The term cold extremities mainly refers to cold feet and cold legs, as well as cold hands, fingers and arms. Cold feet and hands are particularly common in winter and in the cold seasons of autumn and spring. Mostly women complain about particularly severe cold extremities, but men can also express their suffering through so-called ice legs, ice feet, ice fingers or glacier feet.
Causes
Mostly women complain about particularly severe cold extremities, but also men can complain about so-called ice legs, ice feet or ice fingers. As already noted, the main reason for cold feet and hands, fingers and legs is the cold season. The main cause of this occurrence of cold extremities is here the cold temperatures and an increased lack of movement of the entire body. While normally in summer one moves a lot in the fresh air, in nature or in the garden, the lack of movement in winter is often predetermined by the cold and “bad” weather. In this case, the blood vessels in the feet and hands then constrict in order to maintain warmth to the vital organs. This protective mechanism of the body is a consequence of a complex thermoregulatory system. Sense of this system, is the survival of man in the cold. The average temperature of the inside of the body at 20°C air temperature is about 36-37°C. The surface temperature of the hands and feet, i.e. the extremities, is between 28°C and 33°C. Thus, the temperature of the hands and feet is influenced both by the blood circulation and by the external temperature. Therefore, these temperatures can fluctuate more than our internal body temperature. Nevertheless, the body tries to create a balance by means of heat regulation. This heat regulation is measured on the limbs or extremities by so-called thermoreceptors and evaluated in the central nervous system and the hypothalamus (in the brain). In the reverse case, i.e. in the case of great heat, the limbs (arms, legs), due to their large surface area, can thus cool down the entire body if it should become too hot. In this case, the blood vessels are dilated and supplied with more blood. As the blood travels throughout the body, it then cools other areas as well. This also explains why, when our extremities are cold, we not only freeze at the feet, but also quite quickly on the entire body. However, anyone who complains of constantly cold feet or hands, even with a lot of exercise and even in summer, should have these symptoms examined, since diseases can also be the cause. Mostly these are circulatory disorders and cardiovascular diseases. More rarely, the cause is also mineral deficiency, such as iron deficiency. Another 40 diseases can also be associated with cold extremities. Mention should be made here of Raynaud’s syndrome (seizure-like shock cold, usually on the hands and fingers), but that can also occur in connection with other diseases. For example, rheumatic diseases such as scleroderma, trauma, stress and certain medications. It is therefore not surprising if especially older people suffer from cold extremities, because they are often affected by arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Thus, especially in these patients, the feet and hands are less supplied with blood, which leads to a pronounced feeling of cold. Furthermore, the movement drive in older people is also much lower than in young people.
Diseases with this symptom
- Mineral deficiency
- Scleroderma
- Arteriosclerosis
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Hypothyroidism
- Trauma
- Meningitis
- Hypothermia (frostbite)
- Iron deficiency
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Raynaud’s syndrome
- Diabetes mellitus
Complications
Complications of cold extremities are varied and depend on the underlying disease or trigger of the cold limb. In extreme cases, hypothermia of the extremities, such as in winter, causes complications such as tissue damage or even necrosis from frostbite. Timely therapy reduces these risks, but in severe cases even treated patients experience symptoms such as dying tissue on the limbs. In some cases, the cold extremities are also caused by cardiac insufficiency and associated circulatory disorders.Failure to treat the condition is dangerous, because in most cases cardiac performance deteriorates progressively and, in the worst case, leads to heart failure or a heart attack. If the cold extremities or the underlying heart failure are treated with medication, the loss of cardiac output nevertheless often progresses. Here, too, there is a risk of complications such as heart failure and other diseases of the heart. Often, cold extremities also result from hypothyroidism, which, if left untreated, can cause serious complications depending on its severity. Extreme fatigue, headaches and a general feeling of weakness are possible. Without treatment, not only do the cold extremities persist, but even various psychological complaints such as depression are possible. Drug therapy may be accompanied by the opposite symptoms, such as restlessness and agitation. At the same time, the cold extremities disappear in most cases.
When should you see a doctor?
Cold extremities are a natural phenomenon and are usually harmless. A visit to the doctor is advisable if the hands and feet become cold more often than usual or if the cold attacks persist for a long time. Accompanying symptoms such as dizziness and numbness in the limbs indicate a circulatory disorder that must be clarified immediately. Cold sensations during pregnancy or in the context of hormonal changes do not necessarily have to be treated. However, if the complaints have a negative effect on the general condition, the symptoms must be discussed with the family doctor so that a suitable treatment can be found. If diabetes or another disease is suspected, medical advice should also be sought. If cold extremities appear very suddenly, pale and painful at the same time, the emergency physician must be alerted immediately. It may be an embolism, which if left untreated can lead to loss of the affected limb or even death. Cold sensations accompanied by discoloration and swelling may indicate venous thrombosis requiring treatment.
Treatment and therapy
There are several ways to diagnose freezing of the feet and hands. Common are mainly the diagnosis of the nerves, the skin and the vessels. Circulatory disorders are particularly common as a cause. Thus, vascular diagnostics should always be at the center of any treatment. Ultrasound and X-rays can provide information about vascular calcification and vasoconstriction. If the suspicion is confirmed, the physician will perform an angiography. If the cause is more likely to be nervous, further examination by a neurologist is warranted. Other underlying diseases that are the cause of cold hands and feet should be treated first. Examples include: diabetes, heart defects, thyroid disease and low blood pressure. Hormonal changes, mineral deficiency, psychological problems, stress, lack of exercise are also considered causes, as already mentioned. Therefore, these causes should be eliminated. In older people, a severe lack of fluids should often be treated with sufficient hydration, because without enough water, the blood cannot circulate properly and becomes viscous. This in turn means that thermoregulation cannot function optimally. Last but not least, smokers and heavy coffee drinkers are quickly susceptible to cold extremities, as nicotine and caffeine have vasoconstrictive effects.
Outlook and prognosis
Cold extremities usually do not require treatment by a physician. In most cases, cold extremities occur mainly during a cold, flu, or other infection and disappear once the body gets over the illness. It is advisable to warm or massage the extremities. The increase of warm liquids also helps in this case. A doctor should be consulted if the cold extremities occur even without disease and especially permanently. This could be a circulatory disorder, which must be examined by a doctor in any case. If the cold extremities occur permanently, they can cause permanent damage. Since they are mainly caused by insufficient cardiac output, failure to treat them is very dangerous and, in the worst case, can lead to a heart attack. In addition to the cold extremities, patients often complain of a general feeling of weakness and a depressed mood.If the heart needs to be treated, this treatment usually takes place surgically. The cold extremities can also be triggered by nicotine and other drugs. In these cases, it is advisable to stop the drugs so that the heart can provide proper blood flow again.
Prevention
If one takes to heart all the treatment measures described above, a healthy and active life can provide comforting warmth to and in the limbs. Avoid smoking, fatty foods, little exercise. Drink enough and exercise a lot. Cold and warm alternating baths, as well as sauna have a supporting and preventive effect.
This is what you can do yourself
In the case of cold extremities, it is not necessary to visit a doctor. Often, cold extremities are a side effect of a cold, the flu or an infection of the gastrointestinal tract. The symptom itself does not require medical treatment and usually disappears even after the disease has been conquered. To get rid of the cold extremities, the patient must warm himself. Equally well helps bed rest and general relaxation. Drinking tea and soup can also make the extremities warm again, of course warm clothes are also needed. If the cold extremities appear even without disease in the usual state, a doctor should be consulted. This may be a problem with blood circulation, which must be examined by a doctor. Home treatment should not be given until the cause of the symptom is known. In the case of severe circulatory problems, treatment with medication takes place. Exercise or a sporting activity also helps against the cold extremities. Above all, the extremities themselves must be moved in order to stimulate circulation. Hydrotherapy offers other ways to promote circulation in the extremities.
