Cold hands and feet are often a symptom of diseases of blood vessels and nerves, but also the metabolic and autoimmune diseases. The most common include diabetes, narrowing of the small arteries or decreased function of the thyroid gland .
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus or diabetes is a metabolic disease which is characterized by elevated blood sugar - glucose. If blood glucose is not maintained or treatment diet in certain amounts, may eventually lead to damage to blood vessels and nerves. As a result of these failures is poor blood circulation in the limbs, which is perceived as a feeling of cold hands and feet. Nerve damage can cause numbness of the limbs, as e.g. tingling and reduced pain sensation. This limb is more susceptible to the formation of various bruises and minor wounds.
Raynaud's disease
When Raynaud's disease there is a sudden narrowing of the small arteries that supply blood fingers. Insufficient supply of blood and oxygen causes blanching of the skin. This state lasts a few minutes, and then blood vessels expand again, which leads to engorgement and finger skin reddens. The causes of this disease are not yet known, but women are more often affected. Narrowing of the arteries is often provoked by the cold, but also by stress or anxiety.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is decreased thyroid function. Thyroid hormones - thyroxine and triiodothyronine - are crucial for the control of energy metabolism. Reduced production of these hormones has a negative effect on thermoregulation or maintaining proper body temperature. Patients with this disease are chilly and often suffer from a feeling of cold hands and feet.
A few tips on how to fight the feeling of cold hands and feet
Avoid unnecessarily low temperatures and frost.
Protect yourself from the cold with appropriate clothing. Do not forget to warm socks and gloves.
Do not wear too tight clothing that constricts you - can interfere with proper blood circulation in the extremities.
Avoid stress and observe proper diet.
Source: Healing ran.cz