Shivering

At the Shivering it is a normal reaction of the human body. As soon as this is confronted with cold, various side effects such as shaking express themselves. In general, freezing is only a symptom, there can be different causes.

What characterizes a chill?

A cool outside temperature is not perceived in the same way by everyone and some organisms differ in their reaction. Some people are more likely to shiver than others.

Most people freeze, especially in the cold months and when clothes are too airy. But winter is not always for you Shivering responsible. These can also be triggered by illnesses, such as a cold, for example. The sensation for warmth and cold is regulated by the brain. The work of the structures is particularly important when external temperatures drop: it protects the organism from a strong reduction in its own temperature.

As soon as goosebumps and other phenomena appear, the body begins to focus on the blood supply to important organs. In addition to the heart and brain, these also include the kidneys and digestive elements. The physical structures that are at a great distance from the trunk are less supplied with blood; Fingertips, toes, nose and ears get cold. The classic paleness of the skin results from the contraction of the blood vessels. The tremor is based on the contraction of the muscles. This is how the body creates heat.

causes

The causes of the chill are varied. A cold outside temperature can primarily reduce that of the body. However, the individual sensitivity to cold also plays a role. A cool outside temperature is not perceived in the same way by everyone and some organisms differ in their reaction. For example, the thickness of the subcutaneous fatty tissue can be identified as one of the factors that regulate sensitivity to cold.

The fat protects the internal organs and thus strengthens resistance. At the same time, tiredness and exhaustion increase sensitivity. However, such an appearance does not usually require medical treatment. If the chills persist, there may be other causes. These include colds, flu and other infections. Colds are often accompanied by fever and chills.

As soon as there are circulatory disorders, the sensitivity to cold increases and there is increased chilliness. Cold hands, feet and pale skin are the first signs of poor blood flow. The symptoms can be verified by a doctor. In the context of an underactive thyroid, the metabolic process only slows down, which means that less body heat is generated. Furthermore, changed structures in the brain, pathological underweight and hormonal imbalances can trigger the chill. This occurs temporarily during the menopause, for example.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for cold feet and hands

Diseases with this symptom

• infection
• Hypotension
• anorexia

• cold
• Hormonal imbalances
• Cachexia

• flu
• Circulatory disorders
• Hypothyroidism

Diagnosis & course of disease

Freezing in winter is one of the normal symptoms that do not require medical diagnosis. However, if there is an increased sensitivity to cold, which is also expressed at higher temperatures and persists, a doctor should be consulted. First of all, any other complaints should be described. In the case of an underactive thyroid, for example, an unexplained weight gain is one of the additional symptoms.

Shivering alone is rarely the focus of a diagnosis. Instead, it indicates another condition that is present. Often it is an infectious disease that is accompanied by headache, cough, and runny nose. Here the doctor examines the mucous membranes. If an underactive thyroid is suspected, blood must be drawn and examined in the laboratory. The content of thyroid hormones provides information about the condition of the organ.

An [[ultrasound] can detect any changes. Circulatory disorders can be verified using various tests. For example, blood pressure is measured or a provocation test is carried out. Doppler sonography provides further information.

Complications

A common complication of cold chills is hypothermia. It occurs when the body temperature drops below 37 degrees Celsius and in mild cases leads to an accelerated heartbeat, pale skin and the typical tremors. In moderate and severe cases of hypothermia, on the other hand, the heartbeat and breathing slow down; people tend to be drowsy, apathetic, and in some cases pain, and subsequently pass out.

There is a risk of respiratory and cardiac arrest. In addition, the complications of chills depend heavily on the underlying disease. Shivering as a result of a cold or flu is usually harmless, whereas shivering as a result of an underactive thyroid or autoimmune thyroid inflammation can lead to accompanying symptoms. Chillers can also occur as a result of taking medication or cancer - often accompanied by a cold or severe flu symptoms.

The complications here range from exhaustion, as the body is strained by the constant shivering, to cold symptoms such as runny nose or sore throat to serious secondary illnesses. Chills in children and the elderly can indicate a dragged-on flu or general fatigue. The causes of the chills must therefore always be clarified by a doctor. Only then can a reliable assessment of the possible complications be made.

When should you go to the doctor?

In general, shivering as a light, not infrequently shivery freezing is the conscious perception of protective measures of the body to maintain its functionally optimal temperature inside. On average, women are more likely to shiver than men for physiological reasons.

If a shiver occurs, although the relationship between outside temperature, clothing and movement status as well as the previous (possibly healthy) constitution of a person does not provide an explanation, the reason may be lack of sleep, exhaustion or mental tension. In these cases, the person affected should create space to relax.

But older age, underweight, malnutrition and low blood pressure can also cause increased chills. Here, the doctor can often help without giving medication by giving meaningful recommendations for a change in the previous lifestyle (moving more, eating more or better, etc.).

Medical help or, if necessary, immediate emergency medical help 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 areas, paleness and / or numbness of one Leg (peripheral arterial disease), whitening (Raynod syndrome), drowsiness, palpitations (hypoglycaemia or shock), changes in external sexual characteristics, etc. a. Decline in pubic hair (insufficiency of the anterior pituitary gland), swelling of the face and / or tongue, dry skin (hypothyroidism), abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, possibly skin discoloration (Addison's disease) or with a fever. If you suspect iron deficiency or diabetes, you should also consult your doctor. The list does not claim to be complete.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

The underlying cause decides which treatment is used. Thus, the correct diagnosis should first be made. In the case of a flu-like infection, the shivering is relieved after the disease has healed. Accordingly, the therapy of the common cold is in the foreground. This depends on the killing of the pathogen. Mostly they are viruses.

Medications such as headache medication and tonsillitis lozenges can help relieve symptoms. However, the focus is on the body's own immune system. Those affected should allow themselves enough rest, drink a lot and sleep during a cold. Water and herbal teas are suitable as drinks. In this way, the mucous membranes do not dry out and the existing mucus can be removed from the body more quickly. A warm bath helps relieve sore limbs.

A flu-like infection should be differentiated from the flu. This is usually much more severe than a cold. Influenza is treated with medication and additionally with water baths, calf compresses and inhalation. There is a high risk of infection. In the case of an underactive thyroid, the cause of the disease must first be found out. In most cases it is an inflammation, on which the formation of antibodies against the organ takes place.

Therapy with home remedies is not possible; instead, patients have to take tablets for the rest of their lives. These replace the missing thyroid hormones and ensure improved metabolic processes.

Outlook & forecast

The prospect and prognosis when the chill occurs depends crucially on the cause and on whether the triggering factors can be resolved quickly. If natural factors such as low outside temperatures and inappropriate clothing are the main triggers of the chill, it is a counter-reaction of the body with the aim of generating heat through muscle tremors and minimizing heat loss by narrowing the skin vessels.

Women tend to shiver because they usually have lower blood pressure and their muscle mass is usually lower than that of men. Appropriate countermeasures can quickly subside the chill in these situations.

However, circulatory disorders can also cause shivering because the blood can no longer transport enough heat to the peripheral regions of the body. The supply of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles is also restricted, so that the muscles cannot generate sufficient heat. In these cases, the course and prognosis of the chills depend on the success of the treatment of the circulatory disorders.

Chilliness can also indicate the onset of an infectious disease or a state of exhaustion. Other triggering factors such as hypothyroidism, certain cancers or autoimmune diseases can have unfavorable prospects if the triggering factors are left untreated.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for cold feet and hands

prevention

Shivering can be prevented to a certain extent. In cold temperatures, clothing should be appropriate. Dealing with sick people requires increased caution, especially if they have the flu. Wash your hands regularly, especially in winter. The pathogens lurk wherever many people come together: in kindergartens and schools, but also, for example, in public transport. The development of an underactive thyroid, however, cannot be treated preventively.

You can do that yourself

There are a number of everyday and self-help measures to counter the chill. It should be clarified beforehand that the chill is not caused by any serious organic damage or disease. A supply of heat in the form of hot drinks such as warm water, fruit tea or hot chocolate is usually helpful. Mulled wine would be beneficial in the short term, but it would increase the chilliness in the longer term because the body loses further heat through the peripheral blood vessels dilated by the alcohol.

In addition to the hot drinks, heat can also be supplied from outside. For example, a hot water bottle with hot water, which is mainly used to warm the feet, has a positive effect. Usually, the shivering is stopped by warming up the feet. In the event that not only low temperatures but also physical exhaustion play a role as the cause of the chill, easily digestible carbohydrates support the process of raising the body temperature a little. Highly digestible foods stimulate the cycle and promote their own heat generation through the enzymatic "combustion" of the food.

Another source of heat produced by the body is the muscles. When muscles do work, heat is also generated, which in principle makes it possible to keep 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 the shivering causes muscle tremors all over the body.