What makes us shiver

Finally, the biological explanation relates the origins of human thought to the tremendous changes in temperature at its birth. It might be that we can observe this relation between the mechanisms that regulate cognition and the mechanisms that regulate temperature because of the particular context in which thought saw the light of day.

In other words, a shiver might have very well accompanied the first human idea. Since then, every time we grasp something important, perhaps we repeat the gesture.

Computing and artificial intelligence. Algorithms associating appearance and criminality have a dark past. Catherine Stinson. Gentle medicine could radically transform medical practice. Jacob Stegenga. Childhood and adolescence. For a child, being carefree is intrinsic to a well-lived life.

Luara Ferracioli. Meaning and the good life. Sooner or later we all face death. Will a sense of meaning help us? Warren Ward. Philosophy of mind. Kristopher Nielsen. Philosophy of mind Biology Pleasure and pain. Aeon is not-for-profit and free for everyone Make a donation. Get Aeon straight to your inbox Join our newsletter. Reflexes are controlled by your nervous system , which is made up of your brain , your spinal cord, and lots and lots of little nerves that stretch out all over your body.

Nerves are like little strings or wires that carry information. What kind of information? Well, your nerves sense that the cool water of the lake has lowered your body temperature. Your body needs to stay at a toasty Warm me up! The signals go to your brain telling you to wrap in the towel and to your spinal cord, which sends a message to other nerves all over your body.

What happens next? Your muscles tighten and loosen really fast. Once you get all snug and cozy in your towel and your body warms back up, your brain and nerves tell your muscles to stop shivering. There are other times when you might shiver, too. When you feel these things, your brain and nerves send out messages through your body that cause your muscles to get excited, so you shiver. You might notice that when you shiver, tiny bumps form all over your skin.

Chills shivering may occur at the start of an infection. They are most often associated with a fever. Chills are caused by rapid muscle contraction and relaxation. They are the body's way of producing heat when it feels cold. Chills often predict the coming of a fever or an increase in the body's core temperature.

Chills are an important symptom with certain diseases such as malaria. Chills are common in young children. Children tend to develop higher fevers than adults. Even minor illness can produce high fevers in young children. Infants tend not to develop obvious chills. However, call your health care provider about any fever in an infant 6 months or younger. Also call for fevers in infants 6 months to 1 year unless you are sure of the cause. Goose bumps occur due to cold air.

They can also be caused by strong emotions such as shock or fear. With goose bumps, the hair on the body stick up from the skin to form a layer of insulation. When you have chills, you may or may not have goose bumps. Fever which can accompany chills is the body's natural response to a variety of conditions, such as infections. You can treat the problem at home by drinking lots of fluids and getting plenty of rest. 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. Activities that might help a person to manage their anxiety include exercising, listening to music, and spending time with supportive friends and family.

Sepsis is an overwhelming response of the body to infection, and it often occurs in connection with lung, skin, gut, or urinary tract infections. One of the symptoms of sepsis is shivering. Other symptoms include confusion, feeling sweaty or clammy, pain, raised heart rate, and shortness of breath.

Sepsis is a medical emergency. People with sepsis will need prompt treatment with antibiotics in a hospital. Shivering is usually temporary. If it occurs due to a fever, low blood sugar, or a strong emotion, it should resolve once a person treats the underlying cause. They can:. Other causes of shivering may be due to an underlying medical condition.

If a person is concerned, they should note any other symptoms and seek medical advice. Shivering can be a more severe symptom for older adults or people with an underlying health condition. Older adults are often less able to regulate their body temperature so they may become cold more quickly.

Keeping warm in cold weather is essential for good health. Fever increases the heart rate and makes breathing faster. This can be serious if a person has a heart or lung condition.