What makes you shiver when your cold

A drop in your blood sugar levels can trigger a shivering response. Low blood sugar can affect people in different ways. Shivering can actually be a step toward developing a fever, too. Fevers are another way your body fights off infections. Sometimes, shivering has nothing to do with your health or the temperature around you at all. Instead, a spike in your adrenaline level can cause you to shiver. Babies actually warm up by burning fat in a process called thermogenesis. If you see a baby shivering or shaking, it could be a sign of low blood sugar.

Your baby may simply be hungry and in need of energy. In older adults, a tremor may be mistaken for a shiver. Some medications, such as bronchodilators used for asthma , can also cause shakiness. As you get older, you may also become more cold sensitive.

This is due, in part, to a thinning of the fat layer under the skin, and a decrease in circulation. It may be a sign you should have your thyroid checked. If your shivering is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever or other flu-like complaints, then see your doctor immediately.

The sooner you identify the cause of your shivering, the sooner you can start treatment. The right treatment plan for your shivering and other symptoms will depend on their underlying cause. If your shivering is a response to chilly weather or wet skin, then drying off and covering up should be enough to halt the shivers. A virus usually needs time to run its course.

Often, the only treatment is rest. In some serious cases, anti-viral medications may be appropriate. If you have a fever , gently sponging your skin with lukewarm water can help cool down the body.

Be careful not to put cold water on your skin, as it can cause you to shiver or make your shivering worse. If you get the chills because of an illness, be careful not to overheat with too many blankets or clothing layers. A urinary tract infection may cause intermittent chills. Other UTI symptoms include painful urination and a foul-smelling urine odor.

If the infection reaches the kidneys, patients may experience fever along with uncontrollable shivering. Urinary tract infections are quite common among women. It is important to treat the infection since it can spread to other organs.

Mild UTI can be treated with home remedies. According to some studies, recurrent urinary tract infections in women can also be prevented by taking probiotics. Toxoplasmosis is caused by one of the most common parasites in the world called Toxoplasma gondii. Its symptoms include fatigue, swollen glands, fever, recurrent chills, and muscle aches. Sepsis is a severe infection of the blood. One of the symptoms of sepsis is uncontrollable shivering. It can lead to septic shock and organ failure, which is a life-threatening condition.

Other symptoms of sepsis are a fast heartbeat, breathing problems, and a low or high body temperature. Poor mental health also causes uncontrollable shivering. When a person is overwhelmed with emotional problems such as panic attacks and anxiety disorders, then shivering without fever may occur. Other signs may be dry mouth, lower body temperature, and nervousness. The black widow spider and brown recluse spider are venomous. Their bites can also cause allergic reactions, which may persist for days.

It can make the person experience uncontrollable shivering with fever, nausea, and vomiting. In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland is not able to produce enough thyroid hormones.

One of the signs of a thyroid disorder is uncontrollable shivering. Older people may experience rigors due to an underactive thyroid gland, and according to some studies, women are affected more. Another cause of uncontrollable shaking with no fever is a panic or an anxiety attack.

It can come all of a sudden without an identifiable immediate trigger. A panic attack usually makes a person out of breath, which may be accompanied by chest pain and fear of losing control. The person may also experience chills and trembling. A panic attack can also be caused by emotional distress or psychological stress. It can cause episodes of severe shivering if anxiety and stress are not controlled or properly managed.

Many essential oils can help soothe the mind and reduce stress levels. Few of the effective essential oils for stress are bergamot, orange, lavender, and chamomile. Hyperthyroidism can cause uncontrollable shivering. The thyroid gland controls the body's metabolism or the amount of energy that is burned by the body. Hyperthyroidism can cause symptoms such as shivering, cold intolerance, and diarrhea. Although not a common symptom, tremors may also be caused by a deficiency in vitamin B12, which is essential for proper nerve function.

Seek immediate medical attention when you experience uncontrollable shivering along with the following signs and symptoms:. Your Login details are incorrect. Please enter your username and password to try again.

Need to login as a doctor? Click here. Forgot password? Need to login as a patient? Your FindaTopDoc account is completely free. Participate in Health Journeys in over specialty communities. Some people with a fever may also have signs of flu , but others will have no additional symptoms. Drinking plenty of fluids and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs can help to reduce a temperature.

If a person has other symptoms, particularly a stiff neck, rapid heartbeat, or shallow breathing, they should seek medical advice within 24 hours. If they have no other symptoms, they will only need to visit a doctor if the fever lasts for more than 3 days.

For some people, stress or mental health factors can cause shivering and other involuntary movements. This usually occurs due to a psychogenic movement disorder, which can affect any part of the body.

A doctor who specializes in medical conditions affecting the brain, called a neurologist, will usually diagnose psychogenic movement disorders. They may look for the following characteristics when making a diagnosis:. There is often no underlying brain or nerve damage. Doctors will often treat psychogenic movement disorders with a combination of mental health therapy and physical therapy. Strong emotions can cause a person to shake or shiver.

This is often due to a surge of adrenaline in the body. Shivering should stop after the adrenaline leaves the body. For many people, this will happen very rarely, perhaps during a particularly exciting or frightening moment.

For those who experience chronic stress, adrenaline surges and shaking can be more frequent. Involuntary trembling, shaking, or shivering can be due to a medical condition called essential tremor. Essential tremor is a neurological condition, meaning that it relates to the brain. This condition affects approximately 10 million people in the United States and can cause trembling in the hands, legs, body, or voice.

This is a disorder that affects an area of the brain and tends to develop gradually. If a person has not had food or water for a long time, the level of glucose in their blood can drop. This low blood sugar can cause shivering or shaking. For people who have diabetes , this will be known as hypoglycemia , and it can be severe. People with diabetes should check their blood glucose regularly to prevent their levels from dropping too low.

Anxiety is a mental health condition that can affect the body as well as the mind. It can cause physical symptoms, such as nausea, increased heart rate, and shivering or shaking. Treatment for anxiety may include therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.