Are you the only one who needs a blanket when everyone else is using a fan? Or do you shiver more than others on a normal cold day? Sometimes this could be your body's way of doing things. It means you're a little more sensitive to the cold than others. However, if you continue to feel cold for a long time, perhaps even when you're in a warm environment, it could be a sign of a health problem that needs our attention. So, let's talk about this in a little more detail today.
What other symptoms come with a cold?
If you feel cold all the time, you may also experience other symptoms like:
- Pain
- Tingling sensation
- Numbness and tingling in the limbs
- Chills
- Body stiffness or discomfort
- Feeling weak
- Swelling
- Skin discoloration (especially fingers and toes)
- Feeling general discomfort
Having these symptoms means that your body is having difficulty coping with the cold. There can be a number of reasons for this.
The main reasons why you may feel cold all the time
There are several health conditions that can be behind feeling cold all the time. Let's understand these simply with a table.
| Health condition (Condition) | Simply put... | Symptoms that may occur in addition to a cold |
|---|---|---|
| Anemia | The lack of healthy red blood cells that carry the oxygen the body needs is called 'anemia'. | Fatigue, pale appearance, rapid heartbeat. |
| Hypothyroidism | Decreased production of hormones necessary for the body's metabolism by the butterfly-shaped gland in the neck. | Thinning hair, dry skin, constipation, weight gain, heavy or irregular menstruation. |
| Blood vessel problems | Restricted blood flow to the hands and feet. For example: Raynaud's disease. | White or blue fingers and toes, numbness, cold and clammy skin. |
| Diabetes | Diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage caused by diabetes) can cause you to feel cold. | Vomiting/nausea, itchy skin, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face/hands/feet. |
| Anorexia | An eating disorder that leads to extreme thinness due to an excessive fear of gaining weight. | Severe weight loss, frequent thoughts about weight, cessation of menstruation. |
| Vitamin B12 deficiency | Insufficient intake of vitamin B12, which is essential for the production of nerves and red blood cells in the body. | Muscle weakness, difficulty walking, numbness in the hands and feet, fatigue, weight loss. |
Decreased body mass index (BMI)
A low body mass index, or BMI, means that you have less body fat. Body fat acts like insulation and helps retain heat. Muscle also generates heat. So, if your BMI is less than 18.5, you may feel colder than others because you have less body fat and muscle.
But remember, not everyone will get sick even if their BMI is low. However, for some people, it can cause problems like irregular periods, weak bones, and malnutrition. So it's a good idea to ask your doctor what your ideal weight is.
Why do women feel colder than men?
This is also a problem for many people. Women generally have a slightly lower metabolic rate than men. This means that the body burns less energy at rest. This results in less heat being generated. Also, the female hormone estrogen can reduce body temperature and reduce blood flow to the extremities, which can increase the feeling of cold.
Why do I feel cold after exercising?
Although your body heats up during exercise, once you're done exercising, your body temperature drops as sweat evaporates. Sometimes this can drop too low and you can feel cold. However, this can also happen in severe dehydration , so don't forget to drink plenty of water while exercising.
What if you sweat when it's cold?
Sweating is usually caused by heat, but sometimes you can sweat when you feel cold. This can be due to the body's 'fight or flight' response during stress, anxiety, or a panic attack.
However, this could also be a sign of a fever, infection, heart attack, or other serious medical condition.
In particular, seek immediate medical attention if you have these symptoms along with cold sweats:
- Fainting
- Chest pain
- Body pain
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
As these could be signs of a heart attack, it is essential to go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately . Also, if you break out in a cold sweat after an accident, seek medical attention immediately.
What do you do when you always feel cold?
There are some of the best things you can do with this.
1. First, see a doctor to find out the cause.
The most important thing is to talk to your doctor about this. He or she can listen carefully to your symptoms and, if necessary, do blood tests to find out exactly what's causing your cold.
2. Treat the cause
Treatment depends on the cause.
- If you have anemia , your doctor may recommend iron or vitamin B12 pills/injections.
- If hypothyroidism is a problem, the necessary hormone medications will be given.
- In case of diabetes , medications are given to control blood sugar levels.
- If you are a smoker and have problems with your blood vessels, quitting smoking will be a big help.
3. Little things to keep the body warm
If you're someone who just feels cold without a medical reason, try these things:
- Wear several layers of clothing. Like a vest underneath, a shirt over that, and a sweater over that.
- Drink warm beverages (without caffeine or alcohol). Even a hot soup will bring great health to the body.
- Use a hat or scarf to cover your head, neck, and ears .
- Don't wear wet clothes. If you sweat or get wet in the rain, change your clothes quickly and dry yourself.
Take-Home Message
- While it's normal to feel cold all the time sometimes, don't ignore it if it persists.
- There may be various medical reasons behind this, such as anemia, thyroid problems, diabetes, and vitamin deficiencies.
- If you feel cold all the time, especially if it's accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue, numbness, and difficulty breathing, be sure to see a doctor .
- If you have symptoms like chest pain and dizziness along with a cold sweat, it is an emergency. Go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- This condition can often be controlled by finding the cause, getting proper treatment, and making simple lifestyle changes.
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