Non-pathological Chilliness: When the body is in different physiological states or when the external environment changes, the blood vessels in the body will undergo corresponding constriction and dilation. This process is called physiological regulation. However, excessive constriction of blood vessels due to stimulation can cause local insufficient blood supply, leading to a feeling of coldness. This can result in a sensation of chilliness. Chilliness is more common in adolescent girls and women around the age of 40. In medical terms, this cannot be considered a disease. Corresponding measures should be taken according to the cause of chilliness to alleviate the symptoms. If chilliness is caused by autonomic dysfunction, treatment should be targeted at the symptoms. If it is caused by excessive fatigue, it is necessary to pay attention to rest, nutrition, and proper work scheduling.
Pathological Chilliness: Sometimes chilliness is caused by certain diseases, such as thromboangiitis obliterans, arterial thrombosis, Raynaud's disease, and autoimmune diseases. In addition, anemia, diabetes, nephritis, heart disease, ovarian dysfunction, malnutrition, and heart failure can also cause chilliness. Therefore, when experiencing chilliness, it is important to seek medical attention in a timely manner.
Methods for Improvement:
(1) Exercise regularly and shake hands: Doing exercise in the morning and regularly taking walks are the best choices. Walking at a faster pace than walking but slower than running, taking big steps forward, and shaking hands at the same time can promote blood and Qi circulation, warming up the whole body. If blood circulation and metabolism are accelerated in the morning, the body will be full of energy throughout the day and less likely to feel cold.
(2) Increase intake of vitamin E: Vitamin E deficiency can lead to hormonal imbalance, so it is important to consume foods rich in vitamin E. However, the effect of vitamin E is slow and it takes more than 3 months for the effects to be seen.
(3) Consume more nuts and carrots: In daily life, you can obtain nutrients from food to warm up the body, such as nuts like walnuts and pine nuts, vegetables like carrots, cabbage, and spinach, and fruits like apricots, peaches, and papayas. These are the best food choices for people with cold hands and feet. Other foods such as beef, lamb, seafood, glutinous rice, brown rice, soybeans, tofu, sesame, brown sugar, etc., are all warm foods and are the best food choices for people with cold hands and feet.
(4) Consume warming foods: Examples include ginseng tea, ginger duck, longan tea, black sesame, sweet glutinous rice balls, etc. Eating these foods in winter not only warms the body, but also helps to nourish the body, preventing cold hands and feet. There are many Chinese herbal medicines that can improve and prevent the symptoms of cold hands and feet, such as ginseng, dangshen, danggui, danshen, beiqi, luru, tusizi, bajitian, yugui, roucongrong, xianmao, guizhi, ganjiang, huajiao, hujiao, roudoukou, caodoukou, etc. They can be used for making tea, decoctions, or included in dishes.
(5) Rubbing the body with a dry towel or cold water: This can stimulate nerve endings and capillaries, promoting blood circulation and calming the autonomic nervous system. In addition, doing exercises that stretch the muscles of the whole body is also beneficial.
(6) Pay attention to keeping warm: When the weather is cold, various measures should be taken to keep warm, such as wearing coats, hats, gloves, scarves, masks, thermal underwear, socks, etc. Do not take off the additional clothing until the weather has warmed up. Do not immediately take off warm clothing because of psychological irritability, tension, hot flashes, or feeling hot after physical activity. Also, avoid wearing tight clothes as they can hinder blood circulation.
(7) Avoid extreme hunger: Allowing the body to store an appropriate amount of fat can help maintain body temperature. Therefore, do not restrict food intake or engage in excessive weight loss for the sake of a slim figure. If you know in advance that you won't be able to eat meals on time due to busy work, prepare some biscuits, bread, or ginseng tea to supplement calories at the appropriate time.
(8) Avoid drinking cold beverages: Drink more hot soup during meals to help warm up the body. However, avoid drinking too much as it can interfere with stomach digestion, causing discomfort.
(9) Take Chinese herbal medicine: Traditional Chinese medicine has specific prescriptions for treating cold hands and feet, such as Shiquan Dabu Tang, Bazhen Tang, Sijunzi Tang, Siwu Tang, Lizhong Tang, Guizhi Tang, Gegen Tang, Mahuang Tang, Danggui Sini Tang, Kidney Qi Pill, Righting Pill, etc. These Chinese herbal medicines are usually more suitable for individuals with a deficiency-cold constitution.
(10) Soak your feet before bed: Soaking your feet in water at a temperature of 38℃ to 40℃ for 20 minutes, with the water level above the ankles, can promote blood circulation. Massaging the acupoints on both feet while soaking them can enhance the effect.
