Why does a person have a low temperature of 35. Low body temperature - the reasons for the decrease and how to raise it. Causes of low and low body temperature

Anyone can experience a condition where they suddenly start to feel feverish. The reasons for this can be very different, ranging from a cold to an infectious disease. What to do in this case is no secret. It is necessary to measure the temperature, and if it exceeds 38 degrees, take an antipyretic drug.

But the completely opposite situation can happen. The patient may experience too low a body temperature (hypothermia). This condition is accompanied by the following symptoms:

prostration;
general weakness;
drowsiness;
dizziness;
fainting;
lethargy;
shiver;
slow reaction;
irritability;
weak pulse;
hypotension;
loss of consciousness;
difficulties in movement;
hallucinations (in especially extreme cases).

Despite the fact that a condition in which a low temperature occurs in an adult or child is rare, due attention should be given to this problem.

Is there a norm?

A long-term state of hypothermia can lead to irreversible consequences in the body, ranging from disruption internal organs and ending in death.

If 35 degrees is the norm for a person, then this indicates the presence in his body chronic disease. If the thermometer does not show more than 32 degrees, then there is a high probability for the patient to fall into a coma, and at 29 - to die.

Considering that all people have their own individual characteristics of the body, it is likely that there may be slight deviations from the norm. If the patient feels well, examinations have not revealed any pathologies, there are no complaints or chronic diseases, then this is most likely the exception that confirms the rule.

Speaking medical language, the average statistical limits of normal temperature are from 35.5 to 37 degrees. Various factors can influence fluctuations:

Times of Day;
phase menstrual cycle;
age;
influence environment;
pregnancy;
individual characteristics of the body.

What does this condition mean?

People who experience hypothermia for the first time wonder why this happens. In fact, there can be many reasons, let's look at the most common ones:

decreased immunity - if you have stopped eating properly or have suffered some kind of disease, then it is likely that the body’s defenses have weakened and it takes time to restore them;
lack of vitamins - malnutrition, adherence to a mono-diet, exclusion of any foods, as well as deficiency of fats and carbohydrates;
infectious diseases - any disease weakens the immune system, and if they are accompanied by an increase in temperature, then excessive use of antipyretic drugs can lead to side effect and greatly reduce the temperature;
hypothermia of the body - when cold weather sets in, be especially careful and avoid frostbite;
long stay in cold water - if you prefer a contrast shower or winter swimming, then keep in mind that cold water may reduce body temperature;
overwork;
food poisoning or intoxication as a result overuse alcohol;
decreased hemoglobin level;
internal bleeding;
taking certain medications– the use of antidepressants or sleeping pills can cause hypothermia;
medication overdose;
hormonal imbalance - if a woman is pregnant or is ovulating, then temperature changes are possible;
thyroid diseases;
chronic kidney and liver diseases;
brain diseases;
hypertension or hypotension;
oncology;
HIV AIDS;
diabetes;
pneumonia;
sepsis;
helminths;
Acute respiratory infections - in children preschool age one of the symptoms respiratory disease the temperature may be low.

Diagnostics

If you have obvious hypothermia, your doctor may order the following tests:

general urine analysis;
general blood analysis;
temperature measurement;
pressure measurement;
electrocardiogram;
X-ray;
hourly diuresis;
Pulse oximetry.

How to normalize the condition?

Knowing the symptoms and causes of hypothermia, you need to understand how to act and what actions you need to take to raise your temperature.

If the thermometer shows less than 34 degrees, call an ambulance immediately.
Place the person in bed or in a place that is protected from the cold.
If possible, cover the entire body or at least the limbs. Leave your head open.
If your clothes get wet, remove them immediately and put on dry ones.
If the patient feels well, then you can take a bath with a temperature of no more than 37 degrees.
You can place a heating pad on your chest warm water or a thermal blanket.
Make sure the patient drinks enough fluids. Give preference to warm tea or fruit drink.
Never use coffee or alcoholic drinks to raise your temperature.
If the patient faints or loses consciousness and his pulse cannot be felt, begin performing artificial respiration and chest compressions before the ambulance arrives.

If you notice temperature fluctuations, then consult a doctor immediately for any deviations from the norm. Especially if hypothermia occurs in a child. A child's body is much more sensitive than an adult and reacts more acutely to changes in the functioning of internal organs.

Many people are accustomed to paying attention only to an increase in temperature, but most often they simply do not give in to its decrease special significance. And this phenomenon, in turn, can signal the development pathological conditions and some diseases, including serious ones.

First, it must be said that the norm is considered to be a fluctuation in body temperature from 35.8°C to 37°C. Other indicators will be a deviation. For example, a body temperature that has dropped to 29.5°C can lead to loss of consciousness, and up to 27°C - the onset of coma, when a malfunction of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems organs.

To identify the cause of low body temperature, it is necessary to understand how thermoregulation processes occur in the body, which maintain a person’s body temperature at the desired level (about 36°C). It is also important to know what types of thermoregulation exist.
Types of thermoregulation and causes of their violations

1. Behavioral
When behavioral thermoregulation is disrupted, a person ceases to adequately perceive the temperature of the environment. The reason for such a violation may be:

effects of alcohol on the body;
mental disorder;
effects of narcotic substances on the body.

For example, under the influence of drugs or alcoholic beverages, a person may not feel cold. As a result, he will become hypothermic and simply freeze, which often leads to a significant drop in body temperature (up to 25°C). This condition is dangerous not only for health, but also for life.

2. Physical
As a result of functional failures of physical thermoregulation, the human body loses heat due to excessive expansion blood vessels which have been in this state for a long time. Hypotonic people – people with low blood pressure – often suffer from this condition.
Also, the cause of disturbances in physical thermoregulation can be endocrinological diseases, which are accompanied by such symptoms as increased sweating. Minor disturbances of this type of thermoregulation are observed in people during emotional stress. But this condition is easily cured.

3. Chemical
The reasons for violation of chemical thermoregulation include:

intoxication of the body;
pregnancy period;
weakening of the immune system;
chronic asthenia of the body;
endocrine diseases;
decrease in hemoglobin level in the blood;
overvoltage.

Temperature 36°C: what does it mean?

This temperature indicator can also be present in completely healthy people. The reason for this condition may be:

recent illness;
morning time, when all processes in the body proceed more slowly than usual;
pregnancy;
uncontrolled use of medications;
insufficient supply of vitamin C to the body;
overwork, fatigue.

Also, a body temperature of 36°C may indicate the development of certain diseases and be observed in such conditions as:

disorders of the adrenal glands:
decreased thyroid function;
prolonged fasting, as a result of which the body is depleted (often observed with improper dieting);
brain pathologies;
significant blood loss;
chronic bronchitis.

Primary signs of a decrease in temperature

Symptoms that may indicate a decrease in temperature include:

increased drowsiness;
apathetic state, general malaise;
loss of appetite;
slowness of thought processes;
irritability.

If a decrease in body temperature is observed in a small child, it should definitely be shown to a doctor. If an adult maintains a temperature of about 36°C for a long time, but during the examination no pathologies were identified, the person is cheerful and feels great, his condition can be regarded as normal.

Reduced human body temperature: causes depending on diseases and other pathological conditions

1. Exacerbation of chronic diseases

Often, body temperature decreases if chronic diseases are in the active stage. This is directly related to a decrease in the body’s defenses (immunity), which are directly involved in the thermoregulation of the body. After some time, symptoms of the underlying chronic disease begin to appear and the temperature may, on the contrary, increase. This happens due to development inflammatory processes in organism. That is, a drop in temperature is the primary signal of an exacerbation of a chronic disease.

2. Brain pathologies

A decrease in temperature may be one of the symptoms of tumor growths in the brain. The fact is that these tumors put pressure on the brain, disrupting blood circulation in it, which leads to a disorder in the body’s thermoregulation.

In addition to a decrease in temperature, brain tumors can manifest themselves by the presence of other symptoms, namely a violation of:

speech abilities;
sensitivity;
levels of certain hormones;
work of the autonomic system;
intracranial pressure (increasing). This is accompanied by attacks of nausea, vomiting, dizziness;
memory;
cerebral circulation, accompanied by severe headaches that are difficult to eliminate by taking analgesics;
coordination of movements;
hearing;
psyche (auditory and visual hallucinations, etc.).

3. Thyroid diseases

Often a decrease in body temperature is accompanied by a disease such as hypothyroidism, which is characterized by functional disorders thyroid gland, as well as insufficient production of thyroid hormones. These hormones support the normal functioning of the entire body, including the functioning of organs. nervous system.

The most common manifestations of hypothyroidism are:

brittle nails;
weight gain;
fast fatiguability;
chilliness;
memory problems;
dry skin;
frequent constipation.

4. Previous infections

A frequent companion to conditions that occur after viral and bacterial infections is low temperature. As a result of the disease, the body's resources are depleted. First of all, this applies to the nervous and immune systems. And the thermoregulation center, located in the hypothalamus, is known to belong specifically to the nervous system.

5. Pathologies of the adrenal glands

Often a symptom in the form of a decrease in temperature occurs in the presence of adrenal diseases. First of all, this concerns adrenal insufficiency, in other words, Addison's disease. It's pretty long time develops asymptomatically and makes itself felt when it enters the chronic stage.
This condition is characterized by the following manifestations:

weak potency;
depressive states;
frequent urination;
irritability and short temper;
muscle aches;
loss of appetite;
weight loss;
tingling and numbness in the limbs;
increased thirst.

6. Vegetative-vascular dystonia

People suffering from this pathology experience disturbances in thermoregulation due to fluctuations blood pressure, which leads to heat loss. With vegetative-vascular dystonia, both a persistent slight increase in temperature and a decrease in temperature can be observed.

To the most common symptoms of this disease can be considered:

disturbances in the functioning of the respiratory system;
pain in the heart area;
tachycardia;
sleep disorders;
chilliness of the limbs;
dizziness;
fainting.

An immunodeficiency state, in addition to low temperature, is accompanied by:

chills;
an increase in the size of lymph nodes;
frequent colds;
loose stools;
disorders of the nervous system;
disruptions in the digestive system;
development of tumor neoplasms;
increased sweating (especially at night);
weight loss;
weakness throughout the body.

8. Intoxication

As you know, during intoxication the temperature usually rises. But in some cases it can decrease significantly. This is due to inhibition of the nervous system, which takes part in the processes of thermoregulation of the body.

Severe intoxication, in addition to low temperature, can manifest itself in the form of the following symptoms:

loss of consciousness;
neurological disorders. For example, when a person falls into a “deep” sleep, which is replaced by periods of extreme arousal;
liver and kidney damage;
vomiting, nausea, diarrhea;
weakness;
hemorrhages varying degrees severity (from single small spots to extensive bruises);
lowering blood pressure;
cardiopalmus;
impaired blood flow in the extremities;
marbling of the skin.

9. Neurocirculatory dystonia

A disease such as neurocirculatory dystonia is characterized by disorders of the vascular system, which entails the development of hypotension - low blood pressure. In this condition, there is an expansion of the vascular beds, which is followed by heat loss and a decrease in body temperature.
In addition to hypotension, this disease manifests itself with the following symptoms:

shortness of breath;
tachycardia;
tremor in the limbs;
panic attacks;
hyperhidrosis;
dizziness.

10. Exhaustion of the body (cachexia)

In this condition, there is a significant weight loss (sometimes up to 50% of total mass body). The layer of subcutaneous fat virtually disappears, causing the skin to become wrinkled and take on a gray, “earthy” tint. There are also symptoms of vitamin deficiency.
In addition, when the body is exhausted, nails become brittle and hair becomes thinner and dull. Frequent constipation often occurs with cachexia. In women, the volume of circulating blood decreases, which causes the absence of menstruation.

Also, with exhaustion, there may be mental disorders. At the very beginning, asthenia occurs - tearfulness, resentment, irritability, weakness and depression. If the pathology is successfully cured, asthenia will still be present for some time, and will also be accompanied by a decreased body temperature.

11. Anemia

These conditions are usually the result of an improperly balanced diet. For example, insufficient consumption of foods containing iron.

Symptoms that appear in iron deficiency:

difficulty swallowing. It seems to a person that there is a foreign body in his larynx;
addiction to pickles, smoked meats, spices and spicy dishes;
atrophy of the papillae located on the surface of the tongue;
deterioration of hair, nails and skin;
tachycardia;
dry mouth;
decreased performance, rapid fatigue.

12. Radiation sickness
At chronic course radiation sickness, when the body is exposed to ionizing radiation, low body temperature is also often noted. Concerning acute course of this disease, this condition, on the contrary, is characterized by an increase in temperature.

Symptoms accompanying low temperature during radiation sickness:

dry skin;
development of dermatological diseases;
the presence of compactions in the area of the irradiated areas;
cataract;
the appearance of malignant neoplasms;
depressed genital area;
decrease in the body's defenses.

13. Significant blood loss
As a result of injuries, large arteries can become damaged, which leads to a decrease in the volume of circulating blood. This entails a violation of thermoregulation and, accordingly, a decrease in body temperature.

Internal bleeding is considered the most dangerous. For example, in the ventricles of the brain, in the pleural and abdominal cavities. Such bleeding is quite difficult to diagnose and, as a rule, surgical intervention is required to stop it.

14. Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar also leads to a decrease in body temperature. This condition can occur with physical exhaustion of the body and with an unbalanced diet, where there is a large number of flour products and sweets. Often this condition becomes a harbinger of developing diabetes mellitus.
Other symptomatic manifestations of a hypoglycemic state:

headache;
dilated pupils;
attacks of nausea and vomiting;
hyperhidrosis;
inappropriate behavior;
tachycardia;
slow blood circulation;
muscle tremors;
motor dysfunction;
confusion (the consequence may be fainting and/or coma);
tachycardia;
loss of sensitivity.

15. Overwork

Chronic fatigue, which may be associated, for example, with constant emotional stress or lack of sleep, can cause a decrease in body temperature. If, after prolonged overload, the body does not receive compensatory recovery, a failure may occur in any of the organ systems. This also entails the development of exhaustion.

16. Shock conditions

All shock states are usually accompanied by a decrease in body temperature. In medicine, there is a classification of such conditions depending on the nature, severity and location of the damage. The following shock states are distinguished:

neurogenic (central nervous system disorder);
cardiogenic (impaired cardiovascular activity);
infectious-toxic (acute intoxication);
combined (combination different types shock states);
septic (mass blood poisoning);
traumatic (pain syndrome);
anaphylactic (allergic reactions).

For almost any type state of shock The victim experiences the following symptoms:

disruption of the respiratory system;
tachycardia;
moist skin that becomes pale or bluish;
low blood pressure;
confusion (lethargy or, conversely, agitation);
reduction in the volume of urine excreted.

Pregnancy and low body temperature

Sometimes when pregnancy occurs, women experience a decrease in body temperature. You can find out whether pregnancy is the reason for the decrease in temperature by objectively assessing the woman’s condition. In this case, she will have the following symptoms:

attacks of nausea;
loss of appetite;
vomit;
chilliness of the lower extremities;
fainting;
long-term headaches.

What to do at low temperatures?

To know how to eliminate low temperature, you need to find out the reason for its decrease. If during the day the temperature fluctuates between 35.8°C and 37.1°C, this is considered normal. For example, in the morning the indicators are lower than in the evening.

If your temperature measured three times a day remains low for several days, consult a doctor. The specialist will prescribe necessary examinations and, after determining the reasons that caused the drop in temperature, will prescribe competent treatment. The doctor may order the following tests:

Ultrasound of the thyroid gland and internal organs;
fluorography;
general clinical and biochemical blood tests;
chest x-ray.

If tests show that you have serious illnesses, you will definitely be referred to the appropriate specialists.
If reduced immunity is detected, you will be given an appointment vitamin complexes, immunomodulators, and also adjust the diet.
If the temperature is low, which is the result of hypothermia, it is necessary to give the victim hot, sweet tea and cover with a warm blanket. You can also warm up by taking a warm bath.

For representatives of the fair sex, the temperature may decrease or increase depending on the menstrual cycle.
To prevent the development of conditions accompanied by a decrease in body temperature, follow preventive measures. Spend more time in the fresh air, avoid stress, eat right, play sports and strengthen your body.

A drop in body temperature below average is quite common. A similar situation may arise due to various reasons, in people of different ages and have different consequences.

Is low body temperature dangerous?

It is generally accepted that the normal temperature reading on a thermometer is 36.6 degrees. In fact, these indicators can fluctuate during the day and depend on the menstrual cycle, food intake and sometimes even mood. Thus, body temperature readings from 35.5 to 37.0 degrees are considered normal.

True hypothermia is dangerous to human health, and in some cases even fatal, and it begins below 35 degrees. If the body temperature is between 35 and 36.6 degrees, a person’s life in most cases is not in danger.

How does the body maintain body temperature?

Thermoregulation is a rather complex process that involves the brain, hormonal system, nerve pathways and even adipose tissue. The main purpose of this mechanism is to maintain constant temperature the internal environment of a person. Failures in any of the system components can lead to failure of the entire thermal transfer and thermoregulation system.

How to measure temperature correctly?

In the armpit - is the most common method of measuring body temperature in our country. It is quite simple, but also quite inaccurate. The norm with this method of measurement ranges from 35 to 37 degrees. In children under one year of age low-grade fever is the norm.

Oral thermometry – this method of measuring body temperature is the norm in the USA and Europe. In children, such a test may not be effective because they often open their mouths during the measurement process, which is not recommended.

The rectal measurement method (via the rectum) is the most accurate, therefore it is most often used in children. Measure the newborn's body temperature using rectal thermometry (as there is a high risk of intestinal damage). The average temperature in the rectum will differ from the axillary temperature by +0.5 degrees.

Ear canal thermometry is popular in some countries, but also has significant inaccuracies.

Mercury thermometer – to correctly measure the temperature, you need to hold the thermometer under your arm for at least 5 minutes.

The electronic thermometer must be held until a sound signal is received, after which the temperature is checked. If no changes are observed within a minute, thermometry ends. If the temperature has increased during this time, you need to continue measuring for 2-3 minutes.

The main rule: do not measure the temperature healthy person. This provokes the development of increased anxiety without visible reasons. If you want to do thermometry every day, then this is quite similar to a symptom of anxiety or depression. In this case, you need to consult a psychotherapist.

Causes of hypothermia

A significant number of people around the world have an average body temperature that differs from the standard norm. Some people have a thermometer reading of 37 degrees all their lives, while others often have readings below 36. Therefore, hypothermia can only be a sign of pathology if there are additional symptoms. Reasons for low body temperature may include:

blood poisoning (sepsis);

drug and alcohol use;

Iatrogenesis (drug overdose, medical actions);

passion for diets, fasting;

external influence (long stay in water, frost);

hormonal imbalances – diseases of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, hypothyroidism;

hidden iron deficiency, anemia;

previous bacterial or viral infection.

Past bacterial or viral infection

Any infectious disease, even if very mild, forces the body to mobilize all the body’s protective resources. After illness, recovery occurs gradually. The fever subsides to low-grade levels, and then to a low temperature. This process is accompanied general weakness, the person feels recovered within a few days. This condition can last about two to three weeks after the end of the disease.

Anemia

A decrease in body temperature, which is accompanied by weakness, dizziness and some other symptoms, may indicate a lack of iron in the body. Reveal this pathology can be done using a blood test for hemoglobin and by determining ferritin. Among the main signs of anemia and latent deficiency are:

urinary incontinence;

chilliness of feet and hands;

pale skin;

decreased performance and weakness;

inflammation of the tongue;

addiction to unusual tastes, in particular raw meat;

brittle and striated nails;

thinning hair.

After prescribing iron supplements (Sorbifer, Ferretab) for 2-3 months, the symptoms of iron deficiency stop, and at the same time the temperature normalizes.

Hormonal imbalances

The endocrine system influences almost all processes in the human body, including thermoregulation. Thus, brain injuries and tumors can cause malfunctions in the hypothalamus, which is responsible for regulating the temperature of a person’s internal environment, constantly monitoring it. This condition in most cases is clearly manifested by disturbances in hearing, vision, speech, consciousness, vomiting, headache and problems with coordination. Fortunately, such serious brain disorders are quite rare. The most common cause of low numbers on a thermometer is hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which thyroid secretes insufficient amounts of its own hormones. A similar failure can occur with autoimmune inflammation of the gland, after treatment radioactive iodine or surgical interventions. The disease is quite common (according to some statistics, it is present in 1-10% of the population) and can manifest itself with various signs, including:

bradycardia;

chronic constipation;

memory loss, drowsiness and general lethargy;

brittle nails and hair;

dry skin and itching;

low temperature;

chilliness;

swelling, weight gain;

decreased performance, weakness.

To diagnose hypothyroidism, you should check the level thyroid-stimulating hormone. When it increases above normal, the likelihood of developing this disease is high. This study is especially relevant for women over 40 years of age whose relatives have thyroid pathologies. After diagnosis, the doctor prescribes replacement therapy, which will allow you to return to normal well-being and eliminate symptoms.

External influence

Man is a warm-blooded creature that requires maintaining a constant temperature inside the body. However, the skin temperature can quite often be lower than the body’s internal temperature, for example, when staying in a cool room, swimming in cool water and in the cold. In such situations, you need to dress warmly and measure your temperature: the readings will quickly return to normal after the skin warms up.

Iatrogenic hypothermia

Hypothermia, which is associated with the manipulations of doctors, most often occurs in people after surgery. If you leave a person uncovered after a long operation without a blanket, the risk of hypothermia is quite high. Anesthesia suppresses shivering, which is a protective mechanism against cold temperatures. Therefore, postoperative attention to patients is especially important.

Overdose of antipyretic drugs – quite often, this is especially true for children; the temperature decreases after an overdose of antipyretic drugs. Worried parents, when they see a mark on the thermometer above 38 degrees, begin to actively “fight” the temperature. The consequences of such a struggle can often be not only disturbances in the process of thermoregulation, but also bleeding and severe pathologies of the stomach.

An overdose of vasoconstrictors (drops) is another reason for a decrease in body temperature in humans. Due to the general effect on the entire circulatory system Such drugs can cause hypothermia. Therefore, if you have an uncomplicated runny nose, it is better to simply rinse the baby’s nose with saline solution, which is safe for the child’s body.

Starvation

With prolonged strict diets or forced fasting human body loses a significant amount of fat reserves. The fat depot, together with glycogen, is responsible for the balance of heat transfer and heat production. As a result, especially exhausted and thin people may feel cold for no apparent reason.

Skin diseases

Diseases of the skin, which affect a large area, quite often provoke a decrease in body temperature. Similar consequences are typical for burn disease, severe forms eczema, psoriasis. A significant amount of blood constantly flows to the affected areas of the skin, which provokes a decrease in overall body temperature.

Sepsis

The active proliferation of bacteria in the body and its poisoning with their decay products is known as sepsis. As with any other bacterial infection, septic complications are accompanied by an increase in temperature to high levels. However, in a number of cases (elderly and weakened people), damage to the central nervous system is observed, which also affects the thermoregulation center.

In such a paradoxical situation, the human body responds to the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms by lowering body temperature to 34.5 and sometimes less than degrees. Hypothermia in sepsis is an unfavorable sign. Most often it is combined with dysfunction of organs, depression of consciousness and severe general condition.

Poisoning with narcotic substances and ethanol

Taking alcoholic beverages in large quantities, as well as some psychoactive drugs, can cause a decrease in body temperature. This response is observed due to vasodilation and suppression of tremors, and the intake of such substances also affects glucose levels. Considering also the fact that, due to severe intoxication, people often fall asleep outside in the cold, it is not surprising that such patients often end up in the emergency department. In some cases, the decrease in temperature is critical and leads to immediate respiratory and cardiac arrest.

How to increase the temperature?

First of all, you need to determine whether such a manifestation is the norm or a deviation?

In cases where a person simply measures body temperature and detects a decrease, while general state the person remains normal, there is no need to worry. It is necessary to remember whether the person has had ARVI or other illnesses in the recent past infectious diseases. It is quite possible that this is a residual phenomenon.

Also, the reason may be active ventilation of the room on a frosty day. In such cases, you need to close the windows and dress warmly, you can also warm up with tea.

With the exception of the reasons described above, most often such numbers on a thermometer are an individual characteristic of the body.

If depression, weakness and other pathological symptoms are present along with hypothermia, you need to consult a doctor.

Most often after additional examination the presence of anemia or dysfunction of the thyroid gland will be determined. Appropriate treatment will help raise the temperature. Children need to stop vasoconstrictor and antipyretic drugs.

When is urgent specialist help required?

A mandatory visit to a doctor is required in such cases when:

body temperature is 35 degrees and continues to decline rapidly;

the person is unconscious;

hypothermia is observed in an elderly person due to poor health;

there are such serious Clinical signs pathologies such as: severe jaundice, blurred vision and speech, uncontrollable vomiting, hallucinations, bleeding.

It must be remembered that true hypothermia is a life-threatening condition and is observed in hypothermic and seriously ill patients. A slight drop in body temperature cannot seriously harm your health. In addition, at low temperatures, metabolic processes in the human body occur somewhat slower, so many experts are of the opinion that people with this individual feature live a little longer.

25.10.2018

In a normal state, the body temperature of both an adult and a child should not exceed 37 degrees, that is, 36.6–36.9 are healthy thermometer readings, and as for the lower limit, a temperature of up to 36–35.5 gives cause for concern.

There are many people in the world for whom 35.5 is the working temperature and throughout their lives they do not experience any problems due to this “not the norm”. We will not consider these cases. You should sound the alarm if your body has not encountered such a temperature, and if you feel clearly unwell because of this.

What to do?

First, let's define the symptoms of low temperature, or as this condition is also called - loss of strength:

Weakness.
The desire to sleep, even if the sleep was long.
Feeling of unreasonable irritation.
Inhibition of actions and thoughts.
Poor general health.

Causes of decreased body temperature

External factors (reasons) that provoke low temperature in an adult and a child are well known and commonplace - overwork at work (study), lack of vacations, stress and constant tension, physical exercise without measure and other delights of modern life signal that it’s time to stop and take a break. Hence the loss of strength and the temperature of 35. The body simply refuses to move on and the person has no choice but to rest on sick leave. You should not achieve such overloads, and at the first sensation of “overworking,” you need to give yourself a little rest and take valerian, motherwort or eleutherococcus daily to relieve stress and get good sleep.
Internal factors due to which the body temperature drops below 35.5 include a lack of vitamins, microelements, etc. This includes anemia with iron deficiency, and a lack of vitamins B, C. Here you will need blood tests for hemoglobin, consultation therapist and a set of drugs that restore imbalance necessary for the body substances.
Another internal factor is the state of immunity. For example, a low body temperature occurs after recovery from a serious illness that took all your strength, and now the body takes the slightest load extremely hard. Also, a decrease in temperature can be caused by an unbalanced diet, due to diet or prolonged fasting. First of all, you should take your vitamins and immediately recalculate your daily ration according to the actual needs of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Such calculations are made based on normal weight, per kilogram of which a certain norm is required nutrients. There are millions of tables on the Internet that help you calculate your diet.
The reason for the low temperature may be associated with intoxication of the body due to overload of the liver with excessive libations of alcohol, as well as as a result of self-medication. Often, having played the role of know-it-all doctor, we take medications that we have prescribed for ourselves, without observing the dosage. As a result, the body is poisoned, the consequences of which are quite dire.
The cause of a drop in temperature beyond the normal range may be the beginning of an exacerbation of chronic diseases. If you are unlucky and have any, welcome to your doctor.
The temperature decreases due to hypothyroidism - a dysfunction of the thyroid gland associated with a decrease in its activity. With this not very dangerous, but significant condition, it is important to periodically see a doctor to prevent exacerbations.
Unhealthy adrenal glands also cause a decrease in temperature. To prevent diseases of these organs, it is important to never deny the body drinking clean water. Drinking plenty of fluids and eating seasonal fruits that cleanse the body should become the rule.

Other reasons

Pregnant women often complain of a low temperature - 35-35.5, accompanied by nausea and migraines. This period usually occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy and is called toxicosis.

All symptoms, including low fever, should be reported to antenatal clinic at regular checkups so as not to miss any serious diseases.

Why does a child's body temperature drop?

A child who is ill becomes lethargic and apathetic, loses his appetite, even if his favorite dishes are offered. First of all, you should measure his temperature, and if it is lowered to 35–35.5, it is better to contact a pediatrician, and before he arrives, warm the child with a heating pad, a blanket, or lie down with him, hugging the baby, warming him with your body. There is no need to do anything else, otherwise you can harm the child’s body.

A body temperature of 33 degrees is considered critical - such hypothermia occurs if the child is hypothermic, for example, for a long time spent outside and in severe frost. Hypothermia can also occur in adults. It is important to remember that if a person is suspected of hypothermia, they should not be placed directly into a hot bath, so as not to cause vasospasm and death. If hypothermia is serious, you need to start by changing into warm, dry clothes and warming up with warm, but not hot, drinks.

In critical cases, they first call an ambulance, and then provide first aid until the medical team arrives.

What to do if your body temperature drops below normal

In general, if you are not worried about a drop in temperature and it happens rarely, you can not sound the alarm, but just relax and include vitamins in your diet. If the condition requires seeing a doctor, you may be prescribed a course of physiotherapy or balneotherapy, prescribe restorative medications or a course of treatment for chronic ailments.

In most cases, it is necessary to prevent and independently maintain a lifestyle in which there cannot be a “loss of strength” and low temperature.

Here's what to do:

take care of your health - eat healthy food and give up bad habits;
maintain the habit of going to bed before midnight;
get enough sleep - at least 8 hours a day;
physical activity, moderate sports;
ventilate the room in which you spend all your time, douse yourself with cold water;
spend 20–30 minutes a day walking;
take vitamins;
try to avoid stressful situations by taking the tenth route;
train your facial expressions to smile.

Both adults and children can follow these rules, activating all the body’s protective functions.

Nutrition and temperature

To raise the temperature to normal, it is recommended to prepare the following mixture - grind walnuts with dried apricots, dried plums, honey and raisins. Take the resulting mass one teaspoon once a day. Even a child will like this medicine.

The second recipe is to brew tea from currant leaves, add lemon juice and a spoonful of honey to the cooled broth. Drink in one go.

The third option is currant vitamin. Grind currants with sugar and drink throughout the day with warm tea. Currants are extremely rich in vitamin C.

What exactly to do if the temperature drops to 35 in a child or an adult:

Place the patient in bed, covering him with warm blankets.
Warm heating pads or warm water bottles should be placed on your feet.
Dial a basin warm water and take a foot bath with essential oils pine needles, St. John's wort.
Drink St. John's wort tincture or warm tea with raspberry jam or vitamin.
Grandmother's method is to drink water with a pencil lead, which is previously crushed into powder. Graphite raises the temperature for several hours.
Make a few physical exercise– run, do squats or do 10–20 push-ups. This will help you tone up and increase the frequency of your heart muscle. This way the body will warm up faster.
Create positive emotions, in such an atmosphere recovery will come faster.

If you continue to feel unwell for several days and you cannot increase your temperature, you need to go to the doctor.

Hypothermia or low body temperature, especially if it persists for a long time, is a good reason to consult a doctor. The reasons for low body temperature in an adult can be different and are not always associated with banal hypothermia or overwork. In addition to completely harmless factors, this symptom can be caused by serious pathologies or a hidden infectious process. To understand why body temperature drops, you need to undergo a full medical examination and take steps to correct health problems.

Low body temperature: pathology or normal?

Everyone knows that a normal body temperature is 36.6°. It may vary slightly throughout the day depending on the time of day, physical activity, age and even mood. This is a natural process associated with the body’s thermoregulation characteristics.

A dangerous deviation is considered to be a decrease in body temperature below 35°C. Moreover, many simply ignore this alarming sign, believing that the apathy and general deterioration in well-being that accompany this condition are caused by banal overwork. However, hypothermia is no less dangerous than heat, since it may be a sign of exhaustion of the nervous systems or indicate hidden diseases.

Sometimes a slight deviation in body temperature towards a decrease can be an individual characteristic of the body. If a person feels great, then there is no need to worry. But when you feel a loss of strength, weakness, and your body temperature is 35°C and remains stable at this level, you should consult a doctor.

Symptoms of hypothermia

A decrease in body temperature is accompanied by the following symptoms:

pale, cold to the touch skin;
loss of strength, decreased performance, lethargy and apathy;
chills, increased sweating;
lethargy, drowsiness;
low blood pressure, decreased heart rate;
dizziness.

When body temperature drops below 34°C, there is severe chills, weak pulse, speech becomes slurred, and movements become slow. If blood pressure drops, a person may lose consciousness. A critical condition that may lead to fatal outcome, a sharp drop in body temperature to 32°C is considered.

What causes a decrease in body temperature?

In medicine, all reasons that provoke a decrease in temperature are usually divided into two categories:

external (exogenous) factors;
internal (endogenous) factors.

The most common exogenous causes include:

hypothermia of the body;
taking certain medicines(sleeping pills, sedatives);
fasting, strict adherence;
unbalanced diet, vitamin deficiency;
intoxication of the body with food, alcohol, drugs, chemicals;
syndrome chronic fatigue, overwork;
recovery period after a serious illness;
age.

Internal causes of hypothermia are considered:

A decrease in body temperature is often observed in older people. And in adolescents, this symptom manifests itself with vegetative disorders and changes hormonal levels. Let's take a closer look at the most common causes of hypothermia.

Causes of low body temperature

Vegetovascular dystonia

Failures in the functioning of the autonomic system often cause disturbances in the body's thermoregulation and, along with low temperature, are accompanied by weakness, pressure surges, nausea, dizziness, attacks of severe headaches (migraines), combined with intolerance to bright light and loud sounds.

If such symptoms appear, you should contact medical care and consult with a therapist, neurologist, endocrinologist, psychotherapist.

Iron-deficiency anemia

A decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood immediately affects general well-being and leads to a decrease in performance, lethargy, weakness, pale skin, hypothermia, and constant chilliness.

A blood test for hemoglobin will help identify iron deficiency in the body. If the suspicion of anemia is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe medications containing iron (Sorbifer, Ferretab, etc.), which should be taken for 2-3 months.

Viral and bacterial infections

The recovery period after a recent illness is always accompanied by general weakness, since the immune system is just beginning to recover and it takes time for a person to fully recover from an illness. And if in the first days the disease manifests itself with intense fever, then as the patient recovers, hypothermia often occurs in the morning.

During this period, low-grade fever during the day and low temperature at night is often observed. That is, during the daytime the temperature stays at 37.0-37.5°C, and at night it drops to 35°C and is accompanied by severe weakness and increased sweating. The causes of low temperature in a child are often associated with infectious diseases.

Often after suffering from a cold (ARI), the baby’s body temperature decreases and characteristic features- weakness, pallor of the skin. This condition is associated with imperfections in the body’s thermoregulation system, which in children under 3 years of age is not yet fully formed. In this case, the body temperature may remain at around 35.5°C, but parents should not panic about this. It is enough to dress the child warmly and give him hot drinks more often.

Pregnancy

The reasons for low temperature in women often lie in hormonal fluctuations before menstruation or during menopause. Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy often contribute to the development of hypothermia.

Such conditions do not cause any particular concern, since as the woman’s body adapts to the new condition, her health returns to normal.

Hypothermia of the body

When exposed to cold wind for a long time, ice water or in the bitter cold the body suffers from hypothermia. At the same time, metabolic processes slow down, heat transfer increases and body temperature decreases, that is, the person freezes. The skin becomes cold to the touch, movements slow down, heart rate and breathing decrease, and chills appear.

If the victim is warmed up, the unpleasant symptoms quickly disappear. Rubbing, hot drinks, and a warm bed will come to the rescue. In severe cases, the victim requires medical attention, as severe frostbite leads to severe health consequences.

Dehydration

Food poisoning or intestinal infections cause intoxication of the body, frequent bouts of vomiting, diarrhea, which leads to massive loss of fluid and dehydration of the body. This condition is accompanied by severe weakness and hypothermia. In this case, the victim needs emergency medical care.

Taking into account the severity of the condition, the doctor will prescribe medications at home or refer the patient to the hospital. In case of dehydration, it is important to provide timely necessary help, otherwise serious consequences are possible - convulsions, a sharp drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness due to dehydration shock. Dehydration is especially dangerous for children.

At home, it is necessary to replace the loss of fluids and electrolytes. To do this, you need to take the drug Regidron as often as possible, saline solutions, mineral water still, tea, dried fruit compote.

Endocrine system diseases

Signs of hypothermia are observed in pathologies such as hypothyroidism or hypoglycemia during diabetes mellitus(when blood sugar levels drop). With a deficiency of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism), water salt metabolism, which leads to weakness, hypothermia, drop in blood pressure, swelling, dry skin, brittle hair and nails.

In this case, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease with hormone replacement therapy, which eliminates the underlying cause of the disease. With hypoglycemia, the blood sugar level drops sharply, which is manifested by pallor, severe weakness, the appearance of cold sweat, nausea, and a decrease in body temperature.

Acute adrenal insufficiency

This condition is accompanied by dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, heart rhythm disturbances (tachycardia, arrhythmia), loss of consciousness due to a sharp drop in pressure. If you notice such alarming signs in yourself or loved ones, you should immediately call an ambulance.

Tumor processes

A special area in the brain, the hypothalamus, is responsible for maintaining heat exchange processes in the body. And if any neoplasm (malignant or benign) occurs in this area, the functions of the organ are disrupted.

As a result, a malfunction occurs in the thermoregulation system and the person immediately feels unfavorable changes, which are expressed by constant headaches, dizziness, a feeling of coldness in the extremities and a decrease in body temperature.

Internal bleeding

Hidden bleeding may develop when peptic ulcer stomach, 12- duodenum, injuries of internal organs, tumor processes. These are dangerous conditions that threaten serious consequences and require emergency medical care.

External signs of bleeding are pallor, weakness, cold skin, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, tarry stools, fainting.

Unbalanced nutrition, strict diets, fasting - often cause hypothermia and weakness

The body does not receive enough nutrients, vitamins and microelements, which leads to the development of vitamin deficiency and a weakening of the body's defenses. When following strict diets, a person quickly loses fat reserves and depletes the glycogen reserves accumulated in the liver. As a result, the processes of heat exchange and heat transfer are disrupted, and what more people loses weight, the more he begins to freeze for no apparent reason.

Asthenic syndrome

The main cause of asthenia lies in the lack of oxygen (hypoxia). Organs and tissues do not receive enough necessary nutrients, as a result the energy balance of the body is disrupted, and all vital processes slow down.

Severely suffers from lack of oxygen cardiovascular system and brain. Violation of their functions leads to weakness, lethargy, apathy, dizziness, pallor of the skin and manifestations of hypothermia.

Taking medications

Often, a low body temperature is observed with unsystematic and long-term use of potent drugs (sedatives, sleeping pills).

Such medications inhibit the functions of the nervous system, disrupt metabolic processes, and negatively affect the functions of the hypothalamus, which causes weakness and a decrease in body temperature. Another cause of hypothermia is an overdose of antipyretics for colds or vasoconstrictor drops, used for runny nose.

Dermatological diseases

Chronic skin diseases, such as psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, ichthyosis are often accompanied by low body temperature. This is due to the fact that the damage to large areas skin causes a rush of blood in these areas, which provokes a violation of thermoregulation and reduces body temperature.

Sepsis (blood poisoning)

With septic complications, active proliferation of bacteria in the blood occurs and the body is poisoned by their waste products. This condition is usually accompanied by a sharp rise in temperature to high values, but in elderly and weakened patients the opposite situation is often observed.

The reason for this is damage to the nervous system, which disables the thermoregulation center. Hypothermia during sepsis is especially dangerous, since a drop in body temperature below 34°C entails disruption of the functions of all vital functions. important organs, is accompanied by depression of consciousness and can be fatal.

Less common causes that can trigger hypothermia include poisoning narcotic substances or ethanol, immunodeficiency conditions (HIV, AIDS), severe liver damage (hepatitis, cirrhosis), intoxication with poisons or aggressive chemicals.

Low body temperature - what to do?

If, when measuring your body temperature, you notice a deviation from the norm, you should not panic. With normal general health, this is most likely a natural process associated with hypothermia or overwork. Often a slight deviation from the generally accepted norm is just an individual characteristic of the body.

If you are cold, you need to dress warmly, drink a large mug of hot milk or tea with honey and jam, and your health will soon return to normal. Often, a decrease in temperature is a symptom of vegetative-vascular dystonia, and in this way a person can react to a change in weather, a stress factor, or severe mental and physical stress. In this case, resting in a calm home environment, taking light sedative plant based.

Good to know

In some situations, in order to normalize body temperature, it is enough to review your diet and include more fresh vegetables and fruits (rich in vitamin C), high protein foods (lean meat, fish), fermented milk drinks.

If low body temperature is accompanied by deterioration general well-being, you need to seek medical help to find out the causes of this condition. You should first make an appointment with a therapist. After inspection and results laboratory tests The doctor will make a preliminary diagnosis and prescribe treatment. If concomitant pathologies are suspected, the patient will be referred to specialists - an endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist, oncologist, urologist or gynecologist.

When is urgent medical attention needed?

There are a number of life-threatening conditions accompanied by hypothermia. In what cases should you call an ambulance?

if body temperature drops to 34°C and continues to decrease;
the person’s condition worsens to the point of loss of consciousness;
when poor health in an elderly person is accompanied by severe hypothermia;
such dangerous symptoms, such as a sharp drop in blood pressure, visual and hearing impairment, uncontrollable vomiting, abdominal pain, tarry stools.

These signs indicate the development of severe life-threatening complications, so it is necessary to provide qualified medical assistance as soon as possible.