Many older individuals often feel cold, even when others find the environment comfortable. This sensitivity frequently leads to a need for warmer clothing or higher thermostat settings. Understanding the reasons behind this can help address their comfort.
How the Body Changes with Age
As individuals age, the body undergoes physiological transformations affecting its capacity to generate and maintain warmth. A significant change is a natural decrease in metabolic rate. Metabolism produces energy and heat, so a slower rate means less heat is generated, making it harder to maintain a stable core body temperature.
Circulation patterns also change with age, affecting how heat is distributed throughout the body. Blood flow, particularly to the extremities like hands and feet, can become less efficient. This reduced circulation contributes to colder sensations in these areas, as less warm blood reaches them, diminishing overall warmth. The body’s ability to constrict blood vessels in the skin, a mechanism to conserve heat, may also decline, leading to increased heat loss.
The body’s natural insulation and heat-generating capacity are also impacted by age-related changes in body composition. A reduction in subcutaneous fat, the layer of fat just beneath the skin, lessens the body’s ability to retain heat. Additionally, a decrease in muscle mass, which generates a substantial portion of resting body heat, further reduces the body’s internal heat production. These combined factors mean the body has less natural insulation and a reduced capacity to produce warmth from within.
The body’s thermoregulation system, primarily controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain, can become less effective with age. This central control center may not sense temperature changes as accurately or respond as quickly as it once did. This blunted perception or delayed response can mean an older person might not realize they are getting cold until their body temperature has already dropped significantly. The diminished ability to regulate temperature effectively contributes to an increased susceptibility to feeling cold.
Health Conditions That Contribute
Beyond normal physiological changes, several medical conditions can intensify feelings of coldness. Hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid, slows metabolism significantly. This reduced metabolic rate directly impacts heat production, leading to a persistent sensation of cold.
Anemia, characterized by a low red blood cell count, also contributes to cold sensitivity. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. When there are not enough healthy red blood cells, tissues receive less oxygen, which can result in feelings of chronic cold, particularly in the hands and feet, along with fatigue.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) involves the narrowing of arteries, reducing blood flow to the limbs. This impaired circulation restricts warm blood delivery to the extremities, causing them to feel cold.
Diabetes can also affect temperature perception and regulation, particularly through a complication known as diabetic neuropathy. Nerve damage caused by diabetes can impair the body’s ability to properly sense cold or to regulate its own temperature effectively. This nerve damage can lead to issues with circulation and the body’s thermal sensing mechanisms.
Impaired kidney function, often seen in kidney disease, can contribute to feelings of cold. Kidney disorders can affect the body’s ability to regulate various physiological processes, including fluid balance and waste removal, which can indirectly impact core body temperature. Kidney disease can also lead to anemia, further exacerbating cold sensations.
Medications and Temperature Sensitivity
Certain medications commonly prescribed to older adults can have side effects that increase sensitivity to cold or interfere with the body’s temperature regulation. Beta-blockers, often used for conditions like high blood pressure or heart problems, can slow the heart rate and reduce blood flow. This decreased circulation, particularly to the extremities, can result in colder hands and feet.
Diuretics, which help the body eliminate excess fluid, can also affect electrolyte balance and overall circulation. While their primary action is on fluid regulation, these changes can indirectly influence the body’s ability to maintain a stable temperature. Some diuretics may alter blood flow patterns, contributing to cold sensations.
Certain antidepressants and sedatives can impact the central nervous system, which plays a role in temperature regulation. These medications may alter how the brain perceives temperature or how the body responds to changes in environmental temperature. This can lead to a blunted awareness of cold or an impaired ability to initiate warming responses.