Why low body temperature 35.5 what to do. Low body temperature: causes. How to normalize the state in the future

Body temperature is an indicator of human health, which depends on the metabolic rate and thermoregulation processes. Normal body temperature can fluctuate between 36-36.9 degrees, ideal figures correspond to the level of 36.6 degrees. In medical practice, an increase in temperature (hyperthermia) is more common during overheating, infections, inflammation and oncology. A decrease in body temperature below 36 degrees usually indicates pathological processes in the body. The thermometer readings in an adult at the level of 35.5-36 degrees in some cases refer to the individual characteristics of thermoregulation and do not adversely affect health. To understand the causes of hypothermia, you need to see a doctor.

Physiological hypothermia

More than 99% of people have a normal temperature of 36.6 degrees. During the day, under the influence of hormones of the endocrine system and external factors, the intensity of thermoregulation changes. This affects the daily temperature fluctuations by several tenths of a degree. Normal biological rhythms are associated with lower thermometer readings in the morning (36-36.4), in the evening the temperature may rise (36.7-36.9).

In hot climates, body temperature is periodically above the average, which is associated with overheating, and in cold climates, the figures are lower due to the high risk of hypothermia. Changes in body temperature are episodic and are processes of adaptation of the body to environmental conditions.

Less than 1% of people are prone to hypothermia due to the individual characteristics of the work of the thermoregulatory center in the brain. Typically, the thermometer readings in such patients are at the level of 35.5-36.0 degrees daily, occasionally rising to normal. In the case of infectious and inflammatory diseases, hyperthermia develops with lower fever numbers than in ordinary patients. The tendency to physiological hypothermia does not cause a violation of the general condition and performance. Examination in the body does not reveal pathological changes that could cause a decrease in temperature.

Pathological hypothermia

Body temperature indicators below the average norm in most clinical cases are signs of the disease. With hypothermia, the rate of metabolic reactions decreases and heat transfer worsens, which leads to disruption of the body. Causes of hypothermia may be associated with diseases of the hematopoietic organs, digestion, endocrine and nervous systems, occur when taking medications. A decrease in temperature is a symptom of the disease. In addition to hypothermia, other clinical signs of the disease may appear, which helps to determine the cause of the pathology.

Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is more common, associated with a lack of hemoglobin in the blood and a decrease in the number of red blood cells. Hemoglobin contains iron, which attaches oxygen molecules. Once in the tissues, oxygen is involved in the processes of tissue respiration. With a lack of iron, oxygen deficiency (hypoxia) occurs, including the brain, which leads to a decrease in temperature.

Anemia symptoms:

• dizziness;
• fainting;
• pallor of the skin, cyanosis of the fingertips;
• flashing "flies" before the eyes;
• dyspnea;
• interruptions in the region of the heart;
• fast fatiguability.

In the general clinical blood test, the number of erythrocytes is less than 3.7-4.7X10 * 12 / l, hemoglobin - below 100 g / l.

Liver disease

Hepatitis, hepatosis, cirrhosis of the liver, occurring with signs of liver failure, cause a violation of thermoregulation. The liver stores carbohydrates in the form of glycogen. They are used by the body to generate heat and maintain normal body temperature. Organ dysfunction leads to insufficient accumulation of glycogen and hypothermia.

Symptoms of liver failure:

• loss of appetite;
• nausea, sometimes vomiting;
• weight loss
• lethargy, drowsiness, memory loss;
• yellowness of the skin and sclera of the eyes;
• discoloration of feces.

To diagnose the disease, a biochemical blood test and ultrasound of the abdominal organs are prescribed.

Starvation

Improper nutrition leads to hypothermia. The extreme degree of violation of the diet - starvation, vegetarianism, strict diets to reduce body weight. The body does not receive the required amount of nutrients that can provide normal thermoregulation. Deficiency of fats and carbohydrates leads to insufficient heat production, and a decrease in the subcutaneous fat layer causes chilliness.

Symptoms of malnutrition:

• unstable chair;
• rapid weight loss;
• dry skin, brittle nails, hair loss;
• angular stomatitis (zaedy);
• weakness, decreased performance;
• thirst.

Normalization of the daily diet leads to an improvement in the general condition and normalization of body temperature.

Endocrine pathology

Hypothermia occurs when the thyroid gland is underactive - hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormones are involved in metabolism and regulate the processes of thermoregulation. Lack of hormones in the body reduces metabolism and heat production.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism:

• puffiness;
• chilliness;
• weight gain with a decrease in appetite;
• lethargy, drowsiness;
• tendency to constipation;
• dry skin, hair loss;
• memory impairment;
• infertility.

Diabetes mellitus occurs with impaired metabolism and glucose oxidation. This leads to a lack of energy in the body.

Symptoms of diabetes:

• thirst;
• frequent urination;
• dry mouth;
• tingling and numbness of the extremities;
• increased appetite against the background of weight loss.

To diagnose the disease, it is necessary to undergo a laboratory examination to determine thyroid hormones and blood sugar levels.

Diseases of the nervous system

Hypothermia accompanies diseases of the nervous system that occur after traumatic brain injury and spinal injury. Often, a decrease in body temperature occurs with neurocirculatory dystonia (NCD) of the hypotonic type. A change in autonomic innervation leads to disruption of the thermoregulation center and persistent hypothermia.

Symptoms of NCD by hypotonic type:

• low blood pressure;
• weather dependence;
• fast fatiguability;
• pale skin;
• chilliness of the hands and feet;
• irritability, emotional instability.

Treatment of an etiological disease contributes to the normalization of body temperature.

Oncology

Brain tumors in the hypothalamus lead to hypothermia. A decrease in body temperature is one of the first symptoms of the disease. The thermoregulatory center is located in the hypothalamus. Compression of the brain by the growth of tumor tissues causes a violation of the processes of heat generation in the body.

Symptoms of a tumor of the hypothalamus:

• uncontrollable thirst;
• long sleep;
• the predominance of negative emotions;
• mental instability;
• epileptic seizures;
• obesity, diabetes.

Diagnosis of the disease is carried out using instrumental methods of examination (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) and laboratory tests.

Taking medications

Long-term use of drugs or non-compliance with the prescribed dosage of the drug leads to a decrease in body temperature. Hypothermia develops with an overdose of antipyretic drugs, sedatives from the group of barbiturates and benzodiazepines, narcotic painkillers.

With a persistent decrease in body temperature for 5-7 days or more, it is necessary to consult a general practitioner. The doctor will conduct the necessary diagnostic examinations, write out a referral for a consultation of narrow specialists. Hypothermia can be signs of serious diseases that impair quality and reduce life expectancy.

Thermoregulation is one of the vital functions of the human body. Thanks to many systems of vital activity, the temperature of the human body in a normal state is kept within fairly narrow limits, despite 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 metabolic 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. Holding a thermometer under the arm, common in our country, is far from the best option. Fluctuations in the recorded body temperature from the real one can differ by a whole degree. In the West, in adults, the temperature is measured in the mouth, and in children (it is difficult for them to keep their mouth closed for a long time) in the rectum. These methods are much more accurate, although for some unknown reason they did not take root in our country.

The widely held belief that the normal human body temperature is 36.6 degrees Celsius is not correct. Each organism is purely individual and without the influence of third-party factors, the temperature of the human body can fluctuate between 36.5-37.2 degrees.

But already outside these boundaries, it is necessary to look for the reasons for this behavior of the body, since an increased or decreased 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 other factors:

• individual characteristics of the organism;
• time of day (about six o'clock in the morning, a person's body temperature is at a minimum level, and at 16 o'clock at a maximum);
• the age of the person (in children under three years old it is normal, and in the elderly - 36.2-36.3 degrees);
• a number of factors that are not fully understood 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 limits, the processes that provoke it and the possible consequences. But such a state is no less dangerous than a high temperature, so we will try to tell you about the low temperature in as much detail as possible.

Modern medicine distinguishes two types of lower body temperature below normal:

• low body temperature - from 35 to 36.5 degrees;
• low body temperature - up to 34.9 degrees. This condition is medically known as hypothermia.

In turn, there are several classifications of hypothermia. The first of them divides this condition into three degrees of severity:

• light - temperature range 32.2-35 degrees
• average - 27-32.1 degrees;
• heavy - up to 26.9 degrees.

The second divides hypothermia into moderate and severe with a border of 32 degrees. It is this mark in medicine that is considered the temperature at which the human body runs out of opportunities for self-warming. This classification is considered more convenient from a practical point of view.

According to this classification, with moderate hypothermia, the patient has drowsiness, lethargy, trembling, and tachycardia. The level of glucose in the blood rises. In most cases, a warm bed, dry clothes, and warm drinks will help remedy the situation. A mandatory examination for moderate hypothermia is an electrocardiogram. Violation of the processes of thermoregulation quite often entails problems with the heart rhythm.

Severe hypothermia, according to this classification, is an extremely dangerous condition. A decrease in temperature below 32 degrees leads to the dysfunction of many life support systems. In particular, the functional of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems is disrupted, mental activity and metabolic processes slow down.

At the same time, already 27 degrees are considered a critical indicator that can lead to the death of a person. At this temperature, patients develop a coma, the pupils do not react to light. Without emergency medical attention and very active warming, a person has very little chance of surviving.

Although there are unique cases in history when, after a long hypothermia (a six-hour stay of a two-year-old Canadian girl in the cold), a person's body temperature dropped to 14.2 degrees, but he survived. But this is rather an exception to the rule that hypothermia is an extremely dangerous condition.

Causes of Hypothermia

A significant decrease in body temperature relative to normal values ​​is a direct signal for 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 low temperatures. Functional failures 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 this condition. In particular, hypothermia due to these causes occurs in people with low blood pressure, in whom dilated vessels are a typical condition.
  In addition, diseases of the endocrine system lead to physical hypothermia. And to be more precise - increased sweating, which violates natural thermoregulation;
• chemical causes of low body temperature. These include intoxication of the body, weakened immunity, low hemoglobin levels, emotional and physical overstrain, pregnancy;
• behavioral prerequisites for low body temperature. This group includes causes that are the result of inadequate perception of the ambient temperature by a person. Often, behavioral hypothermia occurs due to the effects of alcohol and drugs on the body, as well as an unbalanced mental state.

As already noted, each of these groups of prerequisites for hypothermia includes quite a few causes. Let us outline the main ones in more detail:

Low body temperature during pregnancy

Quite a lot of doctors note a separate reason for lowering body temperature. To be more precise, it is not the bearing of a child itself, but the processes that accompany this. Quite often, expectant mothers are malnourished due to toxicosis, which affects metabolic processes and, accordingly, body temperature, which can drop to 36 degrees or even lower. In addition, often in pregnant women there is a weakening of the immune system, against which the temperature may drop. These prerequisites do not bring any serious problems, but at the same time they require an adequate response: normalizing the diet and consuming enough calories, as well as working to strengthen the immune system.

Actions when the temperature drops

Having fixed a low body temperature, first of all, you need to adequately assess your physical condition. If there is no weakness, you are not afraid and there are no other signs of illness, it is worth remembering if you have been sick or have been cold lately. A slight decrease in temperature may be a residual symptomatology of these causes. In this case, it is not necessary to consult a doctor. It is possible that a low temperature is the norm for your body.
You need to see a doctor in the following cases:

• body temperature of 35 degrees and below even without other symptoms;
• in addition to a decrease in temperature, weakness, trembling, vomiting and other symptoms unusual for a healthy person are observed. In such cases, even a temperature of 35.7-36.1 is a reason to seek help;
• in a person against the background of low temperature, hallucinations, slurred speech, blurred vision, loss of consciousness are observed.

Any of these symptoms is a cause for immediate medical attention. Even a simple weakness at a low temperature should not be waited out at home, as irreversible processes can begin in the body, which will be very difficult to stop over time.

Before the doctor arrives, a patient with a low temperature should be put to bed and wrapped in a warm blanket, after making sure that his clothes are dry. Ensure complete calm, give a cup of warm sweet tea and, if possible, make a warm foot bath or put a heating pad under your feet.

These actions will make it easier for the body to conduct the process of thermoregulation and the temperature in most cases will begin to rise to normal.

“Normal” body temperature is considered to be a temperature of 36.6 ° C, however, in fact, each person has his own individual temperature norm in the average range from 35.9 to 37.2 ° C. This personal temperature is formed by about 14 years for girls and 20 for guys, and it depends on age, race, and even ... gender! Yes, men are on average half a degree "colder" than women. By the way, during the day the temperature of every absolutely healthy person makes a slight fluctuation within half a degree: in the morning the human body is colder than in the evening.

When to run to the doctor?

Deviations in body temperature from the norm, both upward and downward, are often a reason to consult a doctor.

Very low temperature - 34.9 to 35.2 °C - talking about:

As you can see from this list, any of the reasons described suggests an urgent visit to the doctor. Even a hangover, if it is so severe, should be treated with a course of droppers that will help the body get rid of the toxic breakdown products of alcohol faster. By the way, thermometer readings below the specified limit is already a direct reason for an urgent call for an ambulance.

Moderate drop in temperature – 35.3 to 35.8 °C – may refer to:

In general, a constant feeling of chilliness, cold and damp palms and feet is a reason to see a doctor. It is quite possible that he will not find any serious problems with you, and will only recommend “improving” nutrition and making the daily routine more rational, including moderate physical activity and increasing the duration of sleep. On the other hand, there is a possibility that the unpleasant chill that torments you is one of the first symptoms of a formidable disease that needs to be treated right now, before it has time to develop complications and go into the chronic stage.

Normal temperature - from 35.9 to 36.9°C - says that you do not suffer from acute diseases at the moment, and your thermoregulation processes are normal. However, not always normal temperature is combined with the ideal order in the body. In some cases, with chronic diseases or reduced immunity, temperature changes may not occur, and this must be remembered!

Moderately elevated (subfebrile) temperature - from 37.0 to 37.3°C – it is the boundary between health and disease. May refer to:

However, such a temperature may also have absolutely “painful” reasons:

• bath or sauna visit, hot bath
• intense sports training
• spicy food

In the case when you didn’t train, didn’t go to the bathhouse, and didn’t have dinner at a Mexican restaurant, and the temperature is still a little elevated, you should go to the doctor, and it’s very important to do this without taking any antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs - firstly , at this temperature they are not necessary, and secondly, medications can blur the picture of the disease and prevent the doctor from making a correct diagnosis.

Heat – 37.4-40.2°C – indicates an acute inflammatory process and the need for medical attention. The question of whether to take antipyretic drugs in this case is decided individually. It is widely believed that temperatures up to 38 ° C cannot be “knocked down” - and in most cases this opinion is true: the proteins of the immune system begin to work in full force precisely at temperatures above 37.5 ° C, and the average person without severe chronic diseases is able to additional harm to health to endure temperatures up to 38.5 ° C. However, people suffering from certain neurological and mental illnesses should be careful: they can cause a high temperature.

Temperatures above 40.3°C are life threatening and require emergency medical attention.

Several interesting facts about temperature:

• There are foods that reduce body temperature by almost a degree. These are green varieties of gooseberries, yellow plums and cane sugar.
• In 1995, scientists officially recorded the lowest "normal" body temperature - in a completely healthy and perfectly feeling 19-year-old Canadian, it was 34.4 ° C.
• Known for their extraordinary therapeutic findings, Korean doctors have come up with a way to treat the seasonal autumn-spring that many people suffer from. They suggested lowering the temperature of the upper body while raising the temperature of the lower half. In fact, this is a well-known health formula “Keep your feet warm and your head cold”, but doctors from Korea say that it can also be used to improve a mood stubbornly striving for zero.

We measure correctly!

However, instead of panicking about abnormal body temperature, you should first think about whether you are measuring it correctly? A mercury thermometer under the arm, familiar to everyone since childhood, does not give the most accurate results.

Firstly, it is still better to purchase a modern, electronic thermometer, which allows you to measure the temperature with an accuracy of hundredths of a degree.

Secondly, the place of measurement is important for the accuracy of the result. The armpit is convenient, but due to the large number of sweat glands, it is inaccurate. The oral cavity is also convenient (just remember to disinfect the thermometer), but you must remember that the temperature there is approximately half a degree higher than the temperature in the armpit, in addition, if you ate or drank something hot, smoked or have consumed alcohol, readings may be falsely high.

Measuring the temperature in the rectum gives one of the most accurate results, it should only be taken into account that the temperature there is about a degree higher than the temperature under the arm, in addition, the thermometer readings may be false after sports training or taking a bath.

And, the “champion” in terms of the accuracy of the result is the external auditory canal. It is only necessary to remember that measuring the temperature in it requires a special thermometer and precise observance of the nuances of the procedure, the violation of which can lead to erroneous results.

The normal temperature of the human body is designed to provide an optimal background for the occurrence of many processes. It becomes a real indicator of the functioning of various internal life support systems. In addition, it is a regulator of the interaction between the internal and external environment of the body.

The normal temperature of the human body in an adult is between 36.4 and 37.4 degrees Celsius. On average, this means familiar and traditional 36.6.

Small fluctuations in one direction or another are not considered pathological. They can only be alarming if they approach the boundary marks.

Most often, these changes pass quite quickly within a short time, as they are caused by functional reasons. When re-measured, they usually shift towards the norm.

When the numbers on the thermometer show that an adult patient has a temperature of 35.5 and below, then such an unusual condition is defined as hypothermia.

This is not at all a harmless state of affairs. The patient's functions of the main organs and systems are disturbed, the metabolism changes significantly and the activity of the brain suffers.

Such changes are especially noticeable on the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Therefore, you need to know exactly the symptoms of this condition in order to be able to accurately determine them even before measuring the temperature in order to help the person in time. This is especially important when it comes to the chronically ill, alcoholics or drug addicts.

Hypothermia usually manifests itself:

• severe chills;
• feeling of freezing;
• general weakness;
• pallor;
• fatigue;
• feeling unwell;
• severe drowsiness;
• decrease in blood pressure;
• bradycardia;
• a sharp change in mood;
• dizziness;
• confusion of consciousness.

These symptoms are explained by a significant slowdown in blood flow in the body, a strong vasodilation, and a change in the course of processes in the brain. In humans, the intensity of metabolism decreases, the level of production and release of hormones drops sharply, and the overall load on the cardiovascular system increases.

Often, secondary symptoms of a sharp decrease in body temperature to 35.3 - 35.5 in an adult become tactile disturbances due to a failure in reflex activity, a weakening of intellectual activity, and vestibular disorders.

Due to cerebral ischemia, it can be difficult to hear and see, it becomes difficult for a person to speak and even keep the body in a horizontal position.

Due to multiple failures in the work of the central and peripheral nervous system, illusions or hallucinations may even occur.

Causes of Hypothermia

A significant decrease in temperature may occur due to the action of various factors. These may be random causes that affect a person only for a short time.

These include nervous tension, taking certain medications, hypothermia, insomnia, a strong feeling of hunger, prolonged dieting, loss of strength, alcohol intoxication.

In such cases, the temperature, as a rule, normalizes after the cessation of the adverse factor. Sometimes a correction of the patient's condition is required in order for the situation to stabilize in the shortest possible time. Usually, this does not require medical assistance, since the person himself is able to change it for the better.

For many people, a temperature of 35.7 - 35.9 is the norm.

Do not be afraid, at a temperature of 35.7 - 35.8 degrees. It is enough to dress warmly, cover yourself with a blanket and drink a cup of hot tea. After that, you need to sleep well and have a hearty lunch. Usually, after such measures, hypothermia disappears. If even after that nothing can be improved, you need to contact a specialist.

This should be done, since low temperature (35.3-35.5) in adults is often a symptom of diseases such as:

• Vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• venous insufficiency;
• dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
• drug addiction (overdose);
• diabetes;
• coma;
• diseases of the adrenal glands;
• hormonal disbalance;
• Iron-deficiency anemia;
• stomach or duodenal ulcer;
• kidney failure;
• disturbances in the activity of the cerebral cortex;
• depression;
• anorexia;
• diseases of the spine;
• hematological diseases.

In these cases, low body temperature can be caused by the damaging effects of drugs or alcohol, loss of strength, malnutrition.

Hormonal deficiency provokes a significant slowdown in the course of processes in the body, a drop in the level of endocrine activity, as well as the absorption of nutrients.

Cardiovascular pathology causes symptoms such as weakness, decreased overall activity, limb ischemia. All this provokes a drop in temperature to 35.2 degrees and below.

The body is trying to balance the situation and therefore attacks of irritability, aggression or, conversely, severe inhibition are often possible.

Thermometry is carried out using thermometers:

1. Mercury(traditional, usually placed in the armpit for five minutes);
2. Electronic(it gives a signal when the body temperature is set. In doubtful cases, it is recommended to hold it for about a minute to clarify the results. In cases where they are clearly increased or decreased, the measurement continues).

It is very important to get the temperature right. Most often, the thermometer is placed in the armpit. This method is generally considered insufficiently accurate, but it is convenient and does not cause discomfort to the patient.

The error in measuring temperature is a few tenths of a degree more often on the smaller side, so the result of 35.8 - 36.2 in an adult can be considered normal.

In Western countries, the thermometer is placed in the mouth. This is the most reliable way to obtain data, but also dangerous, since with severe chills or in an unconscious state, a person can bite or drop a thermometer. In addition, it is completely unsuitable for taking the temperature of infants or people with a weakened psyche.

Sometimes thermometry is performed by placing a special device in the rectum. This is most often done in young children or in adult patients who are in a coma.

However, it should be borne in mind that the internal temperature of the body is slightly higher than the external one, so an amendment must be made here. Therefore, this method is not entirely suitable in the case of hypothermia.

Methods for dealing with hypothermia

Body temperature should not remain too low for a long time. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor. He will carry out the necessary diagnostic procedures.

It is necessary to do a clinical and biochemical blood test, a general urinalysis, check the level of glucose in the plasma, determine the levels of thyroid hormones, and identify the presence of certain toxic substances.

In addition, it is necessary to measure blood pressure, make Echo-Kg, EGC, electroencephalogram, ultrasound, etc.

If no serious diseases have been identified, then you need to measure the temperature several times a day.

If a persistent drop in temperature to 35 degrees or below is detected, you should:

• Conduct a course of taking vitamins E;
• take immunostimulants;
• make an intensive massage of the body, as well as hands and feet;
• prepare hot milk with honey;
• drink tea with raspberry jam;
• take a contrast shower or bath;
• warm up the room;
• dress warmly;
• drink hot coffee;
• brew an infusion of wild rose;
• stop taking drugs not prescribed by a doctor;
• allocate at least eight hours of sleep;
• drink sedative herbal preparations;
• take a walk with an intensive step;
• eat a bar of chocolate.

These comprehensive measures will make it possible to significantly activate metabolism, significantly expand blood vessels, and stimulate general blood supply.

They will allow you to cleanse yourself of toxins, relax, warm up the body, and make the lymph flow more intense. Honey and dark chocolate will allow a person to sweat well, thereby adjusting the heat exchange between the internal environment of the body and the external environment.

After that, you need to take measurements again. If everything returned to normal, then you should observe the patient for several days. If the temperature in the range of 35.2-35.5 will resume, you should contact a specialist.

In general, the fight against hypothermia should be a fight against the cause that caused it.

If it is a serious condition, treatment or an emergency call to the Emergency Room will help. If it is caused by external factors, then home remedies will quite help restore normal body temperature values.

Related materials:

At low body temperature and to combat its fluctuations, it is necessary to follow a number of recommendations from specialists. It is advisable to carry out daily morning exercises, harden, increase immunity. Nutrition should be balanced, and liquids should be drunk at least two liters per day.

You should rest more often, avoid stress, and in case of nervous breakdowns, remove them with the help of meditation, yoga, or just a good rest.

It is very important to maintain a constant normal body temperature. Do not dress too warmly or lightly. You need to sleep in a ventilated, but not overheated or cold room.

According to many doctors, a temperature of 35.1 - 35.2 in an adult is often the result of stress.

Be sure to carefully distribute your daily routine according to the hours. Going to bed, getting up and eating is required at the same constant time. You need to get enough sleep, have a good rest and be sure to do what you love.

You need to completely give up alcohol and smoking. Any pharmacological preparations should be taken only after the appointment of the attending physician. In addition, it is required to use all measures to strengthen the immune system.

It should be borne in mind, however, that some people have congenital hypothermia. At the same time, they do not experience any discomfort, nothing hurts them, and the body functions in full.

However, they also need to undergo a medical examination to exclude the possibility of various diseases.

When is urgent medical attention needed?

You should call a doctor if the decrease in temperature has led to fainting, it does not stop dropping even after the measures taken, and also if the patient is an old man or a baby.

Specialist help is needed when a person ate or drank something before, as intoxication, food poisoning, or an exacerbation of a chronic disease are possible. In these cases, this condition can lead to his death.

If the patient has experienced severe hypothermia, and the temperature of 35-35.5 continues to be maintained, medical assistance is also required.

Delay can set in motion processes that will bring strong and irreparable harm to his body.

This is due to the fact that the cellular and tissue structures of vital systems are affected. And for their functioning, as well as for human life, a constant normal body temperature of about 36.6 degrees Celsius is necessary.

Thus, there is a failure of the entire structure to ensure the flow of processes in the body.

Of particular concern are warning signs such as:

• loss of consciousness;
• profuse sweat;
• severe pallor;
• general weakness;
• cold extremities;
• a sharp decrease in pressure;
• suffocation;
• trembling of the body, hands and head;
• vomit;
• violations of the vestibular apparatus;
• loss of sensation;
• bleeding;
• strong pain;
• weak and irregular pulse;
• epileptiform seizures;
• chills;
• drowsiness;
• refusal to eat.

A significant drop in temperature to 34.8 - 35.1 in an adult may indicate the development of such serious conditions as diabetic coma, heart attack, collapse, internal bleeding, intoxication, anaphylactic shock, etc.

In these cases, the lack of emergency medical care can lead to death. You need to know that, at a body temperature below 32 degrees Celsius, irreversible changes will occur, followed by death.

Therefore, do not think that only hyperthermia is dangerous for the body. It is important to remember that there can be a great variety of causes of hypothermia, and self-diagnosis, due to its inaccuracy, can cause irreparable harm to your body.

Only an experienced specialist can identify the true reason for the decrease in temperature.

Weather sensitivity, low body temperature

In contact with

Classmates

Otolaryngologist, allergist. Graduate of the Warsaw Medical University, Ph.D. PhD thesis in the field of otolaryngology - the study of the patency of the nasal and paranasal sinuses. She specialized in allergology at the Warsaw Clinical Hospital - at the Department of Allergology and Clinical Immunology. Long-term employee of the Department of Allergology and Clinical Immunology of the Central Clinical Hospital in Warsaw and the Enel-Med Medical Center. Accepts children from 3 years old and adults with ENT and allergy problems.

23 comments

Svetlana

Good afternoon! My name is Svetlana, I am 56 years old. I recently suffered severe stress. After that, in the evening the temperature is 38.5, and in the morning it reaches 34.6 as today. And it’s been like this for almost a week. There was a severe chill. I went through an ultrasound of everything, everything is normal, they prescribed an echo heart.

1. Vitaly

   Hello, my temperature is constantly 35, and after eating 35.6. I sweat a lot - especially my head. 35 and I'm hot, MRI wrote that a neuro infection - but blood tests did not show infection - microstrokes in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe brain responsible for vision. It melts badly when reading small letters - then I can’t sleep for a long time and my head starts to hurt and ringing in my ears appears. I drink Glycised and Riboxin - the ECG showed no significant problems with the heart, it tingles sometimes. Frequent heartburn and diarrhea, fecal analysis showed the presence of blood. Eosinophils 7. Without these drugs, sleep disappears, terrible weather dependence appears, and mental and vegetative problems begin. The therapist says that this is VVD, but what do you think?

2. Victor

   My temperature has been 35.5-35.2 for more than a month now. Feeling average. Analyzes are normal. I quit smoking for more than two months, abruptly. Maybe this is the reason and start smoking again, but I would not want to.

A decrease in body temperature below average values ​​​​is quite common. It can occur for various reasons, in people of all ages, and have various consequences.

Is low temperature dangerous?

It is generally accepted that the normal values ​​​​on the thermometer are 36.6 ° C. In fact, readings can fluctuate throughout the day, depending on meals, the menstrual cycle, and even mood. Therefore, temperatures from 35.5 to 37.0 are considered the absolute norm for each individual person.

True hypothermia, dangerous to health, and sometimes to life, begins at temperatures below 35 ° C. If the numbers on the thermometer are between 35 and 36.6 degrees Celsius, then most likely nothing threatens human health.

How does the body maintain temperature?

Thermoregulation is a complex process that involves the brain, nerve pathways, hormonal system, and even adipose tissue. The main purpose of the mechanism is to maintain a constant temperature of the "core", that is, the internal environment of a person. Violation in any of the links can cause failure of the entire system of thermal production and thermal transfer.

How to measure temperature correctly?

• In the armpit- the most common method of measuring temperature in our country. It is simple, but at the same time quite inaccurate. So, the norm with this method ranges from 35 ° C to 37.0 ° C. In children under one year, subfebrile temperature is considered the norm.
• Thermometry in the oral cavity- the norm for Europe and the USA, but a rarity for Russia. In children, it may also be ineffective, as they often open their mouth when measuring, which is not recommended.
• Rectal method(in the rectum) very accurate, but more commonly used in children. Rectal temperature measurements are not recommended for newborns (to avoid damage to the intestines). The average temperature in the rectum is half a degree higher than the axillary.
• thermometry in the ear popular in some countries, but gives very large errors.

mercury thermometer- To correctly measure the temperature in the armpit, the mercury thermometer must be held for at least 5 minutes.

Digital Thermometer hold until the beep, check the temperature. Then they hold for another minute - if the temperature has not changed, then the thermometry is completed. If it has increased, continue to hold for 2-3 minutes.

Main rule: no need to measure the temperature of a healthy person! This leads to increased anxiety for no reason. If you feel like taking your temperature every day, then this sounds like a symptom of depression or anxiety. In this case, it is necessary to consult a psychotherapist.

Causes of Hypothermia

A significant number of people around the world have an average body temperature that differs from standard norms. Someone observes 37 ° C on a thermometer all his life, while for someone the values ​​\u200b\u200bare often drop below 36 ° C. Therefore, hypothermia is a sign of ill health only in the presence of other symptoms. Causes of low body temperature may include:

Past viral or bacterial infection

Any infectious disease, even a very mild one, forces the body to mobilize all the defenses. After an illness, recovery comes gradually. The fever is replaced by subfebrile (see), and then low temperature. This is accompanied by general weakness, the person feels not fully recovered. This condition can last two to three weeks after the end of the disease.

Anemia

Reduced temperature, accompanied by weakness, dizziness and some other symptoms, may indicate a lack of iron in the body. A blood test for hemoglobin, as well as the determination of ferritin, helps to identify this pathology. The main signs of anemia and latent deficiency include:

• thinning hair
• Striated and brittle nails
• Passion for raw meat and other unusual tastes
• Inflammation of the tongue
• Weakness and decreased performance
• Pale skin
• Chilliness of hands and feet

After the appointment of iron-containing drugs (Ferretab, Sorbifer and others, see), the above symptoms usually disappear within 2-3 months, including chilliness and a decrease in temperature.

Hormonal disruptions

The human endocrine system affects absolutely all processes, including thermoregulation. So, brain tumors and injuries can cause malfunction of the hypothalamus, which in turn is responsible for the temperature of the "core", that is, the constant internal temperature of a person. Such conditions always clearly manifest themselves as impaired consciousness, speech, vision or hearing, problems with coordination, headache and vomiting. Fortunately, serious brain diseases are rare. Much more often, the cause of low thermometer readings is hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is an insufficient functioning of the thyroid gland, a deficiency of its hormones. A similar failure occurs with autoimmune inflammation of the gland, operations on it, or treatment with radioactive iodine. The disease is quite common (according to some sources, in 1-10% of the population) and manifests itself with a variety of symptoms:

• Weakness, decreased performance
• Weight gain, swelling
• Chilliness, low temperature
• Dryness
• Brittle hair and nails
• Drowsiness, memory loss and general lethargy
• Chronic constipation
• Bradycardia (slow heart rate)

To diagnose hypothyroidism, you need to check the level of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). If it is higher than normal, then the probability of this disease is high. This is especially true for women over 40 years old, whose relatives have problems with the thyroid gland. After the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes replacement therapy (Eutiroks), which allows you to return to normal health and get rid of the symptoms.

External influences

Man is a warm-blooded creature that maintains a constant temperature inside the body. But the temperature of the skin (in the armpit, for example) is quite often reduced by frost, swimming in water and being in a cool room. In such cases, it is enough to dress warmer and measure the temperature: the indicators will quickly return to normal after warming up.

Iatrogenic hypothermia

Hypothermia associated with the action of doctors usually occurs in patients undergoing surgery. If, after a long surgical intervention, the patient is left without a blanket, then the risk of hypothermia will be high. Anesthesia suppresses shivering, which prevents the temperature from dropping. Therefore, careful attention to postoperative patients is extremely important.

Overdose of antipyretic drugs Quite often, especially in children, the temperature drops sharply after an overdose of antipyretic drugs. Worried parents at the sight of numbers above 38 on the thermometer begin to actively “bring down the temperature”. The consequences of such actions can be not only violations of thermoregulation, but also severe diseases of the stomach, as well as bleeding. Therefore, in no case should not be abused.

Overdose of vasoconstrictor drops- Another reason for low body temperature in a child. Due to the general effect on all vessels, such drugs can lead to hypothermia. Therefore, with a common cold, without complications, it is better to rinse the children's nose with a banal saline solution sold in any pharmacy.

Starvation

With prolonged strict diets or forced starvation, a person loses a large amount of fat reserves. And the fat depot in combination with glycogen is responsible for the balance of heat production and heat transfer. As a result, thin, and especially emaciated people often freeze for no apparent reason.

Skin diseases

Skin diseases that affect large areas of the skin often lead to a decrease in temperature. Such consequences have psoriasis, severe eczema, burn disease. A large amount of blood constantly flows to the affected areas of the skin, which reduces the temperature of the person as a whole.

Sepsis

The active reproduction of bacteria in the blood and the poisoning of the body by the products of their vital activity is called sepsis. As with any bacterial infection, with septic complications, a rise in temperature is more often observed, and to very high numbers. But in a number of cases (in weakened and elderly people) the nervous system is damaged, including the center of thermoregulation.

In such a paradoxical situation, the human body responds to the invasion of bacteria by a sharp drop in temperature to 34.5°C and below. Hypothermia in sepsis is a rather unfavorable sign. It is combined with a severe general condition, depression of consciousness, dysfunction of all organs.

Ethanol and drug poisoning

Alcohol intake in large quantities and some psychoactive substances can cause a person's low body temperature. This occurs as a result of vasodilatation, suppression of trembling and influence on glucose levels. Considering that many people sleep on the street after taking large doses of ethanol, such patients are not uncommon in emergency departments. Sometimes the decrease in temperature becomes critical and leads to cardiac and respiratory arrest.

How to raise the temperature?

First of all, you need to understand whether the decrease in temperature is the norm or a deviation from it.

• If you accidentally, just like that, measured your body temperature and found it to decrease without experiencing any other symptoms, then calm down. Remember if you have recently had SARS or another infection. Perhaps these are residuals.
• Or maybe the reason is the active ventilation of the apartment on a frosty day. In this case, you need to close the windows, dress warmer and drink hot tea.
• If these reasons are excluded, then, most likely, such numbers on the thermometer are your individual feature.
• If, in addition to hypothermia, you experience weakness, depression, find many other symptoms, then it is better to consult a doctor.

Most likely, after additional tests, anemia or reduced thyroid function will be found. The appointment of appropriate treatment will help raise the temperature. In children, the abolition of antipyretic and vasoconstrictive agents is necessary.

When is urgent medical attention needed?

A referral to a specialist is necessary in cases where:

• Man without consciousness
• Body temperature - 35 ° C and continues to decline.
• Low body temperature in an elderly person in combination with poor health
• The presence of such serious symptoms as bleeding, hallucinations, indomitable vomiting, impaired speech and vision, severe jaundice.

Remember that life-threatening true hypothermia occurs in seriously ill or hypothermia people. A slight decrease in temperature will not harm health. Moreover, at low temperature values, all metabolic processes are slower. Therefore, many experts believe that people with this feature live a little longer.