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Caring for an aging parent? Tips for enjoying holiday meals. Frequent high blood sugar levels can lead to narrowing of the arteries and a reduced blood supply to the tissues, which may cause cold feet. In some people, diabetes can lead to diabetic peripheral neuropathy , a form of nerve damage.
Diabetic nerve damage typically happens in people who have an uncontrolled, high blood sugar level for long periods of time. Other symptoms of diabetic nerve damage include tingling or prickling sensations, numbness, or burning pain in the feet and legs. Symptoms may be worse at night. Other nerve disorders may also be the cause of regular cold feet. Nerve damage may be caused by trauma or injury, such as severe frostbite , or may be due to an underlying medical condition.
Peripheral neuropathy may also be caused by liver or kidney disease, infection, or genetics. It usually causes additional symptoms, including numbness and tingling. Treating symptoms, such as cold feet, can help a person reduce their discomfort while waiting for a proper diagnosis. People with hypothyroidism may be more sensitive to cold in general, and may experience other symptoms, such as fatigue , weight gain, and memory problems. Working directly with a doctor to diagnose any underlying cause of cold feet is the best way to prevent the symptom, as much as possible.
As simple as it seems, getting up and moving may be one of the easiest ways to warm the body and help blood flow to and from the feet. People who experience cold feet due to their desk job may benefit from getting up periodically and walking around the office.
Getting blood circulating using cardioactivities, such as jogging or even doing jumping jacks, may be enough to keep the feet warm throughout the day.
Warm, well-insulated socks are important for people with cold feet. While indoors, it may also help to wear well-insulated slippers, especially if a person does not have carpeted or heated floors. Keeping the feet bundled up is a great way to help them stay warm and prevent any additional heat loss. Filling a bathtub or basin with warm water and soaking the feet for 10 to 15 minutes may be enough to keep fresh blood circulating to the feet throughout the day.
This may be especially helpful just before bed, as it can also relieve tension and relax the muscles. People with diabetic nerve damage should avoid using hot water to warm the feet, as they may not be able to tell if the water is too hot or not.
This can lead to accidental burns. For people who have trouble sleeping due to cold feet, placing a heating pad or hot water bottle at the foot of the bed can keep the area surrounding the feet warm at bedtime. Although having occasional cold feet is normal, there are some instances when a visit to the doctor may be necessary.
Anyone who experiences cold feet frequently or for no obvious reason should speak to their doctor about possible causes. A person should also speak to a doctor if cold feet are accompanied by other symptoms, including:.
If the feet feel cold internally, but the skin does not feel cold to the touch, a person should see a doctor, as this may be a sign of nerve damage or other neurological conditions. Getting cold feet from time to time is perfectly normal. Persistent symptoms may be something to discuss with a doctor, but treating the underlying cause should help the feet return a better temperature. In the meantime, taking immediate steps, such as wearing thick socks or using a hot footbath, can help warm the feet up quickly.
If they find that peripheral artery disease may be a cause, they will order an ultrasound to look at the blood flow in your arteries. Treatments will depend greatly on the underlying cause of your cold feet. In general, your doctor will likely recommend regular exercise to improve circulation. Exercise can also help treat or prevent other conditions, including heart conditions. Some causes of cold feet, like hypothyroidism and anemia, can be treated with medications. Plenty of people will experience cold feet at some point in their lives, but if you think that your cold feet could be a symptom of something more serious than just needing a blanket, make an appointment with your doctor.
And when in doubt, you can always do some cardio exercises or put on extra warm socks to warm your feet up immediately.
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