Shivering is a common condition experienced by almost everyone. This condition is accompanied and not accompanied by fever. Exposure to cold air is often the main cause of chills without fever. However, there are other things that can also cause chills without a fever.
Shivering is the body's natural response when you feel cold or in a low-temperature environment. This causes the body's muscles to quickly tighten and relax to generate heat.
Causes of Shivering Not Accompanied by Fever
Shivering is synonymous with symptoms of the disease which are often accompanied by fever. However, chills can also occur without a fever. In this case, there are several causes of chills without fever that are quite common, including:
1. Strenuous physical exercise
Physical activity that is done intensely and for a long time, such as running a marathon, can increase body temperature. This increase in body temperature can cause you to shiver.
2. Underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
Hypothyroidism is a condition when the thyroid gland is unable to produce enough thyroid hormone to properly regulate the body's metabolism. It is characterized by fatigue, constipation, and a low heart rate. Hypothyroidism can also make it easier for you to feel cold or shiver.
3. Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a condition when blood sugar levels drop drastically. This condition can occur as a side effect of diabetes medications or when eating too late.
When exposed to hypoglycemia, a person can experience symptoms of chills accompanied by other symptoms, such as cold sweats, dizziness, headache, weakness, and dizzy vision. If it is severe, hypoglycemia can even lead to fainting or coma.
4. Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a condition when a person experiences a drastic drop in body temperature to below 35oC. In this condition, shivering is the body's natural attempt to warm itself. When the body temperature drops drastically, the organs of the body cannot function properly.
Hypothermia is quite common in infants because their body tissues are still small. However, even adults and the elderly can shiver from hypothermia.
5. Emotional reaction
When you're feeling scared and anxious, you may shiver. This reaction is present due to the release of the hormone dopamine from the brain which can affect your emotional state.
6. Effects after surgery
You can feel the chills after the anesthetic effect wears off after the operation. This is because when undergoing surgery the body will experience a decrease in temperature and after waking up, the body tries to normalize its temperature again by shivering.
7. Lack of nutrition
One of the symptoms of nutritional deficiency (malnutrition) is frequent chills. When there is a lack of nutrients, the body's tissues will decrease, so it cannot maintain optimal body temperature.
Therefore, you need to meet your daily nutritional needs, such as protein, carbohydrates, fat, as well as various vitamins and minerals, including iron and iron. zinc, so that body temperature remains normal.
This nutritional intake can be met through a balanced nutritious diet and consumption of additional nutritional supplements according to doctor's recommendations.
In addition to the various things above, chills without fever can also be caused by other things, such as disorders of the hypothalamus. This part of the brain is the center for regulating body temperature. When its function is disturbed, a person will often experience chills.
Treatment and Prevention of Shivering
When you shiver, there are several ways you can warm your body, including:
- Wear thick and warm clothes, such as jackets and sweaters
- Consumption of warm food or drinks, such as hot tea or soup
- Enough rest
- Take a hot shower or bath
- Eat regularly to keep blood sugar stable
In addition, you need to see a doctor if the chills you feel are caused by certain diseases, such as hypothyroidism or disorders of the hypothalamus. With proper treatment, complaints of chills can be overcome.
Knowing early on what causes chills, allows you to get treatment right away, especially if the chills you are experiencing are symptoms of a serious illness.
If your shivering persists without stopping or it gets worse, call your doctor immediately. Especially if the chills you feel are accompanied by fever, stiff neck, weakness, seizures, or pain in certain limbs.