When your body senses that it’s cold, it attempts to increase its temperature by causing the muscles to contract and relax in rapid successions. This is exactly the reason why you shiver when exposed to low temperatures.
You also get chills when there is an ongoing infection within. Your body attempts to increase its temperature because it is able to fight off bacteria and viruses much more effectively that way.
Although there are many home remedies for chills, it’s not all the time that they should be performed. In some cases, it’s a much better idea to be seen by a doctor immediately.
Rushing to the ER department of the nearest hospital has to be done if you or a loved one with chills is experiencing one or more of the following:
• High fever
• Shortness of breath
• Bluish discoloration of the skin, lips and nails
• Severe abdominal pain
• Rash
• Inflamed joints
• Extreme fatigue
• Neck stiffness
• Changes in consciousness levels
Without the signs and symptoms mentioned above, you may count on the following steps to manage chills effectively:
Grab a Blanket
Usually, something as simple as throwing a blanket on the person’s body is enough to keep chills at bay. This is especially true if the individual is feeling very cold.
Add Layers of Clothing
Other than with the use of a blanket, it’s also a good idea for the person experiencing chills to put on added layers of clothing to protect the body from low temperatures. Definitely, it’s also important to make the room of the individual warm to prevent chills from striking.
Consume Chicken Soup
Nothing can make anyone with fever feel so much better than a bowl of chicken soup. Warm and hearty, it can definitely help drive those chills away. The steam being inhaled as chicken soup is being eaten also helps unclog a stuffy nose, which is a commonplace when a person is running a fever.
Drink an Herbal Tea
Adults who are suffering from chills may have a hot cup of their favorite herbal tea. Doing so will help increase the body’s internal temperature. In addition, it will encourage perspiration, which is a good thing because sweat evaporating on the surface of the skin can help in putting an end to chills. Adding a teaspoon of raw and organic honey to the herbal tea chosen can provide added benefits as it can help fight off the ongoing infection within.
Have Plenty of Fluids
Drinking plenty of fluids helps regulate the body temperature as well as flush out toxins in the body, thus allowing the person to bounce back so much faster from an ongoing infection. It’s also a good idea to consume fresh fruit juices that are loaded with vitamin C to help the body win the war it is waging against disease-causing microbes.
Prepare Lemon Ginger Water
A lot of people with fever and chills swear by the effectiveness of glugging down a glass of warm water with the juice of half a lemon and a teaspoon of grated fresh ginger root mixed into it.
Reach for the Sponge
Sponging the body is also an effective home remedy for chills. However, do remember to use lukewarm to warm water only, and not cold because it will only bring in more chills, medical experts say. Even when chills are absence, sponging the body with lukewarm to warm water can help in reducing fever.
A Warm Shower or Bath
Taking a warm shower or bath can also be helpful for someone who has chills. The steam produced have added benefits most especially if the fever and chills are accompanied by respiratory symptoms such as a runny or clogged nose, chest congestion and sore throat.
