When Is High Body Temperature Considered Dangerous?

If people are exposed to high environmental temperatures, they can suffer from fatigue as they lose considerable amounts of water and electrolytes, and from high body temperature.

In the human body, a temperature considered normal is between 35.8 ° C and 37.2 ° C.

To maintain this temperature it is necessary to adapt to the environmental conditions. However, when an alteration occurs in the loss and production of heat, the temperature rises.

If the person is very hot, the blood vessels dilate to carry excess heat to the surface.

The body ends up secreting perspiration so that the heat is evacuated and it generates cold.

However, when the body is exposed to cold temperatures, the blood vessels constrict. In this case, the blood flow is reduced and the muscles shake in order to generate heat.

The temperature is thus regulated by means of 3 mechanisms:

• Thermoreceptors: These are found in the skin and in the center of the hypothalamus.
• Thermoregulatory effects: sweating and increased blood flow.
• Control from the brain.

How do you know if it’s a fever?

Body temperature is controlled by the hypothalamus and its mechanisms that help balance heat production.

The temperature is said to be high when it exceeds 38 ° C but the patient usually has other symptoms. It is urgent when the patient’s life is in danger.

Among the signs that indicate that the temperature is higher than recommended, we find:

• The temperature in the mouth is above 38 ° C.
• In the rectum or the ear it is above 38.8 ° C.
• Under the armpits it is above 36.7 ° C.

Signs and symptoms

• Body temperature above 38 ° C
• Tachycardia
• Chills
• Sweat
• Muscle pain
• Lack of appetite
• Increased respiratory rate
• Dizziness
• Nausea

Risk factors

• Infection: This is a reaction of the immune system that signals that a foreign substance is attacking the body.
• Medication: Antibiotics, narcotics or antihistamines, among others, cause a drug fever because these substances raise the body temperature.
• Injury: Suffering from a trauma to the body can trigger a fever. It can range from a heart attack to a stroke, burn or heat stroke.
• Other diseases can also predispose to fever, such as arthritis, hyperthyroidism or even cancer.

In addition, the increase in temperature below 38 ° C may be due to simple causes such as stress, hormonal changes in women, excessive exercise or high environmental temperature.

What is hyperthermia?

It occurs when thermoregulation exceeds heat production, that is, body temperature exceeds normal levels.

You can detect it when the thermometer rises above 41 ° C. Among the main symptoms we find:

• Bleeding
• Dark urine
• Muscle pain
• Fainting
• Disorientation

Causes

• Cerebral infarction
• Tumors
• Encephalitis
• Bleeding
• Sequelae following neurosurgery

Complications

If the patient does not treat hyperthermia in time, the temperature may continue to rise for the next two hours.

This can be dangerous because the thermoregulatory mechanisms can fail.

This is why it is essential to lower the temperature in order to save the life of the affected person because it is possible that convulsions appear.

Treatment

Treatment should be administered immediately. Aggressive cooling measures should be implemented in addition to hyperventilation with 100% oxygen.

• Immediate cooling of the skin using hypothermic blankets.
• Immerse the patient in ice water.
• Use fans.
• Gastric lavage using ice-cold solution.
• If the previous steps don’t work, hemodialysis is done to help remove toxic substances from the blood.

How to prevent body temperature?

• Avoid exposure to the sun for long periods of time, especially if you engage in physical activity.
• Use a sunscreen to protect yourself from burns, as they prevent heat dissipation.
• It is important to drink at least 2 liters of water per day in order to stay hydrated.
• If you are exercising and you feel the temperature is rising or you feel wet, stop the activity.
• Cut down on your alcohol intake, as it promotes dehydration.
• In the hot season, wear light clothes in bright colors.
• Remember to ventilate your home and consume electrolytes.

It is very important that you fully understand the difference between fever and hyperthermia.

In addition to an increase in temperature, you will not be able to lower your temperature in your home if you have hyperthermia.

So do not wait and see a doctor immediately, especially if it happens to children or the elderly.