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What Causes Cold Hands And Feet When Suffering From Paralysis?
Question: Patient had total hip replacement 5 yrs ago. was given spinal epidural which sent air embolic to bilateral brain. This left him with paralysis and to be bedridden with neuropathy. He always cold and hands and feet are ice cold. Is it possible to take axillary temp getting 99.3 and tell him he's not cold enough for a blanket ?
Brief Answer:
Both temperatures are important.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted the patient's problems.
There are two kinds of temperature- peripheral and central (or core). Peripheral temperature refers to the temperature of hands and feet. I know from your description that patient feels cold in those areas, implying a low peripheral temperature. This requires the use of blankets.
Core or central temperature can be found out by measuring axillary (or preferably oral or rectal) temperature. This is more useful to decide whether or not to use medications to lower the temperature (if there is fever).
So, both temperatures are useful depending upon the situation.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Both temperatures are important.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted the patient's problems.
There are two kinds of temperature- peripheral and central (or core). Peripheral temperature refers to the temperature of hands and feet. I know from your description that patient feels cold in those areas, implying a low peripheral temperature. This requires the use of blankets.
Core or central temperature can be found out by measuring axillary (or preferably oral or rectal) temperature. This is more useful to decide whether or not to use medications to lower the temperature (if there is fever).
So, both temperatures are useful depending upon the situation.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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