KUALA LUMPUR: Your body works hard to keep your vital organs at the ideal temperature. But sometimes your hands and feet get left out in the cold, so to speak.
While it's perfectly normal for fingers and toes to feel chilly from time to time, especially in cool weather, constantly cold extremities may signal that your health deserves a closer look.
“Two of the most common reasons for cold hands and feet are stress and anxiety. That’s completely normal. But there are certain medical conditions as well which may cause that, such as diabetes, high cholesterol or thyroid disorders,” pharmacist Benjamin Lim told FMT Lifestyle.
“If you are experiencing cold hands and feet on a long-term basis, or if it keeps getting worse, you may want to get checked to make sure there are no underlying problems.”
One possible cause is poor blood circulation. According to Lim, cold hands and feet accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, ringing in the ears, or pain while walking could indicate an underlying circulatory problem.
He warned, however, that patients should first seek medical advice to determine whether their cold hands and feet are caused by an underlying health condition, rather than attempting to self-diagnose.
Lim explained that healthy blood circulation is essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients to every part of the body. When blood circulation is impaired, nerves and tissues may not receive an adequate supply, resulting in numbness, tingling or coldness in the hands and feet.
“Even though the brain occupies only 2% of our body weight, it uses 20% of our body’s oxygen and energy. It is very sensitive to problems of poor blood circulation, which can affect eye health and wound healing,” he said.
University of Malaya Professor of Geriatric Medicine Prof Dr Tan Maw Pin elaborated that this phenomenon is caused by blood vessels constricting to retain heat.
“You’re not getting enough blood supply to your peripheries, or the outer parts of the body. The body reduces blood flow there to ensure enough blood goes to vital organs such as the brain and heart,” she said.
Meanwhile, Lim added that scientific research shows lack of sleep, mild dehydration, or an extremely sedentary lifestyle often contribute to impaired blood circulation. Stress could also lead to anxiety, which in turn causes blood vessels to constrict, thereby aggravating this problem.
Adequate and consistent physical activity is, therefore, important for everyone, especially knowledge workers and professionals, to help relax the body and promote blood flow.
“If you find yourself sitting for a long time, you should get up from time to time and move for about five minutes every hour, at least,” Lim said.
He noted that certain supplements, such as ginkgo biloba, may help support healthy blood circulation. The herb contains antioxidant compounds and is believed to promote blood flow by improving circulation.
For example, the body’s endothelium - a continuous layer of specialised cells lining the interior surface of blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and heart chambers - often releases nitric oxide. This helps dilate blood vessels.
However, this chemical breaks down easily due to oxidative stress. Lim elaborated that gingko biloba helps slow down this process, ensuring more nitric oxide remains available to relax blood vessels, thereby promoting healthier blood flow.
Overall, while an extra pair of socks or a warm cup of tea may provide temporary relief, persistently cold hands and feet should not be brushed aside. Underlying health issues, including poor blood circulation, may sometimes be to blame.
Rather than relying on self-diagnosis, seek medical advice if your symptoms persist or are accompanied by other warning signs. Don’t get cold feet when it comes to your health.