The Advice Doctor

Dear Advice Doctor,

My wedding is coming up in just three weeks and I’m having cold feet! This is a terrible situation! What should I do? Help!

— I Am a Horrible Person

Dear Horrible,

Now, now. Please don’t be so hard on yourself. You are certainly far from the first person to experience cold feet before their wedding day. It’s just part of the human experience. In fact, many people continue to experience cold feet after their wedding day (to the annoyance of their mates). What is the cause? And what can be done about it?

There are a number of potential causes, but one thing they all have in common is poor circulation. The big question is why? For example, in cold climates the circulatory system automatically restricts blood flow to the extremities to protect vital organs like the brain, heart and lungs.

Of course, that’s not much of a problem in this part of the country and this time of year.

Other reasons might be high stress levels. When the body injects adrenaline into the bloodstream, it narrows arteries, restricting blood flow. Smoking has the same effect, narrowing arteries and impeding circulation. The result can be cold feet. Reason #647 to quit smoking, right?

Those causes could all be self-diagnosed and selfcorrected. But there are other possible reasons that your doctor can accurately diagnose and help treat. For instance, being anemic means you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells, and they are the oxygen carriers to every cell in the body. Insufficient carriers can result in cold feet. Ditto for an underactive thyroid, which can slow metabolism, yet another possible cold feet cause. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are known contributors to poor circulation, particularly in the extremities. Have your blood sugar checked, and also get checked for peripheral neuropathy. There are other possible medical causes, but something very basic that may be overlooked is simply exercising. Get blood flowing. Stretch, take a walk, ride a bike. Get moving and blood flow will follow.

I hope I answered your question. In closing, congratulations for not letting cold feet interfere with your wedding plans

Do you have a question for The Advice Doctor about life, love, personal relationships, career, raising children, or any other important topic? Send it to News@AugustaRx.com. Replies will be provided only in the Examiner.

Why read the Medical Examiner: Reason #516