Chills are commonly associated with fever. However, it’s very much possible for you to also experience them even without having fever. In this article, we will talk about some of the most common causes of chills minus fever.
But first things first: this article is not meant to replace professional medical advice that can only come from your primary care provider. Needless to say, it’s a good idea for you to get checked by a doctor if you believe that your chills are brought about by something serious that needs to be identified and treated.
Exposure to Cold or Low Temperatures
One of the most common causes of chills sans fever is exposure to cold. Naturally, you will shiver if you’re not wearing enough or the right clothes for the wintry weather — your body is simply attempting to raise your core body temperature by contracting and relaxing the muscles rapidly which can generate a lot of heat.
Most especially if you get cold rather easily, it’s a good idea for you to protect your body from cold or low temperatures by putting on a jacket or coat as well as other related articles of clothing.
Severe Physical Exertion
Are you someone who is into sports or working out and fond of pushing your body to the limits? Then it’s not unlikely for you to one day find yourself having chills even with the absence of fever. According to health experts, it’s something that can stem from drastic changes in your core body temperature.
More often than not, chills due to severe physical exertion can take place in very cold (usually due to hypothermia) or very hot (usually due to dehydration and heat exhaustion) environments.
Anxiety or Panic Attack
If you are diagnosed by a mental health professional with anxiety or panic disorder, then it’s very much possible for you to have chills during an attack. This is most especially true if it’s a severe one. Needless to say, taking your mind and body into a more relaxed state can help put an end to chills as well as other unfavorable symptoms of an anxiety or a panic attack.
Even if you don’t have anxiety or panic disorder, it’s still very much possible for you to shiver even without having fever — having an intense emotional reaction such as anger or even happiness can cause you to encounter chills.
Low Levels of Sugar in the Blood
Hypoglycemia — it’s a fancy medical term that doctors use to refer to low blood sugar levels. Some of the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia include excessive hunger, a headache, dizziness, sweating, mood swings, anxiety, and shivering or chills. The good news is that consuming something that has sugar in it such as soft drinks or a hard candy can help to restore normal levels of sugar in the bloodstream.
Usually, hypoglycemia in a diabetic individual means that his or her diet or medication intake needs to be adjusted. It’s important to note that hypoglycemia is not exclusive to diabetics. You may also encounter it if you are skipping meals, dieting or exercising a lot.
Side Effects of Medications or Supplements
It’s also very much possible for you to have chills sans fever as a side effect of certain medications, or commonly due to taking incorrect dosages of them. If you believe that you just overdosed on an OTC or prescription drug, get medical assistance without any delay!
Chills without fever can also happen as a side effect or unfavorable reaction to certain supplements, herbal or otherwise. It’s for this reason exactly why it is not really a good idea for you to take supplements without first consulting your doctor. Especially if you have a known medical condition, never pop a supplement in your mouth without your primary care provider’s knowledge.
