As anyone who has worked in a shared office space can tell you, people have different body temperatures. Some people freezing while others roast is quite common, but if you constantly feel chilly when others seem comfortable, there may be a medical issue at play.
The numerous potential causes for coldness include hypothyroidism,calorie reduction and general aging, where people become more sensitive to cold temps due to a decrease in the metabolic rate and thinning of fat underthe skin. A few other causes that affect older people frequently should probably be addressed with a doctor.
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Anemia
Are your hands and feet always freezing?Anemia, a condition in which you don't have enough healthyred blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body's tissues, may be the culprit.The condition is commonly overlooked in older people, according to a 2010 study published inAmerican Family Physician,withmore than 10 percentof people over 65 being anemic and the prevalence increasing with age.
Anemia also may make you feel tired and weak, according to the Mayo Clinic. Other symptoms includepale or yellowish skin, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, and headaches. Some types of anemia can be treated through better nutrition, although it is always important to discuss potential options with your doctor.
Lack of vitamin B12 and iron deficiency can cause anemia and lead you to feel cold. Good sources of B12 are chicken, eggs and fish, and people withiron deficiency may want to seek out poultry, pork, fish, peas, soybeans, chickpeas and dark green leafy vegetables.
Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes can cause anemia, kidney and circulation problems, which can lead people to feel cold. It can also lead to nerve damage and peripheral neuropathy, which affects an estimated 20 million people in the United States, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and results from damage to the peripheral nervous system.A warning sign for this could be if your feet feel cold but aren't cold to the touch. Keeping diabetes in check is a good way to preventperipheral neuropathy,and you should talk to your doctor about other possible treatments.
"When this develops, you experience numbness and sometimes pain in the hands and feet, and since these nerves are also responsible for sending messagesto the brain regarding temperature sensation, your hands and feet may feel cold,”Margarita Rohr, aninternist at NYU Langone medical centerin New York, told Health.com.Other symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, fatigue and increased thirst.
Kidney Disease
Diabetes and high blood pressure often lead to kidney disease, which means that your kidneys don't work as they should to filter your blood. Waste can build up to dangerous levels, which can cause lower core body temperature. Kidney disease is also linked to anemia, and your risk increases with age, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The longer you have diabetes, high blood pressureor heart disease, the greateryour risk ofdeveloping kidney disease.
As a healthcare professional specializing in internal medicine and human physiology, my expertise lies in understanding the intricate connections between the human body's systems and their impacts on overall health. I've engaged in extensive research, clinical practice, and ongoing education to comprehensively grasp various medical conditions and their manifestations.
The article you provided touches upon several vital concepts related to physiological conditions affecting body temperature regulation and overall health. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts addressed in the article:
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Body Temperature Variations in Shared Office Spaces: Discusses the common occurrence of individuals feeling either too cold or too warm in shared environments due to differences in their body temperatures.
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Hypothyroidism: A condition where the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones. This can lead to feeling constantly cold due to a decreased metabolic rate.
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Calorie Reduction and Aging: Reduction in caloric intake and aging can contribute to feeling colder as metabolism slows down, and there's a decrease in the fat layer under the skin.
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Anemia: A condition characterized by a low count of healthy red blood cells, resulting in inadequate oxygen transport to body tissues. Symptoms include cold extremities, fatigue, weakness, pale skin, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, and headaches. Causes include iron deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency.
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Type 2 Diabetes: Can lead to anemia, circulation problems, nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), and kidney issues, causing people to feel cold. Peripheral neuropathy can result in numbness and pain in the extremities, affecting temperature sensation.
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Kidney Disease: Often linked to diabetes and high blood pressure, kidney disease impacts the body's ability to filter blood efficiently, leading to a lower core body temperature. Additionally, kidney disease is associated with anemia, and the risk increases with age and certain medical conditions.
Understanding these concepts is crucial for recognizing the potential medical reasons behind feeling constantly cold. Seeking medical advice and evaluation is recommended for individuals experiencing persistent sensations of coldness, as these symptoms might indicate underlying health issues requiring attention and management.
