Cold extremities: their causes and their relationship to thyroid diseases and diabetes
Cold extremities, especially the hands and feet, are among the most common health complaints with the arrival of winter and the drop in temperatures. While many treat this symptom as a routine and temporary occurrence, doctors warn against ignoring it in certain cases, as the body may be sending warning signals of a malfunction or underlying disease that requires medical attention.
Physiological mechanism: How does the body protect itself?
From a scientific and physiological perspective, hypothermia is a natural defense mechanism of the human body. When exposed to cold, the nervous system signals peripheral blood vessels to constrict (vasoconstriction), reducing blood flow to the skin and extremities and conserving heat and warm blood for vital internal organs such as the heart, lungs, and brain. This process ensures human survival in harsh conditions, but problems arise when this constriction becomes excessive or without an environmental justification.
Medical opinion: Between normal and pathological
In this context, Dr. Mohammed Taha Basha, an internal medicine specialist, explained that cold extremities are often a normal physiological response to maintain the body's thermal balance. Speaking to Al-Youm newspaper, he pointed out that concern arises when this coldness persists for extended periods without explanation, or when it is accompanied by other symptoms such as the skin turning blue or white, which shifts it from a normal response to a symptom of a medical condition.
Underlying medical conditions that cause cold extremities
Dr. Basha revealed a group of diseases that have cold extremities as a main symptom, most notably:
- Hypothyroidism: where a lack of hormones leads to a slowing of metabolism, causing the patient to feel constantly cold, along with other symptoms such as weight gain, rough skin, and voice changes.
- Diabetes: Diabetes is one of the most dangerous causes, as chronic high blood sugar leads to hardening of the arteries and nerve damage (neuropathy), which weakens blood flow to the extremities, and may develop into serious complications, especially in the feet.
- Stress and anxiety: The psychological factor plays a major role, as the release of adrenaline during stress leads to the constriction of blood vessels and cold extremities.
Raynaud's phenomenon: when blood vessels narrow
The specialist highlighted Raynaud's phenomenon, a condition in which the small arteries supplying the fingers and toes spasm when exposed to cold or strong emotions. This phenomenon is divided into two types:
- Primary Raynaud's disease: This is the most common type, affecting the age group between 15 and 30 years old, and is often not associated with another disease, and can be managed with good heating.
- Secondary Raynaud's disease: This is the most serious and least common type, and it usually appears after the age of forty. It is caused by autoimmune diseases or connective tissue diseases such as lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis.
When should you visit a doctor?
Dr. Basha emphasized the importance of not underestimating symptoms if cold extremities are accompanied by noticeable color changes (white, then blue, then red), the appearance of skin ulcers and blisters, or if the coldness persists regardless of the weather. He recommended adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes proper nutrition, exercise to stimulate blood circulation, wearing woolen clothing, and avoiding smoking, which exacerbates vascular problems. He stressed that early diagnosis prevents health complications that can affect quality of life.
