Heat and cold intolerance (thermoregulation)

Article Summary From Polio Australia

Many polio survivors report that their feet or hands have always been cold to the touch, and their skin can turn a bluish colour. During months of hot weather, you may find it hard to keep cool.

• The ability to keep your temperature at a normal level is called thermoregulation.

• You may experience heat or cold intolerance as a result of polio.

• There are things you can do to keep warm or cool and government concessions on energy bills to assist you.

Thermoregulation is the process that allows your body to keep its core internal temperature.

The body responds to temperature through:

• nerves that control blood vessel size, constricting when it is cold or relaxing when it is hot.

• nerves that help concentrate blood flow to the centre during times of digestion or to our limbs during movement.

• skeletal muscle activity where blood is transported to muscles and to the skin surface vasodilation occurs.

How is body heat maintained?

• Muscle activity stimulates blood flow (and heat) to the limbs, away from internal organs.

• The cells in and around the muscle produce heat from the muscle activity.

• Excess heat is lost by allowing more blood flow through the capillaries closer to the skin surface.

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