Sleepiness in Hands and Feet Severe in Cold Weather, Warning Signals for Peripheral Neurological Diseases

Feb 10, 2025

Sleepiness in Hands and Feet Severe in Cold Weather, Warning Signals for Peripheral Neurological Diseases
photo courtesy of Daegu Hospital



As the cold wave continues, the number of patients visiting hospitals for numbness in their hands and feet is increasing.

A woman in her 50s, identified only by her surname Park, recently visited the hospital due to numbness in her hands and feet, itchy or tingling pain. Park regarded it as simple cold hands and feet, but was eventually diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral neuropathy, which Park was diagnosed with, is one of the peripheral neurological diseases that occurs in neural networks from the spine to nerve endings such as muscles and skin. The causes of the disease vary, including genetic factors, diabetes, alcohol abuse, toxicity of certain drugs, and infection, but the most common cause is diabetic polyneuropathy, which causes numbness, pain, and sensory slowdown due to damage to peripheral nerves due to diabetes.




The nervous system of our body is divided into the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system, and the peripheral nervous system is distributed in the distal parts of the body such as arms and legs. If this area is damaged, symptoms such as paralysis, muscle weakness, numbness, and pain may appear. Peripheral neurological diseases are divided into compression peripheral neurological diseases caused by compression of parts of peripheral nerves and multiple neurological diseases caused by various peripheral neurological abnormalities throughout the body. A typical compression disease is carpal tunnel syndrome, which we commonly hear, and multiple neuropathy is characterized by a wider range of numbness to the torso, starting mainly at the tips of the feet and fingers.

Then, how can general numbness in the hands and feet and peripheral nerve diseases be distinguished. Common numbness in the hands and feet is a temporary problem that occurs when blood circulation problems or certain postures are sustained, and it recovers by changing the posture. On the other hand, peripheral neurological diseases continue to show symptoms, and can be accompanied by neurological problems such as sensory slowdown, burning pain, and muscle weakness.

The diagnosis of peripheral neurological disease is made through nerve conduction tests, electromyography tests, and cerebrospinal fluid tests. However, in about 25% of patients, it is sometimes difficult to accurately determine the cause, so the medical history and symptoms must be analyzed closely. Treatment depends on the causative disease, and in the case of diabetic neuropathy, progression is slowed through blood sugar management, and neuralgia is relieved with anticonvulsants and antidepressants.




Healthy eating habits and regular exercise are essential for the prevention of diseases. It is recommended to avoid smoking and excessive drinking, and exercise to help blood circulation. In particular, it is important to avoid a posture that repeatedly puts pressure on nerves in daily life, such as sitting cross-legged or writing by applying pressure to your elbows. In addition, since the most common cause is peripheral nerve damage caused by diabetes, it is desirable to maintain thorough management of blood sugar and blood pressure.

Professor Lee Hye-rim of Department of Neurology at Korea University Guro Hospital said, `If the symptoms of numbness in the hand and foot persist, it is necessary to seek medical attention rather than passing it over as a simple symptom"Early detection and proper treatment will go a long way toward improving the quality of life."," he added.

Sleepiness in Hands and Feet Severe in Cold Weather, Warning Signals for Peripheral Neurological Diseases
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.