Experts consider normal body temperature to be around
There are many reasons why a person’s body temperature may rise. These include illnesses, medications, and intense physical activity. A body temperature above
Simply being outdoors on an extremely hot day can be enough to cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke. This is a growing concern worldwide with the effects of rising temperatures due to climate change.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 2021 Annual Climate Report, the combined land and sea temperature has been rising at an average rate of 0.14ºF (0.08ºC) per decade for nearly 150 years. A 2021 study estimates that climate change is responsible for
Body temperature rises when the external temperature increases as well as when the internal temperature increases. The human body is always regulating its temperature and
- vaporization, which it achieves by sweating
- radiation, which means releasing heat into the surrounding air
- convection, which occurs when cooler air surrounds the body
- conduction, which is the transferral of body heat into adjacent cold water or ice
A brain region called the hypothalamus is responsible for regulating body temperature. It checks the body’s current temperature against its normal temperature and then regulates it.
When the body is too hot, regulation occurs through sweating to cool it down. When it is too cold, the hypothalamus triggers shivering to warm it up.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, eating spicy foods and engaging in activities that cause the body to sweat could make it feel cooler compared with the outside temperature. This is because sweating reduces body temperature.
Below are eight tips for reducing body heat.
Drinking cool liquids such as water or iced tea can help reduce body temperature by cooling the body internally.
Regular fluid intake can also prevent dehydration, which can increase body heat.
People can reduce their body temperature by
Swimming in cool water, taking a lukewarm bath, or
Applying
The body releases heat when it moves. In hot temperatures, a person is likely to feel less hot if they avoid heavy exercise and limit their movement.
Heat passes more easily through some fabrics than others. Heat can escape from the body more quickly through natural fabrics, such as cotton and linen, than synthetic fabrics, such as acrylic and nylon.
Depending on the cause of high body temperature, taking a supplement may help regulate body heat.
A
Black cohosh also reduced the frequency of hot flashes.
At times, high body heat may be due to an overactive thyroid gland. When this happens, a person
Anyone who thinks they might have a thyroid issue should speak with a doctor.
The cause of high body temperature can be external or internal. Below, we list some of the main reasons why a person may feel hotter than usual:
Hot environment
Spending time outside in very hot weather can increase a person’s body temperature, as can being in a hot indoor environment for extended periods.
Wearing too many layers in either situation can also lead to an increase in body temperature.
Overexposure to sun or heat
Spending too much time in the sun can increase body heat or even lead to heatstroke, which some people call sunstroke.
Children and older adults are particularly at risk of heatstroke. Dehydration from too much sun exposure can further increase body heat. Therefore, it is important to drink lots of fluids and rest after prolonged sun or heat exposure.
What are the signs of being overheated?
Doctors categorize overexposure to heat into three levels: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.
Although hard on the body, heat cramps do not require medical attention. They tend to subside with plenty of rest and rehydration.
The symptoms of heat cramps include:
- high body temperature
- dizziness
- muscle pain or stiffness
Heat exhaustion requires medical attention if the symptoms last longer than 1 hour or worsen over time.
In addition to the symptoms of heat cramps, a person may experience:
- vomiting
- headaches
- reduced concentration or impaired judgment
Heatstroke is very serious and requires medical attention at a hospital.
The symptoms of heatstroke include the symptoms of heat cramps, as well as:
- seizures
- difficulty maintaining consciousness
- liver failure
Exercising or moving more than usual
When people move, they create energy. Heat is the body’s way of releasing energy. However, too much physical endurance can create too much body heat.
To reduce body heat, people can try temporarily moving less or only moving when necessary.
Perimenopause or menopause
Medications, hormones, and recreational drugs
Medications and other drugs can raise a person’s body temperature by affecting heat loss or production.
- diuretics
- anticholinergics
- beta-blockers
- neuroleptic drugs
- inhaled anesthetics
- succinylcholine
These medications either
Some medications, hormones, and recreational drugs can also cause the body to produce excess heat because they increase the metabolic rate. These
Being unwell
Body temperature also increases in response to germs such as viruses and bacteria. An increased body temperature helps the body fight off invading illnesses, which is why a fever is often a sign of getting sick.
Thyroid storm
A thyroid storm is an excess of thyroid hormone in the body. It is a life threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. A thyroid storm may occur after illness, surgery, infection, or pregnancy.
As well as a very high body temperature, symptoms of a thyroid storm
- a rapid heartbeat
- nausea or vomiting
- sweating
- agitation
- abdominal pain
- jaundice
Malignant hyperthermia
Malignant hyperthermia is a genetic condition that causes a person to have a severe reaction to certain medications and drugs.
The symptoms include a rapid or irregular heartbeat, high body temperature, and severe muscle spasms. People with this condition require immediate medical attention.
Who is at risk of overheating?
Certain groups are more at risk of dying as a result of excessive outdoor heat. This includes adults over age 65, children, and people with heart or lung problems.
People from historically marginalized groups who may have less access to means of cooling down are also more at risk, in particular non-Hispanic Black people.
How to reduce body heat immediately?
This depends on the cause of the high temperature. A person can control a viral fever with medications such as ibuprofen (Advil).
Other health-related causes may require other treatments. A person will need to contact a doctor to find the underlying cause and get the best treatment.
If the cause is excessive outdoor heat, a person should drink water, move to a shaded area, and avoid physical activity.
Which food reduces body heat?
To help stay cool in hot weather, a person can eat fresh fruit and vegetables. Watermelons, cucumbers, and oranges are good choices as they contain a lot of water and can help a person stay hydrated.
In addition, eating cool dairy products such as yogurt can help reduce body heat.
Which vitamins help reduce heat in the body?
Vitamins that help cool the body and reduce heat-related stress include vitamin C, which has anti-inflammatory properties, and B-complex vitamins (especially B2 and B6), which help regulate metabolism.
Vitamin A supports skin health and reduces inflammation. Additionally, minerals such as magnesium and zinc can help regulate body temperature.
Eating hydrating foods such as cucumbers, watermelon, and coconut water can also help cool the body naturally.
The body can reduce its temperature by sweating or releasing heat into surrounding cooler air or water.
However, rising temperatures worldwide and various health conditions and medications can make it challenging for a person to maintain a normal body temperature in some cases.
A person can use a range of techniques to cool down. Not spending too much time in the sun, limiting movement, and wearing breathable fabrics can all be beneficial.
People should also stay hydrated to avoid dehydration, which further increases body temperature.
Any adult with a body temperature of 103ºF (39.4ºC) or higher should contact a healthcare professional immediately.
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