Warming up cold hands and feet

If your hands and feet always seem to be cold, try these simple measures to keep warm:

� Wear warm clothes

This will keep your whole body warm and help maintain circu-lation to your hands and feet. Layer clothing for indoor as well as outdoor wear. Try wearing a long-sleeved, silk camisole or shirt under a blouse or sweater, topped by a wool jacket for in-door dress. Use warmth-conserving fabrics such as silk, wool or down, or synthetic fabrics such as polypropylene or Thinsulate.

� Exercise

During activity, small, surface blood vessels dilate and more warm blood flows to your hands and feet. The effect can last for several hours.

� Avoid nicotine and limit caffeine

Both are vasoconstrictors that narrow blood vessels and reduce blood flow to small, surface vessels.

� Avoid certain medications

Certain migraine medications with ergot derivatives and beta blockers such as propranolol act as vasoconstrictors and may cause cold hands and feet. If you suspect that a medication might be causing such symptoms, talk with your doctor, but don't make changes to your medication regimen without your doctor's advice.

� Reduce stress

Tense, high-strung people seem more likely to have cold hands. Chronic stress and anxiety can cause your nervous system to continually pump out adrenaline. This hormone also acts as a vasoconstrictor.