Every winter, many people feel their hands and feet cold, and even if they wear thick clothes, it is difficult to truly warm them up. Why does this phenomenon occur? How to effectively improve? Our reporter conducted an interview on this matter. Why are women more prone to cold hands and feet? In winter, "cold hands and feet" have become a problem for many people: "Even if you cover your hands and feet for half a day before going to bed, you can't get hot", "Is it easier for women to have cold hands and feet?", "Why is my husband's hands and feet always warm in winter, while I am always so cold?"... These questions have resonated with many people on the internet. At the General Practice Outpatient Department of Tsinghua Chang Gung Hospital affiliated with Tsinghua University in Beijing, Chief Physician Wang Zhiyi found that there has been a significant increase in female patients seeking advice recently due to cold hands and feet. They not only feel continuous or repeated coldness in their hands and feet, but also often suffer from fatigue, poor complexion, poor sleep, and menstrual disorders. Some even experience obvious anxiety as a result. Are women really more prone to cold hands and feet? What is the reason? Wang Zhiyi analyzed that compared to men, women are more prone to cold hands and feet, which may be mainly due to the following physiological characteristics: on the one hand, women's average basal metabolic rate is usually lower than men's, and muscles are the main heat source in the human body. Women have relatively less average muscle mass, resulting in weaker heat production ability; On the other hand, although the subcutaneous fat layer of women has a certain insulation effect, it can also hinder the transfer of heat from the blood to the surface of the skin, resulting in relatively insufficient blood supply to the limbs (especially hands and feet) and low temperature. In addition, hormonal fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, and other stages can also affect thermoregulatory function. It is worth noting that some unhealthy daily habits often exacerbate the phenomenon of cold hands and feet. For example, prolonged sitting can slow down blood circulation, excessive dieting can lead to insufficient thermogenic materials, and wearing thin or tight clothing for aesthetic purposes can directly affect peripheral blood supply and exacerbate cold hands and feet. Liu Shuai, deputy chief physician of the gynecology department at Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated with Capital Medical University, stated that from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, cold hands and feet are not simply "afraid of cold", but often related to insufficient yang energy and poor circulation of qi and blood in the body. Specifically, they can be divided into the following four common types: insufficient yang energy, often related to spleen and kidney yang deficiency. In addition to cold hands and feet, they are often accompanied by symptoms such as chills, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, and frequent nocturia at night; Qi and blood deficiency, typical symptoms include pale complexion, dizziness and fatigue, and reduced menstrual flow and pale color; Cold congealing meridians, obstructing the flow of qi and blood, may cause hand and foot discoloration, numbness and pain, and worsen when exposed to cold; Stagnation of liver qi and blockage of yang qi, this group of people may have cold hands and feet but do not feel cold in their bodies, and may even feel a sense of heat internally. Symptoms are more pronounced when emotions fluctuate. How to scientifically regulate cold hands and feet? When encountering cold hands and feet, people often instinctively choose to wear more clothing to keep warm. Wang Zhiyi reminds that effective warmth retention is not just about increasing clothing, the key is to "start with the core and then the periphery" - prioritizing the warmth of the torso and waist and abdomen. After the core temperature of the body stabilizes, more blood will naturally be distributed to the hands and feet. In addition, protect the superficial vascular areas of the wrist and ankle; Recommend using a layered dressing method for easy temperature adjustment; Shoes and socks should also be kept dry and avoid wearing tight clothing or accessories. Besides keeping warm correctly, what other methods can improve cold hands and feet? Wang Zhiyi stated that the core of improvement lies in "opening up sources and reducing expenses", which means increasing body heat production and ensuring blood circulation. He suggested that in daily life, attention should be paid to balanced diet and sufficient water intake to ensure adequate calorie and protein intake. It is recommended to supplement foods rich in iron, vitamin B12, and folate (such as red meat and leafy vegetables) to prevent anemia, and to consume moderate amounts of ginger and lamb warm foods. In terms of exercise, it is recommended to do 3-5 regular exercises per week, combining aerobic exercise (such as brisk walking and jogging) with moderate strength training, which can effectively increase muscle mass and improve basal metabolic rate. At work, it is also necessary to get up and move around regularly, stretch briefly, and promote peripheral blood circulation. In addition, ensuring sufficient sleep, learning to manage stress, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption can all help improve overall function and alleviate cold hands and feet. You can try rubbing your hands and stomping your feet, jumping in place, drinking warm water, using hand warmers, and other methods to increase the temperature both internally and locally. What are the good methods of traditional Chinese medicine to warm up hands and feet? Liu Shuai introduced that traditional Chinese medicine advocates improving hand and foot coldness through systematic internal regulation and external nourishment: internal regulation focuses on nourishing qi and blood, warming and promoting yang qi; External nourishment focuses on unblocking meridians and promoting the return of internal heat, allowing the heat generated in the body to smoothly reach the ends of the limbs. In daily life, soaking feet is one of the simplest and most effective methods. If combined with acupoint massage or moxibustion on acupoints such as Zusanli, Sanyinjiao, Yongquan, and Guanyuan, it can further stimulate the body's yang energy; Regular exercise is also indispensable, such as jogging, eight dan brocade, etc., which can promote the circulation of qi and blood. In addition, keeping warm, going to bed early to nourish yang, regulating emotions, and sunbathing appropriately can also help improve cold hands and feet. In terms of dietary regulation, Liu Shuai stated that traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the concept of "medicine and food being of the same origin", but it needs to be tailored to individual needs and applied based on syndrome differentiation. Individuals with a Yang deficiency constitution may have insufficient Yang energy and are suitable for warming up. Ginger, scallions, chives, lamb, chicken, walnuts, and other foods can be selected. Classic dietary remedies include Danggui Ginger and Lamb Soup; People with qi and blood deficiency often suffer from fear of cold and fatigue, and should pay attention to sweet and warm nourishment. It is recommended to use ingredients such as yam, lotus seeds, red dates, beef, longan meat, black sesame, etc. Wuhong Tang (red dates, red beans, red peanuts, goji berries, brown sugar) is a commonly used dietary therapy; People with Qi stagnation and blood stasis constitution need to promote Qi and blood circulation, and can drink rose hawthorn brown sugar drink in moderation; However, those with yin deficiency constitution tend to be "hot inside and cold outside", and should give priority to moisturizing. They can choose tremella, lily, pear, water chestnut, etc., such as lily Broth of white fungus soup. It should be noted that not all people with cold hands and feet are suitable for 'covering' and 'tonifying', which is precisely the key to the emphasis on 'diagnosis and treatment' in traditional Chinese medicine. ”Liu Shuai reminds that for those with Yin deficiency, damp heat, qi stagnation turning into fire, and Yang excess constitution, blindly warming up may actually worsen discomfort. For example, individuals with yin deficiency may have insufficient body fluids, and warming and tonifying can help with deficiency fire; People with damp heat constitution are prone to acne, bitter and dry mouth, heavy body fatigue, and yellow and greasy tongue coating. Warm supplementation may help with dampness and heat generation. Therefore, before conditioning, one should first identify their physical condition and undergo targeted conditioning under the guidance of a professional physician to avoid the opposite effect. How to soak feet correctly? Foot soaking, as a traditional way of health preservation, is loved by many people. Some people think that the hotter the foot bath, the better the effect. Is this really the case? Wang Zhiyi reminds that it is not advisable to soak feet in overheated water for a long time, especially when the water temperature exceeds 42 degrees Celsius or for more than 15-20 minutes. High temperatures can excessively remove skin oil, leading to dryness, itching, and even cracking of the skin, and may also cause low-temperature burns. In addition, excessive dilation of lower limb blood vessels can lead to blood stasis, which may cause transient hypotension, dizziness when standing up, and increase the risk of falls. The following people should be more cautious: people with skin sensory disorders, such as spinal cord injury and diabetes peripheral neuropathy, are vulnerable to burns because they are insensitive to temperature; Patients with lower limb arteriosclerosis obliterans may experience increased tissue metabolic demand due to high temperatures, but vascular stenosis and insufficient local blood supply can lead to worsening tissue hypoxia and even trigger gangrene; Patients with varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis may experience vasodilation and blood stasis due to high temperatures, which may exacerbate varicose vein symptoms or increase the risk of thrombus detachment. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, it is not advisable to use excessively hot water bubbles until sweating profusely at night, especially before bedtime. ”Liu Shuai said that traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes "blood and sweat come from the same source" and "sweat is the liquid of the heart". Before going to bed, Yang Qi should be restrained and stored inside. Excessive sweating can cause Yang Qi to leak out and body fluids to be consumed, which may lead to qi and yin deficiency in the long run and affect sleep, causing people to become increasingly weak and dry as they soak. Liu Shuai introduced that the key to the correct foot soaking method is "gentle and smooth, heat inducing downward movement, slight sweating, and focusing on hiding". It is generally recommended to do it around 9 pm (about 1 hour before bedtime), and it is not advisable to soak feet within half an hour after meals to avoid affecting digestion; The water temperature should be kept at 40-45 degrees Celsius, and it is recommended to put your feet in the water to feel warm and comfortable, or slightly hot but tolerable; The water level should ideally be below the ankle, as it can soak the calf for better results; Soak for 15-20 minutes each time, and feel a slight warmth in the back, or a slight sweating sensation on the forehead or nose tip before stopping; After soaking, immediately wipe dry with a towel, wear dry cotton socks to keep warm, and massage the Yongquan acupoint to help calm the mind. If you want to add medicinal herbs, you should choose according to your physical condition and not add them randomly. In addition, people with serious cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, varicose veins, diabetes feet, foot skin damage or infection, bleeding diseases, pregnant women and other people should consult a doctor before foot soaking, and proceed cautiously. Is cold hands and feet a sign of 'palace coldness'? It is worth noting that although cold hands and feet are mostly physiological phenomena, they may also become a "signal" for certain diseases. Wang Zhiyi reminded that if the unilateral limb is cold, the skin color changes significantly with cold and heat (such as pale and blue), it cannot be relieved even in a warm environment, or accompanied by pain, numbness, ulcers, unexplained weight loss, chest tightness, palpitations and other symptoms, you should be alert to the possibility of hypothyroidism, anemia, peripheral artery disease, Raynaud's disease, and seek medical advice in a timely manner. If the diagnosis of cold hands and feet is caused by a specific disease, it is necessary to first standardize the treatment of the primary disease. For example, hypothyroidism requires supplementation of thyroid hormones that the body lacks, and anemia patients need targeted nutritional supplements. By actively treating the primary disease, cold hands and feet usually improve or disappear. Many people immediately associate coldness in the hands and feet of women with uterine coldness. Actually, this is a very common misconception, "Liu Shuai said. The root cause of cold hands and feet is that Yang energy does not reach the limbs, involving multiple organs throughout the body; The term 'uterine coldness' mainly refers to the coldness experienced by the uterus and related reproductive systems. Although there is a connection between the two, they cannot be simply equated. In other words, 'palace cold' can cause or exacerbate coldness in the hands and feet (such as due to kidney yang deficiency, lack of warmth and weakness), but coldness in the hands and feet may not necessarily be caused by 'palace cold'. Cold hands and feet can appear in various age groups of males and females, and "Gong Han" specifically refers to the syndrome of female reproductive system. Liu Shuai introduced that "Gong Han" is a common folk term, and a more accurate expression in traditional Chinese medicine is "cold congealing the uterus" or "deficiency cold in the uterus". It is not an independent disease, but a syndrome that can be seen in various gynecological diseases, mainly divided into two situations: one is "solid cold", which means that cold pathogens directly invade the uterus. Commonly seen during menstruation, postpartum exposure to rain, water, cold, overeating, or prolonged exposure to cold environments. The onset is usually sudden, characterized by cold pain in the lower abdomen, refusal to press, reduced pain due to fever, dark menstrual color, multiple blood clots, pain relief after the blood clots are discharged, and white and greasy tongue coating. This situation is like the invasion of an external enemy "cold evil", where the body's yang energy may not be weak, but it is blocked by the cold evil. Another type is' deficiency cold ', which refers to insufficient yang energy in the body, unable to warm the uterus. It is often caused by congenital spleen and kidney yang deficiency, or prolonged illness, excessive consumption of cold and cold, and loss of yang qi. Manifesting as dull pain in the lower abdomen, liking to press and warm, light menstrual color, small quantity and sparse quality, often accompanied by general fear of cold, lukewarm hands and feet, soreness and weakness in the waist and knees, mental fatigue, and pale tongue coating. This is like a lack of yang energy and weak combat power, making it difficult to warm and protect the womb. Liu Shuai emphasized that it is not accurate to determine palace coldness solely based on "cold hands and feet" or "fear of cold in daily life". Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes the integration of the four diagnostic methods and requires professional doctors