Temperature "good" and "bad". Why is fever dangerous and when should it be dealt with?

36.6 is not a constant body temperature of a healthy person; if you monitor it throughout the day, this value will fluctuate slightly. The lowest result, about 36 degrees, will be at the time of morning sleep. If a person is hot after physical activity, the temperature may rise slightly

Body temperature is affected by heat, humidity, and too warm clothing. Women experience a slight jump in temperature (by half a degree) on certain days of the menstrual cycle. But this will be a one-time increase. A cause for concern may be an increase in temperature from 37.2 to 37.9 over a period of more than a month - this is a low-grade fever.

If a low-grade fever lasts more than two weeks, and is accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, poor sleep, shortness of breath, then you should not delay seeing a therapist. Often, a low-grade fever signals a problem in the body when other symptoms have not yet appeared.

Thermoregulation in the body

For normal human life it is necessary that heat exchange be carried out constantly. It depends on the characteristics of the organism and on the presence of various reflex stimuli, and changes can have an effect even if the ambient temperature remains unchanged.

Violation of thermoregulation

First of all, such violations can occur as a result of exposure to external or internal factors. For example, internal diseases include various types of diseases.

The main symptoms can be considered:

• chills;
• chills, as a result of hyperkinesis - when involuntary muscle contractions occur;
• as a result of hypothermia - the consequences of hypothermia;
• as a consequence of hyperthermia - in case of overheating of the body.

The main causes of thermoregulation disorders are:

• congenital or acquired defect of the hypothalamus. It can negatively affect the functioning of many internal organs, including body temperature itself;
• climate change. This external factor is capable of influencing body temperature as a result of adaptation of the body;
• alcohol abuse;
• a consequence of processes associated with aging;
• various mental disorders.

Diagnostics

A patient with thermoregulation disorders is examined by a general practitioner or emergency physician (in case of critical hypothermia). The scope of diagnostic measures depends on the patient’s condition and the degree of temperature decrease. At values ​​above 32°C, advanced laboratory and instrumental studies can be performed to identify the cause of hypothermia; at lower values, they are limited to basic methods. The most informative:

• Physical examination
  . First of all, to detect the cause of a person’s low body temperature, thermometry is performed. Temperature is most often measured in the rectum; an esophageal probe is used to obtain accurate information about the internal temperature. To assess consciousness, the integrity of the pupillary and pain reflexes is checked.
• Blood tests
  . The basic checklist includes measuring glucose, red blood cells and hemoglobin levels. A biochemical blood test can reveal high levels of nitrogen and urea, laboratory symptoms of liver disease. To diagnose anemia, the amount of free iron, ferritin and transferrin is determined.
• Hormonal profile
  . To exclude pathologies of the thyroid gland, the content of thyroxine and free T3, thyroid-stimulating hormones of the pituitary gland are taken into account. You also need to examine the amount of adrenal hormones and catecholamines. To confirm Addison's disease, an ACTH stimulation test and information about the levels of essential electrolytes are required.
• Electrographic methods
  . An ECG is recommended for all patients, which allows detecting pathognomonic signs - Osborne wave, prolongation of the PQ and QT intervals. To assess the functional activity of the brain, an EEG is prescribed. In a hospital setting, electromyography and electroneurography of peripheral nerve trunks are sometimes performed.
• X-ray imaging
  . A CT scan of the brain is the first thing to do to rule out central causes of low body temperature. The images may reveal mass formations or possible swelling of the hypothalamic region. Scintigraphy of the thyroid gland with iodine isotopes helps to study the structure of the organ in more detail.

Increased body temperature

One of the serious signs of pathology in the body is an increase in body temperature. If numbers between 36.5 - 36.9 C are considered normal, then its rise is a signal from the body that an infection or virus has entered it and inflammation has begun. Doctors recommend treating this symptom as:

• the ability of your immune system to begin fighting various irritants;
• about the onset of various disturbances in the normal functioning of internal organs, as well as body tissues.

It is for this reason that it is worth considering the various factors and causes of body temperature fluctuations.

Causes of elevated body temperature

If you have a fever, do not immediately panic and start swallowing pills or calling a doctor. It is worth knowing that some causes of elevated temperature do not pose a danger to humans. Let's look at what you should pay attention to.

Non-dangerous causes include symptoms that will go away on their own:

• if the temperature rise occurs in the evening. Very often, it is at this time that it can rise 0.5-1 degrees above normal;
• as a result of emotional or physical stress. They will increase blood circulation, and with it heat exchange will increase;
• during ovulation in women. Often before the start of the menstrual cycle, hormonal surges are possible, and with this the body temperature rises;
• as a consequence of thermal loads. The presence of a body temperature of 37 and above can manifest itself as a result of eating hot food, visiting a bathhouse or sauna, taking a bath, or after sunbathing.

And now it’s worth talking about the pathological causes that can cause dangerous diseases:

• development of acute or chronic infections;
• various viral diseases, including influenza or ARVI;
• all cases of inflammation or swelling;
• for diseases of the respiratory system;
• if there are disorders of the thyroid gland;
• in case of injury to joints and muscles;
• during the course of a sexually transmitted disease.

Symptoms of elevated body temperature

It is worth saying that a significant increase in temperature will be felt by the person himself. The main symptoms include:

• feeling tired and weak;
• chills appear. Moreover, the greater the heat, the stronger the chill will be;
• the appearance of headache;
• the appearance of body aches. The joints, muscles and fingers are most often affected;
• the person begins to feel cold;
• burning and dry eyes appear;
• the mouth feels dry;
• Appetite may decrease or disappear altogether;
• increased heart rate, arrhythmia may appear;
• sweating increases or, conversely, dry skin.

How and when to bring down a high fever in an adult

Body temperature above 38.5C should be of particular concern. And yet, doctors recommend starting to bring down the temperature with medications when it reaches 38C.

But you should focus, first of all, on your general well-being. If the high temperature is poorly tolerated, unbearable aches, chills, confusion, physical discomfort, vomiting, dizziness are felt, then the temperature should be brought down immediately.

But it also happens that even a high temperature occurs with barely noticeable discomfort, then you should focus on the thermometer mark and, if it exceeds 38.5, take an antipyretic drug.

During fever and throughout the entire period of illness, it is important to drink as much fluid as possible. Through the excretory system, it promotes the rapid elimination of bacteria and viruses and their metabolic products - toxins. As a result, you will recover faster from a high temperature.

If there is a need to bring down the temperature, it is worth adding antipyretic drugs. It is better to give preference to single-component products. Adults are recommended to take paracetamol or ibuprofen based products. The use of multicomponent drugs, where paracetamol or ibuprofen are only part of the composition, should be used in extreme cases. And even more so, exclude the joint use of both.

Types of thermometers

On the Russian pharmacy market you can purchase different types of thermometers. Three of them are the most popular:

1. Mercury or maximum. Budget-friendly and easy to use. The bonus is high measurement accuracy. Widely used both at home and in various medical institutions, usually axillary. Two significant disadvantages are fragility and serious measurement time. Another disadvantage is that mercury vapor is poisonous, and therefore requires very careful handling of the thermometer.
2. Electronic or digital . It appeared relatively recently, but quickly became very popular. The reasons are the speed of measurements (from half to one and a half minutes), several varieties and a very reasonable price. A bonus is the ability to use different measurement methods. The only drawback is a certain scatter of values, which demonstrates the not very high accuracy of the device.
3. Infrared. An innovative and expensive thermometer. Measures temperature in a non-contact manner. The time required for measurement is only 2-5 seconds. It is not used axillarily, orally or rectally, and therefore has a limited area of ​​use.

What not to do at high temperatures

You should react to an elevated temperature without panic, but with special care.
It is not recommended to bring it down in the first minutes after the increase; you need to let the body cope with the temperature on its own. At this time, the body’s defenses are mobilized and pathogens of various diseases die. But even when lowering the temperature, you should not strive for 36.6. In the first days of illness, this is unlikely to be achieved. Rubbing, especially with vinegar or alcohol solutions, is not recommended. However, this practice still exists at home. If a patient with a high fever is pale and his limbs are cold to the touch (so-called white hyperthermia), then any rubbing is contraindicated for him and, in addition to antipyretics, antispasmodics are recommended. The fact is that cold extremities are caused by vasospasm. And in this case, cold rubbing with vinegar or alcohol-containing liquids can only worsen the situation with the blood vessels.

Wiping with vinegar is not indicated for adults and children with respiratory manifestations of the disease or chronic pathologies of the respiratory system. Vapors can worsen the patient's condition and affect the breathing process. Also, intolerance to vinegar or alcohol, as well as the presence of damage and irritation of the skin, are contraindications to rubbing.

At high temperatures, it is not recommended to eat rich, fatty foods and sugar. An increase in glucose levels in the body reduces the number of white blood cells, which are responsible for destroying infected cells. Which can harm the process of fighting bacteria and viruses. And fatty foods create additional stress on digestion and the body devotes some of its energy to this process, instead of fighting the enemy.

Speaking about drinking liquid at a fever, it should be noted that hot drinking is strictly contraindicated! Especially coffee. Caffeine causes dehydration. A hot drink warms up the body even more. Only warm fruit drinks and herbal teas.

Treatment of fever during pregnancy

Treatment of infections during pregnancy requires an appropriate approach. It is not recommended to take any medicine for fever without consulting your doctor. During pregnancy, this action may cause more harm than good.

Infections, especially in pregnant women, are best prevented rather than treated, so it's important to remember to get the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women. It is also important to eat a healthy diet frequently and exercise regularly.

Reduced body temperature

Like high temperatures, low temperatures also indicate problems. Especially if it lasts for a long time. This leads to rapid fatigue, loss of mood, weakness of the body, etc.

Causes of low body temperature

A decrease in temperature is observed:

• with low hemoglobin;
• in case of internal bleeding;
• during pregnancy;
• if there are problems with blood vessels;
• for diabetes;
• with pathology of the adrenal glands;
• during brain tumors;
• with asthenic syndrome;
• during skin lesions;
• as a result of seasonal ARVI;
• in case of intoxication;
• as a consequence of hypothermia;
• with hypothermia.

Symptoms of low body temperature

Symptoms include:

• weakness;
• drowsiness;
• apathy;
• chills;
• feeling of cold.

Conclusion

1. Body temperature is one of the key indicators of the state of the human body.
2. The normal value of this parameter for an adult is considered to be 35.5-37.6°C.
3. For children, the standard temperature values ​​are slightly higher, for older people – slightly lower.
4. An increase or decrease in temperature often becomes a symptom of disease. Therefore, it is best to consult a doctor.
5. It is not always necessary to lower the temperature - if there is a serious deterioration in health or the indicators reach 39 degrees or higher.