- Improper thyroid function can impact temperature regulation. The thyroid produces hormones that influence how much the blood vessels dilate, which affects how much heat can escape the body. An overactive thyroid can increase the body’s temperature, but an underactive thyroid will keep the body’s temperature lower.
- Diabetics can have more significant issues with blood flow which is necessary to maintaining warmth, and those affected by diabetic neuropathy may be more severely impacted during colder weather.
- Parkinson’s disease and arthritis make it physically difficult to put on more clothes, layer blankets, and get out of the cold.
- Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other forms of memory loss can cause people to not recognize the cold as a danger and go outside without the correct clothing for the weather.
- Certain medications, particularly OTC cold medications, also can affect body temperature.
Surviving Colder Temperatures for the Elderly
The elderly are highly susceptible to the temperature changes that come with the changing seasons, making winter a very difficult time of year. Changes in the body as a result of aging can make it harder for you to be aware of getting cold. When you get too cold and your body temperature drops significantly, hypothermia sets in. A temperature under 95 degrees can cause many health problems, such as a heart attack, kidney problems, liver damage, and more. Being outside in the cold, or even being in a very cold house, can lead to hypothermia. Try to stay away from cold places and pay attention to how cold it is where you are.
Sometimes it’s not as easy to avoid significant decreases in temperature because some illnesses make it harder for your body to stay warm.