Shivering is a normal reaction of the human body. As soon as this is confronted with cold, various accompanying symptoms such as shivering are expressed. In general, shivering represents only one symptom, it can be based on different causes.
What characterizes shivering?
A cool outdoor temperature is not felt the same way by everyone, and some organisms differ in their response. For example, some people are more likely to shiver than others. Especially in the cold months and with too airy clothes, most people shiver. However, winter is not always responsible for shivering. It can also be triggered by illnesses, as is the case with a cold, for example. The sensation of warmth and cold is regulated by the brain. The work of these structures is especially important when external temperatures drop: it prevents the organism from a strong reduction of its own temperature. As soon as goose bumps and other phenomena appear, the body begins to focus on the blood circulation of important organs. In addition to the heart and brain, these also include the kidneys and digestive elements. The bodily structures, which have a great distance from the trunk, are less supplied with blood; fingertips, toes, nose and ears become cold. The classic pallor of the skin results from the contraction of the blood vessels. The shivering is based on the contraction of the muscles. In this way, the body generates heat.
Causes
There are many causes of shivering. Primarily, a cold outside temperature can reduce that of the body. However, individual sensitivity to cold also plays a role. A cool outside temperature is not felt the same way by everyone, and some organisms differ in their response. For example, the thickness of subcutaneous fat tissue can be identified as one of the factors that regulate cold sensitivity. The fat protects the internal organs and thus strengthens resistance. At the same time, fatigue and exhaustion increase sensitivity. However, such an appearance does not usually require medical treatment. In the case of persistent shivering, other causes may also be present. These include, for example, colds, flu and other infections. Colds are often accompanied by fever and chills. As soon as circulatory disorders are present, the sensitivity to cold increases and shivering occurs more frequently. Cold hands, feet and pale skin are the first signs of suboptimal blood circulation. The symptoms can be verified by a physician. In the context of an underactive thyroid gland, the metabolic process is slowed down, resulting in less of the body’s own heat. Furthermore, altered structures in the brain, pathological underweight and hormonal imbalances can trigger the shivering. This arises, for example, temporarily during menopause.
Diseases with this symptom
- Infection
- Hypotension
- Anorexia
- Cold
- Hormonal imbalances
- Cachexia
- Flu
- Circulatory problems
- Hypothyroidism
Diagnosis and course of the disease
Freezing in winter is one of the normal phenomena that do not require a medical diagnosis. However, if there is an increased sensitivity to cold, which also manifests itself at higher temperatures and persists permanently, a doctor should be consulted. First of all, any other complaints should be described. In the case of hypothyroidism, for example, unexplained weight gain is one of the additional symptoms. Shivering alone is rarely the focus of a diagnosis. Instead, it points to another presenting condition. Often it is an infectious disease accompanied by headache, cough and cold. Here, the physician examines the mucous membranes. If there is a suspicion of hypothyroidism, blood must be taken and examined in the laboratory. The level of thyroid hormones provides information about the condition of the organ. An [[ultrasound]] can detect any changes. Circulatory disorders can be verified with the help of various tests. For example, blood pressure is measured or a provocation test is performed. Doppler ultrasonography provides further indications.
Complications
A common complication of shivering due to cold is hypothermia. It occurs when the body temperature drops below 37 degrees Celsius and, in mild cases, results in an accelerated heartbeat, pale skin, and the typical shivering. In moderate and severe cases of hypothermia, on the other hand, the heartbeat and breathing slow down; the affected person tends to feel drowsy, apathetic, and in some cases painful, and subsequently becomes unconscious. There is a risk of respiratory and cardiac arrest. In addition, the complications of shivering depend largely on the underlying primary disease. Shivering as a result of a cold or flu is usually harmless, whereas shivering as a result of hypothyroidism or autoimmune thyroiditis can lead to accompanying symptoms. Shivering can also occur as a result of medication or cancer – often also accompanied by a cold or severe flu symptoms. The complications here range from exhaustion, as the body is severely strained by the constant shivering, to cold symptoms such as a cold or sore throat, to severe secondary illnesses. Shivering in children and elderly people may indicate a spread flu or general fatigue. The causes of shivering must therefore always be clarified by a doctor. Only then is a reliable assessment of possible complications possible.
When should you go to the doctor?
In general, shivering as a light, not infrequently shiver-like chill is the conscious perception of protective measures of the body to preserve its functionally optimal temperature inside. On average, women are physiologically more likely to shiver than men. If shivering occurs although the relationship between the outside temperature, clothing and movement status as well as the previous (possibly healthy) constitution of a person offer no explanation for it, the reason may be lack of sleep, exhaustion or psychological tension. In these cases, the affected person should create free space for recovery. But older age, underweight, malnutrition and low blood pressure can also cause increased shivering. In these cases, the doctor can often help without administering medication by giving sensible recommendations for a change in the previous lifestyle (exercise more, eat more or better, etc.). Medical or, if necessary, immediate emergency medical assistance is required if the shivering is accompanied by: Tingling or numbness (polyneuropathy), discoloration and/or increase in circumference of an affected leg (thrombosis, risk of pulmonary embolism), open sores, pallor and/or numbness of a leg (peripheral arterial occlusive disease), whitening (Raynod’s syndrome), lightheadedness, palpitations (hypoglycemia or shock), change in external sexual characteristics, including. including decrease in pubic hair (anterior pituitary insufficiency), swelling of the face and/or tongue, dryness of the skin (hypothyroidism), abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, possibly skin discoloration (Addison’s disease) or with fever. If iron deficiency or diabetes is suspected, the doctor should also be consulted. The list does not claim to be complete.
Treatment and therapy
The underlying cause determines which treatment is used. Thus, the correct diagnosis should be made first. In the case of a flu-like infection, the shivering eases after the disease has healed. Accordingly, the therapy of the common cold is in the foreground. This is based on killing the pathogens. Most often it is viruses. Medications such as remedies for headaches and lozenges for tonsillitis can alleviate the symptoms. However, the focus is on the body’s own immune system. Those affected should get enough rest, drink plenty of fluids and sleep during a cold. Water and herbal teas are suitable drinks. In this way, the mucous membranes do not dry out and the existing mucus can be expelled from the body more quickly. A warm bath helps against aching limbs. A flu-like infection should be differentiated from influenza. The latter is usually much more severe than a cold. Flu is treated with medication and additionally with water baths, calf compresses and inhalation. There is a high risk of infection. In the case of hypothyroidism, the cause of the disease must first be found out.In most cases, it is an inflammation, which is followed by the formation of antibodies against the organ. Therapy with home remedies is not possible; instead, patients must take tablets for the rest of their lives. These replace the missing thyroid hormones and provide improved metabolic processes.
Outlook and prognosis
The outlook and prognosis for the onset of shivering depend critically on the causation and whether the triggering factors can be resolved expeditiously. If natural factors such as low outdoor temperatures with inappropriate clothing are the main triggers of shivering, it is a counter-reaction of the body aimed at generating heat by muscle tremors and minimizing heat loss by constriction of skin vessels. Women are more prone to shivering because they usually have lower blood pressure and their muscle mass is usually lower compared to men. Appropriate countermeasures allow shivering to subside quickly in these situations. But circulatory disorders can also cause shivering because the blood can no longer transport sufficient heat to the peripheral regions of the body. The supply of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles is also restricted, so that the muscles can only generate insufficient heat. In these cases, the course and prognosis of shivering depend on the success of treatment of the circulatory problems. Similarly, shivering may include an indication of the onset of an infectious disease or a state of exhaustion. Other precipitating factors, such as hypothyroidism, certain cancers, or autoimmune diseases, sometimes have an unfavorable outlook if the precipitating factors are left untreated.
Prevention
Shivering can be prevented to a certain extent. Clothing should be appropriate in cold temperatures. Interaction with sick people requires increased caution, especially in the presence of influenza. Especially in winter, it is helpful to wash your hands regularly. The pathogens lurk everywhere where many people congregate: in kindergarten and school, but also, for example, on public transport. The development of hypothyroidism, on the other hand, cannot be treated preventively.
This is what you can do yourself
A number of everyday and self-help measures exist to counteract shivering. It should be clarified beforehand that the shivering is not based on any serious organic damage or diseases. Warmth in the form of hot drinks such as warm water, fruit tea or hot chocolate is usually helpful. Mulled wine would have a beneficial effect in the short term, but would increase shivering in the longer term because the body loses further heat through the peripheral blood vessels dilated by the alcohol. In addition to hot drinks, heat can also be supplied from the outside. For example, a hot water bottle with hot water, used mainly to warm the feet, has a positive effect. In most cases, warming the feet stops shivering. In case not only low temperatures but also physical exhaustion plays a role as a cause of shivering, easily digestible carbohydrates support the process of raising the body temperature a little. Highly digestible foods stimulate circulation and promote the body’s own heat production via enzymatic “burning” of food. Muscles are another source of the body’s own heat. When muscles perform work, heat is also generated, through which it is basically possible to maintain the body temperature at an almost constant 36.5 to 37.0 degrees Celsius. Our body already uses the warming effect of muscle work reflexively when shivering triggers muscle tremors all over the body.
