Cold feet is normal when you feel them from time to time, especially with climate changes and weather fluctuations. But the persistence of this cold for long periods or its appearance frequently, may be an indication of some pathological conditions. So what is it Causes of cold feet? How is it diagnosed and treated?

Causes of cold feet

If you suffer from cold feet, especially when sleeping, you should first bear in mind that the coldness of the extremities may be a result of low temperatures or exposure to colds. Among the most important causes of cold feet are the following:

1. Circulatory problems

Poor circulation is a common cause of cold feet. Which may result from a variety of reasons such as sitting for long periods without movement, or smoking tobacco products, or heart disease, or high cholesterol levels, which may lead to the formation of plaques inside the arteries, which reduces blood circulation in the feet and legs, and thus the feeling of coldness .

2. Anemia

When the levels of normal red blood cells decrease in the body, a person becomes anemic. This may be due to several reasons, including chronic kidney disease, iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, or folic acid deficiency. This causes the feet to feel cold. This can be treated by taking nutritional supplements and changing dietary habits. However, it is better to consult a doctor to find out the causes of cold feet, and to follow the appropriate treatment for each case.

3. Diabetes mellitus

Diabetics may suffer from a risk of circulatory problems, as frequent high blood sugar levels may lead to narrowing of the arteries, and a decrease in blood flow to the tissues of the body, which may result in a feeling of coldness in the extremities.

Diabetics may also develop diabetic neuropathy, which may cause nerve damage in different areas of the body, including the feet. Symptoms may also include numbness and severe pain in the legs and feet.

4. Nerve disorders

Which may be due to several causes, including frostbite, or as a result of a medical condition such as kidney or liver disease, infection factors, or genetics. Nerve disorders may include other symptoms such as tingling and numbness in the feet.

5. Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism may lead to a decrease in the level of thyroid hormone, which negatively affects the body’s metabolism. Which in turn affects blood circulation, heartbeat, and body temperature. This makes people with hypothyroidism more sensitive to cold than others, along with other symptoms such as feeling tired, memory problems, and weight gain.

6. Peripheral artery disease

Which may slow or prevent blood flow to the legs and feet, which impairs blood circulation and thus the feeling of cold.

And this disease can be infected without having diabetes. It is considered among the factors that increase the risk of developing peripheral artery disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, smoking, and advancing age.

Other symptoms may include:

• A sore on the foot that does not heal
• One foot colder than the other
• Pain in the calf, especially when walking

7. Burger’s disease

Burger’s disease is a rare disease caused by the use of tobacco or smoking. It is more common in men than women, and those under 45 years of age. As this disease causes the blood vessels in the extremities such as the feet and hands to swell, thus slowing the blood flow. It is his symptoms:

• The limbs appear pale, red, or bluish
• tingling feeling
• Feeling pain in the legs or the arch of the foot when moving
• Blisters may appear on the feet or hands

Does anxiety cause cold feet?

Yes, when feeling anxious or stressed, the body makes a natural reaction by pumping adrenaline into the bloodstream, which, during its circulation in the blood, may cause constriction of the blood vessels in the extremities, resulting in decreased blood flow to the extremities of the body such as the feet and hands.

So if you suffer from severe anxiety and tension, all you have to do is try to get rid of stress and reduce anxiety levels in order to reduce the symptoms of cold feet.

Diagnostic methods

The doctor will do a physical examination, to look for signs of trauma or nerve damage by pressing on different areas of the foot.

The doctor may also order a set of tests, such as::

1. Blood analysis: In order to check the absence of medical conditions such as diabetes, anemia or hypothyroidism.
2. Perform an electrocardiogram: This is in order to evaluate the performance of the heart, in case it is suspected that the causes of cold feet may be heart disease or poor circulation.
3. Perform an ankle-brachial decompression index (ankle-brachial index text): This procedure is used to measure blood pressure in the extremities. Whereas, a low number of the ankle and humeral index indicates the presence of blockage or narrowing of the ankle arteries.

Cold feet treatment

Treatment of coldness of the extremities requires a medical diagnosis first in order to determine the causes of cold feet and to determine the appropriate treatment according to each pathological condition. However, some home remedies may help provide some heating for the feet, such as:

1. Doing regular exercise to stimulate blood circulation.
2. Not sitting for long periods.
3. stop smoking.
4. Eat low-fat foods.
5. Wear warm socks to keep the feet warm.
6. Putting carpets in the case of exposed floors so that this does not increase the coldness of the feet.
7. Use a warm foot bath to relieve cold feet by soaking them for 10 to 15 minutes in a basin of warm water. This is in order to maintain blood flow to the feet throughout the day.

Notice: It is not recommended to use warm foot warmers for patients with diabetic nerve damage, as it may lead to accidental burns, as a result of the inability to feel the heat of the water.

When should you visit the doctor?

It is recommended to consult a doctor if cold feet is a frequent occurrence or if you develop symptoms associated with cold feet, such as:

• Fatigue
• fever
• Weight loss
• joint pain
• Rash or any changes in the skin
• Blisters on the toes or hands that take a long time to heal

You should also consult a doctor immediately if you feel cold feet internally, and your skin does not feel cold when touched, as this may be a symptom of nerve damage or other neurological conditions.