'My body always shows high temperature, please advice': My body always shows high temperature. I do not have any problem nor any sickness, kindly advise.
Dr Shazia Wajahat, General Practitioner, Aster Medical Centre, Jebel Ali, replies: Body temperature variation between 36.5 to 37.5 is normal as part of circadian rhythm. Temperature drops during sleeping and soars during hours of maximum arousal. Consistently high temperature is, however, abnormal and requires expert medical advice.
Fever refers to an elevation in body temperature, technically any body temperature above the normal oral measurement of 98.6 F (37 Centigrade) is considered to be elevated. Body temperature can also vary up to 1 F (0.6 Centigrade) throughout the day.
Bodies defense mechanism seem to work more efficiently at a higher temperature, fever is just one part of an illness , many times no more important than the presence of other symptoms, other symptoms such as cough, sore throat, fatigue, joint pains or aches , chills, nausea etc…
Fever is the result of an immune response by the body to a foreign invader. These foreign invaders include Viruses, Bacteria, Fungi, Drugs, or other Toxins. These foreign invaders are considered fever producing substances (called pyrogens) which triggers the body immune response.
A part of Brain called the hypothalamus controls body temperature which usually varies throughout the day. In response to an infection, Illness or some other cause the Hypothalamus may reset the body to a higher temperature.
Most common causes of fever are:
- Common Infections such as colds and gastroenteritis.
- Infections of Ear, Lungs, Skin, Throat, Bladder, or Kidney.
- Autoimmune diseases such as lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis and inflammation
- Bowel diseases
- Illicit Drugs such as Amphetamines and Cocaine
- Metabolic Disorders for example Gout or Porphyria
- Temperature greater then (38 C or 100.4) leads to specific signs and symptoms which include:
- Shivering, Chills and rigors
- Aching muscles and joints
- Headache
- Intermittent sweats
- Skin flushing
- Dizziness, light Headedness
- Weakness
A temperature greater than 100.4 or 38 C in adults and children along with having the generalized symptoms of a fever recording the temperature with a thermometer can confirm the diagnoses. Determining the cause of fever is very important. Besides a physical examination, your doctor will ask about symptoms and conditions, medications and if there is a history of recent travel to areas with infections or have other infections risks. Two hourly temperature variation charts should be recorded. Complete blood picture with ESR and complete urine examination is also recommended as a symptomatic urinary tract infections do as well exist.
Sometimes when neutrophil count is less than 500 / micro L, it may also lead to increase in body temperature. This can be verified through complete blood examination. Certain viral infections may also lead to elevated body temperature and symptoms develop later.
An individual with fever should be kept comfortable and not overdressed; overdressing can cause the temperature to rise further. Tepid water baths (85 F) are a home remedy that may help bring down a fever. In case of high grade fever, use of a fan or air conditioning may reduce the temperature and increase comfort. If the temperature reaches the extremely high level of hyperpyrexia aggressive cooling is required. In general in case of high fever we should keep ourselves adequately hydrated by taking lots of fluids, increased fluid intake improves symptoms, intake of light diet is also important. Toxins are removed more effortlessly when the body is hydrated. Chose to consume foods that are cooked with steamed vegetables, cleared soups, porridge, fruit or vegetables juice extracts, herbal teas and broths. If fever is accompanied with diarrhea then include more of semi-solid or soft nourishment, vegetable soup, yoghurt, porridge, steamed vegetables.
Probiotics rich food should be include in the diet as these foods are set to be effective in reducing high temperature. Medications that lower temperature are called antipyretics. Antipyretics include Ibuprofen, acetaminophen and paracetemol. Ibuprofen is more potent than paracetemol, but paracetemol can be safely repeated four to six hourly.
Disclaimer: This blog is a conversation and is not an alternative for treatment. The recommendations and suggestions offered by our panel of doctors are their own and Gulf News will not take any responsibility for the advice they provide.
