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- The most common cause of body aches without a fever include stress and sleep deprivation.
- If you have body aches without a fever, it could still be a sign of a viral infection like the flu.
- If your body aches are severe or last more than a few days, you should see your doctor.
Body aches are feelings of pain or soreness all over your body. They are a common symptom of viral illnesses like the flu. If sickness is the cause of your body aches, you’re likely to also have a fever, but in some circumstances, you may have body aches without a fever.
Here are the most common causes of body aches without a fever.
A Vitamin Or Nutrient Deficiency
A vitamin deficiency, such as not getting enough vitamin D or vitamin B12, could cause you to feel severely tired, per the Cleveland Clinic. Dehydration can have the same effect.
You could also feel suddenly exhausted if you’ve recently started a high-protein diet. It’s not the protein itself making you tired, but the lack of carbohydrates. Severely restricting carbs causes your body to enter ketosis, where it breaks down fat for energy, per the Mayo Clinic. The side effects of ketosis include fatigue as well as headache, weakness and bad breath.
These side effects are usually temporary, but if ketosis is causing your sudden energy crash, you may want to add more fiber-rich, complex carbohydrates to your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains like oatmeal and brown rice. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend carbs make up 45 to 65 percent of your total daily calories.
Similarly, skipping meals or following a very low-calorie diet could sap your energy. Keep in mind that people assigned female at birth should avoid eating fewer than 1,200 calories per day, and people assigned male at birth should eat at least 1,500 calories per day, according to Harvard Health Publishing.
How Are Fatigue And Nausea Treated
Healthy habits, such as getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly can help you find relief from fatigue and nausea. Avoiding bad habits such as smoking, drinking excess alcohol, or abusing drugs can also help reduce fatigue and nausea.
Your doctor may prescribe medications to treat an underlying condition.
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What Causes ‘your’ Fatigue
Many physical and mental illnesses, as well as lifestyle factors, can cause your fatigue, and that can make it hard to diagnose. In some cases, it might be something simple and easy to fix, like having caffeine at bedtime. But other causes, like heart disease or COPD, are serious, and you may need to start long-term treatment right away.
Your doctor can help you sift through your health issues, as well as diet, exercise, and other lifestyle habits, in order to zero in on the cause and help you on the road to recovery.
When To Contact A Doctor
It is important to contact a doctor if:
- A person develops any symptoms of a serious illness, such as meningitis. These symptoms may include a stiff neck, confusion, or sensitivity to light.
- Symptoms of a milder illness continue to worsen or do not go away after a few days.
- A newborn under 3 months old has a fever.
- A person with a serious illness or a weak immune system gets a fever.
- A person has chronic, unexplained fevers.
- A person develops a fever after taking a new medication.
Often, the best strategy for preventing fevers is to prevent the infections that cause them. The following tips may help:
- Stay home when sick, and do not send sick children to daycare or school.
- Know that treating a fever does not prevent it from spreading. If a person still has a fever despite taking medications, they may still be contagious.
- Get all recommended vaccines.
- Practice regular hand-washing with soap and warm water, especially before eating, before touching the face, and after touching someone else.
- Try to avoid people who are sick. If doing so is impossible, wear a mask and frequently wash the hands.
- Practice safer sex to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections.
- In crowded areas where COVID-19 rates are high, wear a mask indoors.
- Practice safe food preparation, including using different utensils for different foods, heating food according to the manufacturers instructions, and washing the hands before and after touching raw meat.
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When To Seek Medical Advice
You should contact your GP if you think you or your child has glandular fever, or has a sore throat that is not settling .
They can provide advice and support to help you control your symptoms and reduce the risk of passing the infection on to others.
You should go to your nearest emergency department or dial 999 for an ambulance if you have glandular fever and you develop a rasping breath , have any difficultybreathing or develop a severe abdominal pain.
You should see your GP or call the GP out of hours service if:
- difficulty swallowing fluids is making you dehydrated
- you have abdominal pain
- you become very unwell
These symptoms can be a sign of a complication of glandular fever that may need to be treated in hospital.
You Feel Foggy Or Out Of It Mentally
If in addition to feeling tired, you have a sense of fogginess or being “out of it,” this might be cause for concern. Cleveland Clinic pulmonologist Joseph Khabbaza, MD, says that some form of brain fog was found relatively often in patients, even in those with milder cases of COVID-19. And for more on cases that are not so mild, check out 80 Percent of Hospitalized COVID Patients Are Deficient in This Vitamin.
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Who Gets Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome can affect people of all ethnicities and ages, but is most common in people in their forties or fifties. It’s very rare in kids. A few teens do get CFS, and it affects more girls than guys.
Sometimes different people in the same family get CFS. This may be because the tendency to develop CFS is genetic.
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is a group of symptoms that occur when your blood doesn’t circulate properly, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Doctors don’t totally understand the condition or why it happens, but they know that when a person with POTS stands upright, more blood collects in their lower body, causing the heart to beat faster to pump blood up to the brain.
Some people with POTS describe it as having sudden fatigue attacks, while others say it’s like having waves of sudden extreme fatigue and nausea or extreme fatigue “out of nowhere.” It can present differently depending on the person, but other symptoms might include:
- Feeling lightheaded or dizzy when standing, or fainting
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle cramps or muscle pain
- Headaches
- Feeling shaky
- Sweating a lot
POTS tends to run in families, and there’s a link between POTS and having highly mobile joints , per Johns Hopkins Medicine. If you think you have it, see your doctor, who can run a test and make a diagnosis.
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Underactive Thyroid And Fatigue
Symptoms: Extreme fatigue, sluggishness, feeling run-down, depression, cold intolerance, weight gain
The problem may be a slow or underactive thyroid. This is known as hypothyroidism. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the base of your neck. It helps set the rate of metabolism, which is the rate at which the body uses energy.
According to the American Thyroid Foundation, about 17% of all women will have a thyroid disorder by age 60. And most won’t know it. The most common cause is an autoimmune disorder known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s stops the gland from making enough thyroid hormones for the body to work the way it should. The result is hypothyroidism, or a slow metabolism.
Blood tests known as T3 and T4 will detect thyroid hormones. If these hormones are low, synthetic hormones can bring you up to speed, and you should begin to feel better fairly rapidly.
Q: What Are The Symptoms Of Pots
A: The most common symptom of POTS is chronic fatigue. Other symptoms include body aches and exhaustion. About a third of patients faint. Other patients are plagued by adrenaline symptoms such as chest pain, racing heart rate , sweating and difficulty breathing. POTS feels like having the flu, but having to drink coffee to get through the day.
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When To Call Your Doctor
If your fatigue prevents you from engaging in work or school, social or personal activities, then you should see your doctor, Dr. Patane says.
“When in doubt, it never hurts to speak to your doctor about this. It can be a simple evaluation, and we may be able to say there’s nothing seriously wrong and suggest lifestyle modifications,” he says. “One of the best ways to get better from fatigue is with good sleep hygiene and by slowly increasing daily exercise.”
Chills Dizziness Fatigue And Lightheadedness
- Medical Author: Dan Brennan, MD
Last Editorial Review: 6/15/2020
These symptoms are present in a wide variety of medical conditions. Possibilities include viral infections, middle ear disorders, and others. If you find that rest and fluids are not helping alleviate your symptoms, then you should reach out to your doctor.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
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Is Pots More Common In Certain People
There are no established risk factors for POTS. However, it is known to run in families, so it could have a genetic component. Researchers have also established a link between POTS and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome . So if you have one of these conditions, you might also have the other.
A big group of those diagnosed with POTS is young women and teens. However, this doesnt mean they are more likely to develop this condition.
Ear Infection Home Treatment
Infections of the outer, middle, and inner ear usually are caused by viruses. Most outer and middle ear infections can be treated at home with remedies like warm compresses for ear pain relief, tea tree, ginger, or garlic oil drops.Symptoms of an outer ear and middle ear infection include mild to severe ear pain, pus draining from the ear, swelling and redness in the ear, and hearing problems. Middle and inner ear infections may cause fever, and balance problems. Inner ear infections also may cause nausea, vomiting, vertigo, ringing in the ear, and labyrinthitis .Most outer and middle ear infections do not need antibiotics. Inner ear infections should be treated by a doctor specializing in ear and hearing problems.
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How Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosed
Right now, there’s no test to tell if someone has chronic fatigue syndrome. Doctors ask a lot of questions . They also will do a thorough physical exam.
Doctors also usually order blood, urine , or other tests to check for conditions that cause similar symptoms. They may send a person to see other specialists to help with the diagnosis.
A doctor may suggest meeting with a psychologist or a therapist who can see whether mental health disorders might contribute to or mask CFS.
What Causes Cold Chills Without Fever
Chills are your bodyâs way of warming you up, oftentimes to a feverish level. During this process, as suggested by the word âchills,â we feel cold and want to crawl underneath a pile of blankets. Unfortunately, this will help that fever build! One blanket is fine to help find some comfort for you or your kiddo but donât go overboard.
Chills are not concerning and are just our bodyâs way of fighting through a virus. We can let our temps creep up as high as 102 F before we treat with medication â it helps us get through the illness that much faster!
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What Exams Procedures And Tests Diagnose The Cause Of Fatigue
For the evaluation of fatigue, the health care practitioner will take a complete history of the patient’s fatigue, along with questions in regard to associated symptoms. The health care practitioner may inquire about the following activities and symptoms to determine the probable cause of the fatigue:
Quality of Life
Does the level of fatigue remain constant throughout the day? Does the fatigue get worse as the day goes on, or does the fatigue begin at the start of the day? Is there a pattern to the fatigue ? Does the fatigue occur at regular cycles? How is the person’s emotional state? Does the person feel unhappiness or disappointment in life? Sleep pattern determination. How much sleep is the person getting? During what hours does the person sleep? Does the person awake rested or fatigued? How many times does the person awake during sleep? Are they able to fall back asleep? Does the person get regular exercise? Any exercise? Has the person had any new stressors in their life? Change in relationships, jobs, school, or living arrangements? What is the person’s diet? Is there a high intake of coffee, sugar, or excessive amounts of food?
The definitive diagnosis depends on discovering the underlying cause of the fatigue this is determined by evaluating the history, the physical exam and the appropriate test results.
What Are Other Causes Of Chills
As many as two in three people experience chills and shivering after receiving general anesthesia for a surgery. Even if you arent feeling cold, a drop in body temperature may cause you to shiver as you come out of the anesthesia.
Some people tremble from a surge of adrenaline after a traumatic event like an accident or near accident. Psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder , may also make you feel shaky.
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How The Condition Progresses
The information below outlines how glandular fever usually progresses:
- in most people, the disease usually lasts 2-3 weeks
- the sore throat is usually severe for 3-5 days and then resolves over the next 7-10 days
- most symptoms tend to get better in 2-4 weeks, however, 20 per cent of people have a persistent sore throat at 4 weeks
- fatigue is common and usually lasts for a few weeks
- a minority of people have persistent fatigue that may last several months
- Epstein-Barr virus remains in the body lifelong
How Exercise Affects Body Temperature
When a person stops exercising they will quickly get cold, particularly if they are not wearing sufficient layers to keep them warm after stopping.
Doing intensive exercise may also disrupt a persons ability to regulate their body temperature. This means they may feel chills more than they otherwise might.
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Chills Fatigue And Muscle Cramps Or Spasms
Reviewed on 8/5/2020
There are a few different medical conditions that are strongly associated with:
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Muscle Cramps Or Spasms
While the symptoms above can be considered a guide to help associate symptoms common among the conditions below, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms. Below are the top condition matches for your symptom combination from MedicineNet:
When To Call The Doctor
- Chills persist even when you dont have a fever.
- You have a cough, cold, or sore throat you cant seem to shake.
- You experience body aches even when you havent exercised or exerted yourself.
- You have night sweats.
- You have a low-grade fever that doesnt resolve, or seems to come and go.
- You notice hair or skin changes like your hair falling out.
- Youve had unexplained weight loss.
- You experience fatigue regardless of how much youve slept.
- You experience constipation or diarrhea despite dietary changes.
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How Can I Prevent Chills
You can prevent cold chills by dressing warmly when you know youll be in the cold. Wearing layers allows you to adjust your clothes for the temperature so you dont get sweaty. Sweating and then getting cold can lower your body temperature too much.
You can also take steps to safeguard your health against medical conditions that cause chills. Avoid misusing drugs or alcohol. If you have a condition like diabetes, take care to control your blood sugar.
How To Get Rid Of Chills
If you’re experiencing chills due to a cold environment, then they should stop once you warm yourself up, says Nate Favini, MD, Medical Lead of Forward, a preventive primary care practice.
But if your chills are associated with a bacterial or viral infection, treating your fever will likely resolve your chills, says Leo Nissola, MD, an immunologist in California.
To break a fever, you can take over-the-counter medication, like Tylenol or Ibuprofen, which are common fever reducers that decrease inflammation and may help mitigate chills.
Chills themselves are not necessarily dangerous, though a high fever can be. You should seek medical care if your temperature reaches 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, or your fever doesn’t respond to fever reducing medications, as this can be a sign of a serious illness that needs medical attention.
If you’re experiencing chills for other reasons, like low blood sugar, treating the underlying cause will often resolve the issue. For example, to immediately treat a hypoglycemic attack, Nissola recommends consuming sugar, like fruit juice.
To stop a panic attack with chills, you can practice deep breathing or relaxation techniques.
If you experience chills after vigorous exercise, you should change out of your sweaty clothes as soon as you can after your workout and put on warm, dry clothes to regulate your body temperature.
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