Why am I always cold?
Okay, so it makes sense if you're chilly when you're dashing to the store in 30 degree weather wearing only a T-shirt, sweatpants and flipflops (hey, these things happen!). But do you find yourself reaching for your sweater even when you're in your well-heated office? Here are some reasons for the shiver:
Lost Pounds
When people lose a considerable amount of weight, they often lose insulating fat and muscle as well, which makes them feel colder, says Tara Gidus, spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Resistance training - preferably with light free weights - will help rebuild that body-warming muscle. Want to stay young? Pumping iron can help with that too. Learn how.
Sluggish Glands
If your thyroid is underactive, notes Alan Farwell, M.D., director of patient education for the American Thyroid Association, "your metabolism slows down and you produce less heat." In addition to goose bumps, symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, constipation, dry skin and fatigue. A simple blood test can determine whether your thyroid's functioning right; if it isn't, medication can help you beat the chills. Find out more about all the problems a lazy thyroid can cause.
"Bad" Medicine
The shivers can also be a side effect of certain medications, says Dr. Farwell. It's common, for instance, to feel cold while taking a blood thinner like Coumadin, though no one has determined why. If your teeth-chattering bouts have coincided with the start of a new pill, ask your doctor about an alternative.
Slowing the Flow
Blood flow, that is. Poor circulation often leads to the chills, but its causes are widespread. Here are a few of the most common:
Iron Issues: When you're anemic, your body can't deliver enough red blood cells to your extremities to keep their temperatures in check. Iron-rich foods can help counter the condition, says Gidus, who recommends lean meats, whole grains and legumes. If your fingernails have weird indentations on them, that could a sign of an iron deficiency. Get more info.
Raynaud's Reign: If the slightest chill turns your fingers and toes white, you could have a circulation disorder called Raynaud's phenomenon, in which blood vessels, which normally "clamp down" against the cold, do so too fast and too hard, limiting blood supply to the skin and causing pain and numbness. It's usually more of a nuisance than anything else - most people can "thaw" by holding their hands under warm running water, or massaging fingers and feet.
Die-Hard Habits: If you haven't already done it, cut back on coffee and lose the cigarettes. Both caffeine and smoking constrict blood vessels, slowing circulation and making for a colder you.
More stuff you'll like on QuickandSimple.com:
10 Ways to Beat Aging: How to stay younger longer
Is Your Thyroid Making You Fat?: This little gland could be why you're tired, cranky and -- yes -- overweight
What Your Fingernails Are Trying to Tell You : If they're brittle, breaking or just won't grow, they may be alerting you to a health problem that needs your attention
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
