Hello,
Your friend is having numbness in the hands and cold. Her legs feel weak when climbing stairs and she feels like she's almost out of breath. She is a non smoker and a non drinker. Your friends symptoms can be related with developing
peripheral neuropathy. The nerves in her arms or wrists may be affected. Such symptoms can also occur because of pinched or damaged nerves.
Other medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms are anxiety, common cold, low blood pressure,
hypothermia,
hypoglycemia,
thyroid dysfunction, anemia, general body weakness,
dehydration, etc. You are suggested to get her a complete medical check up done. She should get Nerve conduction velocity tests, T3 T4 TSH, Blood Sugar(F/PP), CBC, etc., done along with imaging tests if required.
Her treatment will depend on the pathology detected. She should stay away from addictions if any. In the meantime, she should avoid skipping meals, take adequate water and fluids. If obese should lose weight & maintain healthy weight. If diabetic, she should maintain blood sugar level at all cost. She should take food good for the nerves or can also take supplements, NervUp OD, once daily for 10 days.
Take food rich in iron to prevent
shortness of breath due to anemia. She can get clinically examined by a GP to rule out URTIs (upper
respiratory tract infections). She should manage stress both physical and emotional.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician