How many times have you been told that you needed to put on
a coat when you went outside, because if you didn’t, you would get sick? I’ve heard this millions of times. It seems like every time we do anything, that
is the warning. This idea has crossed
generation after generation, but is it true?
To straighten this myth out once and for all…BEING COLD DOES NOT MAKE YOU SICK. Germs are the cause of diseases. Some are viruses (some ironically referred to as colds), some are bacteria, some are even yeasts, but none of them are directly correlated with the weather. I do want to explore how this misconception may have come about, though. First of all, more people get sick in the winter than in the summer, in this part of the world. As you might have guessed, there are a few explanations for this. First of all, when the weather is cold, more people are going to spend time indoors. This crowding makes it easier for us to pass germs from person to person, facilitating the process of getting more people infected. Secondly, during the winter months, drier air moves into our region. This drier air dries out your skin and mucous membranes (think inside of your nose, your lips, etc…), as well. These areas are all part of the immune system and when they dry out, it makes it easier for infections to infiltrate their defenses. For those of you who disagree with all of this, I will give you a little bit of ammunition to fuel your argument. While the weather doesn’t directly cause disease, it can have an effect on you contracting a disease, but it will take a longer-term exposure for this to occur. Again, this is not going to be a direct correlation, as even if you are in these conditions it is still very possible that you won’t contract any infections. I just want to clarify one thing. Cold weather can put stress on your body. If you aren’t dressed appropriately for the elements, or you are in a cold room for long periods of time, your body is put under a lot of stress. Obviously it has been tasked with the duties of keeping your core temperature regulated. To do this it must adjust your metabolism to the elements. If you are in a cold environment for long periods of time, it is going to turn your metabolism up, as heat is a side product of your body breaking down nutrients. Shivering works in the same ways. It requires energy to move your muscles, creating more heat. Unfortunately doing this does require energy. As you continue to use up energy, without the right fuel, your body will fatigue. This fatigue can decrease your immune function, which also requires energy, and make you susceptible to attack from pathogens. You will still have to be exposed to those pathogens for this to be a possibility, though. Next time you hear someone tell you to bundle up for your quick trip outside to grab the paper, feel comfortable in explaining to them that you are much more likely to catch a cold from them than you are from going outside.
If you have questions, or would like to discuss this further, please contact me at: Jeffrey L. Cumro, Doctor of Chiropractic, Certified Personal Trainer |
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Does Cold Weather Make You Sick?posted Jan 25, 2012 7:54 AM by Jeffrey Cumro |