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As temperature As fall has fallen in recent weeks, with the official start of scarf season, many people are feeling the cold more intensely.
For those who find themselves increasingly sensitive to ColdMoving forward, even with many layers age May be an important factor.
Dr Alice Dallas, a GP at London General Practice, has explored six common reasons why people feel Cold more intensely with age,
She also offers practical advice for staying warm and cozy as the colder months approach.
1. Slow metabolism
a slow one metabolism As you grow older, you start feeling cold.
,metabolism “This slows down with age due to loss of lean muscle mass and hormonal changes,” explains Dallas. Thyroid function declines, particularly free T3 levels, which reduces metabolic rate and heat production. Adrenal changes include reduced DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) and altered cortisol rhythms, which can affect energy balance and thermoregulation.
“Thermogenesis, the process of heat production in the body, becomes less efficient. This includes non-shivering mechanisms such as basal metabolic heat, shivering, and brown fat activation.”
2. Less Muscle and Fat
Many of us begin to lose muscle and fat later in life, which reduces our body’s insulation.
“Sarcopenia causes muscle mass to be reduced, which reduces heat production. Subcutaneous fat is also reduced, which reduces insulation,” says Dallas. ,thick Redistributes heat from organs to central areas, reducing peripheral heat.
3. Poor circulation
Circulation naturally decreases with age.
“Blood vessels become stiffer and vasodilation becomes less reactive,” says Dallas. “Peripheral circulation slows, especially in the extremities, leading to reduced heat distribution. Autonomic regulation of blood flow also weakens, making it harder to retain heat.”
4. Chronic conditions
Chronic conditions such as hypothyroidism, anemia, and diabetes can increase sensitivity to cold in older adults by affecting the body’s ability to generate and dissipate heat.
“Hypothyroidism reduces metabolic heat production and anemia reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, leading to reduced cellular energy and heat,” explains Dallas. “While diabetes can cause peripheral neuropathy and vascular damage, heat sensation and circulation can be impaired.
“In addition, heart failure reduces cardiac output, limiting blood flow to the skin and limbs and Raynaud’s phenomenon causes exaggerated vasoconstriction in response to cold.”
5. Side effects of medicine
Due to age-related changes in the body and common use of many medications, older adults are more sensitive to side effects.
“Diuretics—including thiazides (such as bendroflumethiazide), a loop (such as furosemide), and potassium-sparing (such as spironolactone)—can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which can impair thermoregulation,” says Dallas. “Antidepressants such as SSRIs (e.g. sertraline, fluoxetine) and tricyclics (e.g. amitriptyline) may affect hypothalamic temperature control and cause vasoconstriction.
“In addition, vasodilators such as calcium channel blockers (such as amlodipine) and alpha-blockers (such as doxazosin) can impair vascular tone and heat retention and beta-blockers (such as bisoprolol) can reduce cardiac output and peripheral circulation.”
6. Additional factors
A range of other age-related factors also play a role.
“Thin skin, reduced sweat gland function, reduced physical activity, and impaired hypothalamic response all reduce the body’s ability to sense and respond to cold,” says Dallas.
“Low calorie intake and low brown fat activity also contribute.”
Can exposure to cold temperatures cause any serious health problems for older adults?
“Yes, exposure to cold temperature “There are many serious health issues that arise for older adults,” says Dallas. “Hypothermia can happen even indoors, and cold stress increases cardiovascular risk, worsens arthritis, and can impair cognition and mobility, increasing the risk of falls.” There is also a risk of frostbite in extreme cold.”
What can older adults do to stay warm this winter?
“Wear thermal layers, including a hat, gloves and socks,” Dallas advises. “Also, keep indoor temperatures at least 20C, use warm blankets or hot water bottles safely and check drafts and insulate windows and doors.
“Also, eat regular, warm meals, stay hydrated and try to be active indoors to promote circulation.”