Hands Or Feet Always Cold It Could Be Neuropathy

You may think that today's post from healthnewslibrary.com (see link below) is a seasonal one (if you live in the Northern hemisphere's current Winter that is) but the point of the article is to highlight the fact that if you have cold feet or hands, you may also have neuropathy (or other conditions) and many patients wonder why their hands and feet are so cold (or warm!) when the external temperature is normal. The article gives a very good overview of what the reasons for this could be and why and suggests a few things to improve the condition. Strange symptoms in the feet or hands are very familiar to almost all neuropathy patients but they don't always understand why this is happening. A vague diagnosis of nerve damage explains very little - this post fills in a few gaps.
 

Why Your Hands and Feet are Always Cold 
Randy B. January 18, 2015 

You wear socks to keep your feet warm, as well as mittens to keep your hands warm. You may even make some coffee, hot tea or hot chocolate just hold in your hands to keep them warm.

Have you ever wondered why your hands and feet are always cold?

Your skin is the largest organ of your body, and it is kept at a satisfying temperature, controlled by the blood vessels. They circulate oxygen-rich blood throughout the whole body. When the external temperature falls, the sensory receptors in the skin worn the brain to constrict the blood vessels, as this allows smaller amounts of blood to the surface of the skin to conserve warmth in the torso of the body.

When the temperature drops, the body will always take into consideration what has priority for staying warm and conserving life, and in this case your organs are more important than your hands and feet. You may not think so at the time when your hands and feet are cold.
Hormones Could Be Why Your Hands and Feet Are Always Cold

Low progesterone or too much Estrogen Dominance influencing thyroid function (low thyroid) can cause cold hands and feet.
Low Adrenal function or Adrenal Insufficiency can also be the cause of cold hands and feet.

Cold hands and feet could be due to an under active thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism. This condition is more common in women, though men can suffer also from it.

Hypothyroidism not only cause cold hands and feet, also including fatigue, hair loss and weight gain, just to mention a few symptoms.
Poor Circulation and Nerve Damage

If you are taking medication for an under active thyroid but still are experiencing cold hands and feet, then you may have Raynaud’s syndrome.
Raynaud’s syndrome is indicated by a loss of blood flow to the hands and feet caused by spasms in the blood vessels (consult with your medical provider to see if you have this condition).

Cold feet could be due to peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy symptoms may include one or more of the following, numbness in the feet, tingling or a burning sensation in the extremities (legs and feet).

Peripheral neuropathy is a sign of underlying nerve damage, caused by diseases like exposure to toxins (Mercury Toxicity or Amalgam Illness), infections, vitamin deficiencies, and even diabetes. If you suspect this may be the issue, see your medical care provider as soon as possible doctor.

Having these symptoms and ignoring them only allows for more nerve damage to occur. Your doctor may perform several tests, including nerve conduction studies (NCS) to evaluate how messages are being transmitted from the brain to the peripheral nerves.

In the event of peripheral vascular disease, the arteries narrow with a marked reduction of blood flow, notably to the fingers and toes.
Over Growth of Bacteria

Candida is a good bacteria when under control. But if candida is negatively affected in the body, and allowing to overgrow, one can experienced a vast of problems, and including cold hands and feet.
Faulty Immune System

Varying conditions and diseases can cause cold hands and feet. They include multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders in general, primary chronic polyarthritis, chronic candidiasis, cancer, neurodermatitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

There are a number of other cause for why your hands and feet are always cold, such as:
Poor circulation due to coronary heart disease
Working with vibrating equipment (like a jack hammer)
A side-effect of certain medications
Smokers and other diseases that affecting blood flow in the tiny blood vessels of the skin (Women smokers may be prone to this)
Stress
Food and other allergies
Chemical sensitivities
Parasites (they can cause a mal-absorption syndrome which very commonly mimics anemia and conditions where the body feels cold all over including hands and feet) 

Recommendations to Help Warm Your Cold Hands and Feet

Cayenne Pepper in powder form can be used externally as well as internally. One-eighth of a teaspoon sprinkled into each shoe or glove can help the body generate heat.

Water-soluble components in cayenne dilate capillaries in the skin surface, producing an immediate sensation of heat. Oil-soluble compounds of cayenne applied topically reach deeper tissues within 15 minutes, and generate warmth for hours.

Ginkgo Biloba is documented for improving circulation, and may help for cold hands and feet.

Ginger Root is a warming herb helpful in improving circulation.

Korean Ginseng is also used for circulation and the nerves system.

Aerobic exercises or just any regular exercise program increases circulation of blood and nutrients, and also helping to flush the body of toxins.

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables that contain high amounts the B-complex vitamins, which can help with the nerve system and circulation.

http://www.healthnewslibrary.com/why-your-hands-and-feet-are-always-cold/

Neuropathy In The Hands

Another article from ezinearticles.com (see link below) in today's post. It talks about neuropathy when it affects the hands. Most people with neuropathy have problems in their feet and legs but a significant percentage also suffer symptoms in their hands. This informative article by David L. Greene looks at what happens when the hands are affected. Once diagnosed, the treatments will generally follow the course of most forms of neuropathy (treatments for neuropathy can be found by looking at the alphabetical list to the right of the blog.)

An Overview of Peripheral Neuropathy in the Hands

By David L Greene

 

Symptoms of Hand Neuropathy
The feet are the most common areas affected by neuropathy; however, a similar type of neuropathy can occur in the hands. This type of neuropathy is typically peripheral neuropathy, which is the same kind that affects the feet in some cases.

Similar symptoms that occur in the feet often occur in the hands. In people who suffer from Distal Symmetrical Polyneuropathy, symptoms may occur in both the feet and hands, known as a 'stocking and glove' pattern.

The most common symptoms of hand neuropathy include:
· Burning sensation in the hands
· Hand numbness
· Pain that can be severe at times and radiates into the wrist and fingers
· Tingling hands
· Weakness of the hand that results in the inability to grasp or lift items

Other symptoms that are less common but may still occur in those with hand neuropathy are pain and burning in the fingers and finger numbness. Stomach upset, indigestion and constipation may also occur in those affected with more severe cases of neuropathy.

Many symptoms associated with hand neuropathy appear over a period of months or years. Rarely do they appear suddenly; however in some instances symptoms may develop and worsen with in days or weeks.

When the symptoms initiate in the fingers, the same sensations may spread into the hands and arms. These sensations typically start at a prickly feeling that turns into burning and tingling.

In many cases pain, burning and muscle weakness may worsen at night. Shooting pain may occur when a person lies down to go to sleep. The muscles begin to relax and the pain becomes more noticeable.

In extreme cases of neuropathy of the hands, a person may lose the ability to hold objects, stand or even walk. Peripheral neuropathy can affect the nerves that control automatic functions such as heartbeat, bowel function or bladder control. There are a number of symptoms and problems that may develop as a direct result of these issues.

Symptoms are more likely to occur in adults over the age of 55 or 60 and older. The nerve damage and symptoms associated with the condition are more severe in people with diabetes mellitus. The longer a person has lived with diabetes the more likely they are to develop neuropathy in the hands and feet.

If you experience symptoms that may be caused by neuropathy, it is important to have them checked out right away. A trained neuropathy specialist can design a strategic treatment plan to get you back on track.

http://ezinearticles.com/?An-Overview-of-Peripheral-Neuropathy-in-the-Hands&id=7282443

Hands Legs And Feet Neuropathy Vid

Today's post from YouTube (see link below) is a good introductory video to neuropathy. Interesting and simply explained, it's worth viewing for both newcomers and experienced patients. Of course, it doesn't cover all the bases but provides a surprising amount of information in ten minutes and stimulates further research and investigation.
 

Peripheral neuropathy: Burning and numbness in hands, legs and feet 
Dr. Larry Santora Published on 21 Apr 2013

Peripheral neuropathy is an uncomfortable burning or numbing sensation in the feet and legs. The most common causes? First is diabetes, and the second is alcohol consumption. Neurologist Amir Shokrae, M.D., explains the causes and symptoms and demonstrates the instruments used for detection of this painful condition.

Shokrae is joined by Larry Santora, M.D., medical director of the Orange County Heart Institute and host of "Health Matters with Dr. Larry Santora" television series, which airs weekly on PBS OC. Visit www.drsantora.com.

Produced by Chapman University's Panther Productions, "Health Matters with Dr. Larry Santora" is sponsored by St. Joseph Health, St. Joseph Hospital, Biotronik, Churm Media, The Widdicombe Family, Medtronic, Weaver Health Solutions and Abbott Vascular.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATu0467azRc

Capsaicin Patches Beat Lyrica Hands Down

Today's post from nationalpainreport.com confirms the obvious as far as this blog's concerned, as the disadvantages of Lyrica for certain neuropathy patient groups has been obvious for years (not least because of the fact that, under duress from the FDA, Pfizer themselves withdrew recommendation for it in relation to neuropathy and haven't changed their minds since). That capsaicin patches prove more effective is therefore no surprise here. That said, capsaicin patches have been on the market for years and although effective, need extreme care with application (preferably from a qualified medical practitioner) because of the possibility of painful burning side effects. However, with help, they can certainly reduce your nerve pain considerably and compared to the side effects of pregabalin (Lyrica), it's pretty much a no-brainer.

Capsaicin “Chili Pepper” Patch Beats Lyrica for Peripheral Neuropathic Pain
Posted on November 25, 2015 in Pain Medication 

A skin patch containing a synthetic version of capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers, offers pain relief compared with Lyrica, but with faster pain relief, fewer side effects and greater treatment satisfaction, a new study concludes.

In a head-to-head study published in the European Journal of Pain, researchers compared capsaicin 8% patch (QUTENZA) with pregabalin capsules (Lyrica) in adults with peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP).

The study included 559 adults with moderate-to-severe PNP. Participants received either a single treatment with the capsaicin 8% patch or daily administration of an optimized dose of oral Lyrica.

Fifty-five percent (55%) of those using the capsaicin 8% patch achieved 30% or greater pain relief, compared to 54% of those using pregabalin, showing “non-inferior” pain relief.

But, what differed was how the patch offered faster pain relief. Those taking the patch achieved pain relief in 7.5 days compared to 36 days with pregabalin.

“This means that there is now another treatment option for people with peripheral neuropathic pain, especially those patients who are very sensitive to the side effects of systemic medication or for those who do not wish to take tablets every day,” said Professor Maija Haanpää, Principal Study Investigator, Department of Neurosurgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki.

“Some patients may still receive inadequate pain management and have to balance effective pain relief and the side effects of their medication. The capsaicin 8% patch is applied topically and hence has shown less systemic side effects than seen with oral medications. There is a need to tailor treatment to individual patients and these data show that the capsaicin 8% patch is an efficacious agent to manage patients with peripheral neuropathic pain,” commented Dr. Andreas Karas, Senior Director, Medical Affairs, Astellas Pharma EMEA.

Peripheral neuropathic pain is a problem with the functioning of the nerves outside the spinal cord. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include numbness, weakness, burning pain (especially at night), and loss of reflexes.

Lyrica is approved by the FDA to treat chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia, epilepsy, shingles, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and spinal cord injury.

The Qutenza (capsaicin) 8% patch is FDA approved to treat long-term pain associated with shingles attacks.

http://nationalpainreport.com/capsaicin-chili-pepper-patch-beats-lyrica-for-peripheral-neuropathic-pain-8828365.html