Doctors reveal 10 unexpected reasons behind constant chills

Anemia

Anemia occurs when the body lacks healthy red blood cells to supply it with the necessary oxygen. This can cause fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath. It can also cause a feeling of coldness in the body, especially in the hands and feet.

Iron deficiency

Insufficient iron intake can raise the risk of developing iron-deficiency anemia, leading to frequent colds. This can be due to blood loss, poor nutrition, or the body's inability to absorb it.

The best sources of iron are red meat, poultry, pork, fish, enriched iron cereals, grains, peas, soybeans, chickpeas, and dark leafy vegetables.

Vitamin B12 deficiency

A lack of this vitamin in the body can also cause anemia. This happens when your diet lacks or has very little chicken, eggs, or fish. Some grains are also fortified with vitamin B12.

However, in some cases, it's challenging to get the necessary amount of vitamin B12 from food as it might not be absorbed well due to illnesses or medications you're taking.

Hypothyroidism

This is a condition where the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones. In this state, a person becomes very sensitive to cold. Joint pain, constipation, dry skin, and weight gain can also occur. Symptoms can manifest over years.

Hypothyroidism can be caused by various factors, including diseases or treatment for other conditions.

Raynaud's phenomenon

This phenomenon involves blood vessels in your hands intensely reacting to low temperatures or stress. During an attack, which can last from a few minutes to an hour, they narrow, restricting blood flow. This can lead to the fingers and toes feeling cold, numbness, whitening, or bluish discoloration. Upon blood return, they might tingle or even ache.

Usually, medications that alleviate symptoms and prevent tissue damage help in such cases. A doctor prescribes these medications.

Kidney disease

Diabetes and high blood pressure often cause kidney diseases. Waste levels can reach dangerous levels because the kidneys poorly filter the blood. This can lower body temperature and cause other issues. Kidney disease is also associated with anemia, which can make you feel cold even when it's warm outside.

Peripheral artery disease

It occurs when plaques narrow the arteries, making it harder for blood to reach the legs and sometimes the arms. If one leg feels colder than the other, especially if it's painful, numb, or weak, it could be a sign of the disease. Immediate medical help is necessary if such symptoms arise.

Nervous anorexia

This eating disorder involves a drastic reduction in calorie intake, which can dangerously thin a person. Due to the lack of fat in the body, they might consistently feel cold, especially in the hands and feet. This condition can be life-threatening.

Peripheral neuropathy

If your legs feel cold but don't seem so to the touch, it could be a sign of a disorder. Often, it starts from the toes and moves upward on the foot. It happens when an injury or illness damages the nerves. Diabetes is a frequent cause. There's a risk of contracting it through infections, liver or kidney diseases, vitamin deficiencies, or exposure to toxic chemicals.

Hypopituitarism

It's a condition where the pituitary gland doesn't produce enough specific hormones. One of the typical symptoms is sensitivity to cold or difficulty in getting warm. Anemia, loss of appetite, and rapid weight loss can also occur.

Previously, we also talked about 5 reasons not to sleep in socks at night.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.