Our body’s temperature results from the many functions of the hypothalamus, including regulating our fluid and food intake. This part of the brain is also connected to thermoreceptors in your skin, your spinal cord, and internal organs to signal that it should remain around 98.6℉. To compensate for temperature changes, we also sweat to cool off and shiver to warm up.
The problem is, the study that denotes the normal temperature we accept is a little out of date; it goes back to the 1800s. Newer research indicates the true number is a little lower, between 97.5℉ and 97.9℉. Changes in temperature happen for many reasons, including changes in the weather or interior environment that require heating or air conditioning.
However, low body temperature, also known as hypothermia, can be a reason for concern depending on the cause. Melanchton Mangoba, MD, and his dedicated staff help the residents of Riverside, California, deal with many medical issues, including problems regulating body temperature like hypothermia.
Let’s find out more about why hypothermia occurs, when there’s reason to be worried, and when to get help.
You’ll be surprised to know that to be considered hypothermic doesn’t take a big drop in body heat; more than about three degrees, under 95℉ specifically, can mean you fall into that category. Of course, having lower body heat can occur for fairly minor issues, such as cold weather, cold water, and taking some medications like opioids or beta blockers.
Aging also leads to a lower body temperature, as many people tend to lose fat and get drier skin. Various medical conditions, including sepsis, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), illnesses that affect circulation, vitamin deficiencies, and an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), also alter your body’s temperature to make it feel colder.
Your body relies on its normal temperature for everything to function properly, and what can happen with hypothermia depends on how severe your issues are:
This leads to treatable issues like shivering, chattering of teeth, exhaustion, excessive urination, and trouble speaking. You can also experience rapid breathing, faster heart rate (tachycardia), pale skin, and confusion depending on how long you're hypothermic.
Indicating your body heat has dropped to between 89.6℉ and 82.4℉, at this stage you can expect to feel your muscles stiffen and deal with problems like slurred speech, hallucinations, decline of mental function, bluish skin, abnormal heart rhythm, and lower blood pressure.
With a body temperature lower than 83.4℉, things can get really bad, leading to issues like low blood pressure (hypotension), fluid in your lungs, a lack of reflexes, complete muscle stiffness, lack of voluntary motion, low urinary output, cardiac arrest, and even coma.
Moderate to severe hypothermia is obviously a major reason for concern. However, if the issues are due to extended exposure to frigid weather, there’s also the risk of frostbite (when layers of skin and tissue become frozen) and gangrene (when tissue dies from blood flow blockage). Regardless of what type of hypothermia someone has, they should get medical help.
If you’re calling for emergency help, be sure to move the person as gently as you can to avoid cardiac irregularities. Replace any wet clothes with dry ones, and get blankets to keep them warm.
Our temperatures change all the time, but if you’re struggling with hypothermia, many issues can be causing it, and they need medical attention. Make an appointment with Dr. Mangoba and his team to help get your body heat back to normal. Call 951-357-6032 or book online today.
