Winter is here, and it's time to wear long underwear again. Many young people refuse to wear them for the sake of beauty, and they often hear older people say that they are susceptible to "old cold legs". In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that "cold comes from the feet", which can lead to various arthritis symptoms. But is your "old cold legs" really caused by not wearing long underwear?
1. What is old cold legs?
What is old cold legs? It is often said that if the legs are exposed to cold or as one ages, one may develop old cold legs. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that when the temperature drops, blood circulation in the body decreases, resulting in poor blood supply to the extremities, which can lead to various arthritis symptoms, such as feeling cold, sensitive to wind, and even experiencing pain.
From a Western medical perspective, when our legs are exposed to cold, local metabolism slows down, leading to blood vessel constriction and tissue hypoxia. At this time, anaerobic respiration produces lactic acid, causing damage to local tissues. Over time, this can affect the mobility and extensibility of bodily fluids (such as synovial fluid), leading to various synovitis, bursitis, and leg muscle spasms. Additionally, the immune system in the joints becomes weaker due to slower metabolism, making it easier to develop arthritis.
2. Don't be afraid of the cold, exercise more!
So why is it that young women in Japan, South Korea, and some European countries can wear short skirts and boots in the winter without feeling cold? It's not just because they love beauty. In Japan, South Korea, and even in some European countries, children are required to wear shorts or skirts during school time. Japanese children are even required to wash their faces with cold water in the morning to train their resistance to cold and strengthen their willpower. So when they grow up and start working, they don't feel cold when wearing skirts to the office. A friend who studied in Japan as a child told me this, and even now she can wear skirts in the winter without feeling cold.
Another point is that if you are really afraid of the cold: exercise more! Increased metabolism will naturally make you feel warmer. It's better to go to the gym and run for half an hour every day than to wrap yourself in layers of clothing.
3. Can exposure to cold lead to "uterus coldness"?
From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, "uterus coldness" refers to insufficient kidney yang and inadequate warmth in the uterus, leading to symptoms such as lower abdominal distension and pain. It can cause excessive vaginal discharge, dysmenorrhea, menstrual irregularities, and tight pulse. Keeping warm can help alleviate these symptoms.
From a modern medical perspective, it is also possible to explain how cold exposure can harm the uterus. Our reproductive system has natural defense mechanisms against pathogens, so inflammation is generally not a concern. However, when your body is exposed to cold, your overall health weakens, making it easier for pathogens to invade and cause various gynecological infections.
Additionally, women naturally have less muscle mass and produce less heat, so they are generally more sensitive to cold than men. If you often expose areas such as your legs or waist when dressing, it can easily lead to wind chill.
Some people believe that "uterus coldness" can cause menstrual pain. Menstrual pain can be primary or secondary. When we say that the uterus is affected by cold, it means that when the temperature is low, the blood vessels in the pelvic cavity excessively constrict, leading to endometriosis and causing menstrual pain.
