The normal temperature of the human body depends on the work of the thermoregulatory center, which is located in the hypothalamus. In mammals, the temperature of the skin varies over a wide range of 35.5 - 39.5 ° C. The “hottest” creatures are birds, since on average their body temperature fluctuates in the range of 38.8-43 ° . High temperature allows you to be more active, especially in winter. To maintain a high body temperature, an excellent appetite is necessary. For comparison, here's an example: a crocodile needs to eat 20 (!) Times less food per day than a person weighing 60 kg.
Reliable thermometers appeared only in the middle of the XVIII century, and then scientists decided that the normal temperature of the human body should be 37 ° C when measured rectally or orally. But in fact, the average temperature is 36.6 ° or perhaps even less, which is confirmed by the latest research. Throughout the whole day, the normal temperature of the human body varies from 35.5 to 37.2 °. The temperature changes according to the daily rhythm: the lowest - in the morning, at about 6 hours, and it reaches its maximum values in the evening. The normal temperature of a person’s body does not depend on the level of our activity, it follows a sunny daily rhythm: a person who works at night and sleeps during the day has no changes in temperature during the day, unlike other people. Lower temperature values (below 35 °) indicate the development of a serious disease (most often the effects of radiation). With significant hypothermia, a person falls into a stupor (with a decrease in values to 32.2 °). Upon reaching the mark of 29.5 °, most people lose consciousness, and at a temperature of 26.5 ° C and below death occurs. The recorded survival record for hypothermia is 16 °, and in the experiment - 8.8 ° C.
Normal human body temperature depends on age and gender. Basically, the male body temperature is slightly higher, about half a degree. In the first days of life in babies, the temperature is most often elevated and amounts to about 37 ° C in the armpit. Then the normal temperature in a child is no different from that in an adult. It should be noted that in girls' bodies, stabilization of body temperature occurs at 13-14 years old, but in boys later - at 18. With age, the human body temperature decreases, because all processes in the body slow down, including thermal production. Its variability also decreases under the influence of temperature in the environment.
There is a topography of skin temperature (in newborns it is absent). The coldest parts of the body are the ear shells, the tip of the nose and the distal extremities. These places are characterized by a temperature of 23-30 °. The axillary region, perineum, epigastrium, lips, neck, cheeks are considered the “hottest” ones. In other areas, the temperature ranges from 31-33.5 ° C.
Each individual person has its own normal temperature value. The normal temperature of a person can be 37.7. To find out normal indicators, you need to measure the temperature when a person is healthy and surely calm (there is an increase during overheating, emotional arousal, increased physical activity). It is better to measure it not only in the armpit, but also in the rectum. This must be done in the morning, then in the afternoon and in the evening. Please note that a newborn child can measure temperature under the armpit, in the rectum and inguinal fold, but not in the mouth (it is possible only using a special dummy thermometer). Record the received data and remember. If you suddenly become ill, you can confidently understand how much your temperature has risen, which will allow for a more accurate diagnosis of your health status in a timely manner.