Cold temperatures may be uncomfortable for those with neurologic disorders because their internal thermostats may be unable to adjust properly. “Our bodies are meant to maintain a set point, or homeostasis,” says Michael Jaffee, MD, FAAN, associate professor of neurology at the University of Florida in Gainesville. “One way the body adapts to keep warm is to contract the muscles,” he says. With a neurologic condition, the communication between nerves and muscles can be disrupted. Blood vessels also constrict to reduce heat loss, which may shift circulation away from hands and feet. “These changes our blood vessels make in cold weather also affect certain neurologic conditions, like peripheral neuropathy, and can make symptoms worse,” says Dr. Jaffee.
To read the full article click here.