Doctors Say Cold Feet Could Signal Health Problems

It is common for feet to feel cold in the winter. However, if your feet are constantly feeling cold, you may have cold weather. Cold feet can be caused by chronic cold feet. several different health problems—and if especially if you’re experiencing any other unusual symptoms along with them, it’s a good idea to get checked out by your healthcare provider in order to rule out any underlying issues.

Continue reading to learn about five conditions your cold feet might be warning you about.

READ THIS: If You Notice This on Your Feet, Get Checked for Parkinson’s.

Your cold feet could indicate that your thyroid may be in trouble. “The thyroid gland is an important regular of metabolic functions in our bodies,” ” Kelly Johnson-ArborMD emergency medicine physician as the co-medical head of the National Capital Poison Center. Your thyroid may not produce enough hormones if your symptoms persist. According to Johnson-Arbor, this is hypothyroidism.

“People who have an underactive thyroid may experience fatigue, weight gain, and an intolerance of cold temperatures. These effects on metabolism may lead to a feeling of cold feet,” She explains. “Fortunately, thyroid disease can be diagnosed with a simple blood test. Treatment, which typically involves lifelong administration of thyroid hormones, can help reduce or eliminate the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism.”

Diabetes can also lead to changes in your feet—and despite the condition being very common, it can easily go unnoticed for a long time: Millions of diabetes cases According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), they are not currently being diagnosed. David BeattyMRCGP is a U.K.-based medical practice. general practitionerIf you feel cold feet, it could be a sign of diabetes.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

Patients with diabetes are at high risk of developing peripheral vascular disease (PVD). This is a condition where the patient may develop a form of the condition called “disease of the blood vessels”. “supply of arterial blood to the extremities is reduced or, in extreme cases, blocked completely,” Beatty explains. “[With this] fats, cholesterol and other substances form plaques which obstruct the arteries, reducing blood flow to the feet,” He explains. “Circulation to the extremities can be impaired as a result.”

You may notice changes in your feet and coldness when you have diabetes or PVD. “The affected foot may feel cool to the touch. It may look a purplish blue color or appear pale white,” Beatty said. “If the skin is pressed, the area may appear pale for longer than usual before the normal color returns. The foot pulses may be difficult or impossible to feel.”

Feeling cold constantly is also commonly connected with anemia, according to Kellie K. MiddletonAtlanta-based MD orthopedic surgeon. “This is a condition stemming from a lack of iron or vitamin B-12, resulting in poor blood flow and cold feet,” Middleton said that anemia sufferers often feel fatigue, pale skin and heart palpitations.

Johnson-Arbor states that anemia is when your body’s red blood cells decrease. “Red blood cells carry oxygen to tissues throughout the body. In anemic patients, poor circulation results from the lack of oxygen delivery to tissues,” She explains. “Treatments… may include correction of any nutritional deficiencies, iron supplementation, and/or blood transfusion.”

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John Landry, registered respiratory therapist Respiratory Therapy zone founder, says Best Life Cold feet can be very uncomfortable “symptom of several lung conditions.” Landry says that cold feet may be related to three conditions: chronic obstructive and progressive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension and pulmonary embolism.

“COPD is a lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. It can cause poor circulation, which can lead to cold feet,” He explains. “Pulmonary hypertension is a condition in which the blood vessels in the lungs become narrowed, making it difficult for blood to flow through them. As a result, the body may not receive enough oxygen, which can also cause poor circulation and cold feet.”

Landry states that you may experience additional symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath and wheezing due to COPD or pulmonary hypertension. Some of these symptoms may also be caused by pulmonary embolism, though you should watch for rapid heartbeat. “This is a serious condition in which a blood clot forms in the lungs, blocking blood flow,” Landry says. A pulmonary embolism is a condition that can quickly lead to death. serious life-threatening problems Johns Hopkins Medicine says that this includes death.

Johnson-Arbor states that people need to be aware of the fact that cold feelings can also be associated with ciguatera toxication. “This is a common marine toxin-borne illness that occurs after consumption of contaminated fish,” She explains. “Large tropical fish, including barracuda, amberjack, and snapper, can carry the toxins that cause ciguatera poisoning.”

It can be hard for people to know if they are consuming the right kind of food. fish is contaminated The toxins that cause ciguatera Poisining are not harmful to your body. They don’t alter the appearance, taste, smell or taste of the body. Unfortunately, cooking does not eliminate the toxins. You may feel nausea, stomach pain, or cold feet after eating. “Individuals affected by ciguatera often experience a reversal of hot and cold sensation in their extremities, and may feel a painful ‘dry ice’ sensation when touching cool or cold surfaces,” Johnson-Arbor says.

If you have symptoms after eating fish, the CDC recommends that you seek medical attention. These symptoms usually appear three to six hours after eating contaminated seafood, but can last up to 30 hours. “There is no specific cure for ciguatera poisoning, and most of the signs and symptoms generally resolve over time,” Johnson-Arbor adds. “However, some affected individuals experienced chronic persistence of their symptoms.”