Feeling Cold Always? Know Your 7 Chill Reasons - Slideshow

Creator: Dr. Rachita Narsaria
Keywords: cold reasons, chill always, anemia, thyroid disorder

Written by - Dr. Rachita Narsaria, M.D

Medically Reviewed by - The Medindia Medical Review Team

Last Updated on Apr 19, 2018

1 / 8

Introduction

Everybody responds differently to changes in temperature. While some of us tend to feel the chill at the slightest drop in temperature, others feel too hot in the very same temperature. This may be common, but if you constantly feel chilly while all others are comfortable, then it's time to find out if there are any medical reasons behind why you are always feeling cold when others are not.

2 / 8

Anemia

Anemia is a condition where there is low hemoglobin content in the red blood cells. Red cells in the blood are responsible for carrying oxygen to all the cells and organs of the body through the blood stream. This is carried out with the help of hemoglobin. Iron-rich food is necessary to maintain hemoglobin content in red blood cells and thereby, the body's oxygen supply. Lack of Vitamin B12 and/or an iron deficiency can lead to anemia. Anemia produces symptoms like tiredness, weakness, irregular heartbeats and feeling cold all the time!

3 / 8

Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is a condition which affects the kidneys, nerves and blood circulation. A vast majority of people suffer from peripheral neuropathy because of nerve damage due to continuously high blood sugar levels. The warning symptom of this condition is when only the sufferer experiences cold hands and feet , but others who touch the feet, feel it is normal and not cold. It is necessary that you keep assessing blood sugar levels regularly and keep them in tight control, else you could experience numbness and tingling sensations too.

4 / 8

Raynaud's phenomenon

In this condition, the arteries that are responsible for carrying blood from the heart to different organs of the body get constricted in extremely cold weather, leading to a reduced blood supply. This makes the hands and feet feel suddenly cold and numb. Due to the reduced blood supply to the fingers, nose, toes, ears and lips, the skin also becomes white or blue and painful. This is a medical emergency.

5 / 8

Hypothyroidism

The function of the thyroid gland is to regulate the metabolism of the body. When hormones released by the gland are adequate, the body maintains its optimal metabolic processes. When there is hypothyroidism, that is, the thyroid hormones produced are lower than the body's requirements, the metabolism slows down. This results in poor production of heat and the person feels chilly even at normal room temperature. If it is hypothyroidism, the following symptoms might accompany the chilliness - hair thinning, weight gain, lethargy, and fatigue.

6 / 8

Kidney cell cancer

Kidneys are known for filtering and cleaning the blood. Kidney cell carcinoma invades the tissues of the kidneys and may also spread to other organs. Anemia can occur in such people and the decrease in red blood cells may lead to problems in maintaining the body temperature. Kidney failure due to chronic kidney disease can make a person feel cold all the time. Fatigue, shortness of breath, mental confusion, weakness and unexplained weight loss are other symptoms of kidney failure.

7 / 8

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia is an eating disorder mainly affecting adolescents, especially girls. People suffering from anorexia nervosa eat less as they have an intense fear of gaining weight. There is severe weight loss which affects the metabolism and regulation of other functions. Excessive exercising and weight loss lead to disturbances in the body's temperature regulatory mechanisms. Hence, persons suffering from Anorexia nervosa tend to feel cold often.

8 / 8

SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)

SLE or lupus as it is commonly known, is a condition that affects multiple organs in the body. It is an autoimmune disorder and affects every individual differently. It mainly affects the connective tissues causing loss of moisture and leading to dry skin conditions. This kind of skin easily feels cold because of hypothermia (when the body has abnormally low temperature). Increased lupus activity can lead to weight loss and immense fatigue. Thyroid problems and Raynaud's phenomenon can also occur due to SLE.

Introduction
Anemia
Diabetes Mellitus
Raynaud's phenomenon
Hypothyroidism
Kidney cell cancer
Anorexia nervosa
SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)