PODIATRIST DISCUSSES CAUSES OF COLD FEET

If your feet are always cold, there's an explanation. We talked to Danielle DesPrés, DPM, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and podiatrist, to learn more. Dr. DesPrés told POPSUGAR that it's not uncommon to have cold feet some of the time, but if it's constant, there may be an underlying condition that's causing it. Dr. DesPrés said that poor circulation is one of the most common causes of cold feet. "As the arteries move away from the heart and into the legs and feet, they progressively become smaller and more easily blocked with fatty plaque," she explained. "Since the arteries going to the feet are the smallest, they are often affected first, thus causing cold feet."

 

Dr. Danielle DesPrés

 

She listed smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and age as risk factors for poor circulation. Diabetes and hypothyroidism can also cause cold feet. Lastly, iron deficiency can lead to freezing feet. Dr. DesPrés said that low iron leads to anemia (decreased red blood cells), one of the side-effects of which is chronically cold feet.

 

Source: POPSUGAR via Bisman Area News [9/21/20]

Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News