Most people with a deterioration in well-being first check the body temperature. According to the results of the procedure, they usually judge whether a person is sick or not. Everyone remembers that a temperature of 36.6 ° C is considered normal. Usually, any deviation from the norm is already one of the main symptoms of a disease. Sometimes situations arise when, after measurement, the thermometer shows 35.5 ° C, that is, a lowered body temperature. How to react to this? Often people think that the indicator is incorrect, but a second study reveals that there is no mistake. So what is worse and more dangerous for health: lowered body temperature or high? How to treat this symptom in children and adults? Is it possible to cope with an illness medically and at home? We will understand this article.
Measuring instruments
Before moving directly to the topic, we will consider ways to measure temperature. There are no differences between adults and children, the same devices are used, called thermometers. They are divided into two main types: mercury and electronic. The first option is more familiar, you just need to hold the thermometer in the armpit for five minutes. In the second case, you should wait for the sound signal. An electronic device is a bit more difficult to operate. After checking the temperature, it must be held for another minute. The measurement ends if the indicator remains the same. Otherwise, the device must be held for another couple of minutes.
The main methods for checking body temperature include:
- Fixing a thermometer in the armpit is the most popular way. Despite the ease of use, this scheme is quite inaccurate. With such a measurement, an average of 36.0 ° C is considered the norm.
- In the United States and Europe, the most common way is to measure the temperature in the oral cavity. However, this technology is not recommended for children, because opening the mouth when checking the indicator is undesirable.
- The rectal manner of measuring is great for babies, that is, by introducing special drugs into the rectum. This technique is not very suitable for newborns, only slightly older children.
- There is also thermometry in the ear, but the method is unpopular due to large errors.
Whatever method you choose, the result will be one. Why is the temperature low? There are many reasons that we will discuss in more detail later.
Hypothermia
That is what is called in medicine the phenomenon when the indicator is below normal. This is not to say that such cases are rare, but not too often. The problem is faced by adults and children, we can say that no one is safe. There are a lot of reasons for the lowered temperature, each of them leads to consequences. As you know, the normal rate is 36.6 ° C. But if your temperature fluctuates within 35.5-37 degrees during the day, then there are no deviations, this is absolutely normal.
Changes in the results of the test may indicate a meal, a cycle of menstruation or a banal change in mood. Hypothermia as an ailment begins with an indicator of 35 degrees or lower. Then you need to think about the causes of low temperature and treatment methods. It is not recommended to take measures on your own in order to avoid unpleasant consequences. It is better to entrust this matter to a specialist who, after diagnosing the problem, will prescribe therapy.
Signs of the disease
It is worth noting that a lowered body temperature directly indicates a violation of the functioning of the body. That is, in any case, there is a certain problem that needs to be identified. Hypothermia is difficult to call a full-fledged disease, more often doctors identify it as a symptom of a disease. But you can go the other way: consider the concept as a biological phenomenon in isolation from other processes taking place in the body.
We single out several signs that are often found along with hypothermia:
- headache and dizziness;
- circulatory problems, as a result of which arrhythmia develops;
- numbness of the fingers of the upper and lower extremities;
- chills, unpleasant sensation of cold;
- trembling throughout the body, which is accompanied by loss of appetite and general weakness;
- nausea and vomiting, symptoms of poor health.
Among other things, you need to specify the main criterion. It is about what defines low temperature as a pathology. The main sign is an indicator of 35 degrees, which keeps static throughout the day. If differences constantly occur to the norm and back, you should look at well-being. However, if the indicator remains unchanged for several days, you should contact a specialist as soon as possible. It is better not to joke with a problem of this nature, you need to identify the cause of the low temperature and treat the disease. Hypothermia indicates serious disorders in the body. This may be due to internal organs and cause additional diseases. Ignoring the symptoms only worsens the situation.
Body temperature is lowered. Causes
There are a lot of reasons for this situation to arise. To begin with, it is worth noting that the factor of an abnormal indicator can be a banal overwork. If you spend a lot of time at work, spend energy on work, have not been on vacation for a long time, then perhaps this is just fatigue. You need to understand that chronic lack of sleep, an abundance of stressful situations is not in vain, it leaves its mark. The same can be said about excessive physical and mental stress. Naturally, the body does its best to show you that there are problems, often due to changes in body temperature. The best medicine here will be a good rest, it will not hurt to take tinctures of motherwort to calm the nerves.
Other causes of low temperature include anemia, which is a loss of strength due to a lack of iron. Such a diagnosis cannot be checked on your own, it is necessary to do a general blood test and find out the level of hemoglobin. This situation is often found in the spring, as this seasonal period is indicated by a lack of vitamins. You should not panic, because the treatment usually goes without incident, and patients return to normal.
After fixing the thermometer in the armpit for five minutes, you may find that your body temperature is low. The reasons may lie in the disruption of the functioning of internal organs and body systems, including the immune. Perhaps the patient recently had a serious illness and gave a lot of energy to fight him. There is a possibility that the patient tortured his body with diets and starvation, while incorrectly counting calories. Then it is not surprising that the temperature indicator is far from normal. Therapy in this case involves the intake of vitamins and the transition to a proper balanced diet.
Speaking of healthy organic compounds. Vitamin C deficiency can lead to problems. This is probably the most harmless factor, as it is easy to eliminate. Run to the store for oranges and tangerines - combine business with pleasure. Also, take the habit of drinking tea with lemon, and then you will forever forget about the deficiency of this vitamin.
Why is body temperature below normal?
Continuing the conversation about the causes of low temperatures in an adult, one cannot but mention the use of medications. In other words, we are talking about self-medication. This is just the case when a person makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment for himself. It is clear that this can lead to serious disorders in the body and unpleasant consequences. Taking medications causes intoxication, you can not joke with drugs. Maximum care for your health - do not self-medicate.
Another factor affecting the deviation from the norm is the exacerbation of chronic diseases. If you have them, do not relax and monitor the condition of the body. If symptoms are found, do not delay the visit to the doctor in the long box.
There is a chance of developing hypothyroidism when the body temperature of an adult is lowered. The reasons for the decrease in the activity of the thyroid gland should be sought in violation of the internal organs. Hypothyroidism, in fact, is not a full-fledged disease, it is a condition of the body caused by insufficient hormones for a long time. The thyroid gland performs many functions, so you need to take this problem seriously.
Another reason for the appearance of hypothermia is a violation of the functioning of the adrenal glands. This situation cannot be ignored; try to drink plenty of water if there are no contraindications. In warm seasons, in the summer and in the spring, the body especially needs a plentiful drink, and there is no need to limit it. Melons and watermelons will be a great addition to correct the situation.
Hypothermia in pregnant women
Often, women in position find themselves at a lowered body temperature. The reason lies just in the state of pregnancy, so there is no strong cause for concern. However, ignoring the symptom is also unsafe, because this can lead to fainting of the future mother. A pregnant woman should carefully monitor her health, because the life of the baby depends on this.
In addition, hypothermia is accompanied by headaches, loss of appetite and numbness of the upper and lower extremities. Additional symptoms can significantly spoil the life of the expectant mother, so it is better to consult a doctor about this.
Low temperature in a child
Low numbers on the thermometer may indicate a measurement error. The head of the thermometer should be clearly in the armpit, you need to keep at least three minutes. It is better for babies to sit on their lap and hold the handle firmly to the body. A momentary drop in temperature may indicate intense attempts to bring down the increased rate. Take antipyretic drugs strictly according to the instructions, a dose change is unacceptable.
Lower temperatures for a relatively long time are observed in children during the growth period. Teenagers often face a sharp decline in the indicator, this directly indicates excessive emotionality. As a rule, this does not harm the growing body.
Parents should be especially kind to the state of babies up to a year. Deviation of the indicator from the norm is observed in the following cases:
- if the baby was born prematurely, a low temperature is observed for some time;
- if the climate changes, it gets a little colder, an unformed child's body can respond by lowering the temperature level.
With malnutrition, a mismatch in the balance of nutrients and energy spent in children, hypothermia develops. It is necessary to draw up a complete diet that excludes the consumption of harmful products. Excessive physical activity and severe fatigue have a negative effect on the body, and it gives a protective reaction. We must not forget about chronic and oncological diseases, because their presence causes hypothermia.
Possible diseases
Reduced adult body temperature also does not bode well. If there are no obvious signs of deviation from the norm, then this is an occasion to think about your health. The fact is that this situation indicates the presence of a chronic ailment, which is in the process of development.
You must undergo a medical examination to identify the cause of hypothermia and identify the disease. The question arises: which doctor should I go to? To begin, make an appointment with the therapist. In the future, the doctor will refer you to the right specialist.
So, what ailments are often found at low temperatures in an adult? Let's take a closer look:
- Oncology. It is worth noting that most situations are associated with diseases of this kind. Tumor growth in the body leads to functional disorders, manifested, inter alia, in the development of hypothermia. Often, a decrease in the temperature level indicates pathologies of the endocrine system, poisoning and anorexia.
- Flu. Fluctuations in temperature indicators are observed with influenza. The immune system of the body seeks to create adverse conditions for the reproduction of the virus. The disease is severe, accompanied by additional symptoms in the form of a runny nose and sore throat. Ignoring the signs is unacceptable, at the first manifestations it is necessary to consult a doctor for quality treatment.
- Cold. Oddly enough, hypothermia can develop in the presence of this disease. In most cases, of course, the patient has a body temperature above 37 ° C. The decrease in the indicator is due to the fact that the disease arose on the basis of an untreated disease. The fight against the virus is in full swing, and therefore the immune system can be depleted. For this reason, you may observe symptoms such as chills and sweating with hypothermia. The patient's task is to ensure that, together with the attending physician, monitor the dynamics of the disease and take the necessary measures in a timely manner.
- Arterial hypotension. The problem of low blood pressure often occurs in conjunction with hypothermia. It turns out that the blood flow slows down significantly, as a result, biochemical processes proceed much more slowly. In other words, the body saves power by going into an energy-saving mode. Pathology is detected in hot weather, because the blood vessels expand. This is a natural way to lower the temperature level.
Struggle with the problem
What to do when it is discovered that an adult has lowered body temperature? Of course, consult a specialist. Hypothermia is, first of all, a symptom of a disease, so without a diagnosis it will be very difficult to deal with effective treatment.
And yet there are several ways that can help eliminate the sign of a drop in temperature level:
- Rest a few days. As we have already noted, the problem can be caused by overwork, so a good rest is necessary.
- Include liver, chicken stocks, red meat in the diet. Also consume more chocolate, peanuts and fresh juices.
- Follow the diet.
- If you are too cold, focus on drinking plenty of hot drinks and taking a bath.
- The doctor prescribes immunostimulating drugs, such as Pantocrine and Normoxan, to combat the symptom.
How to increase the temperature at home?
You can raise the temperature to the required level at home. If the indicator has not dropped to a critical point, do not take medications. You can achieve the goal in other ways:
- eat a few tablespoons of instant coffee in dry form;
- bring blood circulation back to normal with exercise.
The above methods are quite risky, and you should resort to them with extreme caution. Only in cases of emergency are these methods justified.
Prevention
To never face the problem of low temperature, you must adhere to the following rules:
- in case of rain, you need to dress warmly, it is imperative to have an umbrella or a hat;
- good rest in the form of good sleep, as well as proper balanced nutrition;
- give up bad habits, such as drinking alcohol, drugs and smoking cigarettes, which have a negative effect, resulting in a decrease in immunity.
If you notice such a symptom in a close relative, try to spend more time with him and monitor his condition. Hypothermia at any time may worsen, and then emergency medical care will be needed.