Winter blood

[EIUvltr]

I was just wondering if there was any physiological evidence of "winter blood, " where the cold doesn't bother you as much towards the end of winter as opposed to the beginning. Is there a increase energy spent on thermoregulation or something?

[VaultMarq26]

It has more to do with adaptation.....think of it this way.....50 degrees in september feels really cold, but 50 degrees in march feels great.......the body takes about a week to adapt to a large change in temp.

[EIUvltr]

right, but is it a psychological adaptation, or physiological?

[VaultMarq26]

There is a physiological adaption.

As far as psychological, that probably ranges from person to person. The mind is very powerful so I am sure it has some affect

[EIUvltr]

There is a physiological adaption.

I was looking for something a bit more specific

[VaultMarq26]

Acclimatization is what it is called. The precise changes are highly vaired. Typically, they involve an increase in the number, size, or sensitivity of one or more of the cell types in the homeostatic control system that mediate the basic response.

Acclimatizations are usually completely reversible. Therefore, if daily exposures to heat are discontinued, there will be a reversion to the preacclimatized body response in a short time.

If an acclimatization is induced very early in life, at the critical period for development of a structure or response, it is termed a developmental acclimatization and may be irreversible.

HOW DOES THAT AFFECT US

A person newly arrived in a hot environment has poor ability to do work; body temperature rises and severe weakness may occur.

There is also an important change in composition of the sweat. After acclimatization there is a reduction in sodium concentration. Less sodium in the system causes all kinds of problems for athletes.

Cold acclimatization has been much less studied because of difficutly testing it. Even Eskimos who live in cold climates generally dress very warmly and do not develop acclimatization to the cold......to be specific....

[EIUvltr]

thanks

[theczar]

one word:

Eskimo