Shaking or shivering after surgery is a common experience for many patients. While it can be unsettling, it is generally a temporary and expected response as the body recovers from surgery. Often termed postanesthetic shivering, this phenomenon is a normal part of waking up from anesthesia.
Why Shaking Happens After Surgery
Post-surgical shaking primarily stems from the body’s response to temperature changes and the effects of anesthesia. A common cause is a decrease in core body temperature, or hypothermia, often due to cool operating room environments and exposed skin.
Anesthetic agents interfere with the body’s thermoregulation. They can widen blood vessels, redistributing heat, and suppress the body’s ability to shiver or constrict vessels to generate warmth. As anesthesia wears off, the body reactivates these responses, causing shivering to produce heat. Shaking can also result from post-operative pain, anxiety, or as a side effect of certain medications like muscle relaxants and opioids.
Hospital Interventions for Shaking
Medical professionals manage and prevent post-surgical shaking in the hospital. A primary strategy is temperature management, using warming blankets, forced-air warmers, and warmed intravenous (IV) fluids during and after surgery. Pre-warming patients with active blankets before anesthesia can also reduce the initial drop in core body temperature.
Anesthesiologists may select specific anesthetic agents or techniques to minimize shivering. Effective pain control post-operatively also helps, as discomfort can trigger or worsen shaking. Medical staff monitor vital signs and body temperature to ensure stability and intervene promptly.
Patient Strategies for Managing Shaking
Once alert, patients can manage shaking through several strategies. Staying warm is primary, including using extra blankets, wearing warm clothing, and consuming warm liquids if permitted. Warm compresses or heating pads can also provide comfort, used with caution and after consulting a healthcare provider.
Adhering to prescribed pain medication schedules is important, as controlling discomfort can alleviate shaking. Maintaining proper hydration and nutrition also supports the body’s overall healing process, contributing to a more stable and effective recovery environment.
Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, or gentle distractions can help manage anxiety that contributes to shaking. Gentle movement, if approved, can improve circulation and reduce stiffness, aiding recovery.
When Shaking is a Concern
While post-surgical shaking is often benign, certain signs warrant medical attention. Report persistent or worsening shaking that doesn’t subside with warming or comfort measures.
Other symptoms warranting concern include:
Fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
Severe pain that worsens.
Redness or swelling at the surgical site.
Difficulty breathing or confusion.
Discolored or foul-smelling discharge from the surgical site.
Shaking that lasts unusually long or if the patient feels very cold and cannot get warm.