Cold hands and feet can be a sign of a health problem.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Cold hands and feet can be caused by weather factors. But sometimes, cold hands and feet can be a sign of a more serious health problem.
According to Dr. Sarah Brewer, there are several health problems associated with cold hands and feet. Some of these conditions are chilblainsvaricose veins or varicose veins and Raynaud’s syndrome.
“All of these problems are related to poor (blood) circulation, which can be corrected through simple and possibly achievable lifestyle changes,” explained Dr. Brewer. To expressMonday (11/28/2022).
Dr. Brewer says there are several things that can be done to improve poor circulation. The following are Dr. Brewer’s recommended efforts:
1. Keep your hands, feet and head warm and cool.
2. Avoid wearing tight, restrictive clothing.
3. Massage the affected area regularly with a moisturizer.
4. Lose excess weight.
5. Get regular exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
6. Keep moving, avoid standing for a long time.
For people who have Raynaud’s syndrome, Dr. Brewer also advises sufferers to avoid sudden or extreme changes in temperature. As for people suffering from varicose veins, he uses stockings or it fits compression can actually help relieve symptoms.
“Let the pharmacist help you adjust the size properly,” Dr. Brewer said.
Food also plays an important role in preventing poor circulation problems. In regards to food intake, Dr. Brewer recommends a healthy, balanced diet that includes a minimum of five servings of fruit and vegetables per day and two servings of oily fish per week.
“Omega 3 in fatty fish has a blood-thinning effect that can improve blood circulation in the hands and feet,” said Dr. Brewer.
Plus, nutritionist Emma Ross says there’s a group of “superfoods” that are clinically proven to help improve circulation. These foods are blue raspberrycayenne pepper, fish rich in omega 3 such as salmon or herring, garlic, ginger, oranges, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and watermelon.
