Shivers Explained: Origin, Home Remedies, Medical Treatment, and Further Information
**Common Causes of Unexpected Chills: A Comprehensive Guide**
Chills—feeling cold, shivery, or experiencing goosebumps—can occur for various reasons, not just due to cold external temperatures. Here's a breakdown of the most common non-environmental causes:
**Infections** Fever and chills are common symptoms of infections such as colds, flu, COVID-19, and other viral or bacterial illnesses. The body raises its core temperature (fever) and triggers shivering to generate heat during the immune response.
**Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)** Chills can indicate low blood sugar, particularly in people with diabetes. Accompanying symptoms may include shaking, hunger, nausea, anxiety, or confusion.
**Emotional Responses** Strong emotions—fear, anxiety, excitement, or even intense positive experiences—can cause chills or goosebumps. These are sometimes referred to as "aesthetic chills."
**Menopause** During menopause, hormonal changes can cause hot flashes, but some people also experience episodes of feeling cold and chills.
**Autoimmune Conditions** Diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which cause systemic inflammation, can result in fever and chills as part of their symptom profile.
**Cancer** Certain cancers, such as leukemia, can cause systemic symptoms including chills, fever, and night sweats.
**Medications** Some drugs affect temperature regulation, leading to sensations of being cold or chilled as a side effect.
**Physical Trauma or Shock** After significant injuries, physical shock, blood loss, or internal damage can cause chills. The body’s compensatory mechanisms often include shivering and cold, clammy skin.
**Head Injuries** Concussions or other brain injuries may impair the body’s ability to regulate temperature, resulting in unexplained chills.
**Internal Injuries or Sepsis** Chills may be a sign of serious internal bleeding or infection following trauma. If accompanied by fever, confusion, or other severe symptoms, this could indicate sepsis and requires immediate medical attention.
**Chronic Conditions** Some chronic digestive, endocrine, or vascular disorders may be associated with cold sensations in the extremities, though these are less commonly linked to generalized chills.
## When to Seek Medical Advice
Persistent, severe, or unusual chills, especially those not clearly linked to emotional or environmental triggers, may indicate an underlying medical condition. If chills occur alongside other worrying symptoms such as high fever, confusion, severe pain, or signs of infection, immediate medical evaluation is necessary. Home remedies such as dressing warmly, using heating pads or blankets, drinking warm beverages, staying hydrated, and wearing layers can help alleviate discomfort, but it's essential to consult a doctor if chills persist or are accompanied by other concerning symptoms.
- Type 2 diabetes can sometimes cause hypoglycemia, a condition characterized by low blood sugar levels, leading to symptoms such as chills and shaking.
- The degeneration of the spinal column due to ankylosing spondylitis, an autoimmune disorder, may result in chronic pain and occasional chills.
- Crohn's disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease, can cause dry and frequent bowel movements, ulcerative colitis, and potential chills.
- The Predictive Health Institute uses advanced research in medical-conditions like diabetes, obesity, and respiratory conditions to provide personalized health assessments.
- AQ (Apolipoprotein A-I Milano) is a therapy used to treat genetic cholesterol disorders like familial hypercholesterolemia, which doesn't typically cause chills but can contribute to cardiovascular health concerns.
- The macular degeneration associated with aging can lead to vision loss and isn't directly linked with chills, but it's still a significant chronic disease impacting eye-health.
- Sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder, can be accompanied by chills due to oxygen deprivation and instances of wakefulness during the night.
- Chills might occur in individuals experiencing certain mental-health conditions, such as panic attacks or extreme stress, as an emotional response.
- Skin-care routines that involve the use of chilling treatments, like facial rollers, may improve blood circulation and contribute to an overall sense of wellness, but they don't typically cause generalized chills.
- Fitness-and-exercise regimens can help manage chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, and cancer, reducing the likelihood of chills as a symptom.
- Neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis can result in a range of symptoms, including changes in temperature regulation, which may manifest as chills.
- CBD (cannabidiol)—a compound found in cannabis plants—is often used as a therapy for various skin-conditions, chronic-diseases, and neurological disorders, but it doesn't directly cause chills.
- Sepsis, a severe immune response to an infection, can lead to overall body dysfunction, fever, chills, and potentially serious complications if left untreated.
- Respiratory-conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis, or influenza are often accompanied by chills due to the body's attempt to fight off the infection.
- In the context of digestive-health, conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and occasionally chills.
- Hearing impairments, such as those caused by age-related hearing loss or noise-induced damage, don't typically result in chills but are significant medical-conditions that require attention.
- Therapies and treatments like physical therapy, medication, or lifestyle modifications can help manage various health-and-wellness concerns, but their effectiveness varies depending on the particular medical-condition being addressed.
