Thermoregulation is one of the vital functions of the human body. Thanks to many life systems, the human body temperature in the normal state is held within fairly narrow boundaries, despite the environmental conditions.
Thermoregulation of the human body is divided into chemical and physical. The first of them functions by increasing or decreasing the intensity of metabolism processes. And the processes of physical thermoregulation occur due to heat radiation, thermal conductivity and evaporation of moisture from the surface of the body.
It is impossible not to list the methods of measuring temperature. The holding of a thermometer under his arm is far from the most optimal option. Fluctuations in the fixed body temperature from real can differ by a whole degree. In the West, in adults, the temperature is measured in the oral cavity, and in children (it is difficult for them to hold their mouths closed for a long time) in the rectum. These methods are much more accurate, although for some reason they have not taken root with us for unknown reasons.
The widespread opinion that normal human body temperature is 36.6 degrees Celsius is not correct. Each organism is purely individual and without exposure to third-party factors the temperature of the human body can fluctuate in the range of 36.5-37.2 degrees.
But already outside these boundaries it is necessary to look for the causes of this behavior of the body, since an increased or low body temperature is a marker of any problems: diseases, poor functioning of life support systems, external factors.
Also, the normal body temperature of each individual person at a certain point in time depends on several more factors:
- individual characteristics of the body;
- time of day (about six in the morning in a person, body temperature is at a minimum level, and at 16 hours at maximum);
- human age (in children under three years of age, normal body temperature is often equal to 37.3-37.4 degrees Celsius, and in the elderly-36.2-36.3 degrees);
- a number of factors that are not fully studied by modern medicine.
And if the state of elevated body temperature is known to the majority, then few people know about its decrease below the normative boundaries, the processes that provoke this and possible consequences. But this condition is no less dangerous than high temperature, so we will try to tell about the low temperature in the most.
Classification of hypothermia
Modern medicine emits two types of decrease in body temperature below the norm:
- low body temperature – from 35 to 36.5 degrees;
- low body temperature – up to 34.9 degrees. This condition in medicine is known under the term hypothermia.
In turn, there are several classifications of hypothermia. The first of them divides this condition into three severity:
- light-temperature range 32.2-35 degrees
- average-27-32.1 degrees;
- heavy – up to 26.9 degrees.
The second divides the hypothermia into moderate and heavy with a border of 32 degrees. It is this mark in medicine that is considered the temperature at which the human body is exhausted by the possibilities for independent warming. This classification is considered more convenient from a practical point of view.
According to this classification, with moderate hypothermia, the patient has drowsiness, apathetic, trembling and tachycardia. The blood glucose level increases. In most cases, a warm bed, dry clothes and warm drink will help to fix the situation. A mandatory examination for moderate hypothermia is an electrocardiogram. Violation of thermoregulation processes often entails problems with the rhythm of the heart.
Severe hypothermia, according to this classification, an extremely dangerous state. A decrease in temperature below 32 degrees entails the dysfunction of many life support systems. In particular, the functionality of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems is impaired, the mental activity and processes of metabolism slows down.
Moreover, 27 degrees are already considered a critical indicator that can lead to the death of a person. At this temperature, patients develop a coma, pupils do not react to light. Without emergency medical care and very active warming, there are very few chances to survive a person.
Although history is known for unique cases when, after a long -term hypothermia (six -hour stay of a two -year -old Canadian girl in the cold), a person had a body temperature dropped to 14.2 degrees, but he survived at the same time. But this is rather an exception to the rule that hypothermia is an extremely dangerous state.
The causes of hypothermia
A significant decrease in body temperature relative to normal indicators is a direct signal to further examination. And here you need to analyze in detail the reasons that provoke a serious decrease in body temperature. In principle, there are quite a lot of them and for convenience the prerequisites for low body temperature are divided into three groups:
- Physical prerequisites for reduced temperature. Functional malfunctions in the process of thermoregulation lead to excessive heat loss. In most cases, this is due to the expansion of blood vessels and the duration of such a state. In particular, hypothermia, due to these reasons, is manifested in people with low blood pressure, in which expanded vessels-a typical state. In addition, diseases of the endocrine system lead to physical hypothermia. And to be more accurate – increased sweating that violates natural thermoregulation;
- Chemical causes of low body temperature. These include intoxication of the body, weakened immunity, low hemoglobin level, emotional and physical strain, period of pregnancy;
- behavioral prerequisites for low body temperature. This group distinguishes reasons that are the result of an inadequate perception of a person of the ambient temperature. Often, behavioral hypothermia occurs due to the effects of alcohol and narcotic substances on the body, as well as an unbalanced mental state.
As already noted, each of these groups of the premises of the hypothermia includes quite a lot of reasons. We denote the more specifically the main of them:
| Cause | Description and consequences |
| Alcohol and narcotic poisoning | Under the influence of these substances, a person ceases to adequately perceive reality, often not feeling the cold. Often in such cases, people can even fall asleep on the street, undergoing serious hypothermia. In addition, ethanol and opium substances expand the vessels and create a deceptive impression of heat, which often leads to critical consequences. |
| Hypothermia | Long stay under the influence of low temperatures leads to the fact that the body simply does not cope with thermoregulation, allowing the temperature to drop below the norm. In such conditions, energy is also intensively spent, due to which the time is sharply reduced, during which the body can resist hypothermia. |
| Viral and bacterial infections | Hypothermia during such diseases often occurs even when the disease itself is overcome. It is known that before a certain temperature, the body should give it to it yourself. If you also use antipyretic drugs, then eliminating the symptoms of infection, the body’s protective mechanisms continue to work for some time at full power, which leads to lowering body temperature below the norm. |
| Diets and starvation | For the functioning of thermoregulation systems, the body needs constant replenishment of calories and fat deposits, due to which, in particular, the thermal conductivity and heat transfer are regulated. Insufficient nutrition (forced or planned) leads to disorders of this functionality and a decrease in body temperature. |
| Sepsis in people with weakened immunity and elderly people | In most cases, sepsis is the cause of high temperature. But in the designated categories of people, one of the manifestations of this disease may be damage to the nervous system, including those segments that are responsible for thermoregulation. Human body temperature in such circumstances can drop to 34 degrees and requires immediate adjustment. |
| The incorrect use of medications or procedures (poolic hypothermia) | The concept of Jagodenia is understood as the consequences that arose due to improper actions of medical personnel or due to the incorrect use of medicines. In hypothermia, the causes of this group can be:
Any of these reasons can cause a critical drop in body temperature, so even taking the most harmless drugs, which include antipyretic and vasoconstrictor, should only be conducted after consulting a doctor. |
| Ovulation | The menstrual cycle in women is often accompanied by abnormal fluctuations in body temperature. In most cases, it rises, but there are known cases and lowering temperature during this period. Often the temperature is 35.5-36.0 degrees, which is not anxious. With the completion of menstruation, the temperature will return to the norm. |
| Wilson’s temperature syndrome | This disease is provoked by thyroid dysfunction, which is accompanied by a decrease in body temperature |
Reduced body temperature during pregnancy
A lot of doctors are noted a separate reason for a decrease in body temperature pregnancy. To be more accurate, then not the very gestation of the child, but the processes that accompany this. Quite often, future mothers due to toxicosis are not valid, which affects the metabolic processes and, accordingly, body temperature, which can drop to 36 degrees and even lower. In addition, often in pregnant women there is a weakening of immunity, against the background of which the temperature may decrease. These prerequisites do not bring any serious problems, but at the same time they require an adequate reaction: normalizing the power mode and the consumption of a sufficient number of calories, as well as work on strengthening the immune system.
Actions when reducing temperature
Fixing a reduced body temperature in yourself, first of all, you need to adequately assess your physical condition. If there is no weakness, you are not cowardly and there are no other signs of the disease, it is worth remembering whether you have not been sick or have you changed your time. A slight decrease in temperature can be residual symptoms of these causes. In this case, seeking a doctor is not necessary. It is possible that a low temperature is the norm of your body. You need to consult a doctor in the following cases:
- body temperature is 35 degrees and below even without other symptoms;
- In addition to reducing temperature, weakness, trembling, vomiting and other symptoms that are unusual for a healthy person are observed. In such cases, even a temperature of 35.7-36.1 is an occasion to seek help;
- In a person, against a background of low temperature, there are hallucinations, slurred speech, clouding in the eyes, loss of consciousness.
Any of these symptoms is the reason for the immediate seeing a doctor. Even simple weakness at low temperature should not be survived at home, since irreversible processes can begin in the body, which will be very difficult to stop over time.
Before the doctor’s doctor arrives with a reduced temperature, you need to put it in the bed and wrap it with a warm blanket, having previously convinced of the dryness of his clothes. Ensure complete calm, give a cup of warm sweet tea and, if possible, make a warm bath bath or put a heating pad under your feet.
These actions will simplify the body with the process of thermoregulation and the temperature in most cases will begin to increase to the norm.