Hands and Feet Like Ice Even in Midwinter? Bone-Chilling Cold Hypersensitivity of Hands and Feet Is Not Just Feeling Cold

Modern medicine examines the wisdom of Donguibogam in even greater detail. This symptom that we commonly call cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet often occurs when a problem arises in the body's sophisticated regulatory system, rather than simply reflecting a low body temperature. The most common cause is an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system handles heartbeat, digestion, and thermoregulation regardless of our conscious will. In particular, when the sympathetic nerve becomes excessively activated, blood vessels constrict and impede blood circulation. This is the very reason hands and feet become exceptionally cold during times of stress or tension. Just like hands submerged in cold water, blood vessels constrict tightly, making it difficult for warm blood to reach the periphery. Specific diseases are also often the cause. Raynaud syndrome is a representative condition causing cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet, where blood vessels in the fingers and toes constrict excessively upon exposure to cold or stress, turning pale or blue and causing pain. In addition, when problems arise in hormone secretion, such as in hypothyroidism, overall metabolism slows down and the ability to maintain body temperature can decline. Peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes, or autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, can also cause circulatory disorders, worsening cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet. Besides these, various factors can act in combination, such as anemia due to iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, caffeine or nicotine that constrict blood vessels, and side effects of certain medications. Rather than dismissing it simply as a cold constitution, it is important to consult a healthcare professional to identify the exact cause and see if it might be a sign of another condition. Listening closely to the small signals your body sends is essential.