AARP Eye Center
As anyone who has worked in a shared office space can tell you, people have different body temperatures. Some people freezing while others roast is quite common, but if you constantly feel chilly when others seem comfortable, there may be a medical issue at play.
The numerous potential causes for coldness include hypothyroidism, calorie reduction and general aging, where people become more sensitive to cold temps due to a decrease in the metabolic rate and thinning of fat under the skin. A few other causes that affect older people frequently should probably be addressed with a doctor.
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Anemia
Are your hands and feet always freezing? Anemia, a condition in which you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body's tissues, may be the culprit. The condition is commonly overlooked in older people, according to a 2010 study published in American Family Physician, with more than 10 percent of people over 65 being anemic and the prevalence increasing with age.
Anemia also may make you feel tired and weak, according to the Mayo Clinic. Other symptoms include pale or yellowish skin, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, and headaches. Some types of anemia can be treated through better nutrition, although it is always important to discuss potential options with your doctor.
Lack of vitamin B12 and iron deficiency can cause anemia and lead you to feel cold. Good sources of B12 are chicken, eggs and fish, and people with iron deficiency may want to seek out poultry, pork, fish, peas, soybeans, chickpeas and dark green leafy vegetables.
Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes can cause anemia, kidney and circulation problems, which can lead people to feel cold. It can also lead to nerve damage and peripheral neuropathy, which affects an estimated 20 million people in the United States, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and results from damage to the peripheral nervous system. A warning sign for this could be if your feet feel cold but aren't cold to the touch. Keeping diabetes in check is a good way to prevent peripheral neuropathy, and you should talk to your doctor about other possible treatments.
"When this develops, you experience numbness and sometimes pain in the hands and feet, and since these nerves are also responsible for sending messages to the brain regarding temperature sensation, your hands and feet may feel cold,” Margarita Rohr, an internist at NYU Langone medical center in New York, told Health.com. Other symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, fatigue and increased thirst.
Kidney Disease
Diabetes and high blood pressure often lead to kidney disease, which means that your kidneys don't work as they should to filter your blood. Waste can build up to dangerous levels, which can cause lower core body temperature. Kidney disease is also linked to anemia, and your risk increases with age, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The longer you have diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, the greater your risk of developing kidney disease.
