The wisdom of Donguibogam, which used the metaphors of a warm boiler and a moist field, resonates deeply with modern medicine. Cold extremities and numbness can serve as important indicators reflecting the health of the peripheral circulatory system and nervous system.
First, cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet can be largely explained by blood circulation problems and autonomic nervous system imbalance. The blood vessels in our body are like a complex pipe system. If these pipes narrow or blood does not flow smoothly, warm blood struggles to reach the tips of the hands and feet. Cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet can worsen with conditions like Raynaud syndrome, where blood vessels constrict excessively due to cold or stress, or when blood vessels are damaged by arteriosclerosis or diabetes. In addition, when there is an abnormality in hormones essential for thermoregulation, such as in hypothyroidism, the overall metabolic rate of the body drops, which can make hands and feet cold.
Numbness in hands and feet has even more varied causes. One of the most common causes is peripheral neuropathy. The nerves in our body are like electrical wires extending from the brain and spinal cord to the tips of the hands and feet. When these nerve lines are damaged or compressed, abnormal electrical signals occur just like severed or short-circuited wires, causing symptoms such as tingling, burning, or in severe cases, dulled sensation. Representative causes include nerve injury from diabetes, vitamin B deficiency, excessive alcohol consumption, certain medications, or compressive neuropathy where nerves are compressed, such as a lumbar herniated intervertebral disc or cervical herniated disc.
In particular, poor blood circulation can cause a shortage of oxygen and nutrients needed by nerves, leading to nerve dysfunction. Autonomic nervous system imbalance is also an important element. When the sympathetic nerve is excessively activated by stress or overwork, blood vessels constrict and obstruct blood circulation, which consequently can cause numbness in hands and feet or cold syndrome.
As such, cold extremities and numbness are not merely due to simple fatigue or cold weather, but may be warnings of underlying circulatory system and nervous system concerns. If symptoms persist, it is important to consult a healthcare professional to identify the exact cause and begin appropriate management.
