I used to love the heat and hate the cold. I’ve switched preferences somewhere around 40 years old (now 45). This may switch again as blood thins. I hope I don’t ever keep the T stat at 85* and simultaneously cover with an afghan though.
Most people appreciate the hot weather and heat, in general, more as they age. But during the middle years of one's life (25-50), are produced us outliers who go aginst science and decide that the heat is not for us.
As you age, there are
a few different body changes that can affect your cold tolerance, including
- Your metabolism slows. It’s normal for your metabolic rate to decrease, and along with it, your body’s response to the cold. For example, certain body receptors may not work as quickly to tell your blood vessels to constrict and maintain your body temperature.
- The fat layers under the skin start to thin. This fat layer conserves body heat, so you’re more likely to feel cold when it starts to thin.
- Your blood vessels lose elasticity. When your blood vessels aren’t as flexible, your circulation decreases. When your blood doesn’t circulate normally, it’s harder for your body to retain heat. This can cause your hands and feet to feel cold.
Conditions that increase cold sensitivity
Your increased cold sensitivity may be a normal part of aging, but
a health condition may also be the reason why some people need to constantly bring sweatshirts and sweaters everywhere and freeze their balls or ovaries off at 90 degrees with a mild wind.
Cardiovascular disease
Blood circulation plays a significant role in how your body retains heat. If your blood can’t flow normally through your body, your arms, legs, hands and feet may start to feel cold. This is because your body will prioritize blood flow to critical areas like your brain and heart.
Cardiovascular diseases — including
heart failure, coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease (PAD) — can affect how blood flows in your arteries and blood vessels. For example,
plaque buildup can restrict and even block blood flow.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition where you don’t have enough red blood cells, which carry oxygen to tissues throughout your body. When you’re anemic, your body will direct the oxygen-full red blood cells to important organs, such as your brain, kidney or heart. This can leave your skin, hands and feet feeling cold because there’s less blood flow and oxygen coming to those parts of your body.
Kidney disease
Kidneys filter waste out of your blood, and kidney disease can disrupt this process. When waste builds up in the body, your core body temperature can decrease. Kidney disease can also cause anemia, which can leave you feeling cold.
Diabetes
Diabetes can cause different health issues that affect your cold sensitivity, including kidney disease and anemia. However, high blood sugar can also damage your nerves, especially in your arms and feet (also called diabetic neuropathy). When the nerves are damaged, your arms and feet
may feel cold, numb or tingly.
Thyroid problems
Thyroid conditions like hypothyroidism affect how your body regulates hormones. Some hormones help control your body’s temperature. When you have a thyroid issue, you may not have enough of these temperature-controlling hormones, which can leave you feeling cold.
Knotorious' Summary
So, if you're feeling cold all of the time, it's either because you're a pussy, getting older or because you have a medical problems. If you are feeling colder unusually frequently, don't ignore the symptoms! Get checked out by a doctor and reference this post, or some other online research!
If you're like @lxskllr, @Treeaddict and myself, and fully appreicate a chilled room, a freezing cold outdoors, and open your windows during the winter time, then you're part of a unique, and special breed, built for the coldest of conditions, which means we might become the top survivors in a nuclear holocaust after radioactive debris blocks the sun or during another ice age lol