Over the years of my medical career, I have encountered a wide variety of ailments, but there is one problem that seems to be unusually common, especially in winter: cold hands and feet. Many patients come to my office with this seemingly mundane but bothersome question, and their distress is often trivial, but in fact, there is often a deeper health problem hidden behind it. Let me share a story. Last year, on a cold winter day, a middle-aged woman came to my clinic. She wore thick woollen gloves on her hands and her face was a little pale. After she took off her gloves, I noticed that the tips of her fingers were light purple and she told me that no matter how she dressed to keep warm, her hands and feet were always cold, which seriously affected her sleep and daily life. What's more, this situation makes it difficult for her to do the gardening activities that she usually enjoys. Through careful questioning and examination, we found that her problem was not just about the cold climate. Her blood circulation is poor, and the yang energy in her body is obviously insufficient, which is the main reason for her cold hands and feet. From this case, I realized that such problems are not uncommon, and that many people are helpless about it.
Medical explanation for cold hands and feet
Cold hands and feet, although seen by many as a minor problem, can actually be a sign from the body that cannot be ignored. Our body is a delicate system, and the temperature of the hands and feet is directly affected by the efficiency of blood circulation. When your hands and feet feel cold, it may be that your body is telling you that blood circulation needs to be strengthened, or that there is not enough yang energy in your body (a concept in traditional medicine that refers to the heat energy that maintains physical activity and function). 1. Poor blood circulationPoor blood circulation is the most direct cause of cold hands and feet. Cold is felt when the hot blood pumped out by the heart does not reach the far parts of the body, such as the hands and feet, effectively. This phenomenon is especially pronounced in cold environments, where low temperatures constrict blood vessels, which reduces blood flow, especially in the peripheral parts of the body.
2. Lack of Yang QiFrom the perspective of TCM, Yang Qi is the driving force that drives blood flow, ensuring the warmth and vitality of the body. If Yang Qi is insufficient, the generation and distribution of heat energy in the body will be affected, resulting in low temperatures in distal areas such as hands and feet. Common factors that lead to lack of yang energy include excessive fatigue, poor eating habits, and long-term emotional depression. 3. Internal and external factorsThe phenomenon of cold hands and feet may be caused by a variety of factors, including: Climatic factors: Cold weather will naturally cause the peripheral blood vessels in the body to constrict, and the hands and feet are more likely to feel cold. Malnutrition: Lack of essential nutrients, such as iron and vitamin B12, can also affect blood production and circulation, which in turn can lead to cold hands and feet. Chronic diseases: Some chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypothyroidism can also lead to poor peripheral blood circulation.
Practical countermeasures: specific methods to warm the sun and dispel the cold
When dealing with the problem of cold hands and feet, the key is to warm the yang and dispel the cold, through dietary therapy, appropriate exercise and daily life adjustments, we can effectively improve blood circulation and enhance the yang energy in the body. Here are some specific practical tips to help you warm up and get through the winter. Dietary treatment plan ginger and red date tea ingredients: a few slices of ginger, 5-6 red dates, 500ml of water. Method: Slice the ginger, wash the red dates, put the ginger and red dates in water, bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Efficacy: Ginger helps to dissipate cold in the warmth, and red dates can replenish the qi in the body, which works together to help warm the whole body and promote blood circulation. Cinnamon boiled milk ingredients: 1 small piece of cinnamon, 200ml of milk. Method: Add the cinnamon to the milk and simmer until the milk is hot, without boiling. Efficacy: Cinnamon has a good warming effect, combined with the nourishment of milk, can enhance physical fitness, improve cold hands and feet.
Exercise recommendations
How to walk: Keep a brisk walk for at least 30 minutes a day, preferably in the sun. Benefits: Walking can promote blood circulation and increase blood flow to the lower limbs, thereby reducing the symptoms of cold hands and feet. Tai Chi Method: Attend a Tai Chi class or follow an online video and practice for 20-30 minutes a day. Efficacy: Tai Chi is a gentle exercise that improves the flow of energy in the body, especially for improving blood circulation and enhancing yang energy in the body. Adjust your daily routine to keep warm: choose suitable materials such as wool and down, and pay attention to layering. Efficacy: Maintaining the temperature of the body, especially the temperature of the limbs, can prevent the leakage of yang energy and reduce the coldness of hands and feet. Avoid direct blowing of cold air Method: Avoid prolonged exposure to strong winds or direct air conditioning in winter. Efficacy: Blowing cold air directly will accelerate the loss of body temperature and aggravate the cold hands and feet. Through these dietary treatments, exercises, and lifestyle adjustments, you can not only reduce the discomfort of cold hands and feet, but also maintain a warm and comfortable body throughout the cold winter. Practice these methods to make your winter no longer cold.