Cold application commonly leads to which of the following changes?

Cold application commonly leads to which of the following changes?

• A. Increased tissue metabolism
• B. Vasoconstriction with decreased vascular permeability
• C. Increased muscle heat production
• D. Increased blood flow

Answer: (B)

Cold application mainly causes vasoconstriction and reduced capillary permeability. When the vessels constrict, blood flow to the area decreases, which helps limit edema and inflammatory fluid leakage from the capillaries. At the same time, cooling lowers tissue metabolic rate, decreasing the area’s oxygen demand and heat production. Increased tissue metabolism or increased muscle heat production would not occur with cold, and cold does not increase blood flow (that happens with heat). So the response characterized by vasoconstriction with decreased vascular permeability most accurately reflects the typical effect of cold therapy.

Cold application mainly causes vasoconstriction and reduced capillary permeability. When the vessels constrict, blood flow to the area decreases, which helps limit edema and inflammatory fluid leakage from the capillaries. At the same time, cooling lowers tissue metabolic rate, decreasing the area’s oxygen demand and heat production. Increased tissue metabolism or increased muscle heat production would not occur with cold, and cold does not increase blood flow (that happens with heat). So the response characterized by vasoconstriction with decreased vascular permeability most accurately reflects the typical effect of cold therapy.