Factors and reasons that make you feel cold constantly

Arabia Weather - Our feeling of cold is often attributed to the presence of cold weather, but there are those who feel cold most of the time even if the weather is not cold and depending on external factors, but rather due to internal factors that may be pathological. Here is a group of reasons and factors that can make you feel cold constantly.

Why do you always feel cold?

Among the medical reasons that may make you feel cold most of the time or permanently are influenza, diabetes, and thyroid disorders, and you may suffer from feeling cold permanently due to non-pathological factors and reasons, such as if there is an imbalance in your diet or a difference in gender, and perhaps Suffering from stress and anxiety, a deficiency in some vitamins, or side effects of some medications.

Avoiding this feeling and treating it requires first identifying the actual causes of feeling cold, whether they are satisfactory or not, and then treating the matter by avoiding these causes or treating them radically.

Medical causes that permanently affect your feeling of cold

The effect of diabetes on feeling cold

Having type 2 diabetes is one of the possible causes of feeling cold. Diabetics can suffer from peripheral neuropathy, a disorder that affects the nerves that control the body's extremities such as the hands and legs. These nerves control the transmission of sensory signals to the relevant centers in the body, and when they are impaired, this interferes with their ability to transmit signals correctly.

This may lead to a weakening of the nerves' ability to transmit signals, causing a feeling of tingling and numbness in the extremities. These nerves are also responsible for sending signals about temperature to the brain, and as a result of the disorder, the patient can feel coldness in his hands and feet.

Read also: How does a cold affect your body and mind?

The effect of anemia on the feeling of cold

Individuals suffering from anemia face constant challenges with colds, as the reason for this lies in the lack of red blood cells. This deficiency causes a decrease in the amount of oxygen that the body receives, which leads to a constant feeling of coldness in the extremities, in addition to fatigue and exhaustion. In many cases, anemia is related to iron deficiency.

Iron is the main mineral that plays a crucial role in transporting oxygen through red blood cells to all parts of the body, including the extremities. When there is an iron deficiency, the functioning of red blood cells becomes ineffective, causing the person to constantly feel cold.

Iron deficiency can also lead to hypothyroidism, which increases the body's sensitivity to cold. Iron-rich food, such as meat, eggs, spinach and seafood, is essential for boosting iron levels. In addition, iron supplements can be a useful option, but the focus should be on improving overall nutrition.

The effect of hypothyroidism on the feeling of cold

The thyroid gland, located in the lower part of the neck, plays a crucial role in the body's health. This gland secretes the hormone thyroxine, which is necessary for metabolism and growth. When the thyroid gland is hypothyroid, it means it does not produce enough thyroxine.

Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism include increased sensitivity to cold and constant feeling of cold. This feeling is due to the decreased metabolic rates that accompany this health condition. Hypothyroidism may be one of the most important reasons why an individual may suffer from constant coldness.

The effect of circulatory disorders on the feeling of cold

When the hands and feet are constantly cold, while the body feels warm and comfortable, the reason for this may be poor blood circulation, as this circulation plays a crucial role in ensuring blood flow to the body's extremities.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the reasons that may cause poor blood circulation. If the extremities appear cold, this may be a sign that the heart is not pumping blood effectively, or it may be the result of clogged arteries, preventing sufficient blood from reaching the extremities in the hands and feet.

Raynaud's phenomenon is also a reason for feeling constantly cold, as blood moves towards the external organs in case of extreme cold to keep the body warm. However, people with Raynaud's phenomenon suffer from a decreased response to this process, which leads to a constant constriction of blood flow to the skin, making them feel constantly cold.

The effect of diet on feeling cold

The reason behind feeling cold all the time may be the diet that the individual follows. In general, when a person eats, blood goes to the stomach to aid in the digestion process, which leads to a decrease in the amount of blood reaching the rest of the body.

Diet affects the body's thermal response, as a lack of nutrients and vitamins, and reliance on fast food, can lead to a loss of natural body heat, making the individual feel cold constantly.

Taking certain medications may be one of the reasons for feeling cold, as this condition can be a side effect of the treatment provided.

The effect of vitamin B12 deficiency on feeling cold

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a feeling of coldness, especially in the extremities such as the hands and feet. This is due to not eating foods that contain this vitamin, such as eggs and fish. Vitamin B12 deficiency may be caused by insufficient absorption by the body.

Vitamin B12 is essential for the body's health and vital processes. It helps in the formation of red blood cells, supports the nervous system, and improves brain functions. When there is a vitamin B12 deficiency, it may lead to disturbances in the nervous system and negative effects on body temperature.

To overcome vitamin B12 deficiency, it is preferable to include rich sources in the diet or use nutritional supplements as directed by your doctor.

The effect of brain disorders on the feeling of cold

Constant feeling of cold may be due to disturbances or changes in the thermoregulation center in the brain. The release of certain hormones or direct changes in the brain can cause this cold feeling. The reason for this may also be the lack of regular and normal blood flow.

Problems and disorders in the receptors in the spinal cord affect the performance of the thermoregulation center, making it unable to work effectively. Damage to sensory nerves can also affect body temperature, accompanied by pain. Body temperature arrhythmia may be caused by hardening of the arteries, which leads to decreased blood flow.

Non-medical factors that cause a constant feeling of cold

Anorexia nervosa, a type of eating disorder, can lead to a feeling of coldness, especially in the extremities, as a result of abnormal weight loss. This results from the pathological fear of gaining weight, which leads to a reduction in calories consumed and thus increases the possibility of constantly feeling cold.

Some individuals may suffer from excessive thinness without suffering from eating diseases, and this can be measured using the body mass index. If the BMI value is less than 18.5, the person is considered to be extremely thin.

Feeling cold in low-weight individuals can be attributed to several reasons, including:

• Lack of body fat: Low weight can be related to a lack of body fat, which affects the body's ability to insulate itself from cold temperatures. Fat plays an important role in providing thermal insulation and maintaining body temperature.
• Calorie deficiency: Individuals with low weight may not eat enough calories from food, leading to limitations in metabolism and the body's ability to produce heat.
• Low muscle ratio: Low-weight individuals may have less muscle ratio, and muscle contributes to heat production. Therefore, muscle deficiency may affect the ability to control body temperature.

Other non-medical factors that affect the constant feeling of cold:

1. Gender: Gender is one of the factors that affect the experience of feeling cold, as women are generally more susceptible to this condition than men. Please note that higher estrogen levels in women may have an effect on thermal sensation.
2. Aging: As we age, metabolic activity in the body decreases and can lead to hypothermia. Low muscle mass can also cause hypothermia.
3. Anxiety and stress: Constant anxiety can lead to high levels of adrenaline in the body, which affects the direction of blood flow and can make a person feel cold in the extremities.
4. Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes such as menopause may cause estrogen levels to rise, which can contribute to constantly feeling cold.
5. Pregnancy: Pregnancy can lead to hormonal changes that affect the perception of temperature, making pregnant women more susceptible to feeling cold.

Read also: How to avoid colds and flu in cold climates?

Treating constant feeling of cold

Treating the feeling of cold begins with identifying the reasons behind this feeling, and treatment depends on the nature and cause of this condition. Here are some measures that can be taken to treat the feeling of cold:

• Determine the main cause: You must first determine the cause of feeling cold, whether it is a result of a health condition or environmental factors.
• See a doctor: If you have a health condition that causes you to feel cold, you should see a doctor to evaluate the condition and determine the appropriate treatment.
• Controlling blood sugar levels: For diabetics, blood sugar levels should be controlled regularly to control cold-related symptoms.
• Improving nutrition: In case of nutritional deficiency or lack of vitamins and minerals, a person's condition can be improved by taking nutritional supplements or modifying the diet.
• Treatment of thyroid disorders: If there is a thyroid disorder, hormones can be regulated by drug therapy.
• Avoid environmental factors: If the causes are environmental, measures should be taken to avoid the cold, such as wearing warm clothes.
• Adjusting the medication: If using any medication leads to feeling cold, you must see a doctor to change the medication or adjust the dose.
• Improve physical fitness: Regular exercise can improve blood circulation and boost body temperature.

Swimming is an excellent option for improving physical fitness and enhancing overall health, and it has a positive effect on the problem of constantly feeling cold. Here are some of the benefits that swimming can provide in this context:

1. Improving blood circulation: Swimming helps improve blood circulation, as blood flow is enhanced to all parts of the body, including the extremities, which enhances the feeling of warmth.
2. Enhancing physical fitness: Swimming is considered one of the best types of exercises to enhance physical fitness and build muscle strength, which contributes to improving physical performance and increasing heat production in the body.
3. Strengthening the respiratory system: Swimming is an excellent exercise to strengthen the respiratory system, which promotes healthy breathing and contributes to improving the overall performance of the body.
4. Improving psychological well-being: Swimming is a soothing activity that contributes to reducing stress levels and improving mood, which can positively affect the body’s response to cold.
5. Improving thermal balance: Thanks to the control of water temperature during swimming, the body can improve its thermal balance and respond effectively to environmental conditions.

Here are some herbs and measures that can be used to relieve the feeling of cold:

• Ginger: Ginger contains active substances that help stimulate blood circulation and raise the metabolic rate. A ginger drink can be prepared by boiling ginger slices in water and improving the taste by adding cinnamon and honey.
• Cinnamon: Cinnamon contains properties that enhance blood circulation and help improve overall warmth in the body. Cinnamon can be added to ginger drink or taken as a nutritional supplement.
• Bee honey: Bee honey is a natural source of energy and can be added to hot drinks to improve the taste. It contains beneficial substances to enhance general health.
• Olive oil: Olive oil is useful when used to massage the limbs, as it helps improve blood circulation.
• Coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used to massage the extremities to moisturize the skin and improve warmth.
• Black pepper: Black pepper contains substances that may help improve blood circulation. Black pepper can be eaten or used to prepare hot foods.
• Warm hand and foot baths: Hand and foot baths improve blood circulation and contribute to stimulating warmth in the extremities.

Source: altibbi