Why Are My Feet Swollen

Puffy, Tender Tootsies

If one or both of your feet are swollen, it can be hard to move around. And it can hurt, too. It’s not always clear why it happens, but some health conditions can make it more likely.

Edema

This is when your body holds on to too much water. It can make your feet puffy as well as your hands and face. You might notice it after a long airplane flight or if you stand for hours at a time, and some women have it around their monthly period. It usually goes away on its own, but sometimes it can be a sign of a health problem like low protein levels, heart failure, or kidney or liver disease.

Injury

If you trip or take a wrong step, a swollen foot can be a sign of a broken bone or a sprain -- when the tough, flexible tissue that connects the bones around your ankle tears. Your foot and ankle will likely swell as blood rushes to the area to help heal it. See your doctor if it hurts a lot, you can’t put weight on it, or it doesn’t look right.

Pregnancy

Feet can swell as a natural part of pregnancy because a woman’s body holds on to more water when they’re expecting. It can be worse at the end of the day or after standing for a long time. It’s not usually a sign of a problem for mother or baby, but it can be uncomfortable.

Preeclampsia

While many moms-to-be have swollen feet, if the swelling comes along with a headache, nausea, trouble breathing, or belly pain, it could be a sign of this condition. Preeclampsia doesn't start  until at least 20 weeks into a pregnancy and is linked to high blood pressure. It can damage your liver or kidneys and can be serious if it’s not treated. Be sure to tell your doctor if you’ve had any of these symptoms.

Lymphedema

This is when one or more of your lymph nodes -- small glands that are part of your immune system -- are damaged or removed, as often happens during cancer treatment. As a result, your body gets rid of less fluid, and that can lead to swelling in your arms, legs, and feet. It can also result from damage to lymphatic vessels or other abnormalities in the lymphatic system.  One treatment for this is called pneumatic compression. You wear a sleeve over the affected areas, and air is pumped into it every so often to put pressure there and help move fluid away. Exercises, massage, and compression sleeves or socks may help, too.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

To get back to your heart from your legs and feet, your blood travels in veins with “one-way valves” to keep it from flowing back down. These valves can get damaged as you get older or if you stand or sit for long periods of time. Damage to the valves also can be the result of blood clots. If your blood doesn’t return to your heart the way it should, it can collect in your legs and feet and cause swelling.

Heart Failure

This is when your heart doesn’t pump blood like it should. If your blood isn’t flowing well in the right direction, it can back up in your legs and feet and cause swelling. With heart failure, it can be uncomfortable to lie down flat, your heart may beat faster or in an unusual rhythm, and you might have a hard time catching your breath. Get medical help right away if you notice these signs.

Kidney Disease

Your kidneys filter waste from your blood. If they aren’t working right -- because of a condition like diabetes or high blood pressure -- too much salt (sodium) can be left in your blood. That makes your body hold on to more water than it should. Gravity pulls the water down, and your feet and ankles can swell.

Liver Disease

If you have hepatitis (inflammation in your liver) or you drink heavily, your liver has to fix itself over and over. That can cause scar tissue to replace healthy tissue, and your liver can stop working like it should. If that happens, too much fluid can pool in your belly, legs, and feet, making them swell.

What You Can Do: RICE

This stands for “rest,” “ice,” “compression,” and “elevation.” It’s most useful for sprains and broken bones, but it can help if your feet are swollen for other reasons, too. If you rest and put your feet up (elevate them), fluid will flow away from your feet. Ice makes blood vessels narrower -- limiting blood flow -- and helps with pain. Special extra-tight socks called compression socks, or wraps around your feet, can help push fluid away from your feet.

What You Can Do: Move Around

If you walk around every hour or so, it makes it harder for fluid to pool in any one place and keeps your blood moving through your body. Anything that moves your knees and flexes your ankles can help.

What You Can Do: Medicine

Some drugs used to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, and inflammation can make your body hold on to too much water, and that can make your feet swell. Other medications called diuretics can ease swelling -- they help your body get rid of fluid by making you pee more often. Always talk to your doctor before changing or stopping your meds.

When to Call Your Doctor

Get medical help right away if your feet are swollen and you’re short of breath or have chest pain. These could be signs of fluid or a blood clot in your lungs. See your doctor if:

• Your swollen foot keeps a dimple after you press it.

• Your skin in the swollen area looks stretched or breaks.

• You have pain and swelling that doesn’t go away.

 

What to Know about Varioeclectomy

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on April 28, 2021

Varicocelectomy is a surgery that removes swollen veins inside the scrotum, called varicoceles. There aren’t any medications that treat or get rid of varicoceles, so your doctor may recommend surgery to remove them.

What Are Varicoceles?

Varicoceles are veins in the scrotum, the pouch of skin where the testicles are held, that become swollen or enlarged. They're a fairly common problem, as it’s estimated that 10 to 15 out of every 100 men have a varicocele.

Varicoceles are similar to the varicose veins you might get in your legs in that the veins become swollen and twisted. Varicoceles are visible through your skin and carry sperm to the testicles. Since they are larger than they should be, these veins can cause blood to build up in your scrotum or even flow backward into the testicles.

In most cases, varicoceles don’t cause any problems or symptoms, but there can be complications, like:

• Pain in the scrotum

• Male infertility

• Reduced or impaired testosterone production

• A heavy feeling in the scrotum

Studies show that varicoceles can be the cause of infertility in about 40% of men who are trying to conceive their first child. That number goes up to about 80% when it comes to conceiving a second child.

Varicocelectomy Surgery

If you’re experiencing infertility or pain due to varicoceles, your doctor may suggest a varicocelectomy procedure. This is a surgery to remove the varicoceles by cutting the veins and then closing off the ends.

Micro-surgical varicocelectomy. In a micro-surgical varicocelectomy, the surgeon uses a microscope to find the right veins. This process can easily identify the veins to be removed and distinguish them from those that need to be preserved.‌

Your surgeon will make a 1-centimeter incision above your scrotum. Next, they will tie up the small veins and remove the varicoceles. Typically, this procedure takes 2 to 3 hours, and you can go home the same day.‌

Laparoscopic surgery. Another option is laparoscopic surgery, which is a varicocelectomy procedure that uses a thin tube, called a laparoscope. This small, lighted tube allows the doctor to make just a few tiny incisions during the procedure.

Your surgeon will insert the tubes through your abdomen, where there are fewer veins to tie off. This kind of varicocelectomy surgery only takes 30 to 40 minutes. You can also go home the same day.

Recovering from Surgery

Since you can go home from a varicocelectomy procedure the same day, most men are able to return to jobs with little activity within days of surgery. It takes 2 to 3 weeks to make a full recovery.

Recovering at home. You may need help from someone at home to help you recover. It’s important that you follow your doctor’s instructions when it comes to taking medicines and caring for your incisions. 

To help alleviate the pain after your surgery, apply an ice pack to your scrotum in 10-minute intervals for the first couple of days. This helps reduce the swelling, too.

Your doctor will also tell you to:

• Avoid having sex for the next week or two

• Avoid submerging your incision in water until it's fully healed

• Try not to do any heavy lifting or vigorous activity

• Try not to strain when using the bathroom, and take a stool softener if necessary

To make sure you’re healing properly, your urologist will schedule a follow-up appointment with you. In the case of infertility, your doctor will order a semen analysis 3 or 4 months after the varicocelectomy.

Risks and Complications

As with many surgeries, there are some possible risks and complications with varicocelectomy procedures. 

While they are rare, serious complications include:

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Blood clots in your legs

• Injury or damage to your testicle

• Atrophy, or shrinking of your testicle

• Chronic pain

The procedure also carries with it the risks linked to using anesthesia.

While the purpose of varicocelectomy procedures is to remove the varicoceles, there's a chance they can come back. It’s estimated up to 15% of men will have their varicocele come back after surgery.

Research shows that about 60% of men see an improvement in the quality of their semen after this procedure, but varicocelectomy surgery isn’t guaranteed to cure male infertility.

When to call a doctor. If you have any of the following complications after your varicocelectomy, you should contact your doctor right away:

• Signs of infection near your incision

• A fever of more than 100.4℉

• Swelling or pain that doesn’t go away

• Pain or swelling in your legs

• Persistent nausea and vomiting

© 2020 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

What to Expect in Your 70s

Is This Normal?

The way you grow older is specific to you. Lifestyle, among other things, can play a role in the process. But some changes in your 70s are universal, because they’re the result of the way your body works. Experts sometimes call this “pure aging.” These shifts happen in everyone who lives long enough. You can’t avoid them, but you can prepare if you know what to expect.

Your Mind

Parts of your brain shrink as you get older, and signaling between different areas can slow. That means you may have trouble remembering names or coming up with a specific word. It may be harder for you to multi-task and pay attention. If that makes you concerned about Alzheimer’s disease, don’t worry -- these are normal changes. Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia cause much more severe trouble with memory and everyday tasks.

Your Heart

As you age, your heart can’t beat as fast during exercise or when you’re stressed. As its walls get thicker and its valves get stiffer, blood may not flow through as efficiently. The heart’s electrical system may start to glitch, which can cause an irregular heartbeat. The most common problem is artery plaque buildup. But you can lower your risk of trouble with healthy habits, such as exercise, a heart-healthy diet, and not smoking.

Your Skin

Age spots and wrinkles are no surprise, but you may also find that you bruise more and sweat less. Your skin may be drier and more paper-like. It might be itchy and more easily irritated, too. It can help to switch to gentler soap and use moisturizer and sunscreen regularly. You might also try a humidifier.

Nutrition

Your metabolism slows as you age. You may need to cut calories to prevent weight gain. On the other hand, some people find that they don’t get as hungry or thirsty as they used to. As you eat less, choose foods that pack more nutrients into fewer calories, such as fruits and veggies, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein. Changes in your body could leave you short of vitamins D and B12, so you might need supplements, too.

Your Bones, Joints, and Muscles

About 1 in 4 women -- and some men, too -- over 65 have osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease. Your muscles get weaker, and the tendons -- which connect muscles to your skeleton -- get stiffer. This will decrease your strength and flexibility. In your 70s, you might lose an inch or two off your height as disks in your back flatten. Exercise, especially the weight-bearing kind, can help prevent these changes and may even reverse them.

Your Sleep

When you’re older, you spend less time each night in deep sleep and more in lighter phases. You might wake up more and have trouble going back to sleep. Insomnia can be an issue in your 70s, especially for women. You might also find yourself falling asleep and waking earlier. Despite the changes to your sleep patterns, you still need 7-8 hours a night. Do what you can to keep good sleep habits, and talk to your doctor about any troubles.

Your Immune System

Your body’s defenses lose a step in your 70s, which leaves you more vulnerable to illness. Vaccines don’t work as well as they once did for you, but because you’re susceptible to infection and viruses, it’s still important to get shots for flu, pneumonia, and shingles. On the plus side, allergies are less severe and autoimmune disorders are rare at this age.

Your Digestive System

Your stomach lining is more fragile, which raises your odds of having ulcers. That’s especially true if you take a lot of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Perhaps the most common problem at this age is constipation. Part of the reason is that your digestive system doesn’t move food through quite as well as before. Medications and lack of exercise may also play a role.

Your Urinary Tract

Your bladder can’t hold as much as it once did, and your muscles that support it have lost some strength. They might also squeeze when you don’t really need to go, which leads to an overactive bladder. All these things can send you to the bathroom more often. Many women in their 70s have trouble with urine leaking. Prostate trouble, which affects many men this age, can cause trouble going, too.

Your Sexuality

Research suggests that more people in their 70s today are sexually active than in previous eras. But there may be more challenges. You and your partner might have vaginal dryness or erectile dysfunction, as well as other health problems. Body image and stress can play a role, too. But you don’t have to give up on sex. Talk with your partner about what’s enjoyable, and ask your doctor for help with any medical issues that affect sex.

Your Vision

Your pupils react more slowly to changes in light, because your eye muscles are a bit weaker. You’ll need more time to adjust when you move between the indoors and bright sunlight. Some fine details are hard pick out, because there are fewer cells to send messages about what you see back to your brain. The lens gets thicker and more yellow, which makes it hard to see in dim lighting and makes colors less vibrant.

Your Ears

About one-third of people ages 65-74 have hearing loss, and about half of those over 75 do. High-pitched sounds are especially hard to make out, and that makes it hard to understand what others are saying. You may be able to figure out the vowels but not the consonants. Background noise also can interfere more with your conversations. If you find it harder to hear everyday sounds, talk to your doctor about things that can help.

Steps You Can Take

You can’t turn back the clock, but there are a lot of ways to stay healthy in your 70s. Diet and exercise are important. Monitor your health, especially when it comes to watching for problems like cancer and heart disease. Stay active socially, and challenge yourself mentally -- they will help fight mental decline. And talk to your doctor about changes in vision, hearing, digestion, and other issues so you can keep thriving with age.

 

What Causes Heart Palpitations

What It Feels Like

Your heart pounds, flutters, or seems to skip beats. You might call these feelings palpitations. Although they can feel scary, most aren't serious and rarely need treatment. Knowing what makes your heart race can help you not panic when it happens and know when to call your doctor.

Stress and Anxiety

Intense emotions can trigger the release of hormones that speed up your heartbeat. Your body gets ready to face a threat, even if you're not in danger. Panic attacks are intense bouts of fear that can last a few minutes. Symptoms include a racing heart, sweating, chills, trouble breathing, and chest pain. A panic attack can feel like a heart attack. If you're not sure which one you're having, get medical help.

Exercise

Working out is good for you. And a brisk run or intense indoor cycling  class will naturally make your heart beat faster. That helps your heart pump more blood to power your muscles through the workout. If your heart flutters or pounds, it could be because you haven't worked out in a while and you're out of condition. An irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, can also cause palpitations when you exercise.

Caffeine

Does your heart beat faster after your morning latte? Caffeine is a stimulant that raises your heart rate, whether you get it from coffee, soda,  an energy drink, tea, chocolate, or another source. One study found that caffeine from coffee, tea, and chocolate isn’t likely to cause palpitations in people with healthy hearts. But experts on't know whether it might trigger them in people with heart rhythm problems.

Nicotine

The addictive chemical in cigarettes and other tobacco products, nicotine  raises your blood pressure and speeds up your heart rate. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your heart, though it might not slow your heartbeat right away. Patches and other nicotine replacement products can make your heart race. Palpitations can also be a symptom of nicotine withdrawal, but they should stop within 3 to 4 weeks after you quit.

Nicotine

The addictive chemical in cigarettes and other tobacco products, nicotine raises your blood pressure and speeds up your heart rate. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your heart, though it might not slow your heartbeat right away. Patches and other nicotine replacement products can make your heart race. Palpitations can also be a symptom of nicotine withdrawal, but they should stop within 3 to 4 weeks after you quit.

Hormone Changes

Women might notice that their heartbeat speeds up when they have their period, they're pregnant, they’re close to menopause, or they're in menopause. The reason: hormone levels. The boost in heart rate is usually temporary and no reason for worry. If you're pregnant,palpitations can also happen if you're anemic, which means you don’t have enough red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your body.

Fever

When you have a fever during an illness, your body uses energy at a faster pace than usual. This can set off palpitations. Usually your temperature needs to be above 100.4 F to affect your heart rate.

Medicines

Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines cause palpitations as a side effect, including: -fungal medicines -psychotic drugs inhalers and cold medicines pills blood pressure medicines pills you take one or more of these types of meds, ask your doctor if it could affect your heartbeat. Don't skip any doses before you check with your doctor.

Low Blood Sugar

Have you ever noticed that you feel shaky, cranky, and weak when you've skipped a meal? It can also lead to palpitations. When your blood sugar level drops, your body releases stress hormones like adrenaline to prepare for an emergency food shortage. Adrenaline speeds up your heart rate.

Overactive Thyroid Gland

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck. It makes hormones that help manage your metabolism and other things. An overactive thyroid (called hyperthyroidism) can make too much thyroid hormone. That can speed up your heart so much that you feel it beating in your chest. Taking too much thyroid hormone to treat an under-active thyroid gland (called hypothyroidism) can also rev up your heartbeat.

Heart Rhythm Problems

Sometimes an irregular heart rhythm,  called an arrhythmia, causes palpitations.

• Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, happens when the heart's upper chambers, called the atria, flutter instead of beating normally.

• Supra-ventricular tachycardia is an abnormally fast heartbeat that starts in the heart's upper chambers.

• Ventricular tachycardia is a fast heart rate due to faulty signals in the heart's lower pumping chambers, called the ventricles.

Alcohol

If you drink a lot, or just have more than usual, you might feel your heart beating faster or fluttering. It often happens on holidays or weekends, when people drink more, earning it the nickname of "holiday heart syndrome.” But for some people, it can happen even when they only drink a little bit.

Premature Ventricular Contractions

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are extra heartbeats. They happen when your heart's ventricles squeeze too soon. The extra beat throws off your heart's normal rhythm and makes it flutter, pound, or jump in your chest. If your heart is healthy, occasional PVCs are nothing to worry about. But you might need treatment if you have heart disease and you get these extra beats often.

Cocaine and Other Street Drugs

Illegal drugs like amphetamines, cocaine, and ecstasy are dangerous to the heart. Cocaine boosts blood pressure, raises heart rate, and damages the heart muscle. Amphetamines stimulate the nervous system, which ramps up your heartbeat. Ecstasy triggers the release of a chemical called norepinephrine, which makes the heart beat faster.

When to See a Doctor

If you're healthy, you probably don't need to worry about palpitations that happen once in a while and last only a few seconds. But make a doctor's appointment if they come more often or you also have symptoms like these:

• Chest pain or pressure

• Shortness of breath

• Dizziness

• Fainting

Finding the Cause

These tests can help your doctor figure out what's going on:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG). This test looks for problems with the electrical signals that control your heart rhythm.

• Holter monitor. You wear this portable ECG for 24 to 72 hours at a time. It can find heart rhythm problems and any patterns that might need more tests.

• Event Monitor. You wear this device for several weeks. It records your heart rhythm when you press a button while having symptoms.

• Echo-cardiogram. This test uses sound waves to make pictures of your heart. It can find problems with your heart's structure.

 

Turns Out There Is Something about 10,000 Steps a Day

By Jay Croft

Oct. 5, 2022 -- It became conventional wisdom in many fitness circles a few years ago that we should all try to take 10,000 steps a day.

With daily fitness trackers keeping count, many people tried to hit that number – and some occasionally wondered if 10,000 was, in fact, some kind of important number.

Turns out: Yes, it is, according to new research.

A study in JAMA Neurology found that walking about 10,000 steps a day was linked to less cardiovascular disease (heart disease, stroke and heart failure), 13 types of cancer, and dementia.

Taking 10,000 steps is about the same as walking four or five miles, depending on your stride.

Still, the new research says you don’t have to take that many to get health benefits. For example, 9,800 steps lowers the risk of dementia by 50 percent, the research suggests, but taking just 3,800 a day lowers it by 25 percent.

A companion study in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine found that for every 2,000 steps a day, you could lower your risk of premature death by 8% to 11%.

“Both studies involved about 78,500 participants, all middle age and older, who wore a device on their wrist to measure physical activity and whose health was monitored for a median of seven years,” The Washington Post reported.

A higher intensity of walking increased the health benefits, too, the studies found. “Walking at a faster pace was linked to a lower risk for dementia, heart disease, cancer and early death, beyond the benefit accrued for the number of daily steps,” The Post wrote.

“The take-home message here is that for protective health benefits people could not only ideally aim for 10,000 steps a day but also aim to walk faster,” said co-lead author Matthew Ahmadi, research fellow at the University of Sydney.

© 2022 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

Top Cancer-Fighting Foods

Fighting Cancer by the Plateful

No single food can prevent cancer, but the right combination of foods may help make a difference. At mealtimes, strike a balance of at least two-thirds plant-based foods and no more than one-third animal protein. This "New American Plate" is an important cancer fighting tool, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. Check out better and worse choices for your plate.

Fighting Cancer With Color

Fruits and vegetables are rich in cancer-fighting nutrients -- and the more color, the more nutrients they contain. These foods can help lower your risk in a second way, too, when they help you reach and maintain a healthy body weight. Carrying extra pounds increases the risk for multiple cancers, including colon, esophagus, and kidney cancers. Eat a variety of vegetables, especially dark green, red, and orange vegetables.

The Cancer-Fighting Breakfast

Naturally occurring folate is an important B vitamin that may help protect against cancers of the colon, rectum, and breast. You can find it in abundance on the breakfast table. Fortified breakfast cereals and whole wheat products are good sources of folate. So are orange juice, melons, and strawberries.

More Folate-Rich Foods

Other good sources of folate are asparagus and eggs. You can also find it in beans, sunflower seeds, and leafy green vegetables like spinach or romaine lettuce. The best way to get folate is not from a pill, but by eating enough fruits, vegetables, and enriched grain products. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should take a supplement to make sure they get enough folic acid to help prevent certain birth defects.

Pass Up the Deli Counter

An occasional Reuben sandwich or hot dog at the ballpark isn't going to hurt you. But cutting back on processed meats like bologna, ham, and hot dogs will help lower your risk of colorectal and stomach cancers. Also, eating meats that have been preserved by smoking or with salt raises your exposure to chemicals that can potentially cause cancer.

Cancer-Fighting Tomatoes

Whether it's the lycopene -- the pigment that gives tomatoes their red color -- or something else isn't clear. But some studies have linked eating tomatoes to reduced risk of several types of cancer, including prostate cancer. Studies also suggest that processed tomato products such as juice, sauce, or paste increase the cancer-fighting potential.

Tea's Anticancer Potential

Even though the evidence is still spotty, tea, especially green tea, may be a strong cancer fighter. In laboratory studies, green tea has slowed or prevented the development of cancer in colon, liver, breast, and prostate cells. It also had a similar effect in lung tissue and skin. And in some longer term studies, tea was associated with lower risks for bladder, stomach, and pancreatic cancers. But more research in humans is needed before tea can be recommended as a cancer fighter.

Grapes and Cancer

Grapes and grape juice, especially purple and red grapes, contain resveratrol. Resveratrol has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In laboratory studies, it has prevented the kind of damage that can trigger the cancer process in cells. There is not enough evidence to say that eating grapes or drinking grape juice or wine (or taking supplements) can prevent or treat cancer.

Limit Alcohol to Lower Cancer Risk

Cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, liver, and breast are all linked with drinking alcohol. Alcohol may also raise the risk for cancer of the colon and rectum. The American Cancer Society recommends against drinking alcohol, but if you do, limit alcohol to no more than two drinks per day if you are a man and one drink a day if you are a woman. Women at higher risk for breast cancer may want to talk with a doctor about what amount of alcohol, if any, is safe based on their personal risk factors.

Water and Other Fluids Can Protect

Water not only quenches your thirst, but it may protect you against bladder cancer. The lower risk comes from water diluting concentrations of potential cancer-causing agents in the bladder. Also, drinking more fluids causes you to urinate more frequently. That lessens the amount of time those agents stay in contact with the bladder lining.

The Mighty Bean

Beans are so good for you, it's no surprise they may help fight cancer, too. They contain several potent phytochemicals that may protect the body's cells against damage that can lead to cancer. In the lab these substances slowed tumor growth and prevented tumors from releasing substances that damage nearby cells.

The Cabbage Family vs. Cancer

Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, and kale. These members of the cabbage family make an excellent stir fry and can really liven up a salad. But most importantly, components in these vegetables may help your body defend against cancers such as colon, breast, lung, and cervix. Lab research has been promising, but human studies have had mixed results.

Dark Green Leafy Vegetables

Dark green leafy vegetables such as mustard greens, lettuce, kale, chicory, spinach, and chard have an abundance of fiber, folate, and carotenoids. These nutrients may help protect against cancer of the mouth, larynx, pancreas, lung, skin, and stomach.

Protection From an Exotic Spice

Curcumin is the main ingredient in the Indian spice turmeric and a potential cancer fighter. Lab studies show it can suppress the transformation, proliferation, and invasion of cancerous cells for a wide array of cancers. Research in humans is ongoing.

Cooking Methods Matter

How you cook meat can make a difference in how big a cancer risk it poses. Frying, grilling, and broiling meats at very high temperatures causes chemicals to form that may increase cancer risk. Other cooking methods such as stewing, braising, or steaming appear to produce fewer of those chemicals. And when you do stew the meat, remember to add plenty of healthy vegetables.

A Berry Medley With a Punch

Strawberries and raspberries have a phytochemical called ellagic acid. This powerful antioxidant may actually fight cancer in several ways at once, including deactivating certain cancer causing substances and slowing the growth of cancer cells. There is not, though, enough proof yet to say it can fight cancer in humans.

Blueberries for Health

The potent antioxidants in blueberries may have wide value in supporting our health, starting with cancer. Antioxidants may help fight cancer by ridding the body of free radicals before they can do their damage to cells. But more research is needed. Try topping oatmeal, cold cereal, yogurt, even salad with blueberries to boost your intake of these healthful berries.

Pass on the Sugar

Sugar may not cause cancer directly. But it may displace other nutrient-rich foods that help protect against cancer. And it increases calorie counts, which contributes to overweight and obesity. Excess weight is also a cancer risk. Fruit offers a sweet alternative in a vitamin-rich package.

Don't Rely on Supplements

Vitamins may help protect against cancer. But that's when you get them naturally from food. Both the American Cancer Society and the American Institute for Cancer Research emphasize that getting cancer-fighting nutrients from foods like nuts, fruits, and green leafy vegetables is vastly superior to getting them from supplements. Eating a healthy diet is best.

 

Facts About Fish Oil and Omega 3s

Fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel, as well as fish oil capsules all have heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. But adding fish to your diet has bonuses you won't get from a supplement: calcium and vitamins B2 and D. It's also an excellent source of protein. So try to eat fish more often. Have it two times a week instead of meat. If you have heart problems, though, you may need to boost your omega-3s with a supplement or a prescription if you have very high triglycerides. Talk to your doctor.

Omega-3s like DHA and EPA, which are found mainly in fish, can help lower triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood. To lower those levels, you should take 2-4 grams of DHA/EPA a day under the supervision of your doctor. If you don't have high triglycerides, find a favorite fish to eat. Fish is still your best bet for omega-3s. While organ meats, like liver, do have some omega-3s, you can't rely on them to give you all you need. Walnuts provide an omega-3 called ALA, which your body doesn't make. ALA is also found in:

• Some vegetable oils, especially flaxseed oil

• Green vegetables like kale or spinach

Your body can turn ALA into small amounts of EPA and DHA, the omega-3s found in fish. There's more proof that they protect against heart disease. Vegetarians and vegans can try algae oils as a source of omega-3s.

Krill oil, made from shrimp-like creatures, has about as much DHA as fish oil. And it has even more EPA. Krill oil is at least as good a source of omega-3s as fish oil is for lowering triglycerides and cholesterol.

Eat fish -- preferably oily fish like salmon, herring, lake trout, sardines, or albacore tuna -- twice a week. A serving is 3.5 ounces, or about 3/4 cup of flaked fish.

It's generally safe to eat up to 12 ounces of fish or shellfish a week, if they don’t have much mercury. Fish that are low in it include:

• Shrimp

• Canned light tuna

• Salmon

• Pollock

• Catfish

Fish can come in contact with things like mercury, PCBs, and other contaminants through the environment, as well as household and industrial waste. Over time, these things can cause health problems, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Wild Alaskan salmon is rich in omega-3s and has low levels of chemicals.

But swordfish and mackerel are among a group of fish high in contaminants like mercury and PCB. This list also includes:

• Shark

• Marlin

• Tilefish

• Tuna steak

• Bluefin

• Bigeye

DHA in a mom's diet has been linked to a brainpower boost in their babies. But studies haven't always found that same benefit from taking fish oil supplements.

Pregnant women should eat some, but not a lot, of fish that's low in mercury. In most cases, you should try to get the same amount of omega-3s as other healthy adults. Have low-mercury fish twice a week -- just make sure those two servings don't add up to more than 12 ounces.

DHA does help your baby's brain and eyes develop. It also reduces the risk of premature birth. Remember, your body can turn healthy fats in dark leafy greens or flaxseed oil into this important nutrient

Some people who take fish oil capsules are bothered by fish burps or a fishy taste in their mouth. Often, there's a simple answer: Take them with meals.

Also, you can swallow them frozen.

Fish oil supplements seem to help prevent more troubles for people with heart disease. Heart patients should get about 1 gram of EPA and DHA combined, preferably from fish, every day. Supplements may also help, but check with your doctor.

If you take aspirin, warfarin, or other drugs for heart patients, know that fish oil can thin the blood. At high doses, it might thin it too much.

Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids lower high triglycerides, a common problem in people with diabetes. Talk with your doctor about taking fish oil if you have high triglycerides for any reason.

Research hasn't shown consistently that omega-3s help asthma. Research on Alzheimer's and dementia patients has found a link between low levels of DHA and those diseases, but taking more omega-3s hasn't been found to improve either condition. Studies have shown that adding DHA does improve memory and learning in older healthy adults.

 

Symptoms of Immune System Problems

What Are Immune System Problems?

Your immune system should fight off disease and help your body heal. But your immune system can be weak, under-active, overactive, or even attack your body by mistake. Immune system problems can cause symptoms, allergic reactions, or persistent illnesses.

Dry or Gritty Eyes

Very dry eyes can be a sign of immune system problems. In Sjögren’s syndrome, your immune system dries up tears that keep eyes moist. Your eyes are dry, red, and may feel like you have grit or sand in them. You can develop blurry vision or even cornea damage.

Depression

Depression can be a sign of immune system problems. A faulty immune system can send inflammatory cells called cytokines to your brain. They lower your levels of chemicals like serotonin that lift your mood. The good news: Exercise can boost serotonin, lessen inflammation, and help ease your depression.

Skin Rash

Eczema’s itchy rash is an allergic reaction that means your immune system is overactive. Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are diseases linked to a faulty immune system. Your immune system attacks your own skin cells with inflammation. This can cause red, flaky, painful blotches called plaques.

Stomach or Bowel Problems

Stomach and bowel symptoms may be signs of an immune symptom problem. Diarrhea, belly pain, bloating, and weight loss are symptoms of Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or celiac disease -- conditions driven by your immune system.

Cold Hands and Feet

Do your hands and feet turn white or blue in the cold? In Raynaud’s disease, blood flow to hands and feet may slow down in cold temperatures, causing skin to feel cold and change colors. It’s an autoimmune condition. Cold hands and feet could mean your thyroid gland is under-active due to your immune system.

Hair Loss

Your immune system can attack your hair at the root and damage it, causing alopecia areata, or hair loss. Hair may fall out in small patches on your head or anywhere on your body. Other immune system problems like plaque psoriasis on your scalp can cause patchy hair loss too.

Sun Sensitivity

Immune system problems can make you very sensitive to sunlight. If you have lupus, your skin may burn easily from even brief sun exposure. Sun on your skin can cause an immune system flare-up of all lupus symptoms, so always wear hats, sunglasses, cover-ups, and high SPF sunscreen to protect yourself.

Joint Pain

Suddenly painful, swollen, stiff joints may be a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In RA, your immune system inflames tissue lining your joints. This causes severe joint pain.

Wounds Slow to Heal

If your immune system is sluggish, minor wounds like a cut, burn, or scrape may be slow to heal. A healthy immune system reacts quickly to a wound and sends nutrients to promote healing. If your wounds take a long time to get better, your immune system may be under-active.

You Get Sick All the Time

Frequent infections like colds or flu also could be signs of an under-active immune system. If you have four or more yearly ear infections, chronic sinus infections, pneumonia twice in one year, or you need antibiotics twice a year or more often, you could have an immune deficiency.

Fatigue

You may feel tired after lots of activity. But if you’re wiped out often, even when you do get sleep, you may have a sluggish immune system. Fatigue is when you’re so exhausted you can’t even walk across the room. An overactive immune system may trigger inflammation that causes this severe tiredness.

 

Supplement Smarts: Best Ways to Take Different Vitamins

Make Food Your Plan A

With hundreds of supplements available, it’s hard to believe that not every nutrient in whole foods has been captured in a capsule. That’s why eating a variety of healthy foods is the best way to meet your health needs. But if you’re low on a certain vitamin or mineral, or just want to cover all bases with a daily MVM (multivitamin/mineral), these tips will help you get the most from it.

Timing Your Multi

You can take your MVM any time you’d like. Your body absorbs some of its vitamins better with food, so you may want to take it with a meal or a snack. You’ll also avoid the upset stomach that you can get when you take it on an empty stomach. Not a breakfast person? Have it with lunch or even dinner.

When to Take Water-Soluble Vitamins

Water dissolves them, and your body doesn’t store them, so most must be taken every day. They include C and the B’s: thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folic acid (B9), and cobalamin (B12). Take them with or without food, with one exception: You’ll absorb B12 better with a meal. If you also use vitamin C, put 2 hours between them. Vitamin C can keep your body from using B12.

When to Take Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamins A, D, E, and K need to go with fat from a meal for your body to absorb and use them. But you don’t need a lot of fat -- or any saturated fat. The healthy plant-based kind you find in foods like avocado or nuts will do just fine.

If You Take Iron Supplements

You absorb iron best on an empty stomach. Take it with water or, better yet, a citrus juice: Iron and vitamin C have a tag-team effect. If it makes you queasy, save it for right after a meal. But don’t mix it with calcium or high-calcium foods -- these interfere with iron. You won’t take in either one fully. Men and postmenopausal women should skip supplements with this mineral unless a doctor says otherwise. The average MVM has more than you need.

If You Take Mineral Supplements

Large doses of minerals can compete with each other to be absorbed. Don’t use calcium, zinc, or magnesium supplements at the same time. Also, these three minerals are easier on your tummy when you take them with food, so if your doctor recommends them, have them at different meals or snacks. Don’t take any individual mineral at the same time as an MVM or an antioxidant vitamin formula, like one with beta-carotene and lycopene. Also see: What is silicon dioxide and how is it used in supplements?

If You Take Vitamin A

Watch the amount of what’s called preformed vitamin A. If you’re pregnant, doses over 10,000 IU a day can cause birth defects. High levels of both A and the usually safe beta-carotene (a substance that the body coverts to vitamin A) may raise your chances of having lung cancer if you’re a smoker, and maybe even if you’re a former smoker.

Prenatal Vitamins and Morning Sickness

Extra folic acid and iron are very important for a healthy baby. They can be found in most prenatal vitamins. But some prenatal vitamins can make nausea worse, mostly because of the iron. If this happens to you, pair your prenatal vitamins with a light snack before you go to bed. Talk to your doctor about the best prenatal formula for you.

Supplements and Your Prescriptions

Even essential nutrients can interfere with many common medications. If you take a traditional blood thinner like warfarin, just the small amount of vitamin K in an MVM can cut its strength. Taking more than 1,000 mg of vitamin E per day can raise your risk for bleeding. And if you take thyroid medication, taking calcium, magnesium, or iron within 4 hours can cut its strength. Ask your doctor about how best to time it.

The Alphabet of Amounts

RDA (recommended daily allowance) is the daily amount of a nutrient you should get, based on sex and age. DV (daily value) is the percentage of a nutrient that a supplement or food serving adds to the average daily diet for all ages. UL (upper limit) is the most of a nutrient you should get in a day. Side effects from big doses range from tiredness or diarrhea to kidney stones or organ damage.

Know What’s Inside

There’s no one standard MVM formula. Some have more nutrients than recommended. Others may come up short on some RDAs. For instance, the amount of calcium you need to meet the RDA is too much to fit into a tablet that you could easily swallow. Scan the full ingredients list so you know exactly what’s in the supplement you’re considering. This will also help you know if you need to time when you take it.

Personalize Your Formula

Another way to get more of the nutrients you need is to shop for formulas geared to your age and sex. For example, many vitamins for seniors have more calcium and vitamins D and B12 than younger people need. As you get older, your body doesn’t do as good a job of absorbing B12. Women in particular often need extra calcium and vitamin D after menopause to protect bones. Men’s formulas leave out the iron.

Are Gummies Any Good?

Opinions about gummy vitamins are mixed. One study found that people who take vitamin D in gummy form get more from it than from a tablet. On the other hand, gummies can have a lot of sugar and calories. And because they taste like candy, it’s easy to go overboard and eat too many. They may even cause cavities. Also, not all brands contain all essential vitamins and minerals. Some may not even contain the amounts listed on the label.

Look for Quality Checks

Since the FDA doesn’t regulate supplements, look for brands that have been “verified” by one of the three companies that test supplements in the U.S.: Pharmacopeia, Consumer Lab, or NSF International. These testing organizations verify that what’s on the label is in the bottle in the right amounts.

Keep a Supplement Diary

If you keep a log, it can help you time out different supplements and keep track of how much you take every day. The National Institute of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements has a form called "My Dietary Supplement and Medicine Record" that you can print out and fill in. Bring it with you, along with your medication list, when you go to doctor visits.

 

Sudden Health Problems After 50

One Minute You’re Fine …

When you’re past 50, some ailments can announce themselves suddenly and painfully. And aches and ouches you might not worry much about when you’re younger could be a sign of bigger problems in middle age.

Heart Attack

This is the big one: 735,000 people have one every year. A 50-year-old man has a 1 in 2 chance of getting heart disease at some point. The most common signs are chest pain, shortness of breath, and pain in your back, shoulders, or neck. You might also feel sweaty, dizzy, or like you’re going to throw up. Your risk is lower if you’re at a healthy weight, don’t smoke, and get regular exercise.

Stroke

This is when blood doesn’t get to parts of your brain like it should, and those brain cells start to die. Get help right away if you have sudden weakness or numbness in your face, arms, or legs, you lose your bearings or get confused, and have trouble speaking. You can lower your odds if you keep your blood pressure in check, eat a low-cholesterol diet, manage your stress, exercise, and quit smoking.

Aneurysm

Many of the lifestyle changes you make to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke can make you less likely to have this as well. An aneurysm happens when the wall of an artery gets weak and bulges outward. If that wall gives way, it can lead to serious internal bleeding or a stroke. Symptoms can include pain, nausea, dizziness, clammy skin, and a rapid heartbeat.

Gallstones

These are hardened chunks of bile, a fluid that helps your body get rid of waste. They get stuck on the way out of your gallbladder, a small organ below your liver. They can range in size from  a grain of sand to a golf ball and  can cause severe pain in your upper belly or behind your belly button. You're more likely to get them if you’re obese, have diabetes or Crohn’s disease, or don’t exercise.

Acute Pancreatitis

Sometimes, gallstones can set this off. It’s inflammation of the pancreas, which makes enzymes and hormones like insulin that help with digestion. It causes severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and a fever, and  can be life-threatening. Seek medical help immediately if you have these symptoms. It also can be caused by heavy drinking, high levels of calcium, or a kind of fat called triglycerides.

Broken Bones

These can happen at any age, but your bones may become brittle as you get older and be more likely to break. A loss of bone is known as osteoporosis, and it's especially common in older women. Calcium and vitamin D can help slow it or stop it from getting worse, and certain drugs can help you keep bone, or even help you  rebuild it.

Vertigo

If you suddenly find yourself dizzy, you might have vertigo. It can happen if tiny crystals in your inner ear, which help you control your balance, get moved around. You’re more likely to get it as you get older, probably because the crystals aren’t held in place as well. Your doctor can treat it with a series of head movements that move those particles back into place.

Detached Retina

Your retina is a light-sensitive layer in your eye that tells your brain what you see. If it pulls away from the outer wall of your eye, it won't get oxygen and other things it needs. You might see floating specks or flashes of light. You can permanently lose your eyesight, so see a doctor right away. It’s more common in people who are very nearsighted or have had cataract surgery or other eye diseases.

Kidney Stones

These are hard clumps, usually made of calcium, that form in your kidneys. They often pass harmlessly out of your body, but larger ones can be extremely painful and cause bleeding or infections or block the flow of urine. They’re more common in men than women. You can help prevent them by drinking plenty of fluids every day. Water is best.

Pneumonia

People over 50 are at higher risk of the kind of pneumonia caused by bacteria, not the one caused by a virus. Called pneumococcal pneumonia, it can be life-threatening. Older people are more likely to get it because your body’s immune system gets weaker as you age. But there are vaccine for it, and the CDC recommends them for everyone over 65.

Spinal Stenosis

This develops slowly, but it can make itself known suddenly. It happens when the channel in your backbone that holds your spinal cord and other nerves narrows, usually because of arthritis. The nerves can be pinched or squeezed, causing pain, numbness, or cramps in your lower back or neck. It can be treated with drugs or physical therapy, or, in some cases, surgery.

Gout

This condition shows up as a sudden pain and swelling in one of your joints, often a big toe. It’s a form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in your body. If you take certain medications for high blood pressure, eat red meat and shellfish, or drink alcohol, you’re at higher risk. The soda sweetener known as fructose also raises your risk, and so does obesity.

Pulmonary Embolism

This is when a blood clot gets stuck in a blood vessel in one of your lungs. Your chances of having one go up after age 50, and it can be serious, so get medical help fast if you have chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, and dizziness. You also can have a cough that may even bring up some blood, leg pains, and clammy or bluish skin. The blood clot often starts in your leg, so an early sign might be swelling or pain in one of your calves.

Your risk goes up if you’ve had heart disease or recent surgery, or you were in a cramped position (like in an airplane or car) for a long stretch of time.

 

Sex-Drive Killers

Sex-Drive Killer: Stress

Some people do many things well when they're stressed. Feeling sexy usually isn't one of them. Stress at work, home, or in relationships can happen to anyone. Learning how to handle it in a healthy way really helps. You can do a lot of it yourself, and a counselor or doctor can also help.

Sex-Drive Killer: Partner Problems

Problems with your partner are among the top sex-drive killers. For women, feeling close is a major part of desire. For both sexes, watch for fallout from fights, poor communication, feeling betrayed, or other trust issues. If it's tricky to get back on track, reach out to a couples counselor.

Sex-Drive Killer: Alcohol

A drink may make you feel more open to sex. But too much alcohol can numb your sex drive. Being drunk can also be a turn-off for your partner. If you have trouble drinking less, seek help.

Sex-Drive Killer: Too Little Sleep

If your sexual get-up-and-go is gone, maybe you're not getting enough sleep. Do you go to bed too late or rise too early? Do you have a sleep problem like trouble falling or staying asleep, or a condition such as sleep apnea? Anything that messes with a good night's rest can mess with sex. Fatigue saps sexy feelings. Work on your sleep habits, and if that doesn't help, talk to your doctor.

Sex-Drive Killer: Having Kids

You don't lose your sex drive once you're a parent. However, you do lose some time to be close with kids under foot. Hire a babysitter to nurture some time to be partners as well as parents. New baby? Try sex during baby's nap time.

Sex-Drive Killer: Medication

Some drugs can turn down desire. They include some of these types of medications:

• Anti-depressants

• Blood pressure medications

• Birth control pills (some studies show a link; others don't)

• Chemotherapy

• Anti-HIV drugs

• Finasteride

Switching drugs or dosages may help -- ask your doctor about that and never stop taking any medicine on your own. Tell your doctor, too, if your sex drive stalls soon after you start taking a new drug.

Sex Drive Killer: Poor Body Image

Feeling sexy is easier if you like how you look. Work on accepting your body as it is today, even if you're working to get in shape. Feeling good about yourself can put you in the mood. If your partner has low esteem, assure them that they're sexy.

Sex-Drive Killer: Obesity

When you're overweight or obese, desire often dims. It could be that you don't enjoy sex, can't perform like you want to, or are held back by low self-esteem. Working on how you feel about yourself, with a counselor if needed, may make a big difference.

Sex-Drive Killer: Erection Problems

Men with ED (erectile dysfunction) often worry about how they will be able to perform sexually, and that worry can drain their desire. ED can be treated, and couples can also work to keep it from affecting their relationship.

Sex-Drive Killer: Low T

The "T" hormone, testosterone, fuels sex drive. As men age, their T levels may drop a bit. Not all lose the desire for sex as this happens, but some do. Many other things -- from relationships to weight -- also affect a man's sex drive and testosterone levels, so there's not a one-size-fits-all answer for every man.

Sex-Drive Killer: Depression

Being depressed can shut off pleasure in many things, including sex. That's one of many reasons to get help. If your treatment involves medication, tell your doctor if your sex drive is low, since some (but not all) depression drugs lower sex drive. Talk about it with your therapist, too.

Sex-Drive Killer: Menopause

For many women, sex drive dims around menopause. That's partly about symptoms such as vaginal dryness and pain during sex. But every woman is different, and it's possible to have a great sex life after menopause by tending to your relationship, self esteem, and overall health.

Sex-Drive Killer: Lack of Closeness

Sex without feeling close can slay desire. Intimacy is more than just sex. If your sex life is idling, try spending more non-sexual time together, just the two of you. Talk, snuggle, trade massages. Find ways to express love without having sex. Getting closer can rebuild your sex drive.

 

Respiratory Infections Are Rising Among Children

By Jay Croft

Oct. 11, 2022 -- America’s kids are experiencing an increase in respiratory illness, and it’s not just because of coronavirus, experts say.

Respiratory infections typically go up during the winter months. But this year’s increase has started earlier and stronger than normal.

“Sick kids are crowding emergency rooms in various parts of the country, and some pediatric hospitals say they are running out of beds,” National Public Radio reported.

"Rates are as high as 25% of those [who have] tested positive for RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). That is quite unusual for October, we would typically start to see higher rates in November, December and January," Ibukun Kalu, MD, a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases at Duke Children's Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, told NPR.

She said more adults could become affected in the coming colder months.

"The reason for more severe illnesses with some of these viruses is the smaller airways in kids,” she said. “Because the viruses get in there and cause such a high amount of inflammation, they are unable to clear out a lot of these secretions or get air in."

In September, the CDC said it had been alerted by health care providers "about increases in pediatric hospitalizations in patients with severe respiratory illness who also tested positive for rhinovirus (RV) and/or enterovirus (EV)."

The CDC advised hospitals to keep awareness up about severe infections among pediatric patients; patients were urged to keep an eye out for symptoms such as difficulty breathing and sudden onset of limb weakness.

© 2022 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

Reasons You're Always Cold

Anemia

Wondering why you feel chilly? This condition might be a cause. Anemia happens when you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to bring your body all the oxygen it needs. It will leave you tired, weak, dizzy, and short of breath. It can also make you cold, especially your hands and feet. Your doctor will find the cause and tell you if you need changes in your diet, supplements, or another treatment.

You Don't Get Enough Iron

Without the right amount of this nutrient, you can get "iron-deficiency anemia," which can make you cold. It may be caused by blood loss, a poor diet, or because your body can't absorb it well. The best source is red meat, but it's also in poultry, pork, and fish. Some non-meat sources include iron-fortified breads and cereals, peas, soybeans, chickpeas, and dark green leafy vegetables.

You Don't Get Enough Vitamin B12

It can bring on anemia, which can make you cold. You can get vitamin B12 when you eat chicken, eggs, and fish. Some cereals and other foods are fortified with it, too.

Keep in mind that you may not get enough B12 even if you eat lots of food with it. Some people have trouble absorbing the vitamin because of an illness or medication they take.

Hypothyroidism

It's when the thyroid gland in your neck doesn't make enough of some  hormones. It can make you overly sensitive to cold. You also may have aching joints, constipation, dry skin, and weight gain. Symptoms can take years to show up.

Hypothyroidism may be caused by many things, including illness or treatments for other conditions. Your doctor can prescribe man-made hormones to replace the ones your body doesn't make.

Raynaud's Phenomenon

When you have it, blood vessels in your hands overreact to cold temperatures or stress. During an attack, which usually lasts from a few minutes to an hour, they narrow and limit blood supply. This can make your fingers and toes cold and numb, and they may turn white or blue. As blood returns, they may start to tingle or even hurt. Medicine can ease symptoms and prevent tissue damage. You may need surgery if it's a severe case.

Kidney Disease

Diabetes and high blood pressure often cause kidney disease. Waste may build up to dangerous levels because your kidneys do a poor job of filtering your blood. This can lower body temperature and cause other problems. Kidney disease is also linked to anemia, which can make you feel cold even when it's warm outside. You may get relief when your doctor treats your kidney disease.

Peripheral Artery Disease

It happens when plaque narrows your arteries and makes it harder for your legs, and sometimes arms, to get enough blood. If one leg is much colder than the other, especially if it's also painful, numb, or weak, it could be a sign of the disease. Get emergency medical help if you notice these symptoms. Changes in diet and exercise can sometimes help, but your doctor may suggest medicine and sometimes a procedure or surgery to treat it.

Anorexia Nervosa

It's an eating disorder that leads you to drastically cut your calorie count and can make you dangerously thin. The lack of body fat can leave you feeling cold all the time, especially in the hands and feet. This condition can be life-threatening. Talk to a doctor if you think you or a loved one has this disorder.

Flu

It's caused by a virus that affects your whole body, including your nose, throat, and lungs. You can get a high fever and chills along with headache, muscle ache, cough, and weakness. It can be serious, especially for children and older adults. Get an annual flu vaccine to help stay healthy.

Peripheral Neuropathy

If your feet feel cold but aren't cold to the touch, it could be a sign of this condition. It often starts at the toes and moves up the leg. It happens when an injury or a medical condition damages your nerves. Diabetes is a common cause. You may also get it because of infections, liver or kidney disease, you don't get enough vitamins, or contact with toxic chemicals. Your doctor can treat the cause of the problem.

Hypopituitarism

It happens when your pituitary gland doesn't make enough of certain hormones. One typical symptom is that you're sensitive to cold or find it hard to stay warm. You also may get anemia, lose your appetite, and drop some pounds. Your doctor will try to treat the cause of your hypopituitarism or suggest medication that replaces the missing hormones.

Medication

Some drugs may make you feel colder as a side effect. Beta-blockers, for example, help the heart relax and stop your body from making harmful chemicals in response to heart disease. But you also may feel dizzy, tired, nauseous, and colder in your hands and feet. Talk to your doctor. They may suggest you switch meds or lower your dose.

Drinking Alcohol

It may seem to warm you up at first because it makes your blood flood the widened blood vessels just under the skin. But your temperature will drop as your body draws blood away from your core to warm the surface of your skin. Alcohol also depresses the part of your brain that regulates your temperature. In freezing weather, this can cause you to get dangerously cold, a condition called hypothermia.

 

Non-Contagious Skin Condition to Know

Psoriasis

More than 7.5 million adults in the U.S. have psoriasis. It is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, which shows up as plaques or scales on your skin. The most common flare-ups happen on your elbows, knees, and scalp. But plaque can pop up anywhere. There are five types of psoriasis: guttate, pustular, plaque, inverse, and erythrodermic. There is no known cause or cure, but it can be managed well with topical or oral medication and phototherapy.

Eczema

Itchy skin, dryness, swelling, and discoloration are common symptoms of eczema, an inflammatory skin condition that can range from mild to severe. There are seven types that can affect anyone at any age, including newborns. If you have light skin, eczema may look red. If you have dark skin, it may look gray, dark brown, or purple. There are many ways to manage it, including topical drugs, phototherapy, and oral or injectable medication. A daily routine of bathing and moisturizing is important, too.

Vitiligo

If you have a smooth, white patch where your skin has lost its color, or an area where your skin and hair are white, it may be vitiligo. It happens when your body’s immune system kills the skin cells that produce pigment. Vitiligo might cover a small area and stay that way, or grow larger and spread. You can treat it with oral or topical medications, phototherapy, or skin grafts, depending on the type you have and where it is.

Rosacea

There’s more to rosacea than the signature blush or sunburn that doesn’t fade away. Bumps, pimples, visible blood vessels, thickened skin, and watery eyes are common across all skin types. Because it mainly affects your face, rosacea can change how you feel about your appearance and how comfortable you feel in public. There are targeted treatments for each symptom and level of severity, including oral and topical drugs and lasers.

Hives

Hives are red or flesh-colored bumps that itch. They may look like bug bites, but hives turn white in the center when you press them, and they come and go quickly. They can be triggered by an allergy – to things like food, medication, pollen, a pet, or latex – or an infection, hormones, or strong emotions. Use an over-the-counter antihistamine for a mild case. Treat a severe case that makes it hard to breathe with epinephrine.

Shingles

If you had chickenpox as a child, that virus, which lies dormant in your nerves for decades, can reactivate later in life as shingles. Also called herpes zoster, shingles can start out as itchy skin that turns into a rash. Small red spots turn into blisters that scab over and heal in 2-4 weeks. You can’t cure it, but you can manage symptoms with pain relief meds, antivirals, itch creams, and steroids.

Acne

Whiteheads, blackhead, pustules, papules – it’s all acne. Your pores become blocked with bacteria, oil, hair, and dead skin cells and produce pimples on your face, neck, chest, shoulders, or back. Driven largely by hormones, acne pops up during puberty and can continue, on and off, throughout adulthood. Your dermatologist may suggest a topical over-the-counter medication or prescribe a stronger oral or topical drug.

Alopecia

Known for causing hair loss, alopecia happens when your body attacks the follicles where your hair grows. There are three types: Alopecia areata involves patchy baldness anywhere on your body; alopecia totalis causes a bald scalp; and alopecia universalis, which is rare, leaves your body completely hairless. Treatment depends on what kind of alopecia you have and where it affects you, but may include topicals, shots, or oral medications.

Skin Cancer

Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma are types of skin cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S. Like other types of cancer, it happens when cells don’t grow old and die as they should. Look for a skin change, like a new growth or change in a mole. In most cases, skin cancer can be cured if it’s caught and removed early.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is caused by an irritant, like latex or soap, or an allergy to something, like nickel or poison ivy. On light skin, it’s an itchy, red rash. On dark skin, it may look more like a dark, leathery patch. Use a cool, wet cloth to soothe the itch, along with calamine lotion or a 1% hydrocortisone cream. In more serious cases, your dermatologist may prescribe a steroid cream or an oral medication. Most rashes fade in 2 to 4 weeks.