Not only is persistent cold uncomfortable, it can be a sign of underlying health problems, such as hypothyroidism, vitamin deficiencies, or simply not getting enough sleep.
It’s one thing to feel cold when you go out in cool weather, but if you’re always shivering and other people say they’re comfortable, it’s time to investigate. Here are 10 possible reasons why you’re always so cold and how you can control your internal thermostat.
1. Low body weight
Low body weight-defined as a body mass index hovering around or below 18.5-can make you feel cold for several reasons.
First, when you’re underweight, you don’t have enough body fat to keep the cold out, Los Angeles nutritionist Maggie Moon, RD, tells Health.com.
In addition, a low body mass index usually means less food intake. Skimping on calories slows your metabolism, so you can’t create enough body heat.
If you suspect that your chills are due to lack of weight, you may experience other symptoms, such as.
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Dizzy
- Fatigue
- Weak
How to treat it. If you are underweight, discuss it with your doctor, who will take a test to see what is causing you to be underweight. They may also suggest that you gain a few pounds by eating whole, healthy foods high in protein, fat, and complex carbohydrates.
2. hypothyroidism
“Always feeling cold is a sign of hypothyroidism,” Holly Phillips, a physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, told health, that means your thyroid isn’t producing enough Thyroid hormone. Without the right level of the hormone, your metabolism slows down, preventing you from producing enough calories.
About 4.5 percent of Americans have this condition, and the rate is even higher for women who have recently gotten pregnant or who are over 60. Other signs of hypothyroidism include.
- Thinning or loss of hair
- Dry skin and hair
- Menstruation is longer or heavier
- Unexplained weight gain
How to treat it. If you suspect a thyroid problem, see a doctor, who can confirm the diagnosis with a blood test and prescribe drugs to treat the condition.
3.Iron deficiency anemia
Low iron levels are one of the most common causes of chronic cold. This is because iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen through your body, so they can produce heat, Dr. Phillips explained. Iron is also critical, because iron deficiency slows down the thyroid, leading to hypothyroidism — which further freezes you, Moon says.
Other symptoms of low iron levels include, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
- The skin is pale
- Nails become brittle
- It’s hard to concentrate
- Breathe was in a hurry
How to treat it. First, you need to get a correct diagnosis from your doctor through a blood test. Then, depending on the severity of your anemia, they may suggest that you take an iron supplement, get an IV, or simply increase your intake of iron-rich foods like red meat, leafy greens, and eggs, moon said.
4. Poor circulation
If your hands and feet are cold, but you feel comfortable in other ways, it may be because of circulation problems that prevent blood from reaching your limbs.
A common cause of circulatory problems is Raynaud’s phenomenon, sometimes called Raynaud’s phenomenon, which affects 5 percent of the American population, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. This causes the blood vessels in your hands and feet to temporarily narrow when you feel cold, NYU Langone Medical Center Margarita Rohr, a New York City physician, told health.
Other reasons why blood is hard to reach your limbs include cardiovascular disease, which causes your heart to pump less efficiently, or smoking, which causes blood vessels to constrict, Dr. Rohr said.
How to treat it. While most people with Raynaud’s rarely need treatment, some may want to take medication. Take a look at your Primary care doctor to determine the cause of your circulatory problems and make sure it’s not something more serious, such as cardiovascular disease.
5.Dehydration
If you just can’t warm up, it may be a sign that you need to drink more water, Moon said. “Adults are 60 percent water,” Moon said, and water helps regulate body temperature.” If you have enough water, it will trap heat and release it slowly, keeping your body temperature in a comfortable zone. With less water, your body becomes more sensitive to extreme temperatures.”
In addition to feeling cold, other symptoms of dehydration include.
- Dizziness or delirium
- Muscle spasms
- Constipation
- The urine is dark
How to treat it. Moon recommends drinking at least eight glasses a day, but if you exercise or work out in the Sun, be sure to drink plenty.
6.Vitamin B12 deficiency
Moon says the average adult doesn’t get enough vitamin B12 — about 2.4 a day. Microgram-can cause anemia, leading to chronic chills. If you have the following symptoms in addition to persistent chills, you may have a B12 deficiency.
- Numbness or tingling in the hands, legs, or feet
- The tongue is swollen and inflamed
- Balance
- Memory decline
How to treat it. While B12 deficiency is rare in the general population, it is common in vegetarians and vegetarians because the nutrient is found almost exclusively in animal products, Moon said. So if you’re plant-based, try taking a supplement. Otherwise, consult your doctor, as this may be a sign of an absorption problem.
7. As a woman
Have you ever found yourself arguing with a male family member or co-worker about who should control the thermostat? As it turns out, feeling cold is really a gender issue.
While this may seem counterintuitive, women are better at conserving heat than men because their bodies keep blood flowing to vital organs such as the brain and heart, Dr. Rohr said. However, this means less blood reaches your hands and feet, keeping them cold.
How to treat it. If turning up the thermostat is not an option, socks and gloves are your best friend in this situation. Or invest in a small space heater for your desk.
8. diabetes
UNCHECKED, diabetes can lead to a disease called peripheral neuropathy, which can damage nerves in your hands and feet.
“When this happens, your hands and feet become numb and sometimes painful, and because these nerves are also responsible for sending information to the brain about temperature perception, your hands and feet may feel cold,” Dr. Rohr said.
How to treat it. The diabetic nephropathy is progressive, so you may not be aware that you have it. But if you are diabetic or have symptoms of the disease, such as frequent urination, fatigue and feeling thirsty, see a doctor.
9. Very little muscle mass
If you’ve been seeing a doctor for your constant chills and they’ve determined that you don’t have an underlying disease, you may be feeling cold due to a lack of muscle mass.
Muscles produce heat to help maintain body temperature, Dr. Rohr said, so not having enough muscle tone can lead to feeling cold. In addition, having more muscle mass boosts your metabolism, which can counter the feeling of being permanently frozen.
How to treat it. The weight room at the gym or investing in free weights will help build muscle and power your furnace.
10. Not getting enough sleep
Not getting enough sleep can damage your nervous system, Dr. Phillips says, which can make your thermoregulation system completely fail.
While it’s not clear why this happens, not getting enough shut-eye reduces activity in the hypothalamus, the part of your brain that controls body temperature. Moreover, when you’re tired from a sleepless night, your metabolism will work at a slower rate, Dr. Phillips said.
How to treat it. Make sure you get seven to nine hours of sleep a night, stick to a regular sleep schedule, and turn off electronics about 30 minutes before your head hits the pillow.
