Winter is a time for people to bundle up in cozy knits. However, suppose you find yourself having to snuggle up with extra blankets despite having the central heating on. The weather might not be the problem. Your internal temperature might be causing you to shiver.
Previous studies have found evidence that body temperature slides up and down throughout the day, with the nighttime being the coldest as your body prepares for sleep. Scientists have also found that the average body temperature has been decreasing. In the 1800s, normal body temperatures were closer to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Celsius. Now, it is 97.9 degrees Fahrenheit or 36.6 degrees Celsius.
Women tend to feel the chill more than men because they have a lower metabolic rate. But some people always feel cold, and that is not something they should ignore.
When everyone at home feels warm and toasty yet you are still shivering, you need to visit the doctor. It might be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
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An Underactive Thyroid
Hormones control every process that occurs within the body. However, different conditions often disrupt these hormones’ release and function, creating unpleasant symptoms. And cold intolerance is one sign of thyroid problems.
The thyroid gland releases the hormone responsible for regulating metabolism and the body’s internal temperature. When the thyroid glands do not make enough thyroid hormones, it is called hypothyroidism, and it can make you more sensitive to the cold.
Hypothyroidism comes with other symptoms such as fatigue, constipation, weight gain, and depression. Before a doctor diagnoses hypothyroidism, they will likely perform a blood test first. Once diagnosed, your doctor will prescribe thyroid hormone replacement medication.
Not Enough Healthy Red Blood Cells
You might also feel cold because there are not enough red blood cells circulating your body to deliver oxygen, especially to your limbs. If you often have cold hands and feet, there is a chance that you have anemia.
Anemia is the most common blood condition across the United States, affecting about 3 million Americans. Women are more at risk of having iron-deficiency anemia because they lose blood during their periods. There is also a higher demand for blood supply during pregnancy. However, young children and older adults are also prone to anemia.
Certain types of anemia are hereditary, which means that parents have passed it down to their children. It might also be caused by an underlying medical condition such as kidney disease.
Aside from sensitivity to cold, people who have anemia can experience dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, and tiredness or weakness, aside from sensitivity to cold. A blood test to measure red blood cells can diagnose anemia. For treatment, the doctor might prescribe supplements, antibiotics, or blood transfusions.
Unhealthy Weight Loss
Fat keeps you warm. Whales have thick layers of fat to protect them against the cold. That is why whales can survive and inhabit cold waters in the Arctic. Fat plays the same role in humans. The extra fat within the body regulates the body’s core.
In fact, in one study, swimmers who join the annual Rottenest Channel Swim in Western Australia, where people strip down and take a dip in chilly water, are less likely to experience hypothermia if they have a greater body mass index (BMI). Their body fat acts like an extra layer of clothing that keeps them warm despite the cold weather.
Therefore, those who have a low body fat percentage can be more sensitive to cold.
People with eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, go on very restrictive diets, exercise excessively, or either vomit or take laxatives to get rid of the food they consumed. The goal is to lose weight, even when they are already dangerously thin, because they have a distorted body image of themselves.
Anorexia symptoms also include stomach problems, dizziness and fainting, dry or brittle hair or nails, general weakness, trouble concentrating, and lack of period among women.
Physicians can diagnose eating disorders through physical examinations, psychological evaluations, lab tests, and other studies. The patient has to meet with a mental health professional for therapy regularly, and dietitians will be assigned for recovery.
Feeling cold when it is cold is normal. However, when everyone feels comfortable yet you are shivering despite layers of clothing and blankets around you, that might be a sign of illness. It is best to watch out for other symptoms and consult with a doctor to find the problem and recommend the appropriate treatment for you.
