Dear Dr. Garner,
I have been a deacon for many years and have been reading your column for a long time. I hope you can address my problem.
My feet are very cold, especially at night before I go to sleep. I have to wear socks every night to stay warm.
I am past being an octogenarian, so I must be doing something right.
Do cold feet mean I have circulation problems? If so, is there anything I can do about it?
Deacon with Cold Feet
In Dyker Heights
Dear Deacon,
Having cold feet is a very common problem with several different causes. Most are not serious; however, a few need immediate attention.
Before I get into a discussion of the causes and treatment, I would like to offer my condolences to a good friend and loyal Tablet reader, Joyce Pisciotta and her family on the passing of her father, Kenneth Vedder. May the happy memories they have be a source of strength at this difficult time.
The most common cause of cold feet occurs in the winter when the temperature drops and the uncovered feet feel cold. Socks are a good solution. They have been shown to promote sleep and fight insomnia. Often more than one pair is necessary to provide comfort.
Anxiety may also be a source of the problem. When one is anxious, there is decreased blood flow to the feet, which cause them to feel cold. Socks and relaxation techniques are measures to deal with this condition.
More serious causes involve blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the feet. This is increased in diabetics and smokers. The vessels have numerous plaques built up, which reduce blood flow and make the feet feel cold. Diabetics often have nerve problems in which blood flow is decreased due to malfunction of tiny nerves particularly in the feet. Improving diabetic control and vitamin B complex may help improve this situation.
Some patients, particularly diabetics, feel that the foot is cold, but when they touch it, it is not. This is due to a malfunctioning of the nerves.
There is a condition known as Raynaud’s phenomenon in which the hands and feet feel very cold and become purplish when exposed to cold or other stress. The hands and feet become sensitive and cause a lot of pain. Your doctor can help make the symptoms much less severe.
Chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition in which the patients experience severe fatigue, can also cause cold feet.
Cold feet are also associated with certain vitamin deficiencies. Your doctor can evaluate your vitamin status.
Restless leg syndrome, anemia and hormonal imbalance (particularly low thyroid hormone) are also known to be causes.
As you can see, there is a great deal of variety in the cause and seriousness of cold feet. It is essential to see a doctor for an initial evaluation to rule out the serious causes.
If there is no underlying serious condition, then a patient can try alternative medicine treatments. I would like to review some with you:
1. Foot exercise. Exercise your feet for at least an hour a day. It need not be any type of special exercise but keep the foot and ankle moving.
2. Massage the feet daily. This can also keep the circulation moving.
3. Fill up two basins, one with warm water and one with cold water. Alternate soaking your feet in cold and hot water. You should switch from hot to cold every two minutes.
4. Wear warm socks, even two pairs. This is usually highly effective.
5. When in the house, don’t wear shoes. Also, walk on the ball of your foot to improve circulation.
6. Quit cigarettes and eat a low-fat diet high in fruit and vegetables.
7. Avoid large amounts of caffeine.
8. Vitamins. Niacin (a B vitamin) and a cayenne pepper supplement have been found to be beneficial by some. Ask your doctor before starting this regimen.
Remember, it is important to see your doctor to determine the cause of your cold feet before any treatment is undertaken.[hr]
Dr. Steven Garner is a Fidelis Care provider who is affiliated with New York Methodist Hospital, Park Slope. He also hosts “Ask the Doctor” on NET, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on Ch. 97 Time Warner and Ch. 30 Cablevision.