What deficiency causes cold hands and feet

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Deficiency Causes of Cold Hands and Feet

Cold hands and feet are a common issue that can be caused by various physiological and pathological conditions. One of the primary reasons for this symptom is related to deficiencies in certain bodily functions and responses.

Vasoconstriction and Cold Exposure

When the body or extremities are exposed to cold, a strong vasoconstriction response occurs. This means that blood vessels narrow, reducing blood flow to the hands and feet, which leads to a rapid decrease in temperature in these areas. This response is a natural mechanism to preserve core body heat but can impair tactile sensitivity, manual dexterity, and muscle function, while increasing pain and sympathetic drive .

Raynaud’s Phenomenon and Vascular Dysfunction

Raynaud’s phenomenon is another significant cause of cold hands and feet. This condition involves a transient cessation of blood flow to the digits, often triggered by cold or emotional stress. The phenomenon is characterized by triphasic color changes: white (due to vasoconstriction), blue (due to desaturation of residual blood), and red (due to hyperemia as blood flow is restored). The underlying mechanisms include increased activation of sympathetic nerves and an impaired cardiovascular response to stress. Additionally, there is a local fault in vascular function, possibly due to increased sensitivity of adrenergic receptors on the digital artery vascular smooth muscle to cold .

Nitric Oxide Deficiency

A deficiency or increased degradation of nitric oxide (NO) is also implicated in the pathophysiology of Raynaud’s phenomenon. Nitric oxide is a crucial vasodilator, and its deficiency can lead to excessive vasoconstriction. This deficiency may be due to increased oxidative stress, which degrades NO, thereby reducing its availability and contributing to the symptoms of cold hands and feet .

Conclusion

In summary, cold hands and feet can be caused by a combination of strong vasoconstriction responses to cold exposure and conditions like Raynaud’s phenomenon, which involve vascular dysfunction and deficiencies in vasodilators like nitric oxide. Understanding these mechanisms can help in developing targeted therapies to alleviate these symptoms.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

Responses of the hands and feet to cold exposure

Cold-induced vasodilatation (CIVD) in hands and feet can impair tactile sensitivity, manual dexterity, and muscle contractile characteristics, while increasing pain and sympathetic drive, affecting gross motor function and survival.

Literature ReviewHighly Cited

2015·

97citations

·S. Cheung

Mechanisms of Raynaud’s disease

Raynaud's phenomenon is caused by reduced blood flow to the digits of the hands or feet, exacerbated by cold or emotional upset, and involves increased activation of sympathetic nerves and a local fault in vascular function rather than vascular structure.

Highly Cited

2005·

149citations

·J. Cooke et al.

Efficacy and safety of Korean red ginseng for cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Korean red ginseng may alleviate cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet through peripheral vasodilation.

RCT

2014·

37citations

·Kyoung-Sun Park et al.

Microgeodic Disease Affecting the Hands and Feet of Children

Microgeodic disease in children's hands and feet is caused by vascular insufficiency and cold-induced bone infarction, resolving spontaneously within 6 months.

Case Report

1991·

33citations

·G. Inoue et al.

Effect of Korean red ginseng on cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Korean red ginseng may reduce cold hypersensitivity in hands and feet by increasing blood flow under cold stress.

RCTVery Rigorous Journal

2013·

8citations

·Kyoung-Sun Park et al.

The association between cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet and chronic disease: results of a multicentre study

Cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet is associated with a higher frequency of chronic diseases, such as anaemia, hypotension, and chronic gastritis.

Observational StudyRigorous Journal

2018·

31citations

·K. Bae et al.

Herbal Medicines for Cold Hypersensitivity in the Hands and Feet: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Herbal medicine shows potential as a safe and effective treatment for cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet, but more high-quality studies are needed for definitive conclusions.

Meta-Analysis

2018·

8citations

·Junsang Yu et al.

Efficacy and safety of Onkyeong-tang in treating cold hypersensitivity in the feet of Korean women: protocol for a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter clinical study

Onkyeong-tang (OKT) is a commonly used herbal prescription for treating cold hypersensitivity in the feet of Korean women, but its efficacy and safety in a randomized clinical trial are still under investigation.

RCTVery Rigorous Journal

2020·

2citations

·Kyou-Young Lee et al.

Feeling of Cold Hands and Feet is a Highly Heritable Phenotype

Feeling of cold hands and feet is highly heritable, with 64% of its genetic and environmental factors being shared, with sex differences in genetic and environmental influences not significant.

Observational Study

2012·

51citations

·Y. Hur et al.

The definition and diagnosis of cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet: Finding from the experts survey

Korean medicine experts agree on the definition of cold hypersensitivity in hands and feet, highlighting the need for standardized definitions and diagnostic criteria for this condition.

Observational Study

2017·

11citations

·K. Bae et al.

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