The Temperature of The Human Body – an Important Indicator of The Health of The Body

Body temperature is a composite indicator of thermal state of the human organism, reflecting the complex relationship between the production of heat from various organs and tissues and heat transfer between them and the external environment.

Body temperature is a composite indicator of thermal state of the human organism, reflecting the complex relationship between the production of heat from various organs and tissues and heat transfer between them and the external environment. 

The average human body temperature usually varies between 36.5 and 37.2 degrees Celsius due to the internal exothermic reactions and the existence of “safety valves” allowing the removal of excess heat sweating. 

“Thermostat” (hypothalamus) is located in the brain and is constantly involved in thermoregulation. During the day body temperature varies – morning and evening it changes by 0.5-1.0 degree C. 

In women, temperature varies depending on the menstrual cycle. If the normal temperature is 37 degrees, it decreased to 36.8 during the first days of the cycle, before ovulation and decreased to 36.6 and then again increased to 37.2 and finally stood at 37 degrees. 

In men, the temperature in the testes is 1.5 degrees lower than the rest of the body and the temperature of other parts of the body depends on physical exercise. 

Critical to man is considered the temperature of 42 degrees, at which the disorder in the metabolism of brain tissue. Human body is better adapted to cold and therefore reducing the temperature to 32 degrees causes tremors, but not a serious risk. 

Occurs at 27 degrees coma and an infringement of cardiac activity and respiration. Temperature below 25 degrees is considered critical, but some people manage to survive supercooling. 

Fever 

Hyperthermia – this is the abnormal rise in temperature above 37 degrees as a result of disease.This is a common symptom that can occur when problems in any part or system. Increased temperature can be: low (37.2 -38 degrees), medium (38-40 degrees) and high (above 40 degrees) temperature above 42.2 degrees leads to loss of consciousness and, if not decline, possible brain damage. 

Hyperthermia is divided into: 

– Volatile (cod) – the most common, characterized by daily changes in temperature above normal; 

– Temporary – daily temperature decrease to the level of rule, then it increases again, causing fever ; 

– Constant – constant temperature increases with small changes. 

– Recidivism – feverish and volatile apiretichni (characterized by the absence of fever) periods. 

Prolonged hyperthermia may be of unknown causes – where research can not explain what caused the increase in body temperature. In babies and very young children, a high temperature over a longer period of time, with large jumps and faster rise than in older children and adults. 

Raising the temperature over 41 degrees is cause for immediate hospitalization. 

Causes of Hyperthermia 

  1. Disorder of the immune complex 

In such dysfunctions observed low hyperthermia, but rarely may arise medium and high. It may be temporary, such as the syndrome of AIDS, but may be constant – for example, arthritis.Along with the standard symptoms (fatigue, weight loss) hyperthermia can cause increased sweating at night. 

  1. Infectious and inflammatory diseases 

Hyperthermia may be low (in Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) or high (bacterial pneumonia), temporary (infectious mononucleosis, otitis media), septic (lung abscess, influenza, endocarditis), constant (meningitis), relapse (malaria) . Raising the temperature is suddenly (with toxic shock syndrome) or gradually. 

  1. Malignancy 

In primary malignancies and metastases may occur long periods of increased body temperature of the body. In acute leukemia occurred slowly emerging low temperature, pallor, bleeding, but sometimes the temperature can be too high. 

  1. Disorder of thermoregulation 

Abrupt and sudden rise in temperature was observed in life-threatening diseases such as stroke, malignant hyperthermia, impaired central nervous system. Low and middle hyperthermia is accompanied by increased sweating. 

  1. Medicines 

Hyperthermia and rashes arise as a result of increased sensitivity to antifungal preparations sulphanilamide, penicillanic antibiotic group and others. Hyperthermia can be seen with chemotherapy. It can be caused by medicines, provoking the swatingor toxic doses of other preparations. 

  1. Procedures 

Temporary hyperthermia may occur after surgery. Blood transfusions also cause sudden fever and fever. 

Trivia (from “The Book of Guinness Records”): 

– Highest temperature: 

At the hospital, Grady Memorial in Atlanta on July 10, 1980 received a 52-year-old Willie Johns (heatstroke received) at a temperature of 46.5 degrees C. The patient was discharged from hospital after 24 days. 

– Lowest temperature: 

2-year-old Carla Kozolofski of Redzhayn (Canada) on February 23, 1994 she spent 6 hours in the cold at -22 degrees C, resulting in its rectal temperature dropped to 14.2 degrees.