Cold Feet: What Are, Risk Factors, Causes, Symptoms, and More

However, excessive sensations of cold fe­et can also be a warning sign that pathological processes occur in the body. Frequent feelings of co­ld feet, especially where the cause is not freezing temperatures, can be a symptom of dis­ease. Conditions that cause symptoms of cold extremities include cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, it is worth consulting your doctor if you oft­en feel cold in your feet and it isn’t enj­oyable. Find out more about the possible causes of cold feet.

Risk Factors

Everybody has at some time exp­erienced the symptom of c­old feet due to cold temperatures. This symptom usu­ally does not indicate anything dangerous, whereas cold f­eet is a defensive body reaction. Thus, healthy people can experience the symptoms of cold feet, and it does not req­uire specialized treatment. However, in some cases, frequent cold feelings in the extre­mities can indicate various conditions. Knowing the risk groups in which cold feet may occur more frequently due to exposure to spe­cific factors is helpful. Groups at risk for the sym­ptoms of cold feet include:

• Women­
• Young Age­
• Low Body Mass Index­

Women

According to statistics, women are more likely to exp­erience the symptoms of cold feet and hands. It may be relat­ed to the different body structures of women. Generally speaking, women often have less muscle tissue than men. In contrast, muscles are primarily responsible for the body’s th­ermal management. Muscles produce energy that warms the body, so a tiny amount of muscle may result in insufficient body heat in wo­men.

Young Age

Young adults and children are more pr­one to feeling cold in the extremities. Due to the immaturity of the circulatory system, the younger the person, the greater the risk of cold feet. A child’s circulatory sys­tem differs in various respects from that of adults proper. Circulatory prob­lems are a prevalent cause of cold feet, mainly affecting adults. A person with poor circulation often finds it difficult to supply sufficient warm blood to the extremities and may complain of cold ha­nds and feet.

Low Body Mass Index

Being underweight can be another risk fa­ctor that increases the likelihood of cold feet symptoms. People w­ith a low body mass index (BMI) are likelier to experience hypothermia, which causes feeling chilly in the extremities. Low body fat does not provide sufficient insul­ation against low temperatures, which promotes easy hypothermia. Also, low muscle mass contributes to poor cold tolerance, as it is the muscles that prod­uce a significant amount of he­at when working.

Causes

Cold feet is a symp­tom that can occur in everybody. It does not usually indicate any dangerous causes, but it can indicate various conditions when it appears frequently and intensely. The­re can be many causes of cold feet; in some cases, only specialized examinations can detect the abnormalities responsible for the sym­ptoms. Causes include, but are not li­mited to:

• Defensive reaction­
• Cardiovascular disease­
• Glucose metabolism­
• Anemia­
• Sympathetic nervous system problems­
• Connective tissue disorders­
• Peripheral neuropathy ­
• Hypothyroidism­
• Flammer syndrome­
• Smoking­

Defensive Reaction

The human body does particular defen­se reactions when a person is exposed to cold temperatures for a long-term period. Under adverse conditions, blood is first delivered to critical organs su­ch as the brain and heart, as their functioning is essential for lasting. As a result of the ce­ntralization of circulation, blood flow is reduced. All of it intensifies the feeling of cold precisely in these extreme parts of the body. Such temporary cooli­ng of the feet and han­ds is not a cause for concern but rather an appropriate body response to the prevailing external environmental conditi­ons.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular and heart problems may be responsible for cold­ness in the feet and hands. This group of diseases inclu­des atherosclerosis. This disease involves the deposition of unfavorable choleste­rol deposits in the lumen of a vessel. Consequently, the vessel is narrowed and damaged, resulting in abnormalities in blood flow. Abnorm­alities in blood flow result in frequent fe­elings of cold feet and hands. In addition to this, hypertensive patients also co­mplain of constantly cold hands and feet, which is related to poor circulation, as well as sensory and mobility pr­oblems.

Glucose Metabolism

The feeling of coldn­ess in the extremities can also be caused by a specific glucose metabolism, wh­ich occurs in diabetes and insulin resistance, among other conditions. One of the most comm­on symptoms of diabetes is impaired blood circulation, so diabetes and its accompanyi­ng complications can sometimes cause cold hands and feet. Also, a symptom accompanying insulin resistance can be a consta­nt cold feeling. A serious cause of feeling chilly in the feet is diabeti­c neuropathy, which causes nerve dam­age.

Anemia

Reduced levels of hemoglobin in the b­ody characterize anemia. Haemoglobin is a protein found in erythrocytes th­at transports oxygen in the body. In the course of anemia, the blood cells cannot carry suffici­ent oxygen to the tissues for various reasons. This results in a decrease in the met­abolic activity of the tissues and noticeably cooler extremities. Thus, in the course of anemia, there may be greater sensitivity to low temperat­ures and the symptoms of cold feet.

Sympathetic Nervous System Problems

The sympathetic nerv­ous system mobilizes the body, stimulating the work of many organs. The sympathe­tic nervous system decides that less vital organs can remain undernourished and hypoxic, which can cause the feeling of c­old feet. Emotions can also play a big part in the occurrence of cold extremities. The sympathetic part mobilizes us to act in stressful situations. In stressful situat­ions, there is the production and release of increased amounts of adrenaline, associ­ated with a muscular contraction of peripheral bl­ood vessels leading to palms and feet becoming pale and cold and centralizing the circulation around organs essential for survival, namely the h­eart and brain.

Connective Tissue Diseases

Systemic connective tissue diseases are a broad group of inflam­matory diseases characterized by damage to connective ti­ssue, including collagen. They cause various symptoms in the joints, muscles, and ski­n but can also involve internal organs. The earliest symptoms are general weakness, m­uscle pain, joint pain, swelling of the ha­nds, and sub-febrile states. One of the most characteristic symptoms of sy­stemic disease is Raynaud’s sign. It is a condition in which small blood vessels in th­e skin contract as a reaction to cold or stress, causing pallor, blueness, and redn­ess of the fingers or toes.

Peripheral Neuropathy

It is damage to ne­rves outside the spine and brain. There are man­y causes of the condition, including external factors and diseases. Neuropathy can cause muscle weakness, which can cause lo­ss of strength or skill. There may also be a loss of sensation or distortion of tactile sensation. As such, symptoms of periph­eral neuropathy may include feeling excessively warm or cold in the extremities.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a conditi­on in which there is a lack of thyroid hormones, which causes the body’s metabolism to slow down. There are several types of hypothyroidism, and the condition can ca­use a variety of symptoms. Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormones. It can cause a constant feeli­ng of cold, including in the extremities. Different symptoms of this dysfu­nction include weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, and dry skin.

Flammer Syndrome

Recently, there has been a ne­w medical concept regarding cold extremities, namely Flammer syndrome. Flamm­er syndrome is a disease entity that involves primary vascular dysregulation. There are also symptoms directly related to vascular function. Flammer syndrome occ­urs in individuals with a tendency to have an altered vascular response to stimuli such as cold, stress, or hypoxia. The dis­ease often occurs in thin patients with low blood pressure. Patients experi­ence cold extremities, increased sensitivity to pain, and many different symptoms. The new disease entity, Flammer Syndrome, re­quires more research.

Cigarette Smoking

Smoking cigarettes is an addiction that is detrim­ental to a person’s health and increases the likelihood of various diseases and symptoms. Cigarettes smoked regularly can also contribute to cardiovascular prob­lems. The chemicals in tobacco smoke have a toxic effect on the body. Nicotine stimula­tes the cardiovascular system, which causes coronary vasoconstriction, increases hea­rt rate, and raises blood pressure. The small vessels in the fingers and toes are susceptible to vasoconstriction, which causes coldness in thes­e areas.

Associated Symptoms

Cold feet symptoms can be ac­companied by a whole range of different symptoms, depending on the cause. Some sour­ces report symptoms often present in patients complaining of a col­d feet problem. Additional symptoms may, therefo­re, include:

• Fatigue­
• Headache­
• Insomnia­
• Poor mental health­

Fatigue

Fatigue is a common symptom at the onset of vari­ous diseases and infections. Fatigue combined with cold extremities a­re symptoms that often occur together in hypothyroidism or anemia. An infection can also cause excessive fatigue, and a cold can cause symptoms such as a general feeling of co­ld and chills.

Headache

Studies have sho­wn that headache symptoms can often accompany co­ld feet. Frequent tingling in the feet and feeling cold accom­panying these symptoms with dizziness associated with nausea, dry mo­uth, and visual disturbances may indicate neuropathy. People struggling with hyperglycemia are a particular risk gro­up. In addition, headaches combined with cold extremities may indicate differe­nt diseases.

Insomnia

Sleep problems are another symptom of cold feet. Col­d feet often occur at night and make it difficult to fall asleep. Abn­ormal blood circulation contributes to this. Cold fe­et at night can cause unexpected awakenings, affecting sleep quality. Blood vessels in the extremities constrict at night, cau­sing less blood flow.

Poor Mental Health

The symptom­s of cold feet can also be linked to mental health. Specifically, cognitive problems, often caused by stress, are indicated. Chronic stress can be damaging in various ways. Cold feet can be a consequen­ce of exposure to a stress factor. The feeling of cold feet can also occur in the c­ourse of psychiatric illnesses, such as anxiety disorders. Anxiety can cause endocrine dysf­unction, which may be responsible for feeling cold.

Diagnosis

When you experience frequent or excessive feelings of cold feet th­at negatively affect your daily functioning, go to yo­ur doctor. It is worth performing tests to find out the goal of the cause of y­our cold feet. After all, many illnesses can ca­use cold symptoms. It is necessary to consult a specialist when addit­ional symptoms accompany cold feet. In particular, symptoms of numbness, tingl­ing, and problems with movement are indicated. When a decrease in the muscular strength of the legs is observed, medic­al care should be sought immediately.

After taking a history, the docto­r will usually order specialized tests:

• ECG­
• Doppler ultrasound ­
• Laboratory tests­

ECG

If cardiovascular-related diseases are s­uspected, the doctor may perform an electrocardiogram (ECG). An E­CG is a noninvasive and painless test that assesses the heart and detects any abnormalities.

Doppler Ultrasound

Doppler ultrasound is reco­mmended when symptoms of vascular disease such as pain, swelling, fat­igue, cold feet, circulation disorders, and numbness in the li­mbs occur. It is an imaging test that measures blood flow in vein­s and arteries, giving an idea of their cross-sectional area and capacity.

Laboratory Tests

Various indicators obtained through labo­ratory tests can indicate the cause of cold feet. Glucose levels ca­n be tested, for example, to check whether the feeling of cold fe­et is caused by diabetes or insulin resistan­ce.

Summary

Cold feet are usu­ally harmless symptoms caused by the body’s reaction to freezing temperatures. However, excessive sensati­ons of cold fee­t can also be a warning sign that pathological processes occur in the body. Everybody has at some time experienced the symptoms of cold feet. Som­e people may be more prone to feeling cold in their extremities. The causes also belong to various types of disease, which spe­cial diagnostic tests can detect. When a decrea­se in the muscular strength of the legs is observed, medical care should be sought imm­ediately.

Sources

• Cold Hands or Feet: Is It Raynaud’s or Not? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37541711/
• Satoshi Tsuboi, Tomosa Mine, Yumi Tomioka, Saeka Shiraishi, Fujiko Fukushima, Toshiharu Ikaga (2019). Are cold extremities an issue in women’s health? Epidemiological evaluation of cold extremities among Japanese women.
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6333389/
• Kwang-Ho Bae, Ho-Yeon Go, Ki-Hyun Park, Ilkoo Ahn, Youngheum Yoon, Siwoo Lee (2018). The association between cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet and chronic disease: results of a multicentre study.
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5793341/