Health Tips: Why do hands and feet become numb in winter? Doctor explained the reasons and preventive measures

Aligarh: While winter season brings coolness and freshness, it also becomes a cause of health related problems for many people. Feeling numbness, tingling in hands and legs and stiffness in the body after sitting for a long time due to the effect of low temperature is a very common problem. These symptoms can become more serious especially in the elderly, diabetic patients and people with vitamin deficiency. At such a time, it becomes very important to understand the causes of these problems and adopt proper prevention. Let us know what are its causes and prevention from Dr. Fazal ur Rehman of AMU.

These people have more problems

Giving information, Dr. Fazal Ur Rehman of Medical College of AMU says that feeling numbness, tingling in hands and feet and stiffness in the body after sitting for a long time in winter is a common problem. Numbness is mainly related to blood vessels. In cold weather, blood vessels shrink, which is called vasoconstriction in medical science.

When the veins constrict, the body tries to conserve its temperature and due to this the blood flow to the body parts reduces. Due to reduced blood flow, numbness, tingling and stiffness is felt in the hands and legs. In people who have Raynaud’s disease, this problem increases further in winter. The fingers and toes of such people become very cold, blue and painful.

The level of natural oils increases

Dr. Fazal explains that the skin also becomes drier in winter because the secretion of sweat decreases and the level of natural oils of the skin decreases. In summer, the skin remains soft and smooth, but in winter, due to less sweating and less oily secretion, dryness in the skin increases. The main reason for stiffness in the joints is the tightness of the muscles.

In cold, the elasticity of the skeletal muscles reduces, due to which they are not able to stretch as easily and tingling and tension increases in them. This problem is especially seen in the neck, shoulders and waist. This problem is more prevalent in patients suffering from diabetes, Vitamin B12 deficiency, Vitamin D3 deficiency and nerve compression.

The best way to protect yourself from winter

Dr. Fazal says that this problem is more common in the elderly because nutrient deficiency becomes common with increasing age. The first way to protect yourself from winter is to keep the body warm. The technique of wearing layers is most effective. It is more beneficial to wear several light layers instead of wearing one thick cloth. Thermal wear, gloves, warm socks, socks and sweaters should be used. Warm bottles and heating pads can be used if necessary, but diabetic patients should avoid pads that are too hot, as there is a risk of burns or wounds. Do not let the house remain too cold. Keep the windows closed and maintain mild warmth in the rooms.

Danger of sitting in one position

He said that to keep the blood circulation better, keep moving the fingers and toes regularly. Light neck and shoulder exercises, stretching, yoga and short walks improve blood flow. Sitting in the same position for a long time is harmful, so it is important to move the body in between. It is necessary to use moisturizer regularly to protect the skin.

Avoid harsh soap and use mild soap. Taking a long bath with very hot water also dries the skin further, so long hot showers should be avoided. Also, it is important to drink adequate amount of water, because in winter people drink less water, which can cause dehydration, fluctuations in blood pressure, dryness and many other problems.

Negative effect on metabolism

He said that smoking and excessive caffeine consumption have a negative effect on blood flow and metabolism, hence they should be avoided. If all these things are followed properly, then numbness, stiffness and skin problems occurring in winter can be avoided to a great extent. With these precautions, health remains better and problems related to winter are reduced.