Why am I always cold? 5 potential causes

Have you ever shared an office or house with someone who is not bothered by the heat even on a hot summer day? Or maybe you’re the one who always gets cold and wrapped up in layers of clothing in July? Being cold all the time is no fun, especially when it’s hard to keep your icy finger on sanity.

Sensitivity to cold can be caused by a variety of factors. Here are some possible reasons why you might have more chills than the average person.

• Calorie consumption:

You may feel cold because you are not consuming enough calories to metabolise food into the energy your body needs. Aim for the recommended amount of calories for your age, gender, and activity level.

• Activity levels:

Physical exercise increases blood flow to your muscles, which increases your body temperature. Try walking every hour to get to the office, exercise with weights, or get up from your desk.

• Decreased muscle mass:

On average, men have more muscle mass than women. This may be one of the reasons why men generally run “hotter” than women. Muscle mass affects your body’s metabolism; The more you have, the hotter you will feel.

• Less weight:

As mentioned above, you need adequate muscle mass to stay warm, but you also need a certain amount of body fat. Older people often struggle with this condition.

• Smoking habits:

Inhaling cigarette smoke increases your risk of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a common circulatory problem that slows blood flow to the extremities, leaving your feet or legs cold, numb, or weak. Ask your doctor to help you quit smoking.

Chills can also be a sign of a medical condition, but keep in mind that these conditions can also be accompanied by many other symptoms. Two of the most common medical causes of cold sensitivity are:

• Hypothyroidism:

Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, is a condition in which the thyroid does not produce enough important hormones that your body needs. In its mild form, it affects 10 to 15 per cent of Americans and is more common in postmenopausal women. Other symptoms of the disease include fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, and a flushed face.

• Anaemia:

This blood disorder reduces haemoglobin, an essential oxygen-carrying protein. Anaemia can develop if you don’t get enough iron or vitamin B12 in your diet or if you have a chronic disease, such as cancer, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, or kidney disease. People over 65 and women taking blood thinners are at higher risk. Other symptoms of anaemia include fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, pale skin, and headache.

The best way to find out why you’re always cold is to see your doctor, who can recommend lifestyle changes or other treatments to warm you up.