喵咪社区

Are chills serious? Shivering and goose bumps can accompany a wide range of conditions, from a too-cold environment to cancer.

Maintaining our core temperature is one of the body鈥檚 most basic functions, and when that temperature is off 鈥� or when our body thinks it鈥檚 off 鈥� we get the .

鈥淐hills occur when the muscles contract and relax in order to make heat,鈥� says Rose Taroyan, MD, a family medicine physician with 喵咪社区. 鈥淭his occurs when you are cold, but it can also be your body鈥檚 defense mechanism in fighting an infection.鈥�

Everyone knows the sensation of getting the chills when your environment is too cold. That鈥檚 usually a signal to put on more layers or turn up the heat. But there are many underlying medical conditions that can cause them, too. Read on for some common 鈥� and not so common 鈥� causes of chills.

1. You have a viral or bacterial infection.

When chills are accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, body aches or fatigue, they鈥檙e more likely associated with a systemic infection, such as flu or pneumonia.

鈥淐hills boost your body鈥檚 core temperature when your immune system attempts to fight off infection,鈥� Taroyan explains. 鈥淵our body temperature increases, even though you might feel cold. If you have a viral infection, you will usually notice other symptoms along with chills, such as sore throat, cough, headache, fatigue and muscle aches. Most of the time, it can be self-limiting and will resolve within 2 weeks. It鈥檚 important to get plenty of rest and increase your fluid intake.鈥�

2. You have low blood sugar.

Although many people feel a bit shaky and irritable when they need to eat, true , or low blood sugar, most often occurs in people who have diabetes.

鈥淥ne of the symptoms of hypoglycemia is a feeling of shakiness, which may mimic chills,鈥� Taroyan says. 鈥淗ypoglycemia requires immediate treatment to get blood sugar levels back to normal.鈥�

Defined as blood glucose of less than 70 milligrams per deciliter, hypoglycemia can cause a variety of other , including sweating, confusion, a rapid heartbeat, blurry vision, lightheadedness and drowsiness.

If you have diabetes and you notice these symptoms, follow the 鈥�15-15鈥� rule: Have 15 grams of simple carbs, such as a glucose tablet, juice, honey or hard candy, and check your blood glucose again in 15 minutes. Then eat a meal, but don鈥檛 overeat, or your blood sugar will spike.

3. You鈥檙e having a panic attack.

Chills can occur if you have a profound or intense emotional reaction to a situation, according to Taroyan. 鈥淓motions that might cause chills include fear or anxiety,鈥� she says.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, of all adults will experience an anxiety disorder during their lifetime. A panic attack can cause a combination of physical as well as psychological symptoms, including chills, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness and chest pain. Because of the severity of the symptoms, a panic attack sometimes causes people to think they鈥檙e having a heart attack.

If you鈥檝e never had a panic attack before, seek medical attention. If you鈥檝e been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, psychotherapy (鈥渢alk鈥� therapy) and medication can help.

4. You have malaria.

Symptoms of , a disease spread by infected mosquitos, can mimic those of a cold or flu. In addition to chills, they can include fever, sweats, head and body aches, nausea and fatigue. A simple blood test can identify the presence of the malaria parasite, but since malaria is relatively in the United States, your doctor might not immediately test for it. If you鈥檝e to regions where the disease is common, such as sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, parts of India and parts of Central and South America within the last 12 months, be sure to mention it when you鈥檙e being evaluated, even if you took antimalarial medications.

5. You have leukemia.

Chills can also be a sign of blood cancers, including leukemia. Symptoms of leukemia may include of the lymph nodes, along with fever, chills, fatigue, loss of appetite, night sweats, abdominal pain and recurring infections. If you have a fever and chills that just won鈥檛 go away, see your doctor, in case it鈥檚 something more serious.

Having the chills may be nothing more than the body鈥檚 attempt to warm you up, but if they鈥檙e accompanied by other symptoms, that鈥檚 the time to seek medical attention. 鈥淧lease schedule an appointment with your primary care physician for further evaluation,鈥� Taroyan advises.

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