Are Cold Hands Normal?

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posted by Dr. Brent

Q: My wife has cold hands all the time it seems. Is this something I should be worried about or is it just normal for women (that’s what she says)?

A: While I wouldn’t be so cavalier as to say that all women have cold hands, the complaint is a common one and much more often than not does not indicate that there’s ice flowing through the veins or anything else as cold-hearted or sinister.

When our bodies are exposed to cooler temperatures, the natural defense mechanism is tries to retain heat in the body’s core (where all the important organs are). In order to do this, the tiny peripheral blood vessels in our extremities constrict and limit circulation of blood to these distant parts of the body. Without good blood flow, the fingers, toes, hands, feet, nose and ears can all become cold. The best defense is to keep the body covered so it never has to put this defense mechanism into action.

If there are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (age, history of smoking, diabetes, family history, high cholesterol or high blood pressure), then cold extremities could indicate that there are blockages in the small blood vessels of the hand that are impeding blood flow. If this is the diagnosis, there are some medications that may be useful. Additionally, increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet may also help.

Raynaud’s phenomenon is a symptom associated with several conditions including lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, and certain medications (estrogen, nicotine, propanolol). When the fingers are exposed to hot or cold conditions, the blood vessels begin to spasm, limiting blood flow and causing the fingertips to turn white or even blue. In addition to feeling as if the hands are cold, Raynaud’s is generally painful. When talking to the doctor, make sure your wife gives a complete history of all symptoms, even if they don’t seem to be related.

Dr. Brent Ridge is the health expert for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. You can call and ask him a question live every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 112 (1.866.675.6675). You can also follow along as he learns to grow his own food and raise goats on his farm in upstate New York by visiting www.beekman1802.com.