Increased rectal temperature in women. What is basal temperature and how to measure it? Basal and rectal temperature during pregnancy: what is the difference

The body should adhere to the following rules:

control measurement should take place daily, always at the same time;
indicators should be measured immediately after waking up;
sleep should be more than 3 hours;
it is necessary to measure indicators no later than 8 in the morning;
a medical thermometer must be prepared in advance, leaving it somewhere near the bed;
it is better to use the same thermometer;
before measuring the temperature, you should not get out of bed, sit down, or exercise any physical activity;
temperature should be measured for at least 5 minutes in a fixed position;
the received data are marked on the graph;
The schedule is maintained over three or four cycles.

Such a schedule helps women better navigate the processes taking place inside her body. It is worth remembering that due to some factors, the schedule runs the risk of being inaccurate. Mistakes can be made by:

It's important that you take your temperature while your body is resting so you don't have to get out of bed to look for your supplies. Start the schedule on your first day, which is also known as "cycle day" one. Take your temperature at the same time every day. You can set an alarm to wake you up at the same time every morning. Make sure you get at least three hours of sleep before taking a temperature. In fact, five hours of sleep is even better. If it doesn't, keep taking the temperature, but note it on the chart. Do not drink, eat or smoke before taking a temperature. You want your temperature first after you wake up before you do anything! While you can take your temperature orally, rectally, or vaginally, make sure you do it the same way every time. When you take your temperature, write it down on your chart every day. Try not to read too much in one reading until your cycle is completely over. Look at the chart at the end of the month to analyze what happened to your body temperature. It may take several months to identify any patterns. What you are looking for is an increase of 4 degrees Fahrenheit over a 48 hour period, which indicates you have. What if you overslept or forgot to write something? If you forget something, just mark it on your graph to run through the memory when you come back and review it. Try drawing the cover. Purchase a basic body temperature thermometer. . The easiest way to draw the cover is to look at the six days before ovulation.

All data must be recorded, keep a calendar. The degree scale, as a rule, is marked from 35.7 ° C to 37.2 ° C.

Dynamics of the graph is normal

Statistics say that a healthy woman's menstrual cycle averages 28 days. The indicators of basal temperature are as follows:

36.3 ° C - one day before the end of menstruation;
36.6 - 36.9 ° C - during the follicular phase, until the middle of the cycle;
37.0 - 37.4 ° C - during the period of ovulation;
37.0 ° C - a few days before the onset of menstruation;
the difference between the follicular and ovulation periods is 0.5°C.

Decreased production of the hormone estrogen at the beginning of the phase leads to a body. At this time, the necessary conditions are created for the maturation of the egg. The chance of getting pregnant during this period is very low.

If you want to make sure when determining the date of ovulation, you can supplement the method of measuring rectal temperature with any other - for example, use our

Temperature changes are a frequent companion of diseases. Why in most cases it is not necessary to bring down the temperature and how to remove the heat, if necessary?

What to do with elevated body temperature is one of the most common questions for therapists and pediatricians. Indeed, the heat often frightens patients. However, are elevated values always a cause for panic? Under what conditions does the temperature stay, and under what diseases does it, on the contrary, fall? And when are antipyretics really needed? What temperature should be normal in children and the elderly? MedAboutMe dealt with these and many other issues.

body temperature in adults

Thermoregulation is responsible for human temperature - the ability of warm-blooded organisms to maintain a constant temperature, reduce or increase it if necessary. The hypothalamus is primarily responsible for these processes. However, today scientists are inclined to believe that it is wrong to determine a single center of thermoregulation, because many factors affect the temperature of the human body.

In childhood, the temperature changes under the slightest influence, while in adults (from 16-18 years old) it is quite stable. Although it also rarely stays on one indicator all day. Physiological changes are known that reflect circadian rhythms. For example, the difference between normal temperature in the morning and in the evening in a healthy person will be 0.5-1.0°C. With these rhythms, a characteristic increase in fever in the evening hours in a sick person is also associated.

The temperature can change under the influence of the external environment, increase with physical exertion, eating certain foods (especially often after spicy meals and overeating), with stress, fear, and even intense mental work.

What temperature should be normal

Everyone is well aware of the value of 36.6 ° C. However, what temperature should be normal in reality?

The figure of 36.6 ° C appeared as a result of research conducted by the German physician Karl Reinhold Wunderlich back in the middle of the 19th century. Then he made about 1 million temperature measurements in the armpit in 25 thousand patients. And the value of 36.6°C was just the average body temperature of a healthy person.

According to modern standards, the norm is not a specific figure, but a range from 36 ° C to 37.4 ° C. Moreover, doctors recommend periodically measuring the temperature in a healthy state in order to accurately know the individual values of the norm. It should be borne in mind that with age, body temperature changes - in childhood it can be quite high, and in old age it drops. Therefore, an indicator of 36 ° C for an elderly person will be the norm, but for a child it can indicate hypothermia and a symptom of the disease.

It is also important to consider how the temperature is measured - the values in the armpit, rectum or under the tongue can differ by 1-1.5 ° C.

The temperature is very dependent on hormonal activity and therefore it is not surprising that pregnant women often experience fever. Hot flashes during menopause and temperature fluctuations during menstruation are associated with hormonal changes.

It is very important for expectant mothers to carefully monitor their condition, while understanding that a slightly elevated or low temperature during pregnancy is the norm for most women. For example, if the values do not exceed 37 ° C in the first weeks, and there are no other symptoms of malaise, then the condition can be explained by the activity of female sex hormones. Particularly progesterone.

And yet, if the temperature during pregnancy lasts for a long time, then even subfebrile indicators (37-38 ° C) should be a reason for consulting a doctor. With such a symptom, it is important to undergo examinations and take tests to exclude the presence of such infections - cytomegalovirus, tuberculosis, pyelonephritis, herpes, hepatitis and others.

Temperature during pregnancy can also be a sign of common seasonal SARS. In this case, it is very important not to self-medicate, but to consult a doctor. If the common cold is unlikely to pose a danger to the fetus, then the flu can lead to serious consequences, up to an early miscarriage. With influenza, the temperature rises to 39 ° C.

The child's temperature

The system of thermoregulation in children under 1 year of age has not yet been established, therefore the temperature in a child can change significantly under the slightest influence. This is especially true for babies in the first three months of life. Most often, parents are concerned about elevated values, however, the causes of a temperature of 37-38 ° C can be:

Too warm clothes.
Cry.
Laugh.
Eating, including breastfeeding.
Bathing in water above 34-36°C.

After sleep, the values \u200b\u200bare usually lower, but with active games, the child's temperature rises quickly. Therefore, when taking measurements, it is necessary to take into account all external factors that could affect them.

At the same time, too high a temperature (38 ° C and above) can be dangerous for small children. To compensate for the heat, the body uses a lot of water and therefore dehydration is often observed. Moreover, in a child, this condition occurs faster than in an adult. Dehydration can pose a danger to health (often against its background there is a deterioration in the condition, subsequently complicated by pneumonia) and life (with severe dehydration, there may be loss of consciousness and even death).

In addition, some children under 5 years of age experience febrile convulsions - when the child's temperature rises to 38-39 ° C, involuntary muscle contractions begin, short-term fainting is possible. If at least once such a condition was observed, in the future, even with a slight heat, the baby needs to bring down the temperature.

Human temperature

Normally, a person's temperature is controlled by the endocrine system, in particular, the hypothalamus and thyroid hormones (T3 and T4, as well as the hormone TSH, which regulates their production). Thermoregulation is influenced by sex hormones. And yet, infections remain the main cause of fever, and too low a temperature in most cases is caused by overwork or a lack of vitamins, micro- and macroelements.

Man is a warm-blooded creature, which means that the body can maintain a stable temperature regardless of environmental factors. At the same time, in severe frost, the overall temperature drops, and in hot weather it can rise so much that a person will get heat stroke. This is due to the fact that our body is quite sensitive to thermal changes - changes of only 2-3 degrees of temperature significantly affect metabolic processes, hemodynamics and the transmission of impulses through nerve cells. As a result, pressure may increase, convulsions and confusion may occur. Frequent symptoms of low temperature are lethargy, at a value of 30-32 ° C there may be loss of consciousness; and high - delusional states.

Types of fever

For the vast majority of diseases that occur with an increase in temperature, certain ranges of values are characteristic. Therefore, it is often enough for a doctor to make a diagnosis to know not the exact value, but the type of fever. In medicine, there are several types of them:

Subfebrile - from 37 ° C to 38 ° C.
Febrile - from 38°C to 39°C.
High - more than 39°C.
Dangerous for life - the line is 40.5-41 ° C.

Temperature values are evaluated in combination with other symptoms, since the degree of fever does not always correspond to the severity of the disease. For example, subfebrile temperature is observed in such dangerous diseases as tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, pyelonephritis and others. A particularly alarming symptom is a condition in which the temperature is kept at 37-37.5 ° C for a long time. This may indicate disruption of the endocrine system and even malignant tumors.

fluctuations in normal body temperature

As already mentioned, the normal temperature in a healthy person can change throughout the day, as well as under the influence of certain factors (food, physical activity, and more). In this case, you need to remember what temperature should be at different ages:

Children under one year old - a temperature of 37-38 ° C can be considered the norm.
Up to 5 years - 36.6-37.5 ° C.
Adolescence - there may be strong fluctuations in temperature associated with the activity of sex hormones. The values stabilize in girls at the age of 13-14, in boys differences can be observed up to 18 years.
Adults - 36-37.4 ° C.
Elderly people over 65 years old - up to 36.3 ° C. A temperature of 37°C can be considered a serious febrile condition.

In men, the average body temperature is lower on average by 0.5 ° C than in women.

There are several ways to measure body temperature. And in each case there will be their own norms of values. Among the most popular methods are:

Axillary (in the armpit).

In order to get accurate values, the skin must be dry, and the thermometer itself must be pressed tightly enough to the body. This method will require the most time (with a mercury thermometer - 7-10 minutes), since the skin itself must warm up. The norm of temperature degrees in the armpit is 36.2-36.9 ° C.

Rectally (in the rectum).

The method is most popular for young children, as one of the safest. For this method, it is better to use electronic thermometers with a soft tip, the measurement time is 1-1.5 minutes. The norm of values is 36.8-37.6 ° C (on average, it differs by 1 ° C from axillary values).

Orally, sublingually (in the mouth, under the tongue).

In our country, the method is not widely used, although in Europe this is how the temperature in adults is most often measured. It takes from 1 to 5 minutes to measure, depending on the type of device. The temperature values are normal - 36.6-37.2 ° C.

In the ear canal.

The method is used to measure the temperature of a child and requires a special type of thermometer (non-contact measurement), therefore it is not very common. In addition to determining the overall temperature, the method will also help in the diagnosis of otitis media. If there is inflammation, then in different ears the temperature will be very different.

Into the vagina.

It is most often used to determine basal temperature (the lowest body temperature that is recorded during rest). Measured after sleep, an increase of 0.5 ° C indicates the onset of ovulation.

Types of thermometers

Today in pharmacies you can find different types of thermometers for measuring a person's temperature. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages:

Mercury (maximum) thermometer.

It is considered one of the most accurate types and at the same time affordable. In addition, it is used in hospitals and clinics, as it is easily disinfected and can be used for a large number of people. Disadvantages include slow temperature measurement and brittleness. A broken thermometer is dangerous with poisonous mercury vapor. Therefore, for children today it is used quite rarely, they are not used for oral measurement.

Electronic (digital) thermometer.

The most popular type for home use. Quickly measures the temperature (from 30 seconds to 1.5 minutes), informs about the end with a sound signal. Electronic thermometers can be with soft tips (for rectal temperature measurement in a child) and hard (universal devices). If the thermometer is used rectally or orally, it must be individual - for one person only. The disadvantage of such a thermometer is often inaccurate values. Therefore, after purchase, you need to measure the temperature in a healthy state in order to know the possible error range.

Infrared thermometer.

Relatively new and expensive. Used to measure temperature in a non-contact way, for example, in the ear, forehead or temple. The speed of obtaining the result is 2-5 seconds. A slight error of 0.2-0.5°C is allowed. A significant drawback of the thermometer is its limited use - it is not used for measurements in the usual ways (axillary, rectal, oral). In addition, each model is designed for its own method (forehead, temple, ear) and cannot be used in other areas.

Relatively recently, thermal strips were popular - flexible films with crystals that change color at different temperatures. In order to get the result, it is enough to apply the strip to the forehead and wait for about 1 minute. This method of measurement does not determine the exact degrees of temperature, but only shows the values \u200b\u200bof "low", "normal", "high". Therefore, it cannot replace full-fledged thermometers.

An increase in body temperature is well felt by a person. This condition is accompanied by the following symptoms:

Fatigue, general weakness.
Chills (the more fever, the more chills).
Headache.
Aches in the body, especially in the joints, muscles and fingers.
Feeling cold.
Sensation of heat in the region of the eyeballs.
Dry mouth.
Decreased or complete loss of appetite.
Rapid heartbeat, arrhythmias.
Sweating (if the body can regulate heat), dry skin (when the temperature rises).

Rose and white fever

High fever can manifest differently in children and adults. It is customary to distinguish two types of fever:

Pink (red).

It is named so for its characteristic features - red skin, especially pronounced blush on the cheeks and face as a whole. The most common type of fever, in which the body is able to provide optimal heat transfer - the superficial vessels expand (this is how the blood cools), sweating is activated (decrease in skin temperature). The patient's condition, as a rule, is stable, there are no significant violations of the general condition and well-being.

White.

A rather dangerous form of fever, in which failures of thermoregulatory processes occur in the body. The skin in this case is white, and sometimes even cool (especially cold hands and feet), while the measurement of rectal or oral temperature shows fever. A person is tormented by chills, the condition worsens significantly, fainting and confusion can be observed. White fever develops if there is a spasm of blood vessels under the skin, as a result of which the body cannot start the cooling mechanisms. The condition is dangerous in that the temperature rises significantly in vital organs (brain, heart, liver, kidneys, etc.) and can affect their functions.

Thermoregulation is provided by the endocrine system, which triggers various mechanisms to increase or decrease a person's temperature. And of course, violations in the production of hormones or the functioning of the glands lead to violations of thermoregulation. Such manifestations, as a rule, are stable, and the values remain within the subfebrile range.

The main cause of elevated temperature are pyrogens, which can affect thermoregulation. Moreover, some of them are not introduced from the outside by pathogens, but are secreted by cells of the immune system. Such pyrogens are designed to increase the effectiveness of the fight against various health-threatening conditions. The temperature rises in such cases:

Infections - viruses, bacteria, protozoa and others.
Burns, injuries. As a rule, there is a local increase in temperature, but with a large area of the lesion there may be a general fever.
Allergic reactions. In these cases, the immune system produces pyrogens to fight harmless substances.
shock states.

ARI and high fever

Seasonal respiratory diseases are the most common cause of fever. In this case, depending on the type of infection, its values will be different.

With a standard cold or a mild form of ARVI, subfebrile temperature is observed, in addition, it rises gradually, on average over 6-12 hours. With proper treatment, the fever lasts no more than 4 days, after which it begins to subside or disappear altogether.
If the temperature rises sharply and exceeds 38 ° C, this may be a symptom of the flu. Unlike other acute respiratory viral infections, this disease requires mandatory monitoring by a local therapist or pediatrician.
If the fever resumed after the condition improved or did not go away on the 5th day from the onset of the disease, this most often indicates complications. A bacterial infection has joined the initial viral infection, the temperature is usually above 38°C. The condition requires an urgent call to the doctor, as the patient may need antibiotic therapy.

A temperature of 37-38 ° C is typical for such diseases:

SARS.
Exacerbations of chronic respiratory diseases. For example, bronchitis or bronchial asthma, tonsillitis.
Tuberculosis.
Chronic diseases of internal organs during an exacerbation: myocarditis, endocarditis (inflammation of the heart membranes), pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidneys).
Ulcer, colitis.
Viral hepatitis (usually hepatitis B and C).
Herpes in the acute stage.
Exacerbation of psoriasis.
Infection with toxoplasmosis.

This temperature is typical for the initial stage of thyroid dysfunction, with increased production of hormones (thyrotoxicosis). Hormonal disturbances during menopause can also cause mild fever. Subfebrile values can be observed in people with helminthic invasion.

Diseases with a temperature of 39 ° C and above

High temperature accompanies diseases that cause severe intoxication of the body. Most often, values within 39 ° C degrees indicate the development of an acute bacterial infection:

Angina.
Pneumonia.
Acute pyelonephritis.
Gastrointestinal diseases: salmonellosis, dysentery, cholera.
Sepsis.

At the same time, intense fever is also characteristic of other infections:

Flu.
Hemorrhagic fever, in which the kidneys are severely affected.
Chicken pox.
Measles.
Meningitis, encephalitis.
Viral hepatitis A.

Other causes of high fever

Violations of thermoregulation can be observed without visible diseases. Another dangerous reason that the temperature has risen is the inability of the body to provide adequate heat transfer. This happens, as a rule, with prolonged exposure to the sun in the hot season or in a too stuffy room. The temperature of the child may rise if he is dressed too warmly. The condition is dangerous with heatstroke, which can be fatal for people with heart and lung disease. With severe overheating, even in healthy people, organs, primarily the brain, suffer significantly. Also, fever for no apparent reason can manifest itself in emotional people during periods of stress and great excitement.

A low temperature is less common than a fever, but it can also indicate serious health problems. Indicators below 35.5 ° C for an adult are considered a sign of diseases and disorders of the body, and below 35 ° C in the elderly.

The following degrees of body temperature are considered life-threatening:

32.2 ° C - a person will fall into a stupor, there is a strong lethargy.
30-29°C - loss of consciousness.
Below 26.5 ° C - a fatal outcome is possible.

Low temperature is characterized by the following symptoms:

General weakness, malaise.
Drowsiness.
There may be irritability.
The extremities become cold, numbness of the fingers develops.
Attention disturbances and problems with thought processes are noticeable, the speed of reactions decreases.
General feeling of coldness, trembling in the body.

Causes of low temperature

Among the main reasons for low temperatures are the following:

General weakness of the body caused by external factors and living conditions.

Insufficient nutrition, lack of sleep, stress and emotional distress can affect thermoregulation.

Endocrine system disorders.

Associated, as a rule, with insufficient synthesis of hormones.

Hypothermia.

The most common cause of low temperature in humans. The condition is dangerous by a violation of metabolic processes and frostbite of the extremities only in the case of a strong drop in temperature. With a slight hypothermia, a person's local immunity decreases, so this or that infection often develops subsequently.

Weakened immune system.

It is observed during the recovery period, after operations, it can manifest itself against the background of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Also low temperature is typical for people with AIDS.

Hormones play an important role in the processes of thermoregulation. In particular, the thyroid hormones of the thyroid gland are thyroxine and triiodothyronine. With their increased synthesis, heat is often observed, but, on the contrary, it leads to a decrease in the overall temperature. In the initial stages, this is often the only symptom by which the development of the disease can be suspected.

A stable decrease in body temperature is also observed with adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease). Pathology develops slowly, may not show other signs for months or even several years.

Low hemoglobin in the blood

One of the most common causes of low temperature is iron deficiency anemia. It is characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood, and this in turn affects the functioning of the whole organism. Hemoglobin is responsible for the transport of oxygen to the cells, and if it is not enough, different degrees of hypoxia appear.

The person becomes lethargic, there is a general weakness, against which metabolic processes slow down. The low temperature is the result of these changes.

In addition, the level of hemoglobin can fall with various blood loss. In particular, anemia can develop in people with internal bleeding. If a significant blood loss occurs in a short period of time, the volume of circulating blood decreases, and this already affects heat transfer.

Other causes of low temperature

Among the dangerous conditions that require mandatory medical advice and treatment, one can single out such diseases with a low temperature:

Radiation sickness.
Severe intoxication.
AIDS.
Brain diseases, including tumors.
Shock of any etiology (with massive blood loss, allergic reactions, traumatic and toxic shock).

However, the most common causes of temperatures below 35.5 ° C are an unhealthy lifestyle and a lack of vitamins. So, nutrition remains an important factor, if it is not enough, then the processes in the body will slow down, and as a result, thermoregulation will be disturbed. Therefore, with various strict diets, especially with a poor diet (deficiency of iodine, vitamin C, iron), low temperature without other symptoms is very common. If a person consumes less than 1200 calories per day, this will definitely affect thermoregulation.

Another common cause of such a temperature is overwork, stress, lack of sleep. It is especially characteristic of chronic fatigue syndrome. The body goes into a sparing mode of functioning, metabolic processes slow down in the body and, of course, this affects heat transfer.

Since temperature is only a symptom of various disorders in the body, it is best to consider it in combination with other signs of illness. It is the general picture of a person’s condition that can tell what kind of disease develops and how dangerous it is.

An increase in temperature is often observed with various ailments. However, there are characteristic combinations of symptoms that appear in patients with specific diagnoses.

Temperature and pain

In the event that, with pain in the abdomen, the temperature is above 37.5 ° C, this may indicate serious violations of the gastrointestinal tract. In particular, this is observed with intestinal obstruction. In addition, a combination of symptoms is characteristic of the development of appendicitis. Therefore, if the pain is localized in the region of the right hypochondrium, it is difficult for a person to pull his legs to his chest, there is a loss of appetite and cold sweat, an ambulance should be called immediately. A complication of appendicitis, peritonitis, is also accompanied by persistent fever.

Other causes of a combination of abdominal pain and temperature:

Pyelonephritis.
Acute pancreatitis.
Bacterial bowel disease.

If the temperature rises against the background of pain in the head, this most often indicates a general intoxication of the body and is observed in such diseases:

Influenza and other SARS.
Angina, scarlet fever.
Encephalitis.
Meningitis.

Pain in the joints and muscles, discomfort in the eyeballs are symptoms of a temperature above 39 ° C. In such conditions, it is recommended to take an antipyretic.

An elevated temperature against the background of diarrhea is a clear sign of a bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal tract. Among intestinal infections with such symptoms:

Salmonellosis.
Cholera.
Botulism.
Dysentery.

The cause of the temperature against the background of diarrhea can also be severe food poisoning. The combination of such symptoms is very dangerous for health, so self-medication in such cases is unacceptable. It is urgent to call an ambulance and, if necessary, agree to hospitalization. This is especially true if the child is sick.

Temperature and diarrhea are factors that contribute to dehydration. And with their combination, fluid loss by the body can become critical in a fairly short period. Therefore, in the event that it is not possible to adequately compensate for the lack of fluid by drinking (for example, a person has vomiting or the diarrhea itself is pronounced), the patient is injected with solutions intravenously in a hospital. Without it, dehydration can lead to serious consequences, damage to organs and even death.

Temperature and nausea

In some cases, nausea may be due to fever. Due to intense heat, weakness develops, pressure decreases, dizziness occurs, and this is what causes slight nausea as a result. In this state, if the temperature is above 39 ° C, it must be brought down. The combination of symptoms may appear in the first days of the flu and be caused by severe intoxication of the body.

One of the causes of nausea and fever during pregnancy is toxicosis. But in this case, values higher than subfebrile (up to 38 ° C) are rarely observed.

In the event that nausea is accompanied by other disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (for example, pain, diarrhea or, conversely, constipation), simply bringing down the temperature is not enough. This combination of symptoms can indicate serious diseases of the internal organs. Among them:

Viral hepatitis and other liver damage.
Acute appendicitis.
Peritonitis.
Inflammation of the kidneys.
Acute pancreatitis.
Intestinal obstruction (accompanied by constipation).

In addition, fever and nausea are often observed against the background of intoxication with stale food, alcohol or drugs. And one of the most dangerous diagnoses with these symptoms is meningitis. All of the listed diseases and conditions require a mandatory consultation with a doctor.

In the event that vomiting occurs against the background of temperature, it is very important to compensate for the loss of fluid. Children with this combination of symptoms are most often referred for inpatient treatment.

An increase in blood pressure is a common symptom of fever. Heat affects hemodynamics - patients have an increased heart rate, and blood begins to move faster through the vessels, they expand, and this can affect blood pressure. However, such changes cannot cause severe hypertension, more often the rates do not exceed 140/90 mm Hg. Art., observed in patients with a fever of 38.5 ° C and above, disappear as soon as the temperature stabilizes.

In some cases, a high temperature, on the contrary, is characterized by a decrease in pressure. There is no need to treat this condition, as the indicators return to normal after the fever subsides.

At the same time, for hypertensive patients, any, even a slight fever, can threaten with serious consequences. Therefore, they should consult with their doctor and, if necessary, take antipyretics already at rates of 37.5 ° C (especially when it comes to older people).

Pressure and temperature is a dangerous combination for patients with such diseases:

Cardiac ischemia. Cardiologists note that this combination of symptoms sometimes accompanies myocardial infarction. Moreover, in this case, the temperature rises slightly, may be within the framework of subfebrile indicators.
Heart failure.
Arrhythmias.
Atherosclerosis.
Diabetes.

In the event that low pressure and temperature in the subfebrile range last for a long time, this may be a sign of oncopathology. However, not all oncologists agree with this statement, and the symptoms themselves should simply become the reason for a full-fledged examination of a person.

Low pressure and low temperature are a common combination. Such symptoms are especially characteristic with low hemoglobin, chronic fatigue, blood loss, and nervous disorders.

Temperature without other symptoms

An increased or decreased temperature without symptoms characteristic of acute infections should be the reason for a mandatory medical examination. Violations can talk about such diseases:

Chronic pyelonephritis.
Tuberculosis.
Malignant and benign tumors.
Organ infarcts (tissue necrosis).
Blood diseases.
Thyrotoxicosis, hypothyroidism.
Allergic reactions.
Rheumatoid arthritis at an early stage.
Violations of the brain, in particular, the hypothalamus.
Mental disorders.

Temperature without other symptoms also occurs against the background of overwork, stress, after prolonged physical activity, overheating or hypothermia. But in these cases, the indicators stabilize. If we are talking about serious diseases, the temperature without symptoms will be quite stable, after normalization it will rise or fall again over time. Sometimes hypothermia or hyperemia is observed in a patient for several months.

An elevated temperature can cause significant discomfort, and in some cases even be life-threatening. Therefore, any person needs to know what to do with a fever and how to bring down the temperature correctly.

When to bring down the temperature

Not always, if the temperature has risen, it needs to be brought back to normal. The fact is that with infections and other lesions of the body, he himself begins to produce pyrogens, which cause fever. High temperature helps the immune system fight antigens, in particular:

The synthesis of interferon, a protein that protects cells from viruses, is activated.
The production of antibodies that destroy antigens is activated.
The process of phagocytosis is accelerated - the absorption of foreign bodies by phagocyte cells.
Reduced physical activity and appetite, which means that the body can spend more energy to fight infection.
Most bacteria and viruses thrive best at normal human temperatures. With its increase, some microorganisms die.

Therefore, before deciding to “bring down the temperature”, you need to remember that a fever helps the body recover. However, there are still situations in which the heat must be removed. Among them:

Temperature above 39°C.
Any temperature at which there is a serious deterioration in the condition - nausea, dizziness, and so on.
Febrile convulsions in children (any fever above 37 ° C is knocked down).
In the presence of concomitant neurological diagnoses.
People with diseases of the heart and blood vessels, with diabetes.

Air, humidity and other parameters in the room

There are many ways to lower the temperature. But the first task should always be to normalize the air parameters in the room where the patient is located. This is especially important for children of the first years of life, and critical for infants. The fact is that the child's sweating system is still poorly developed and therefore thermoregulation is carried out to a greater extent through breathing. The baby inhales cool air, which cools his lungs and the blood in them, and exhales warm air. In the event that the room is too warm, this process is inefficient.

The humidity in the room is also important. The fact is that the humidity of the exhaled air normally approaches 100%. At a temperature, breathing quickens and if the room is too dry, a person additionally loses water through breathing. In addition, the mucous membranes dry up, congestion develops in the bronchi and lungs.

Therefore, the ideal parameters in the room where the patient with fever is located are:

The air temperature is 19-22°C.
Humidity - 40-60%.

In the event that you need to quickly bring down the temperature, you can use antipyretics. They are taken symptomatically, which means that as soon as the symptom passes or becomes less pronounced, the medication is stopped. Drinking antipyretics throughout the disease for prevention is unacceptable.

One of the main conditions for the successful action of drugs in this group is drinking plenty of water.

The main antipyretics:

Paracetamol.

It is actively prescribed for adults and children, it is considered a first-line drug. However, recent studies, in particular those conducted by the American organization FDA, have shown that if the drug is taken uncontrolled, paracetamol can cause serious liver damage. Paracetamol helps well if the temperature does not exceed 38 ° C, but in extreme heat it may not work.

Ibuprofen.

One of the key non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used for fever. Designed for adults and children.

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid).

For a long time it was the main drug of the NSAID category, but over the past decades, its association with severe kidney and liver damage (with overdose) has been proven. Also, researchers believe that taking aspirin in children can cause the development of Reye's syndrome (pathogenic encephalopathy), so at the moment the drug is not used in pediatrics.

Nimesulide (nimesil, nise).

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent of the latest generation. Contraindicated in children.

Analgin.

Today it is practically not used as an antipyretic, but it can still relieve fever.

The temperature can also be brought down with the help of folk remedies. Among the most common and simple ways are decoctions of herbs and berries. Drinking plenty of fluids is always recommended when the temperature is high, as it helps to improve perspiration and reduces the risk of dehydration.

Among the most popular herbs and berries that are used for fever are:

Raspberries, including leaves.
Black currant.
Sea buckthorn.
Cowberry.
Linden.
Chamomile.

To normalize the temperature, a hypertonic solution will also help. It is prepared from ordinary boiled water and salt - two teaspoons of salt are taken for 1 glass of liquid. Such a drink helps cells retain water and is great if the temperature manifests itself against the background of vomiting and diarrhea.

Newborns - no more than 30 ml.
From 6 months to 1 year - 100 ml.
Up to 3 years - 200 ml.
Up to 5 years - 300 ml.
Over 6 years old - 0.5 l.

Ice can also be used for fever symptoms. But it must be used very carefully, since a sharp cooling of the skin can lead to vasospasm and the development of white fever. Ice is placed in a bag or placed on a piece of cloth and only in this form is applied to the body. Wiping with a towel dipped in cold water can be a good alternative. In the event that it is not possible to bring down the temperature, antipyretics do not work, and folk remedies do not help, you need to urgently call an ambulance.

How to raise the temperature

If the body temperature drops below 35.5 ° C, a person feels weak and unwell, you can increase it in the following ways:

Warm plentiful drink. Well helps tea with honey, rosehip broth.
Liquid warm soups and broths.
Warm clothes.
Covering with several blankets, for greater effect, you can use a heating pad.
Hot bath. Can be supplemented with essential oils of coniferous trees (fir, spruce, pine).
Exercise stress. A few intense exercises will help improve circulation and increase body temperature.

If the temperature stays below 36°C for a long time, you should consult a doctor. And after finding out the cause of such a symptom, the specialist will prescribe the appropriate treatment.

In some cases, a high temperature can pose a serious threat to health, and then you simply cannot do without the help of doctors. An ambulance must be called in such cases:

Temperature 39.5°C or higher.
A sharp increase in temperature and the inability to bring it down with antipyretic and other methods.
Against the background of temperature, diarrhea or vomiting is observed.
Fever is accompanied by difficulty breathing.
There are severe pains in any part of the body.
There are signs of dehydration: dry mucous membranes, pallor, severe weakness, dark urine or no urination.
High blood pressure and temperature above 38°C.
The fever is accompanied by a rash. Especially dangerous is a red rash that does not disappear with pressure - a sign of a meningococcal infection.

Fever or a decrease in temperature is an important signal of the body about diseases. This symptom should always be given due attention and try to fully understand its causes, and not just eliminate it with the help of drugs and other methods. But at the same time, one should not forget that normal temperature is an individual concept and not everyone corresponds to the well-known indicator of 36.6 ° C.

When a person is sick, his body temperature rises. This may be a sign of an infectious disease. To accurately know the body temperature, it must be measured. How to do it right?

A thermometer is used to measure a person's body temperature. If you measure it traditionally, then you need to put a thermometer under your armpit, press it against your body and wait a certain time.

Few people know that the exact body temperature can be measured in another way - rectal. This method is well known to many people, it remains relevant for parents with small children, and for women who are planning a pregnancy.

Her measured in the rectum. Theoretically, in order to do this, you can use a regular thermometer, the end of which should not be sharp, but rounded. It is advisable to have two thermometers in the house:

to measure the temperature in the usual way;
to measure it rectally.

The most accurate readings are given by the rectal method.

In what cases is it measured?

To find out the temperature of the internal organs, you need to take measurements in the rectum. In this way, the readings obtained will be the most accurate. There are cases in which it is measured only rectal temperature. These include:

It is not always possible to measure the rectal there are contraindications. With intestinal disorders, stool retention, inflammatory processes in the rectum, the presence of hemorrhoids and anal fissures (during their exacerbation) - this is contraindicated.

How to measure rectal temperature

It is measured using a thermometer, which are electronic and mercury, which does not affect the readings, but only the duration of the procedure. Both options are suitable for its measurement. It is necessary to lie on one side, the thermometer is preliminarily treated with a disinfectant solution or washed with running water. In order not to damage soft tissues, the end of a mercury thermometer is lubricated with vegetable oil or petroleum jelly. It needs to be entered to a depth of 5 cm and tighten your buttocks. After 5 minutes, a mercury thermometer will show an accurate result. An electronic thermometer will signal the end with a signal - which means you can take it out.

In order to make correct measurements in the morning, you need to prepare a thermometer in the evening. You should not put it under the pillow where you can crush it, it would be better to leave it near the bed on the bedside table.

All internal organs and mucous membranes of a person have a slightly higher temperature. Therefore, if the thermometer, when measuring rectal temperature, shows 37.2–37.7 degrees, this is a normal temperature, in other words, the norm.

If a person has a fever

Elevated body temperature may be caused by the following diseases:

Some illnesses may present with accompanying symptoms, including a rash and severe pain.

If the body temperature is slightly elevated, this may be due to nervous tension, overheating, disorders, poisoning, or other factors.

Temperature in children

This phenomenon in newborns can be associated with both hypothermia and overheating - their the body is very sensitive. It should be noted that the temperature in children is slightly higher than in adults. For an infant, rectal temperature is considered normal if its indicator reaches 38 degrees. Normal means the child is healthy.

It is not always possible to measure the temperature in young children with the traditional method, but the rectal method will allow you to do this and get more accurate data. If you do not have the skills, then you should not do this with a mercury thermometer, it would be better to use an electronic one.

To measure the rectal temperature in a child, it must first be calmed down. From the first days of a child's life, his temperature line is only being established. Its readings may be inaccurate when the baby is crying, during feeding or swaddling.

If a child up to a year has it elevated, and lasts for some time, you need to call a doctor, and do not self-medicate.

Rectal temperature in a woman

Pregnancy is planned using the chart of rectal indicators. And you can also notice the period of ovulation and the approach of menstruation.

The menstrual cycle of a healthy woman is 28 days, but it can be 23 or even 31 days - it is individual for each woman.

When planning a pregnancy, every woman should perform both hygiene procedures and measure her temperature. During the entire menstrual cycle, it can be different: the day before the end of menstruation - 36.3; at the beginning of the cycle - 36.8, and at the time of ovulation - below 36.6. If pregnancy has not occurred, then just before the menstruation, it rises to 37.0. Each woman is special, therefore, the indicators will be individual in each case.

To create an accurate schedule, you need follow some rules:

If the temperature before menstruation above 37 degrees and lasts a few days longer than usual, then you can consider the fact of pregnancy. It is important to clearly take measurements and follow the schedule - then your expectations will be justified.

Doctors recommend drawing up and maintaining a schedule for those women who have had miscarriages, fetal fading, and those who are at risk of spontaneous abortion. This will allow you to pay attention to a problem that has not yet manifested itself and start treatment on time. With the help of a schedule that has been maintained for more than one month, it is possible to identify various diseases of the genital organs, which begin to manifest themselves more and more with age.

If rectal indicators remain unchanged during the entire cycle for several months, this indicates the absence of ovulation, which is not normal and is the cause of infertility.

Attention, only TODAY!

Basal temperature is an indicator with which you can accurately know about the onset of ovulation. In addition, data on basal temperature make it possible to timely identify many violations of a woman's intimate health. But in order to use this indicator to determine the date of ovulation or preliminary diagnosis, it is important to learn how to measure correctly.

How to measure basal temperature correctly?

Basal temperature is measured immediately after sleep and before the person began to actively move. This means that measurements must be taken without getting out of bed, and the thermometer should be placed next to the bed in the evening. In addition, there are other important rules for determining basal temperature:

basal temperature is measured in the oral cavity, vagina or rectum, while the same method must be used throughout the entire period of daily measurements;
the measurement time should be the same every day, and if the deviation is more than 30 minutes, the indicators are considered uninformative;
during the control period of measurements, it is highly recommended not to change the thermometer;
the duration of temperature measurement should be at least 5-7 minutes.

The obtained indicators must be recorded every day in a special graph, on the horizontal axis of which are the days of the cycle, and on the vertical axis are the temperature values. To obtain accurate data, it is necessary to conduct measurements continuously and for at least three months.

Changes in basal temperature during the cycle

To determine the day of ovulation or draw conclusions about any other changes in the female body using basal temperature, you need to know about the features of each phase of the menstrual cycle. The beginning of the menstrual cycle is considered the first day of menstruation. The period from this day until the day of ovulation is called the first phase of the menstrual cycle, and the period after ovulation until the next menstruation is called the second phase.

During the first phase of the menstrual cycle, the normal basal temperature varies between 36.2-36.9 ° C. On the day before the onset of ovulation, its value usually decreases by 0.2 ° C. When ovulation occurs, there will be a sharp increase in temperature by 0.4-0.6 ° C.

Elevated basal temperature (about 37 ° C) will last throughout the second phase of the menstrual cycle. 1-2 days before the onset of menstruation, the temperature will again drop to 36.2-36.9 ° C.

If during the entire cycle approximately the same temperature is observed without a jump of 0.4–0.6 ° C, this indicates the absence of ovulation. The situation when ovulation does not occur within one or two cycles a year can be the norm even for absolutely healthy women. However, if the basal temperature indicates the absence of ovulation for several cycles, this is a reason for a thorough examination.

Graph of basal temperature during pregnancy. If at the end of the menstrual cycle, the basal temperature does not decrease, but remains high, this may indicate the onset of pregnancy. In this case, elevated basal temperatures may persist throughout the first four months of gestation.

If, during a confirmed pregnancy, a woman continues to measure basal temperature and notices a decrease in her during the first months of the term, in some cases this may indicate a threat of miscarriage. But in order to confirm or refute the fears, one way or another, a medical examination will be required.

Basal temperature in diseases and hormonal disorders. Changes in basal temperature may indicate not only the onset of ovulation or pregnancy. Sometimes a deviation from the temperature norm is associated with pathological processes in the female body.

For example, if the difference between the temperature in the first and second phases of the cycle is less than 0.4 ° C, this may indicate a lack of estrogen or corpus luteum hormones. With endometritis, for several days before menstruation, the basal temperature decreases slightly, and during menstruation it stays above 37 ° C. With inflammation of the appendages, the temperature is also equal to or exceeds 37 ° C and remains so throughout the entire cycle.

Having an idea about fluctuations in basal body temperature, you can easily track the days of ovulation, as well as notice suspicious signs in a timely manner that indicate possible disorders and health problems.

A pregnancy test sometimes fails, menstruation may also appear at an early stage, but the rectal temperature will accurately indicate whether conception has taken place. Firstly, she will determine whether a woman has become pregnant or not, and, secondly, she will identify complications in the early stages. In the article we will try to find out what rectal temperature should be during pregnancy.

During the menstrual cycle, hormone levels change. Accordingly, the basal temperature - the temperature of the internal organs, which is measured in the vagina - also changes. It is believed that true indicators can be obtained if the temperature is measured in the rectum. It's about rectal temperature.

Measurements usually give a graph like this:

the temperature is slightly less than 37 degrees during the period: the first day of menstruation - the beginning of ovulation;
the temperature rises by half a degree or more (up to 37.3) during ovulation and the second half of the cycle;
before the start of a new cycle, the temperature drops again to 36.9.

During early pregnancy, rectal temperature remains elevated throughout the second half of the cycle (37.1–37.3). It is these data that say that conception has occurred. In the body of a woman, progesterone began to form intensively. It is he who keeps the temperature.

What else is the rectal temperature during pregnancy? In some cases, it can reach 38 degrees. Above, as a rule, the temperature does not happen. But still it is worth being examined: after all, if it is elevated, then this may indicate inflammatory processes.

Rectal temperature during pregnancy (up to 37 degrees) is a more alarming sign for a woman and a fetus. This may indicate a threat of miscarriage, or therefore it is necessary to rush to the doctor. Gynecologists insist on taking rectal temperature readings for women who have already had an unintentional termination of pregnancy.

This is the easiest way to determine pregnancy. But in order to get accurate data on the temperature of internal organs, you need to follow some rules, which will be discussed below.

How to measure rectal temperature?

It should be borne in mind that an elevated temperature can be kept due to other factors - not only due to conception. As a rule, this is:

a disease that causes high fever;
any physical action before taking the temperature, even getting out of bed;
sleep duration is less than six hours;
the interval between measuring temperature and having sex is less than 12 hours;
eating before the procedure;
taking certain medications.

So, let's move on to the process of measuring rectal temperature during early pregnancy. It is necessary to carry out the procedure in the morning, as soon as you wake up. It is strictly forbidden to get out of bed before the measurement, shake off the thermometer, it is not recommended even to talk - remember that even minor movements affect the accuracy of the result. Therefore, in the evening you need to prepare a thermometer, baby cream, a watch and, for convenience, put them near the bed. In the morning, lubricate the tip of the thermometer with cream and insert it 2-3 cm into the anus. The procedure itself takes 7 minutes. Then we look at the result. We hope he made you happy!

Remember that normal rectal temperature during pregnancy does not guarantee successful childbearing, but it will help prevent miscarriage at an early stage.

Thus, we figured out how to determine pregnancy by rectal temperature. This method, of course, is old and creates some inconvenience for a woman, but it has been time-tested. Therefore, if the doctor has prescribed such a procedure for you, be sure to follow his instructions.