Which occurs when body temperature is lower than the normal average of 35 degrees Celsius?
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A slightly low body temperature is usually nothing to worry about. Image Credit: rilueda/iStock/GettyImages In This Article
You've probably had it drilled into your head that your body temperature "should" be 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit and that a high or low body temperature signals something is wrong. But that's not quite true. In general, normal body temperature differs among individuals and ranges from about 97 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit (36.1 to 37.2 degrees Celsius) when taken with an oral thermometer, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). Your normal body temperature varies depending on factors like your age, gender, race and time of day, among others. What Does Having Low Body Temperature Mean?Here's the good news: A slightly lower-than-normal temperature is usually nothing to worry about. In fact, research suggests that average human body temperature may be decreasing slightly, and that 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit (36.4 degrees Celsius) may be a "new normal" temperature, according to Harvard Health Publishing. This may be due to the fact that we now spend much of our time in temperature-controlled settings, or perhaps because of a population-wide drop in metabolic rate or inflammation, per Stanford Medicine. But a consistently or very low body temperature — less than 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) — often signals accidental hypothermia or an underlying medical issue. That's because having a low body temperature that's less than 95 degrees Fahrenheit doesn't provide enough heat for your heart, nervous system and other organs to function, according to the Mayo Clinic. WarningHypothermia is medical emergency, so if your temperature less is than 95 degrees Fahrenheit, you should seek care immediately, per the Cleveland Clinic. What Causes Low Body Temperature?In general, low body temperature occurs when the body loses heat faster than it's able to produce it, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Low body temperature can occur as a result of both external causes (like medication side effects, age or cold weather) and internal causes within the body, such as hormone and nervous system disorders. Here are several of the other possible causes of low body temperature, along with when to see your doctor. 1. Exposure to ColdYour body temperature reflects the balance between the heat your body generates versus how much it loses. Prolonged exposure to a cold environment can potentially lead to hypothermia because of excessive heat loss, according to the Mayo Clinic. Infants and seniors are particularly susceptible to this condition, as their bodies don't regulate body temperature as well as those in other age groups. Serious hypothermia is more likely to occur in extreme conditions like if your car breaks down in a blizzard, rather than if you spend a few hours bundled up at a football game on a cold day. Still, if you plan to spend time outside in cool or cold weather, dress in warm clothing and avoid drinking alcohol, as it dilates your superficial blood vessels and increases loss of body heat, per the Mayo Clinic. And here's how to treat low body temperature if it's already occurred:
High Blood Pressure and Low Body Temperature In general, blood pressure is higher when you're in cold temperatures and lower in warm temperatures. That's because cold prompts your blood vessels to narrow, so more pressure is needed to keep your blood pumping, according to the Mayo Clinic. 2. Hormonal ConditionsHormones regulate many bodily functions, including body temperature maintenance, according to Rush. But per the Cleveland Clinic, if you have any of the following hormonal disorders, it can mess with your temperature and make you feel too cold:
That's because reduced production of hormones can potentially lead to a lower-than-normal body temperature or intolerance to cold. In fact, a low body temperature sometimes serves as an important clue to a hormonal problem. 3. Nervous System DisordersAn area of your brain called the hypothalamus serves as the primary site of body temperature regulation, according to Rush. It sends messages to the rest of your body that result in either overall heat conservation or loss. Nervous system disorders can disrupt this temperature regulation or your response to external sources of cold, leading to a low body temperature, according to an April 2016 review in Autonomic Neuroscience. Examples of these conditions include:
4. Infection or IllnessMost people think a fever and infection go hand in hand — and they often do. But you can also have a low body temperature when sick. For instance, a serious infection like pneumonia sometimes triggers a low body temperature, especially among older adults and people with weakened immune systems, according to the Mayo Clinic. Hypothermia associated with a serious infection often indicates a complication called sepsis, which refers to an out-of-control inflammatory response to the infection leading to malfunction of body organs or systems, per the NLM. Having a low body temperature but feeling hot may also be a sign of this condition if accompanied by other sepsis symptoms (like rapid breathing, fast pulse and disorientation), as sepsis can cause fever and sweating. WarningSeek medical treatment immediately if you have signs of sepsis, as developing a low body temperature when you have sepsis typically signals a potentially life-threatening situation, according to an October 2016 study in Critical Care. 5. Other CausesA slight decrease or subnormal temperature is a potential side effect of certain medications, including some types of drugs used to treat depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, according to the Autonomic Neuroscience review. Additional possible, uncommon causes of low body temperature include:
When to See a Doctor
If you consistently have a low body temperature without any environmental explanation, you may want to see your doctor. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages While it's important to monitor your vital signs and make sure they're within normal limits, you don't need to run to the doctor every time your body temperature raises or lowers a degree or two. As mentioned earlier, a temperature as low as 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36 degrees Celsius) can be perfectly normal if you otherwise feel well. But you should see your doctor if your body temperature is regularly less than 97 degrees Fahrenheit, especially if you experience other signs or symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Per the Mayo Clinic, call 911 for emergency medical care if any warning signs or symptoms indicating possible hypothermia occur, including:
What will happen if the temperature goes below 35 degree Celsius?Hypothermia occurs when the body's temperature falls below 35 °C. Hypothermia can occur in any situation where the body is losing more heat to the environment than it is generating. Severe hypothermia is life-threatening without prompt medical attention.
Which occurs when body temperature is lower than the normal average of the degrees Celsius?Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Normal body temperature is around 98.6 F (37 C). Hypothermia (hi-poe-THUR-me-uh) occurs as your body temperature falls below 95 F (35 C).
Which occurs when the temperature of the body is lower than the normal average of 37% Celsius?If your core body temperature dips down to 95 F (35 C) or lower, that's considered hypothermia. It's often caused by exposure to cold weather, but there are other factors that can put you at risk for hypothermia, such as age and certain medications.
What happens if your body temperature is 35 degrees?Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature below 35C (95F). Normal body temperature is around 37C (98.6F). Hypothermia can be serious if not treated quickly. You should call 999 and give first aid if you think someone has hypothermia.
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