Why do some people feel cold more than others .. 9 scientific reasons that explain it!
Some people feel "cold" more than others, so if you are one of them, you should look for the underlying cause, as there may be something more serious.
Dr. Peter Bede, of the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, says that feeling very cold at times is nothing to worry about, but if this begins to affect your daily life, leaving you shivering at your desk or sleeping with an extra blanket in hot weather, it may be. Abnormal.
If there are other symptoms accompanying the feeling of cold, such as tingling in the hands and feet, frequent going to the toilet or weight gain, this may mean that there are worrisome reasons.
Here are some of the reasons behind this, according to Russia Today:
1. Thyroid problem
The thyroid is a gland located in the neck that produces hormones that affect heart rate and body temperature, among many other regulatory body functions.
And when your thyroid gland is underactive and doesn't produce enough key hormones, it can make you sensitive to the cold.
Other symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, muscle aches, dry skin, and brittle nails.
The NHS says: "The symptoms of hypothyroidism are often similar to those of other conditions and usually develop slowly, so you may not notice them for years. You should see a GP and ask for a test for hypothyroidism if you have symptoms."
2. Iron deficiency
We get iron from our diet, in foods like meat, dark leafy vegetables and legumes.
And when someone has an iron deficiency, they may develop iron deficiency anemia, which is when your body can't produce enough healthy red blood cells.
This may cause cold hands and feet, but the most obvious signs are shortness of breath and fatigue.
Iron deficiency must be treated by your doctor, so book an appointment if you think you have symptoms, which also include pale skin, weakness and heart palpitations.
3. Medicine
Medicines are there to make us better off, but most of them come with side effects.
Dr. Bedi explained that some, such as beta-blockers, can cause cold hands and feet.
These drugs work by slowing the heart rate to prevent it from pumping too hard and interacting with adrenaline and other stress hormones, he said.
The slow rate can make you feel cold, dizzy, tired and nauseous.
It is always a good idea to talk to your doctor about any medication side effects you are experiencing, as the dose or type of medication may be adjustable.
4. Heart or circulatory system
Cold feet may be a sign of a serious, overlooked condition called peripheral artery disease (PAD).
This condition occurs when a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries restricts blood flow to the legs.
"You may be more likely to have a decrease in blood flow to certain areas, and this leads to coldness, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet or legs," Dr. Bedi said.
The NHS explains that people can mistake leg pain as part of getting older, but talk about this with their GP.
Extremity ischemia is one of the most serious complications of PAD, where there is severe shortage of blood in the legs and they are at risk of developing gangrene.
This requires an urgent visit to the general practitioner.
5. Diabetes
Diagnosing diabetes may take some time if you are not aware of the symptoms, or if the symptoms are subtle.
The main symptoms include frequent trips to the toilet, excessive thirst, and fatigue.
Feeling cold is also a rare sign of the condition, with type 2 diabetes being the most common.
"When you have diabetes, it can affect your kidneys, circulatory system and things like these lines, and that could be why you feel cold," Dr. Bedi said.
Kidney problems can lead to anemia associated with cold sensitivity, and diabetes can cause nerve damage, resulting in cold feet.
6. Underweight
If you have less fat, either naturally, due to weight loss or a medical condition, you may feel colder.
Apart from this, the most worrisome complications of being thin include fertility problems, nutritional deficiencies, weak bones and the immune system.
According to the NHS, a person is considered underweight if their BMI is less than 18.5.
Experts warn that sometimes, a person who complains of a cold may have an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia.
7. Raynaud's disease
It's normal for fingers and toes to feel numb and cold in cold temperatures.
However, some people have a severe response to cold weather due to Raynaud's disease, which causes the small arteries in the fingers to narrow and restrict blood flow.
People with this disease will notice that their skin color becomes paler, usually on the fingers and toes, but sometimes also in the nose, lips, ears and nipples.
Skin color returns to normal once it becomes warm.
The NHS says there are things that can help you with Raynaud's, including relaxing during the winter, exercising (to improve blood circulation) and eating a balanced diet.
But there are some reasons to see your GP, including if your symptoms don't improve, affect your daily life, or if they're only on one side of the body.
8. Panic Attack
Some people may not realize they have had a panic attack until a mild one.
The experience can be frightening, causing shortness of breath, a racing heart, sweating, shivering and dizziness.
According to Dr. Gary Leroy, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, one of the least common symptoms of panic attacks is feeling cold.
He added, "Sometimes, people who suffer from panic attacks have this feeling of impending doom because their heart is not beating efficiently. In its attempt to self-preserve, the body will direct blood to those major organs at the expense of the peripheral areas of the body, and that is where the Sometimes people feel a kind of shivering."
9. Aging
If you've ever wondered why your grandmother is always hot, Dr. Leroy said, it might be because her age makes her colder.
"As we get older, things slow down, and some core body temperatures tend to drop slowly," he said.
As we age, the fatty tissue under the skin weakens and blood vessels are less flexible, slowing the flow of blood throughout the body.
And while cold sensitivity increases as we age, it shouldn't always be ignored as usual, as conditions like diabetes, peripheral arterial disease and kidney disease — all of which can affect older adults — can restrict blood flow and lower body temperature.
And if you have a cold all the time and are tired, dizzy, or have other unusual symptoms, it's worth seeing a doctor.
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