Cold kills more people than heat. More people move from cold states to warm ones because of climate than vice versa. You're more likely to fall and hurt yourself in icy cold weather.
So, which is harder on the body: extreme heat or extreme cold? "It's a good question," said Dr. Thomas Hellmich, an emergency room physician at University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital. "In general, you tolerate better extremes in cold.
Benefits. Increased Metabolism – When our body is cooler it has to work harder to maintain our core body temperature. As a result, our resting metabolic rate increases as we burn more calories at rest.
Experts say that a sudden drop in temperature from hot to cold can be harmful to the human body and especially for people who have chronic cold-related problems. This sudden change in temperature can dry your skin, the mucus membrane, eyes and cause asthma attacks, muscular pains, sinusitis etc.
Chills refers to feeling cold after being in a cold environment. The word can also refer to an episode of shivering along with paleness and feeling cold.
Body temperature is one of the most well known and important factors involved in lifespan; increased body temperature has been shown to negatively associate with longevity (i.e. earlier death) and conversely, lower body temperature is associated with increased longevity and reduced aging.
Cold weather can raise your risk of heart and circulatory problems, such as heart attacks and strokes.
Low temperatures can increase the likelihood of getting sick. The body is not as effective at fighting a virus when cold air enters the nose and upper airways, so viruses such as the common cold, the flu and COVID-19 often spread more easily in the winter.
Warm Weather is Safer
Studies have shown that death rates are higher in cold climates. People who have easy access to heat & good housing may not be as affected, but for those who are struggling, the winter & cold weather could be a killer.
And the reason for this may be in a person's genes. Our new research shows that a common genetic variant in the skeletal muscle gene, ACTN3, makes people more resilient to cold temperatures.
Dr Santosh Kumar Agrawal, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Marengo QRG Hospital, Faridabad says “Avoid cold water baths if you are low on immunity. Cold water can make you prone to a plethora of health issues like cold, cough, pneumonia, irritation in the throat and fever.
While cold air won't give you a cold or the flu, heated indoor air can certainly put you at risk. Breathing in heated air dries out your nose and makes it a better breeding ground for viruses.
The cooler temperatures cause your body to work harder to stay warm. Even shivering in cold weather can cause the body to burn additional calories. The body's thermogenesis process becomes more efficient at burning stored fat to be used as fuel to regulate body heat.
Warning signs and symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath, chronic coughing or wheezing, swelling, fatigue, loss of appetite, and others. Heart failure means the heart has failed to pump the way it should in order to circulate oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.
Reduced inflammation: Similar to putting ice on an injury, cold weather can reduce inflammation and pain. One study found that runners exposed to cold temperatures recovered faster from workouts. This suggests that exercising in winter may result in less inflammation and soreness than in the summer.
Researchers have identified that people are more heart attack prone in January and December than in other months of the year. This phenomenon doesn't appear to be weather-related, and scientists are trying to learn why more people succumb to cardiac events during this time.
Another reason for living longer in colder climates is when your colder, the body needs additional mitochondria to warm you up, and mitochondria also slows the aging process.
It can keep you looking younger.
Cold weather enhances the complexion and rejuvenates skin, Wong says. In a way, it slows down the aging process—think of cryotherapy spa treatments or splashing cold water on your face in the morning—and keeps skin tight, vibrant and radiant.
Slows Down Aging
Cold weather enhances the complexion and rejuvenates the skin. In a way, it slows down the aging process by keeping skin tight, vibrant, and radiant.
Dress light. Bundling up too much can make it harder to reduce a fever. If you have chills, try wearing a single, light layer and using one lightweight blanket. If your temperature's over 103ºF, let your doctor know.
Cold sweats can be caused by a number of factors—anxiety, pain, hormonal fluctuations, low blood sugar, or infections, he says. On the serious side, cold sweats can signal a condition, like cancer, especially when you're sweating at night. Sudden sweating can also be one of the first signs of a heart attack.
Sweating more or feeling hotter than usual can be due to medication, hormonal changes, stress, or an underlying health condition, such as diabetes or an overactive thyroid.
According to experts, cold temperatures can make you drowsy, resulting in a falling body temperature that will help you drift off faster. This is why you should keep the bedroom cool, as it is nearly impossible to fall and stay asleep when the room temperature is high or when you're sweating.
Cold weather, and particularly cold air, can also play havoc with your lungs and health. Cold air is often dry air, and for many, especially those with chronic lung disease, that can spell trouble. Dry air can irritate the airways of people with lung diseases.