一到冬天就手脚冰凉，有可能是你生病了

入冬了，把手揣到兜里，脚上穿上厚厚的毛袜，却还是怎么都捂不热……

为什么有人一到冬天就手脚冰凉？会不会是某种疾病呢？

大多数手脚冰凉不是疾病

在大多数情况下，手脚冰凉是人体为了应对温度变化自我保护的一种表现。

对于我们的身体来说，血液是一个温度调节器。当血液流向皮肤时，热量就会转移到外界空气中，让我们凉快下来。这也就是为什么我们时常会在夏天热得脸红。

For our bodies, blood is a fantastic store of heat. By diverting blood to the skin, heat is transferred to the outside air, helping to cool us down. This is why we might look a bit "flushed" on a hot day.

同样地，当我们感到寒冷时，皮肤内的血管收紧，通过的血液也因此减少。血液少就意味着热量少，这一点在手脚的温度上体现得尤为显著。

On the other hand, when we are feeling cold, the blood vessels in our skin narrow so less blood is diverted there. Less blood means less warmth, and this becomes particularly noticeable in the hands and feet.

这是一种十分正常的现象，表明我们的身体正保持体内正常温度（maintaining a normal internal temperature），保护我们的各个器官。

留心雷诺氏现象

然而，手脚过度冰凉有可能是雷诺氏现象（Raynaud's phenomenon），这是一种较为常见的良性病理现象，会造成手指、脚趾血管过度收缩。

Moreoften, though, they are signs of Raynaud's phenomenon, a common, generally benign condition that causes the blood vessels in the fingers and toes to be overly constricted.

benign: /bɪˈnaɪn/ adj. 良性的

图源：Getty Images

当四肢暴露在寒冷环境中，患有雷诺氏症状的患者血管会过度收缩。虽然血管本就会因寒冷而收缩，但在这种情况下，血管则处于几乎完全封闭的状态，导致血液无法通过，四肢更觉得寒冷。因此，皮肤的颜色会出现一些显著的变化，比如手指、脚趾会发白、发蓝甚至发紫。

It's when the blood vessels in your extremities constrict a bit too much from cold exposure. And although blood vessels are supposed to constrict from the cold, with this condition they almost completely close. This then stops blood from flowing to these areas, making them feel even colder. This can also lead to some quite striking color changes in the skin. Fingers or toes can turn white, blue, and purple.

extremitie: /iks'tremitis/ n. 四肢

大家可以通过以下三个表现判断自己是否有雷诺氏症状：

Pain and tingling in the fingers, hands, and feet

指尖、手掌和足部是否有疼痛、刺痛感
Discoloration of the fingertips and toes (paleness, redness, even blue)指尖、脚尖是否变色（变白、红甚至发蓝）

Thickened skin in the fingers and toes手和脚上的皮肤变厚

世界上约有3%-5%的人受雷诺氏症状的影响。这一现象多见于女性，长期生活在寒冷地区的人出现这一现象的几率更高。

不过，大多数出现这种现象的人都只是原发性的，症状较为温和，并没有明确的潜在病因。

Most people with this condition have primary Raynaud's phenomenon, which is often mild and does not have a clear underlying cause.

但如果是其它疾病导致的雷诺氏现象，即继发性雷诺氏症，那么就要多加注意，这或许说明你的身体出现了免疫缺陷或高血压。

In other instances, it may be a result of more serious underlying causes, such as an immune deficiency or associated with high blood pressure.

因此，究竟是只需要裹上围巾、加厚袜子，还是要服用舒张血管的药物，取决于雷诺氏现象的具体症状。

Depending on how bad your symptoms are, treatment may range from wearing extra gloves and socks to taking prescription meds that relax blood vessels.

如何缓解手脚冰凉

冬天如果手脚冰凉，我们该如何缓解呢？

图源：Getty Images

▌穿上厚袜子，戴好手套。

Pop on a pair of thick socks and wear gloves.

▌用温水洗手，洗完后迅速擦干。

Wash your hands in warm water and immediately dry them afterwards.

▌添衣保暖，保持体内温度，避免温度的急剧变化。

Avoid abrupt changes in temperature by wearing layers of warm clothing to maintain your core temperature.

▌情况允许的话，找个能照到阳光的地方，而不是待在空调房里。

Steer clear of air-conditioned rooms where possible and find cozy spots in the sun during the day.

从长远来看，改善血液循环才是关键。通过血液的流动，手脚才能暖和起来。因此，日常锻炼不可少，每天都要时不时走动走动，锻炼一下胳膊和腿脚。

In the long term, improving your circulation is key. It helps warm your hands and feet, by ensuring the body efficiently pumps blood to where it needs to go. This can be achieved with daily exercise, moving around at regular intervals during the day, and stretching your arms and legs.

正值寒冬，想要变得暖洋洋，尽量让自己动起来吧！

编辑：焦洁

实习生：王潇雨

来源：IFLScience ClevelandClinic DrlamCoaching HealthDirect Health

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