Have you experienced a situation and asked yourself, “why my feet are cold but my body warm?” Well, cold feet is generally a phrase that is referring to a condition when you are nervous before a big and important event. But in turns out that cold feet is a common literal medical condition.
You do have a cold feet, whether to the touch or the feel. This condition may happen to most people, especially at some points of their lives. This is basically harmless and temporary, but it can also be a sign of serious medical condition.
Common Reasons
Basically, cold feet happen when you don’t have enough warmth. When you are wearing complete clothes but not wearing the socks, it is pretty normal when the feet are cold first.
However, there are also some possible reasons:
- Anemia. This is a condition when you don’t have enough red blood cells. Treating this issue is easy through supplements and diet change.
- Diabetes, both type 1 and 2. Diabetes can indirectly cause nerve damage, which can cause feet tingling, numbness, and also cold. If you do suffer from this issue, you need to consult your doctor to find the right treatment.
- Hypothyroidism. When your thyroid is less active and not producing enough hormone, it can affect the metabolism. In the meantime, metabolism is responsible for the body’s temperature and heartbeat. Any underactive thyroid can lead to colder feet because of reduced circulation.
- Poor circulation. When there is poor circulation, the body can’t send warm blood fast enough to the feet regularly. Because of this reason, your feet will be cooler than the other parts of the body. The reason for the poor circulation is likely the heart – meaning that your heart has the difficulty to pump the blood or smoking. Smoking can also lead to poor circulation because it usually affects the heart. If you run a sedentary lifestyle, meaning that you mostly sit within a day, this may happen to you.
The General Symptoms
If you experience cold feet without any symptoms, then you have nothing to worry about. However, if you constantly experience such a problem, accompanied by several physical symptoms, you may have to see a doctor. Be aware of such a condition such as:
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Constant fatigue
- Unexplainable changes in weight
- Any skin changes, such as skin thickening or rash
- Sores on the fingers or toes which take long time to recover or heal
- The feel of cold but your feet aren’t cold when being touched. This can be a sign for neurological condition
Further Examination and Treatment
If the doctor does find the problem to your condition, further steps and treatments can be formulated. The treatments depend on your condition, really. If you suffer from poor circulation, doctors may expect you to have regular exercise.
But for certain condition like anemia or diabetes, your doctor may suggest other alternative treatments which are suitable for your condition. Those are some facts to answer your question, “why do feet get cold when the body is warm”.
