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By: by Amino Science
Cold intolerance is more than the normal feelings of chilliness that come from an autumn or winter's day. It's an extreme sensitivity to cold temperatures that may indicate serious underlying health problems. We have the information to help you identify cold intolerance, understand what could be causing it, plus suggestions to help naturally treat this condition.
Everyone feels cold when the weather is cold, but cold intolerance involves specific physical symptoms that go far beyond simply shivering in the snow. If you are always the coldest person in every room, review these symptoms to find out if you're experiencing cold intolerance.
People with cold intolerance experience what's described as "icy" cold hands and feet. If your fingers and toes are consistently and inexplicably cold, it could mean you have poor circulation, which itself could indicate a blood vessel problem or other serious underlying health condition. This is especially true if your hands or feet turn blue from a lack of healthy, oxygenated blood flow.
By pale skin, we don't mean your natural melanin pigment, but the ashen sort of paleness that can accompany conditions such as anemia. Anemia is characterized by a lack of sufficient red blood cell content. If your skin appears waxen or unhealthily pale and you also experience feelings of extreme cold, your body is probably telling you that you're unwell.
When you're healthy, bundling up against winter weather or icy-cold air conditioning allows your body to retain the warmth it creates. If you can't warm up with fuzzy socks, gloves, sweaters, jackets, blankets, etc., it could mean your body isn't producing the normal amount of heat that proper functioning gives off.
Rashes or swelling that develops when you're exposed to cold environments could be a sign of cold urticaria, which is literally an allergy to cold weather. There are more details regarding this condition in the following section, but symptoms such as rashes or hives in response to cold air is a clear indication that something is wrong.
Most people come in from the cold with rosy cheeks, ears, and noses because blood rushes to those areas when they're exposed to the frigid air. However, a consistently cold nose is another potential sign of underlying dysfunction, just like chronically cold hands and feet. Specifically, Raynaud's disease or phenomenon could be the underlying cause, as it's a condition that affects the smaller vessels in your fingers, toes, and nose.
If you suspect your abnormal sensitivity to cold means your health is compromised, seek the advice of a board-certified medical professional. A physical examination coupled with a clear description of your symptoms could help your health care provider narrow down the issue and get you the proper treatment. These are some of the common conditions associated with cold intolerance.
Diagnosing cold intolerance usually involves a doctor taking your medical history, calling for blood tests and possible hormone level tests, and evaluating your health information in toto. If there is an underlying condition that can be treated, your medical record will travel with you as you are referred to either a psychological or internal medicine specialist, whichever is appropriate for you.
Depending on your diagnosis, medical treatment will vary, but here are some general natural aids you can apply at home that may help you feel better—and warmer—faster.
Amino acids are necessary for hormone creation and regulation in the thyroid, and while most amino acids stay stable in cases of iron deficiency, the essential amino acid lysine is compromised by prolonged iron starvation and anemia.
Moreover, amino acids are needed for the survival of endothelial cells that line our blood vessels. This means that above and beyond building and maintaining muscle cells in our bodies, essential amino acids (EAAs) also play a role in three of the most common causes of cold intolerance and are a natural way to boost your health and strength.
For those suffering from malnutrition due to anorexia, amino acid supplementation may help rebuild musculature during treatment, but ask your doctor before adding any new dietary supplement to your intake in such a case.
Iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies are the two leading culprits when it comes to anemia. Each of these nutrients can be easily supplemented or found naturally in foods.
That being said, if the issue with these deficiencies isn't lack of intake but lack of absorption, you still need to work with a medical professional to find out what the underlying issue may be.
Whatever is causing your cold intolerance, here are simple ways to warm up ASAP while you seek and pursue medical treatment.
Sleep deprivation has been scientifically shown to interrupt your body temperatures, and while the mechanisms are not fully understood, getting a good night's sleep may help you defeat cold intolerance. Theories suggest it could be due to sleep's link with our metabolisms, but whatever the reason, consistently cozy nights of sleep could warm you up throughout the day.
Water makes up about 60% of the adult human body and helps regulate our temperatures just as much as hormones and the brain do. When sufficiently hydrated, your body is better able to trap and regulate heat, while dehydration (more likely in cold, dry winter weather) leaves all of us more susceptible to extreme temperatures, especially those with cold intolerance.
It's easy to assume you're cold all the time because that's just the way you are built, but if cold intolerance is a persistent, chronic complaint all year round, and especially if it's a new development, consult a health care professional to rule out underlying medical conditions. Worst-case scenario you gain peace of mind, and best-case scenario you discover a problem before it becomes a disaster, and find a way to warm up and be more comfortable in your own skin.
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