Freezing hands and feet are a common condition. In general, it occurs spontaneously with the onset of autumn and winter, which is considered a natural reaction on the part of the body. The feeling of coldness in the extremities is sometimes associated with stress, but it happens that life-threatening diseases lie at its root.
What diseases can cold hands and feet indicate? Read our article to find out which diseases are responsible for this ailment most often.
Diseases associated with the feeling of cold in the hands and feet
- The most common source of cold hands and feet is deep vein thrombosis, which can often be latent for many years. It is so dangerous that it causes blood clots to form in the veins of the legs. Over time, the clots get bigger. If the clot breaks off, it can travel to the main vessels of the lungs. It is deadly in the event of a blockage.
- Buerger’s disease, or thromboangiitis obliterans.
- We stay on the subject of cardiovascular diseases. The cholesterol deposits accumulating in atherosclerosis affect the endothelium of the blood vessels, and also contribute to the narrowing of the lumen of the arteries.
- Cold hands and feet can also be a symptom of dangerous diseases of the hematopoietic system, among which we can distinguish thrombocytopenia, lymphomas, leukemia, polycythemia vera, as well as multiple myeloma.
- Probably few of us have come across Takayasu’s disease, also known as pulseless disease or Takayasu’s arteritis.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve and vascular compression syndromes. The pressure on the vessels and nerves passing through the carpal tunnel results in ischemia and the feeling of coldness in the hand. In addition, there is soreness, tingling or numbness.
- A common cause is anemia resulting from iron deficiency, which causes difficulties in the transport of oxygen to the cells of the body. Cold hands and feet are characteristic of this condition.
- Another possible cause is hypotension. hypotonia.
- On the topic of cold feet and hands, we should of course mention Raynaud’s disease, which is associated with a spasm of arterioles supplying blood to the fingers and toes. Cramps resulting from the cold and stress cause both the hands and feet to initially take on a waxy white color, then turn blue and numb to finally acquire a red tint.
- Cold feet and hands can also indicate pulmonary edema.
- Sometimes they indicate hypothyroidism.
- Cold hands and feet can be a symptom of diabetes.
- Viral hepatitis or other infectious diseases.
- Our list of diseases manifested by cold feet and hands is closed by systemic connective tissue diseases, including: rheumatoid arthritis, celiac lupus, dermatomyositis and systemic sclerosis.