a few ailments that should be investigated because they may cause cold feet.
Atherosclerosis
Poor circulation is brought on by atherosclerosis, a disorder that results in fatty deposits in your arteries and limits the amount of blood that gets to your feet. Insufficient warm blood supply to your feet can result in chilly feet.
Your feet's arteries are the tiniest, so they are most likely to experience symptoms first. You could suffer cold, occasionally painful feet if these arteries are clogged.
Diabetes
There are a few factors that can cause diabetes to result in unrelenting cold feet:
Diabetes may not necessarily result in the development of cold feet, although some persons with type 1 or type 2 diabetes do develop neuropathy, or nerve damage, in their feet. It occurs more frequently in those with type 2 diabetes, who are 50% more likely to experience nerve damage than those with type 1 diabetes (20%). The nerves in the feet that sense temperature can be disrupted by this nerve injury, resulting in unpleasant sensations.
Poor circulation: Type 2 diabetes, which is characterized by poor blood circulation in general, can result in cold feet in sufferers. The lining of your small blood arteries that supply your feet may get damaged over time as a result of diabetes' high blood glucose levels, which can restrict and harden the vessels over time and reduce blood flow to the feet. Cold feet may result from this.
Raynaud's syndrome
When you are cold or under stress, Raynaud's illness, an uncommon ailment, causes the blood arteries in your hands and feet to narrow.
Your hands and feet will be unable to get blood as a result, turning white or blue. You'll notice that your hands and feet are cooler than they should be. If you have this condition, you could notice that your feet get redder as they warm up.
Raynaud's illness is more prevalent among people who reside in colder areas. Additionally, women and those with a family history of the illness are more likely to experience it. Although Raynaud's disease is not harmful, it can be uncomfortable.
Radicular neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy encompasses all conditions that harm the nerves in your peripheral nervous system, including diabetic neuropathy. All of the nerves in your body, excluding those in your brain and spinal cord, are part of the peripheral nervous system. It is in charge of communicating signals to the rest of your body from your brain and spinal cord.
People with this ailment frequently describe having cold feet as one of their first symptoms. Additionally, they could experience tingling, burning, or prickling in their feet.
Anemia
Your body produces fewer red blood cells than usual when you have anemia. Since iron is a mineral required for the creation of red blood cells, an iron shortage is the most typical cause of it.
This syndrome can cause a variety of issues, such as persistently cold feet. That's because an anemic person has fewer red blood cells and hemoglobin, which is in charge of carrying oxygen throughout the body.
Additional reasons for freezing feet
Other potential reasons for freezing feet include:
Anxiety: The body releases the hormone adrenaline when you are feeling anxious. Adrenaline causes blood to be drawn away from less significant body parts, such as your hands and feet, in order to protect your major organs in addition to putting your body into a fight or flight mode. Your hands and feet could feel cold as a result of this.
With hypothyroidism, the thyroid does not create enough hormones for it to operate normally. Reduced circulation, decreased blood flow to the feet, and a general feeling of having cold feet can all be caused by an underactive thyroid.
With Buerger's Disease, the arteries and veins in your body become irritated and clogged by blood clots. Although studies suggest that smoking may irritate the linings of your arteries and veins, causing them to enlarge, the exact origin of the problem is unknown. It usually starts in the hands and feet, which can cause numbness and coldness in the hands and feet.
How to get your feet warm
It's important to see a doctor if you think any of the aforementioned diseases may be the source of your cold feet so you can address the underlying issue and receive the care you require.
Here are a few home remedies you might attempt to warm up your cold feet, though, assuming they aren't caused by any underlying medical issues:
- Regular exercise: By doing so, you'll have better blood circulation and warmer feet.
- Put on warmer clothing: Perhaps all you need to do is get some thicker socks and make sure your feet are always fully covered up.
- A foot massage: In order to warm up your feet, massages can also aid to increase circulation and get the blood circulating.
- Wearing DrLuigi medical footwear: Medical footwear will stimulate circulation and keep your feet warm.
- Give up smoking: Quitting smoking and other tobacco products may be beneficial because nicotine can also contribute to impaired circulation.