Jakarta –
When the temperature is too cold, our bodies will shiver and even make teeth chattering. Why can that happen huh?
Quoting pages Live Science, Thursday (23/2/2023) basically the human body has a temperature of around 37o C. Dr. Robert Glatter, a doctor at Lenox Hill Hospital, United States, explained that when the body temperature drops, the brain will receive a signal. The brain then orders to increase body temperature.
Well, apparently one of the responses that arise from this is shivering and grinding teeth.
Body Process Against Cold
When cold creeps to the surface of the skin, the skin will send a signal to the hypothalamus or a gland in the brain that controls the hormone system. The goal is to maintain the balance of the body in a stable state.
The process of balancing the body is defined as homeostasis or the tendency of the body to maintain a balanced state both internally and externally.
The conditions referred to in this case are body temperature, blood pressure, hunger, thirst, mood until bedtime.
As quoted from page Children’s Museum Indianapolis because the homeostasis process doesn’t matter how hot or cold the temperature is in nature, the body will work to keep the temperature inside to remain balanced.
Thus, when the cold hits the hypothalamus, it will track the blood temperature of the seconds. When it is known that the blood is starting to cool, the hypothalamus will react.
One of the reactions money arises is shivering. During shivering, the muscles connected to the skeleton help to move the body or shake repeatedly rapidly.
Dr. Robert Glatter adds that shaking contractions can also cause jaw muscles to twitch and make teeth chatter.
This muscle contraction releases chemical energy. Most of the energy is converted into motion and some is converted into heat. For this reason, shivering is called a process to warm the body.
One thing to remember, when shivering do not panic. Because actually this is an automatic response that the body has programmed for humans. Impressive huh!
The Difference between Shivering and Trembling
Basically, shivering is the body’s way of moving the body like shaking. However, it turns out that there are several types of shaking that cannot be called shivering.
Like the vibrations caused by a frightening situation. This shaking process involves the production of adrenaline in the body.
Adrenalis makes the muscles ready to contract, but the body will still vibrate. This can happen because there is still the residual effect of adrenaline flowing through the blood vessels throughout the body.
In addition to tense situations, low blood sugar also causes adrenaline rush. So those who experience low blood sugar or hypoglycemia will feel shaking, tremors, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, sweating and hunger.
The last type of shaking is tremor. Tremor is certainly different from shivering and is seen in those with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
Tremors are involuntary muscle contractions that produce various types of shaking movements. Usually occurs in the hands, but can also appear on the feet, head to the whole body.
Dr. Robert Glatter explained that tremors can occur due to abnormalities in the area of the brain that controls muscle movement.
Tips for Dealing with Cold Weather
As quoted from Washington Post, when cold toes and hands can be stiff and numb. Actually arising pain and numbness is a signal from the body’s nerves to ask for help.
For that, when facing cold weather it’s a good idea to wear warm socks, gloves and a hat. Wear clothes made of thick material so that body heat does not escape into the cold air. This step is called isolation.
Unlike humans, animals have thick fur to keep the heat generated by their bodies. When the temperature drops, the muscles in the animal’s skin tighten and cause the fur to appear fluffy.
This process is also called isolation, as when humans try to capture heat in the body. Basically, the body always has a way of warning of bad things that will happen to it. Like when it’s cold.
Not only the appearance of pain in the fingers, human hair and goosebumps are also a sign that the body needs warmth and we must do it. In order to stay healthy, humans need to be sensitive to the state of their own body with the signals it sends. Like the following advice.
“Discomfort is a signal. Often the nerves react to tell someone there is a problem in the body. Listen to the signal and you can enjoy the cold weather. But don’t let the gloves freeze causing hands and feet to go numb from the cold,” said the source.
Watch Video “The Struggle of Afghans Against Extreme Cold Weather“
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