In the morning, I felt cold in my hands and feet. Around four to five in the afternoon, after drinking boiled water, I began to sweat. What health issue might this indicate?
Disease description:
I have recently often felt cold hands and feet in the morning. After drinking hot water around 4-5 pm, I start to sweat, but no other accompanying symptoms were mentioned.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Cold hands and feet accompanied by excessive sweating may indicate conditions such as hypotension, anemia, hypothyroidism, or autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Excessive sweating after drinking hot water in the afternoon might result from thermal receptors being stimulated by the hot liquid, prompting the body's temperature regulation center to attempt cooling through perspiration. Increased sweating during meals may be related to postprandial blood glucose fluctuations, enhanced gastrointestinal activity, or sympathetic nervous system activation. Whether occurring individually or together, these symptoms warrant attention as they may signal underlying health issues.
Patients are advised to keep warm, especially during cold weather and early mornings. Additionally, moderate consumption of foods that nourish qi and blood, such as red dates, lychee fruit, and black fungus, may be beneficial. Engaging in physical activities like walking or rope jumping can also help promote blood circulation. Sweating after drinking hot water usually isn't a concern if the perspiration is moderate and no other discomfort is present.
If excessive sweating persists or significantly increases, patients should seek timely medical evaluation. Considering the patient's symptoms collectively, comprehensive physical examinations are recommended, including thyroid function tests and blood glucose level measurements, to determine whether conditions such as hypothyroidism or diabetes mellitus are present.
