Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
What’s chilly intolerance? Issues to find out about,
Chilly intolerance is outlined as a set of signs together with ache, tingling, numbness, chills, weak spot, stiffness, swelling or modifications in pores and skin color occurring on publicity to chilly.
Chilly intolerance manifests as an excessive sensitivity to chilly temperatures and isn’t an sickness. It manifests as a symptom of varied underlying well being circumstances. It typically signifies an imbalance or dysfunction throughout the physique linked intently to the components reminiscent of thyroid regulation, hypothalamic operate and blood circulation.
Chilly intolerance accompanies a variety of problems. They embody anaemia, hypothyroidism, anorexia nervosa and fibromyalgia to call a couple of. This situation can also be skilled by individuals with persistent well being points or minimal physique fats.
Folks with chilly intolerance discover discomfort in the direction of chilly temperatures whereas others in and round are snug or heat. Figuring out and addressing the underlying well being circumstances / issues is the mainstay of tackling chilly intolerance.
Associated Studying – ‘Chilly Intolerance’
Chilly Intolerance: Ayurveda Understanding
Allow us to focus on Ayurveda understanding of chilly intolerance from the standpoint of what causes this situation from exterior in addition to inside the physique.
Extrinsic components for chilly intolerance
Chilly local weather and seasons are the principle causes for chilly intolerance, if they’re on the upper aspect of extremes. This will not occur with everybody for the reason that tolerance ranges differ from individual to individual, be it in the direction of chilly or warmth. The one who has chilly intolerance could really feel even a light improve of coldness is extraordinarily insupportable whereas the others round are extraordinarily snug with it.
Chilly intolerance could also be a response of the physique to variations occurring within the visarga kala – winter solstice. Visarga Kala includes three seasons that are predominant in chilly. They’re Varsha Ritu – monsoon / wet season, Sharad Rtu – autumn season and Hemanta Rtu – early winter.
Varsha Rtu is the season for aggravation of vata. Vata too is chilly in nature. Clearly there could also be chilly intolerance on this season. The identical affect might be in Hemanta Rtu whereby there may be accumulation of kapha, and consequent accumulation of coldness within the physique. In hemanta rtu there might be a lower in pitta too. This can deplete the physique’s regular and pure warmth. Consumption of vata and kapha aggravating meals and actions in seasons favouring their improve could add as much as irregular improve of those doshas resulting in manifestation of chilly intolerance.
Equally, Vasanta Rtu – spring season which falls in the midst of Adana Kala – summer season solstice, is the season of aggravation of kapha. Chilly intolerance can even manifest as an exaggerated response of the physique to this season.
Common consumption of chilly meals and publicity to chilly or working in chilly and damp circumstances for very long time durations could make one more and more illiberal to the chilly.
Habituated consumption of vata and kapha aggravating meals and life-style actions for longer period are additionally the extrinsic components which may contribute in the direction of chilly intolerance.
Intrinsic components for chilly intolerance
The doshas, primarily vata and kapha, that are principally chilly in nature are the intrinsic components for chilly intolerance.
Based on Ayurveda, extreme coldness within the physique is especially resulting from irregular improve or aggravation of vata, or kapha or each. Each these doshas of the physique are chilly in nature whereas the opposite dosha i.e. pitta is scorching in nature.
Will increase in vata or kapha can construct up chilly within the physique and when it hits extremes, they might trigger chilly intolerance. When there may be chilly intolerance, it additionally displays that there’s depletion of pitta and its subtypes within the physique. Hearth and pitta have an in depth bonding. Hearth naturally resides within the pitta and in a state of stability, it helps in sustaining and regulating warmth within the physique.
Extreme coldness within the physique can also be attributable to the ailments attributable to these morbid kapha, vata or each. These ailments when not handled correctly or when the doshas aren’t managed in time could result in chilly intolerance.
This elevated coldness in vata or kapha problems might be related to signs of these ailments. These signs embody ache and dryness resulting from vata or heaviness and swelling resulting from kapha.
Likewise, agnimandya – lower in digestive fireplace / power and or formation of ama can produce chilly intolerance. Improper or insufficient digestion of meals resulting from sluggishness of the digestive fireplace will trigger manufacturing of ama. Ama has qualities of kapha. It’s an intermediate product of digestion. When it’s absorbed as such and put into circulation, it will not solely get related to the doshas however would additionally contaminate the tissues and excreta. Being sticky in nature it tends to trigger blocks and clogs within the physique. Ama, when current all around the physique, will additional deplete the central and peripheral digestive fires. On its lengthy keep with out being eradicated from the physique or not being handled, will construct up chilly within the physique. In the end of time, it may give rise to chilly intolerance. Ama would trigger painful circumstances, irritation, heaviness, tiredness and fatigue within the physique.
The seasons, meals and actions which worsen kapha and vata and produce associated signs are direct causes for chilly intolerance aside from the pure improve of the doshas past the extent of auto-pacification.
Ayurveda Therapy Ideas for Chilly Intolerance
Nidana Parivarjana – Initially, the golden precept of stopping or curing all ailments must be adopted right here too. The primary causative components of chilly intolerance, be it intrinsic or extrinsic must be recognized and remoted (saved away). This can assist in halting the development of pathology which is inflicting chilly intolerance, to get aid from the signs of the identical and in addition to forestall the signs from coming again. The extrinsic components in the end imbalances the doshas and trigger ailments. Subsequently, the physique shouldn’t be uncovered to those components.
Particular administration of doshas – This contains balancing vata and kapha, whichever dosha is aggravated or treating vataja or kaphaja ailments promptly.
The opposite treatments embody –
–    Utilizing scorching comforts, meals and medicines – ushnakamitva i.e., need for decent meals and comforts is without doubt one of the signs of irregular vata improve within the physique
–    Treating pitta and rakta kshaya – pathological lower of pitta and rakta – blood (during which pitta is situated) since each contribute in the direction of warmth of the physique
–    Correctly following the seasonal routine of varsha rtu – monsoon or wet season, hemanta rtu – chilly season, winter and Vasanta rtu – spring season
–    Addressing agnimandya and treating / expelling ama or mala from the physique
–    Administering Vamana – therapeutic emesis for expelling from the physique the morbid kapha
–    Administering Vasti – to deliver vata to a state of stability
–    Vyadhi Pratyanika – treating these ailments promptly that are inflicting chilly intolerance
