Table of contents:
- What is the normal body temperature?
- What does it mean if your hands are cold all the time?
- 1. Metabolic disorders
- 2. Hormonal disorders
- 3. Nervous system disorders
- 4. Diabetes
- 5. Heart disease
Have you ever touched someone's arm or palm and felt surprised because that person's skin felt cold? In fact, both of you are in a room with the same temperature and at the same time. Everyone's body temperature is different. There are people whose body temperature is hot, but there are also people whose body temperature is colder. As it turns out, cold hands don't always mean you're cold. There are several reasons why a person's body temperature is lower than most. Here is the full explanation.
What is the normal body temperature?
To find out whether your body temperature is low or high, you need to understand your normal body temperature and be healthy. Body temperature is usually measured with a thermometer by mouth, armpit, or anus. If you are not sick, have a fever, chills, or have been exercising, your normal body temperature is 37 degrees Celsius. However, keep in mind that your body temperature will fluctuate throughout the day. In the morning and during the day, you will usually experience an increase in body temperature of about 0.6 degrees Celsius. Then in the afternoons and evenings when you sleep, your body temperature will drop to 35 degrees Celsius.
What does it mean if your hands are cold all the time?
Some people have a low body temperature or less than 37 degrees Celsius every day. This is what causes skin and hands to cool down consistently. Other people can notice it when they come into contact with you. People with a low body temperature may also find it easier to feel cold. If you experience these characteristics, you are at risk of developing one of the following health conditions.
1. Metabolic disorders
Metabolism is the system that regulates how substances in the body are converted into energy sources or excreted. Body temperature is one of the metabolic functions that you can feel directly. Body heat is a form of energy. So, if your body temperature is low, it means that there is a disturbance in the energy conversion process that the body should carry out. Metabolic disorders can be triggered by several things, such as lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, or conditions such as obesity. Watch for symptoms other than low body temperature, such as dizziness, nausea and vomiting. You should immediately consult a doctor or health facility.
2. Hormonal disorders
Various hormonal disorders can cause low body temperature. The members of the body that are responsible for regulating and producing hormones are the thyroid gland located in the neck, the pituitary gland in the brain, and the adrenal glands above the kidneys. If these body organs are damaged and cannot produce hormones normally, your body temperature will decrease. That's why your temperature is usually the first thing your doctor checks to check if you have hormone problems.
3. Nervous system disorders
Your body temperature is regulated by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus plays a very important role as the nervous system. If this part of the brain is damaged by tissue, nerves, or cells, the body will lose control of its normal temperature regulation. Various conditions that can cause this nervous system disorder are trauma to the head, brain aneurysms, strokes, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. So, if in addition to cold hands you also experience other symptoms such as loss of consciousness, headache, weakness, or nausea, you should immediately consult a medical professional.
4. Diabetes
According to a study published by the American Diabetes Association, low body temperature can be a symptom and sign of diabetes. The insulin hormone which functions to absorb sugar in the body can increase body temperature. If your body doesn't produce enough insulin, your body temperature can drop. Conditions like insulin resistance can also cause low body temperature and cold hands. Disorders of insulin are signs and symptoms of diabetes.
5. Heart disease
If your blood flow is obstructed, your body temperature will drop. Various conditions such as blood clots, plaque buildup in the arteries, high blood pressure, and narrowed blood vessels are some examples of factors that trigger heart disease. These factors indicate a disruption in blood flow so that you will experience a low body temperature. So, be careful if cold hands are accompanied by abnormal heartbeats, chest pain (angina), arrhythmias, or weakness.