Chilliness

Chilliness is a feeling of coldness and shivering that a person may feel when they feel cold. Chilliness is associated with constriction of blood vessels in the skin and increased sensitivity to cold. When the body tries to keep warm, blood can be drawn away from the skin and redirected to internal organs, which can cause a feeling of cold and shivering.

Chilliness can be caused by various factors such as low ambient temperatures, humidity, wind, lack of clothing, insufficient food intake, etc. It is a normal reaction of the body to cold and usually goes away when the person warms up and restores normal body temperature.

However, sometimes chills can be a sign of other medical conditions such as anemia, hypothermia (hypothermia), low blood pressure, circulatory disorders, and others. If chills become frequent, persistent, or accompanied by other bothersome symptoms, it is recommended that you see a doctor for diagnosis and counseling.

Causes of the chills

Chilliness of the feet, hands, fingers and body can be caused by different factors and have different causes. Here are a few of them:

1. Cold: An obvious cause of chills can be low ambient temperature. When the body is exposed to cold, blood vessels constrict to reduce heat loss, which can cause chills.
2. Excessive cold: If you stay in a cold and damp place for long periods of time, especially without appropriate clothing, it can lead to hypothermia and chills in your feet, hands and body.
3. Anemia: Iron deficiency or other types of anemia can reduce blood circulation and cause chills in the extremities and body.
4. Vascular problems: Chilliness can be associated with circulatory disorders such as Raynaud's disease, in which blood vessels narrow when stressed or cold, which can lead to chilliness in the fingers.
5. Cold hands and feet syndrome: This syndrome may be associated with sensitivity to cold and occasional chilliness of the extremities even at moderate temperatures.
6. Stress and Anxiety: Emotional tension, stress and anxiety can affect blood flow and cause chills.
7. Medications: Some medications, such as vasoconstrictors, can cause chills.
8. Neurologic problems: Neurologic conditions such as migraine can be accompanied by shivering.

Symptoms of the chills

This symptom can be associated with different causes and have different manifestations depending on the context. Below are some possible symptoms and causes of chills:

1. Feeling cold: Chills may be accompanied by a cold sensation in the hands, feet, or other parts of the body.
2. Shivering: In some cases, shivering can cause muscles to tremble, especially in cold or stressful conditions.
3. Loss of sensation -- In some people, chilliness is accompanied by a decrease in sensitivity in the skin, which can lead to a sensation of numbness.
4. Loss of heat: The feeling that heat is leaving the body may accompany chilliness.
5. Dizziness, weakness and drowsiness: In some cases, shivering can cause dizziness, weakness and a feeling of malaise.

Diagnostics of the chills

If you have a problem with chills and it becomes chronic or is accompanied by other bothersome symptoms, you should see a doctor for diagnosis and medical attention. The doctor you should see depends on the suspected cause of the shivering and additional symptoms. Here are some doctors and specialists you may want to consider:

1. Therapist: Your family doctor or general practitioner may be the first specialist you see. He or she will make an initial assessment of your condition, ask you questions about your symptoms and medical history, and may order initial laboratory tests.
2. Neurologist: If the shivering is accompanied by neurologic symptoms such as headache, numbness, or tremors, you may be referred to a neurologist for a more detailed evaluation of the nervous system.
3. Endocrinologist: Some endocrine problems, such as diabetes or thyroid disorders, can cause chills. An endocrinologist specializes in diagnosing and treating these conditions.
4. Rheumatologist: If rheumatic disease is suspected, a rheumatologist may perform further evaluation.
5. Gastroenterologist, cardiologist, oncologist and other specialists: In rare cases, chills may be associated with organ diseases such as stomach, heart or tumors. In this case, you may be referred to the appropriate specialist for a more detailed evaluation.

Diagnosis of shivering depends on the specific symptoms and the circumstances in which it occurs. A doctor may perform a number of medical tests and examinations to find out the cause of the chills and determine appropriate treatment. Here are some of the possible steps in diagnosis:

1. Medical History: Your doctor will ask you questions about the nature of the shivering, when and how it occurs, whether it is accompanied by other symptoms, and may learn about your medical history and family history of medical conditions.
2. Physical Exam: Your doctor will do an exam to evaluate your limbs and your overall condition. He or she may check your pulse, skin color, swelling, and other physical signs.
3. Laboratory tests: In some cases, laboratory blood tests may be required to check hemoglobin levels, iron levels, electrolytes, and other indicators.
4. Instrumental tests: If vascular or neurologic problems are suspected, your doctor may order instrumental tests such as vascular ultrasound (duplex scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or electromyography (EMG).
5. Electrocardiogram (ECG): If heart problems are suspected, an ECG may be performed to evaluate the electrical activity of the heart.
6. Consultation with specialists: Depending on your symptoms and the results of previous tests, you may be referred to a specialist such as a neurologist, cardiologist, rheumatologist, endocrinologist, and other specialists for more in-depth diagnosis and treatment.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of shivering is the process of ruling out or identifying possible causes of this symptom, as shivering can result from a variety of medical conditions. Here are some possible causes of chills and how the differential diagnosis is made:

1. Chills: The first and most obvious cause of chills is cold and hypothermia. To rule out this cause, it is important to make sure you are in a reasonably warm environment and are well dressed.
2. Anemia: Iron deficiency and other types of anemia can reduce the supply of oxygen to the tissues and cause chills. To diagnose anemia, laboratory blood tests are done to measure hemoglobin and ferritin levels.
3. Raynaud's disease: This is a vascular disease in which the blood vessels constrict in response to stress or cold. Vascular function tests and examination by a rheumatologist may be performed for differential diagnosis.
4. Diabetes mellitus: High blood sugar levels can affect blood circulation and cause chills. Blood tests for glucose and hemoglobin A1c are performed to diagnose diabetes.
5. Neurologic problems: Migraines and neuropathies can cause chills. MRI, EMG, and consultation with a neurologist may be ordered to rule out these problems.
6. Vascular disease: Vascular disease, such as thrombosis or atherosclerosis, can cause circulation problems and chills. Vascular ultrasound and other methods are used for diagnosis.
7. Psychological factors: Stress and anxiety can affect peripheral circulation and cause chills. It is important to consider psychological aspects in the diagnosis of exclusion.

Differential diagnosis requires a thorough physical examination and discussion with a physician to determine the specific cause of the shivering and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Treatment of the chills

Treatment of chills depends on the underlying cause. Before starting treatment, it is important to diagnose and identify what is causing the chills in your case. See your doctor for evaluation and diagnosis if the chilliness becomes chronic or is accompanied by other bothersome symptoms.

Here are some general guidelines that can help reduce shivering:

1. Keep warm: If chilliness is caused by low ambient temperatures, wear warm clothing and use heaters in cold rooms.
2. Take shelter from the wind: Wind can make you feel cold and chilly. Use wind protection and wear a hat to cover your head and ears.
3. Get enough sleep: Getting enough sleep is important for maintaining normal body temperature and energy balance. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
4. Proper nutrition: Eat foods rich in nutrients, especially vitamins and minerals, to maintain normal thermoregulation and metabolism.
5. Avoid stress: Stress can contribute to feelings of cold and chilliness. Practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing can help manage this.
6. Physical activity: Moderate physical activity can help keep your blood circulating and reduce shivering.
7. Medical Treatment: If chills are associated with any medical conditions such as anemia, diabetes, thyroid disorders and others, your doctor may prescribe appropriate treatment. It is important to follow the doctor's prescriptions and recommendations.