Can Lack of Sleep Cause Fever and Chills?

A lack of sleep can cause a fever by increasing the skin temperature, the temperature of the brain, as well as increasing the susceptibility to infections. However, due to several conditions like an overactive thyroid, arthritis, and pneumonia, sleep deprivation and fever can occur simultaneously.
 
– Lack of Sleep Can Increase Skin Temperature — When we are awake, the flow of blood is not equally distributed to all parts of the body; when compared to the periphery (arm, legs, hands, and feet), more blood flows to the chest and abdomen. When compared to the awake state, blood flow to the skin is increased as sleep redistributes blood to all parts of the body uniformly. This increased blood flow warms the skin and increases heat loss, causing the body temperature to drop during sleep.

– Lack of Sleep Can Increase the Temperature of the Brain — Due to enhanced blood flow and increased metabolic demands of the brain, sleep deprivation also increases the temperature of the brain. One of the most severely affected areas is the hypothalamus, a temperature-controlling area of the brain. Small changes in the temperature of the brain can result in markedly increased brain activity, making it even harder to fall asleep.

– Lack of Sleep Can Lead to Infections — The importance of sleep in enhancing our natural defense system against diseases cannot be overstated; in addition to diet, sleep is the single most important function to improving immune health. Deep sleep helps in the proper functioning of immune cells, and lack of sleep has a negative effect on proper immune function.

Yes, lack of sleep can cause chills. Because the body’s temperature-regulating hormones can be affected by the sleep-wake cycle, you might get the chills when you do not get enough sleep. Your body temperature falls to its lowest point in the middle of the night while you sleep, so if you are under-slept, your body temperature might still be trying to drop. Because a hot environment may cause disrupted or lighter sleep, when you are going to sleep, it is recommended to keep your bedroom cool (between 54 and 75°F). While keeping your bedroom cooler may sound counterintuitive when talking about chills, if you are too hot at night, you will unavoidably sweat; this sweat can cool you off, giving you shivers and chills in the middle of the night and even when you wake up.

Not getting enough sleep has many negative health effects on the body; the severity of the effects is amplified the greater the lack of sleep, as well as the number of nights sleep problems occur. Not sleeping enough can cause:

– Weight gain
– Moodiness
– Swollen, dark undereye circles
– Problems driving
– Higher stress levels
– Lower body temperature
– Brain fog
– Lower immunity
 
While one night of poor sleep quality or short sleep will not completely impair you, repeated nights of lack of sleep can accumulate, and the effects can compound. This is a phenomenon known as ‘sleep debt,’ and symptoms can worsen the longer it goes on.
 
Lack of sleep can harm your body in several ways, which is why it is important to get enough quality sleep every night. Come to Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders, where our team can help you get a better night’s rest. We serve patients from all across the United States, and currently have seven locations: one in El Paso, TX; one in Wausau, WI; one in Kansas City, MO; one in Mishawaka, IN; one in Bloomington, IL; and one in Peoria – Dunlap, IL. Schedule an appointment at any of our locations today to receive top-level care from experienced TMJ disorder specialists. We look forward to serving you!