Contents:
- Medical Video: 12 Ways to Escape the Heat If You Don’t Have an Air Conditioner
- What are the causes of cold feet?
- Poor circulation
- Anemia
- Hypothyroidism
- Diabetes
- Stressful and anxious
- How to deal with cold feet
- 1. Move your feet
- 2. Wear socks and sandals
- 3. Soak the feet in warm water
- 4. Use heating pads or hot water bottles
- When to go to the doctor?
Medical Video: 12 Ways to Escape the Heat If You Don’t Have an Air Conditioner
Have you ever felt cold in your feet, even though the temperature around was hot? Cold feet are generally normal. Some causes are temporary, while others indicate a fairly serious health condition. Check out the full review of the causes of cold feet and how to overcome them.
What are the causes of cold feet?
Cold feet are one of the body's normal reactions to colder temperatures. When the body enters a cooler area, blood vessels in some parts of the body such as the hands and feet will narrow. This condition causes blood flow to this area to decrease, as a result the amount of body heat will also disappear.
However, some people actually feel cold on their feet when the air is actually hot. Here are some reasons why your feet often feel cold apart from the influence of temperature:
Poor circulation
Poor circulation is one of the common causes of this symptom. Poor circulation can complicate warm blood flow to the hands and feet, because the body part is located farthest from the blood pumping organ, the heart. As a result, this part will feel cooler compared to other parts of the body.
Here are some causes that can make blood circulation worse.
- Employees who spend time sitting all day and not moving much.
- Smokers and other users of tobacco products.
- High cholesterol levels. The high cholesterol in the blood will result in the formation of plaques in the arteries which can reduce blood circulation from the heart to the feet and hands.
- Heart problems.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition where the number of red blood cells in a person's body is below normal. Usually anemia is caused by iron deficiency, vitamin B12, folate, or because of chronic kidney disease.
If red blood cells decrease, then the red blood cells that are carried throughout the body automatically decrease. Because the legs and arms are in the area farthest from the core organ pumping blood. Then the blood flow to this area decreases. This condition often occurs in people with moderate to severe cases of anemia.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is less active and does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This condition can interfere with the body's metabolism. Normal body metabolism plays a role in controlling heart rate and body temperature.
If you experience problems in the metabolic system, automatic circulation of blood to the body will be hampered so that the feet become colder than usual.
Diabetes
People with diabetes are at risk of developing cold foot problems due to several factors. First, because of high blood sugar levels, the arteries indirectly experience constriction. Narrowed arteries result in obstruction of blood flow. This condition can cause the feet to become cold. Second, people with diabetes usually experience damage to the leg nerves so that the feet feel cold and even numb.
Stressful and anxious
Being in a stressful and restless condition can make your feet feel cold. This is one of the body's natural responses to stress because adrenaline is pumped into the bloodstream.
Adrenaline causes blood vessels to narrow and reduce blood flow to the outermost areas of the body. Reducing stress and tension can help reduce coldness in the feet and hands.
Other less common causes of cold feet include:
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Raynaud's disease
- Nerve damage
How to deal with cold feet
If you have cold feet due to certain health conditions, you should consult your doctor to get the best treatment. However, there are several home ways that can be used to treat and relieve symptoms, such as:
1. Move your feet
If your feet feel cold due to sitting too long, then you can get up from your seat and try to take a short walk. By moving the body, the blood flow will return to normal so that the body feels warmer. Try to go for a walk every time you start feeling cold stabbing in the legs. Do it periodically for example once every hour.
2. Wear socks and sandals
Using socks that are thick enough and made from warmth can help warm the feet. In addition, you can also use slippers in the room if the floor keeps your feet getting cooler.
3. Soak the feet in warm water
One of the fastest ways to get rid of cold in your feet is to soak it in a basin of warm water. You can soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes to maintain smooth blood flow to the legs. If you do it before going to bed then you will feel other benefits, which are the weakening of the leg muscles. You will feel much more relaxed and can even make you sleep better.
But keep in mind, people with diabetes need to be accompanied to practice this method. If the nerves in his legs are damaged, chances are he can't feel the water temperature is too hot or too cold. If done alone and it turns out that the water used too hot this condition can actually cause burns to the feet.
4. Use heating pads or hot water bottles
If you have trouble sleeping because your feet are too cold, you can place a heating pad on your feet. Or, an easy way to find it at home without having to buy it by putting a plastic bottle filled with hot water in the legs while you sleep. This method will make your feet feel warm while you sleep and help calm muscles that feel sore after a day of activity.
When to go to the doctor?
If the cold starts to be abnormal and accompanied by the following symptoms, you need to consult a doctor to find out the exact cause:
- Injuries to the toes and fingers that don't heal
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Skin rashes or thickening
Symptoms of cold feet are generally normal and do not need special care. However, if it is quite disturbing and accompanied by other symptoms, you need to consult a doctor to get the best treatment.
