People often experience a change in body temperature after they
eat something. Some, therefore, have the confusion, "why do I get cold
after eating?" Some think it happens because they smoke, others are of the
view that it happens because of a slow metabolism. Continue reading to learn
about different causes of why you feel cold after eating and things you can do
about it.
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| Why Are You Feeling Cold After Eating? |
Why Do I Get Cold After I Eat?
Depending on the temperature and type of food you eat, it is
natural to experience some changes in your body temperature after eating.
Usually, your body heats up when your blood moves to your digestive system and
away from the extremities. Your body temperature will also rise while
digesting food that requires more energy to break down, such as protein. Yet,
your body temperature may come down if you have eaten cold foods and increase
when you eat hot foods. Below are some possible causes of coldness after
eating.
Why do I get cold after I eat? The answers can vary, and one most
important of them can be a condition known as hypothyroidism, in which your
thyroid gland fails to produce an adequate amount of thyroid hormone.
Metabolism and temperature regulation in your body is controlled by the thyroid gland. If you are suffering from hypothyroidism, you are going to be extremely
sensitive to temperature changes, usually quite intolerant to cold.
Other symptoms you may have if you have hypothyroidism include low
energy, weight gain, hair loss, depression, and brittle hair and nails. Your
doctor will make a diagnosis by ordering a blood test and prescribe medications
to treat this condition.
2. Low Carbohydrate Diet
Your body gets heat and energy from carbohydrates; being on a low carbohydrate diet is another reason why your body temperature is always on the
lower side.
3. Anemia
Low iron in the blood may also be the reason why you feel cold. If
you have low iron in the blood you are suffering from anemia. Anemia happens when your
system can't make enough normal red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout
your body. There are a number of different types of anemia. A tendency
to feel cold is a common symptom for many of them. Persons with anemia can not produce enough heat in their body to
keep them warm and feels cold. This may also cause cold sweat in your hands,
forehead, and legs.
4. Anorexia
It could be due to an eating disorder called anorexia. People
suffering from this condition become very thin with resisting getting fat.
Along with feeling cold, there are some other symptoms associated with
anorexia: you keep thinking about your body weight; you are at least 15% below
your ideal body weight for your height, and you have not had your period for at
least 3 months. Losing a lot of weight may increase your risk of
getting chills,
as your body has less insulation from fluctuating temperatures.
When you live with diabetes, it’s not uncommon to feel
cold or numb, especially in your extremities. Your core body temperature is
closely tied to your metabolism, and since diabetes wreaks havoc on your
metabolic processes, you’re bound to sweat, shiver, and shake more than the
average person. Part of the problem comes down to your diabetes management, but that’s not the only force at play. Circulation, insulin levels,
nerve problems, and other lifestyle factors could be interfering with your
natural heat regulation. Find out what’s behind your cold, numbness, or painful
tingling, and take steps to kick-start your internal heating system. Since the
nerves in your limbs also monitor temperature and send those signals to your
brain, it’s not uncommon for hands and feet to feel abnormally cold, too.
Coldness or numbness that stems from peripheral neuropathy often brings along
some other common symptoms.
Under normal circumstances we
will feel warmer and full of energy after eating, however, for kidney failure
patients, they are always feeling cold even after eating. Anemia is the leading
cause of cold feeling for kidney failure patients. A healthy kidney has endocrine
functions and it can secrete erythropoietin to stimulate the bone marrow to
produce red blood cells. When kidneys are damaged, there will be inadequate red
blood cells and anemia develops. Dialysis can
worsen anemia and that is why many dialysis patients often complain about cold
in dialysis centers.
Consult a dietitian and design a
proper individualized diet plan according to your illness and physical
conditions. Have an inadequate intake of energy. Have a proper supply of iron, folic
acid, amino acids, vitamins and trace elements at the premise of adding no
extra burdens to the kidneys.
Low or high blood pressure may as well cause chills after eating. Cold hands and feet may just be a
reaction to cold, or they could indicate underlying problems that
involve blood pressure. Poor circulation could be the result of both high
and low blood pressure and cause the coldness some people may
experience.
Of course, stress can make you feel cold. Anxiety and
stress may make your hands and feet may feel cold even though there
isn't a real reason for them to feel cold, such as cold weather or
temperature.
9. Other Health Conditions
Some other conditions may also be the answer to your question, ‘why
do I get cold after I eat’. For instance, you may experience chills after
eating due to malnutrition, immune deficiencies like AIDS and lupus, inadequate intake of
energy, lack of iron, folic acid and protein due to diet restriction, poor
appetite, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea will all worsen anemia and make patients
feel cold all the time.
How to Deal With Feeling Cold After Eating
It is important to work with your doctor to identify the
underlying cause and determine the most appropriate treatment for your
condition. For instance, you may have to quit smoking if you feel cold due to a
blood vessel disorder. Similarly, you may need medication to improve thyroid
function if you feel cold due to a thyroid condition.
Home Remedies to Try
In case your chronic coldness feeling is not due to an alarming situation, you may consider making use of home remedies to relieve your
symptoms. For instance:
Eat some slices of ginger 15 minutes before your meals may help a
lot. Ginger helps improve digestion and improves blood circulation as
well. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and keep sipping hot water
during meals.
v Eat hot foods to avoid
feeling cold after eating.
To avoid feeling cold after eating try to eat hot food and beverage. Always cook your food lightly, whether it is steamed, sautéed,
broiled, or baked. Your meal needs to be warm and nourishing. Include sweet
(milk, wheat, and rice), sour (tomatoes, yogurt, and citrus), and salty foods
in your diet.
v Avoid overeating.
Overeating can affect your digestion and make you feel cold after
eating. Take a short walk after a meal. Take short walks for about 15 minutes
or so after eating your meals to improve digestion.
v Take a thin slice of fresh
lime and ginger with sprinkled salt.
A thin slice of fresh lime and ginger with salt sprinkled lightly
on these slices is good for your digestion. Salted slice of ginger and lime
prevents acidity and gastroesophageal reflux disease. It will improve your
digestive enzymes and at the same time prepare your intestines as well as a stomach for the process of digestion.
Can It Be Serious? When Should You See a Doctor?
After getting the possible answers to "why do I get cold
after I eat", you will begin to wonder about questions like, can it be a serious issue, when should I seek medical help? Many people have such
concerns. In some cases, chills may be serious, especially when they are
accompanied by a cold sweat, heartburn, or chest/upper body pain. This usually
indicates a heart attack and requires immediate medical attention. Keep in touch with your doctor when you are diagnosed with Kidney Failure. It is a good
idea to talk to your doctor to determine the underlying cause of experiencing
chills after eating.
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