Reasons why some people feel colder or hotter than others
Why some people feel colder or hotter than other people
Have you ever come across people who constantly complain about feeling too hot or too cold, while you sat there feeling the complete opposite? Probably yes! At home or at the office, there's always this one person expressing dissatisfaction about the thermostat settings, about the air conditioner being too low or too high and so on.
The average normal body temperature is generally said to be 98.6°F (37°C). What is important to understand is that body temperatures may vary from person to person depending on their age, activity and the time of the day. While all humans are warm blooded and can regulate their body temperatures, there are some people who may feel colder or hotter than other individuals. This could be due to several factors. Let us take a look at them.
Age
As compared to younger adults, older people are unable to regulate their body temperatures. This is because as we age, our metabolism starts to slow down. A slower metabolism can then cause the body temperature to drop, which is why older people are more prone to hypothermia and must keep themselves well covered at all times. Leading a sedentary life may also give rise to such problems.
Sex
The female body has less muscle mass as compared to men which is why it generates a lesser amount of heat from the skin pores, making them feel colder than the men, even with the same room temperature, explains Dr. Rob Danoff, a physician from Philadelphia.
However, when it comes to menopausal, middle-aged women, they may feel warmer than their male counterparts. This is not because they develop muscle mass but because they experience certain hormonal changes, as per the expert.
Why size matters
As per experts, body size can also be one of the reasons why some people feel hotter or colder than others. The larger the body, the greater the heat sink, hence leading to a longer time to cool down, says Ollie Jay, a researcher of physiology at the University of Sydney.
Body fat
Studies have shown people who have a larger amount of fat in the body may feel warmer than those who are leaner. It is because the extra fat is said to heat up the body, since it acts like an extra layer of clothing.
However, in some circumstances, obese and overweight people may feel colder than people who have normal weight. This has to do with the function of the circulatory system. That said, when you feel hot, the blood vessels widen, which allows the blood to flow through them and reach the skin, from where the excess heat is excreted. But since subcutaneous fat traps heat, it keeps the core warm, while cooling down the skin surface. This according to Catherine O’Brien, a research physiologist with the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, may result in obese people feeling colder than others.
Medical conditions
Certain medical conditions may also affect people's body temperature.
For instance, hypothyroidism, which is also known as underactive thyroid, is when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones that helps regulate important bodily functions like metabolism, energy levels and so on, it could lead to making a person feel colder.
Raynaud’s disease is a condition that causes certain parts of the body such as the toes and the fingers to feel cold and numb, especially in cold temperatures or due to stress. In this, small arteries become narrower, limiting the flow of the blood to affected areas.