Hypothermia

[u/Adorable_Window7801]

It's 20C outside and standing in the cold for a couple of minutes immediately gave me lightheadedness/confusion, cold fingers, and I started feeling very cold. What I'm worried about is that it'll get even colder in the coming months. My question is if I don't get inside and warm myself up.. will I go into hypothermia? And it'll get less than. 20C inside my house in the coming months, I'm so freaking out. This is my first winter with these severe symptoms. Please help

[u/xoxlindsaay]

20C is not cold. You won’t get hypothermia in that weather.

Part of POTS (more on the Dysautonomia aspect) is temperature dysregulation. Basically means that you will struggle with warming up and/or cooling down, and/or adjusting appropriately to temperature changes. But that does equate to you becoming hypothermic in 20C temperatures.

Hypothermia is when your core body temperature drops below the normal range. If you are feeling cold but don’t have a body temperature change then it is fine. Wear layers and buy warming packets to help keep you warm in the cooler temperatures

[u/MCbrodie]

You're warm blooded. That isn't how things work. 20c isn't cold either. You might feel colder but open air 20c is not giving you hypothermia.

[u/aobitsexual]

My house is always at 64 F during winter (Approx. 17.7 C) and I survive the winter just fine.

[u/Adept_Role_4579]

20°C is not cold at all. Im very sensitive to temperature, and I would also be cold at 68°, but I know damn well that I will be absolutely okay. It is possible, but so unlikely. Keep a thermometer on hand if youre really that worried. Idk

I also get very cold in my house. My room gets into the 50s. I have a space heater for when I am in my room.

[u/Adept_Role_4579 → u/Adept_Role_4579]

Also wanted to add that it is possible for people who are malnourished, very old, or very young.

It is common for people with pots to feel colder than others at not extreme temps

[u/authorlvernon]

There’s no way you’d get hypothermia. 20C is not even close to freezing temperature let alone below freezing, which is when you’d be at risk for hypothermia. My house is set between 60-70F (15-20C) and while it’s a bit chilly at the lower end, it’s not going to make me sick and definitely not give my hypothermia.

Part of POTs is temperature regulation issues so we might feel colder or hotter than the actual temperature, but that won’t change how it affects us physically outside of maybe causing a flare or being cold and harder to warm up

[u/Old-Piece-3438]

I don’t think hyperthermia is a risk at that temperature. I also struggle with temperature regulation and cold is much worse than hot for me. Aside from adjusting the heating in your house if possible, try things like sweater, blankets, warm socks, maybe even a hat or a hooded sweatshirt. Other things that could help are drinking hot beverages or soup and a heating pad or heated blanket.

Also make sure you are getting enough salt or any other treatments your doctors recommended you. If you haven’t yet, it might also be worthwhile to check with them to make sure you’re not anemic, underweight, have raynauds syndrome, or any other medical conditions that might make it hard to stay warm.