Body temperature control is a biological mechanism that maintains a constant internal body temperature. The thermoregulatory system includes the hypothalamus of the brain, sweat glands, skin, and circulatory system. The human body maintains a temperature of about 37°C (98.6°F) through various physical processes. This includes sweating to lower body temperature, shaking to raise body temperature, and narrowing or relaxing blood vessels to change blood flow. If a person cannot control his or her body temperature, it can overheat and cause high fever. The same is true of the opposite. Hypothermia occurs when the central temperature falls below a safe level. Both conditions can potentially be life-threatening. This article explains body temperature control and how this essential process works.
What is body temperature control?
Temperature control is a way for mammals to maintain a constant body temperature. Unlike reptiles whose body temperature changes depending on the environment, mammals must always maintain a constant body temperature. A healthy normal body temperature range in humans is within 2 degrees at 37°C (98.6°F). When body temperature control works properly, the body operates at the optimal level. Too high or too low temperatures can cause problems with the body's following operations.
How thermostats work
The three mechanisms used by the human body are as follows.
· a centrifugal reaction
· Centrifugal detection
· central control
Centrifugal reactions are actions that humans can participate in to control their body temperature. An example of a centrifugal reaction is to wear a coat and move into the shade on a hot day before going out on a cold day. Centrifugal detection includes a temperature receptor system around the body to identify whether the central temperature is too hot or too cold. The receptor transmits information to the hypothalamus, part of the brain. The hypothalamus acts as a central control using information received from the afferent senses to produce hormones that change body temperature. The hormone can respond to heat or cold in the following ways by sending signals to various parts of the body.
a thermoregulatory disorder
The healthy temperature range of the human body is very narrow. If the body cannot maintain the temperature within this range, temperature control disorder may occur.
1. a high fever
High fever occurs when the body's heat control mechanism fails and the body temperature is too high.
· Thermal cramps caused by severe sweating and muscle spasms during exercise
· sunstroke that causes more serious and diverse symptoms
· Heatstroke, a medical emergency
The symptoms of sunstroke are as follows.
· perspiration
· pale, wet or cold skin
· a fast or weak pulse
· a feeling of fatigue
· a sense of weakness
· dizziness
· Nausea or vomiting
· a headache
· Fainting
Heat stroke causes similar symptoms, but there are several important differences as follows.
· Red or hot skin that may be dry or damp
· a fast and strong pulse
· 103° F (39.Body temperature control is a biological mechanism that maintains a constant internal body temperature. The thermoregulatory system includes the hypothalamus of the brain, sweat glands, skin, and circulatory system. The human body maintains a temperature of about 37°C (98.6°F) through various physical processes. This includes sweating to lower body temperature, shaking to raise body temperature, and narrowing or relaxing blood vessels to change blood flow. If a person cannot control his or her body temperature, it can overheat and cause high fever. The same is true of the opposite. Hypothermia occurs when the central temperature falls below a safe level. Both conditions can potentially be life-threatening. This article explains body temperature control and how this essential process works.
2. Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce. Long-term exposure to cold temperatures can lead to hypothermia, including:
· a severe tremor
· confusion
· a feeling of fatigue
· a fumbling hand
· an indistinct way of speech
· Sleepiness
· memory loss
In young children and babies, the skin becomes cold due to hypothermia, and it can be a bright red color for people with bright skin tones.
Things that impair thermoregulation
Several factors, including environmental conditions, diseases, and certain drugs, can affect body temperature control.
1. Extreme weather
Extreme weather can have a significant impact on the body's ability to control temperature. Hypothermia occurs when a person is exposed to extremely cold temperatures for a long time. In this case, the body loses heat quickly and heat production cannot keep up, resulting in a decrease in body temperature. In addition to sub-zero temperatures, hypothermia can occur even at cool temperatures when a person immersed in sweat, rain, or cold water becomes cold. On the contrary, hot weather and prolonged exposure to the sun can cause the body to overheat. Instead of losing more heat than the body can produce, it heats up faster than it can cool itself. In addition, high fever may occur as a result of the following.
· inadequate water intake
· Thick insulation medical wear
· a visit to a crowded place
· physically demanding labor outside
· Infection
When a person is infected, harmful microorganisms invade and multiply the body. These pathogens can thrive at normal body temperatures, but rising temperatures make it harder for some pathogens to survive. For this reason, part of the immune response to infection is fever. This happens when the body raises its own temperature to kill the organism that causes the infection. Many doctors recommend keeping the heat flowing so that the body can properly protect itself. However, too high body temperature can cause problems that interfere with necessary functions. For example, emergency medical measures should be taken if heat above 105°F is generated and does not decrease to drugs.
2. Age
Infants and the elderly are at higher risk of thermoregulatory disorders. The reason is that the muscle mass is low, tremor reflexes are reduced, and immunity is low. Older people tend to have low body temperatures and may not develop a fever when they have a virus or bacterial disease.
3. Other diseases
Other diseases can also affect body temperature control, including:
an endocrine disorder
The endocrine system consists of organs and sweat glands that produce hormones such as the pancreas, thyroid, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. Anything that interferes with hormone production can affect body temperature. For example, hypothyroidism can lower body temperature, while hyperthyroidism can increase body temperature.
Central nervous system (CNS) disorder
CNS includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Conditions affecting CNS can impair centrality detection and central control, thereby hindering body temperature control. Some examples of these conditions are as follows.
· brain damage
· spinal cord injury
· neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis
· a tumor
· medication
Certain drugs can interfere with body temperature control as a side effect, causing a temporary increase in body temperature. Some people call it a 'drug side effect'. Examples of such drugs include the following.
· antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics
· Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
· a first-generation anticonvulsant
· an antidepressant
In general, body temperature control quickly returns to normal when you stop taking drugs. People should always consult their doctor before changing their dosage.