Winter can affect blood circulation

One such common complaint among people, with the advent of winter is muscle cramps and numbness in fingers.

Well, cold hands and feet could be a sign of blood circulation problems, particularly when they occur with tickling and numbness.

Cold weather puts immense strain on heart and leads to constriction and narrowing of blood vessels resulting in reduced oxygen supply to various organs of the body.

This causes sensitivity and numbness in the extremities such as toes, ears, nose and fingers. The microcirculation i.e. the flow of blood in the smallest blood vessels in the body is affected.

Blood circulation problems are common during winter season but some people suffer from these problems all the time.

This can be due to lifestyle habits or health conditions such as smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes and old age.

Some of the common symptoms of blood circulation problems during winters include bluish colouring of hands and feet, numbness of limbs or cold hands and feet.

People, who are very slim, generally complain of numbness in toes and fingers as they lose heat more quickly during cold weather.

Also, people with a low metabolic function can experience muscle cramps during winters.

Hypothermia is a condition when body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, can lead to lack of coordination, speech disturbances, confusion, narrow breathing and drowsiness especially in the elderly during cold weather.

In severe cases it can also result in ‘Frostbite’. Slips and trips are common with hypothermia and icy conditions. Also, cold air can stimulate asthma and upper respiratory tract infections.

Blood circulation problems can be minor, severe or potentially life threatening. With the increasing number of people reporting blood circulation problems in winters, it is important to know the safety measures and consult an expert before the situation aggravates

Precautionary measures Dress warm enough when it is cold outside. Even when indoors during low temperatures make sure you have an extra warm clothing to cover yourself properly. Avoid staying in cold environment for prolonged period of time. Try rubbing your hands and feet when you feel a sudden tingling and numbness. The warmth will help in proper blood circulation. Exercise daily to avoid muscle cramping as it improves blood circulation. Alcoholic beverages can be misleadingly warm, so consider sipping tea, coffee or hot milk for warmth. Avoid over exertion and take frequent rest throughout the day. Stop smoking as it is a key risk factor for peripheral artery disease (PAD), which leads to poor blood circulation in the legs. Try massaging your fingers, hands and feet to improve blood circulation in the body, especially to extremities. This may not be a permanent solution but goes a long way in treating numbness in toes and fingers. Change your diet by replacing processed foods that are high in salt, fat and sugar with complex carbohydrates like whole-wheat breads, brown rice and baked beans. Including vitamin C and vitamin E rich foods can immensely improve blood circulation. Slips and trips can be prevented by using boots with an aggressive sole pattern especially in elderly patients. The only ways to avoid the asthma attacks is by staying indoors or by wearing a scarf over the mouth so that very cold air is not breathed in so quickly. Breathing though the nose rather than the mouth helps to warm the air up too.

By: Dr Ravi Kumar VN

The writer is Consultant, Internal Medicines at Columbia Asia Referral Hospital.