The average body temperature of a healthy, resting adult human being is stated to be at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.0 degrees Celsius. I say average because some people have a slightly higher temperature that is normal for them and some have a slightly lower temperature that is normal for them. So 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.0 degrees Celsius is average. I like what Wiki says: ” Despite what many schoolchildren are taught, there is no single number that represents a normal or healthy temperature for all people under all circumstances using any place of measurement.” Information gleaned from several sources remind us that changes in hormone levels can change the body temperature. Also that the different ways temperature is taken can indicate a different reading. Oral is where you get the average “normal” of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.0 degrees Celsius, where an ear or rectal measure could be higher, and an armpit measure lower. Our weather is too hot for me right now, so I was thinking of body temperature and just thought I note some information. It is interesting to me.
When my mom was first in the hospital a couple of years ago when she had a lobe of her lung removed I first saw the forehead swipe thermometer. I was amazed. I said to the nurse, “What did you just do? Are you kidding me?” I had never seen that before. She picked it up and was done with it before I fully comprehended what she did. I thought that was super cool. Then not too long after I took my cat to the vet and they had an ear thermometer . . . which is GREAT for an animal. Taking an animal’s temperature is the second thing (they weigh them first) that happens at a doctor visit and normally it does not set the right mood. So the ear thermometer is great.
Body temperature can change throughout the day, changing almost a full degree F. It can also change according to its needs, if it is hungry or sleepy its temperature can change. There can also be slight differences from day-to-day. Outside variables also affect body temperature . . . if it is cold or hot outside the body could reflect that. Each body has a “normal” range for it.
I find the difference in heat tolerance to be interesting. I do not like heat . . . at all. To me it is too hot when the temperature is over 75°, but that also depends on if there is not wind. This past weekend the car thermometer said 72° F but there was a wind and it was perfect to me. I loved it. I wish I would have gone outside. My husband likes the temperature warmer. Many people like the sun and heat. Many do not. I find the differences interesting. I often wonder if it has to do with sweating. If I am slightly warm I am sweaty and I don’t like to sweat unless I am working out, like doing Nia. And I know many people who don’t sweat. So they are fine when it is 80° whereas I am too hot and sweaty in that heat. I don’t think my temperature runs high, but I don’t know. I cannot remember the last time I had my temperature taken. And normally I don’t take it unless I think I have a fever so that doesn’t help know what my “normal”.
This is the first day of our “hot spell”. I hope it cools down by the weekend. As they say it will.
So do you know if your body’s temperature is a little higher than the “average”? Is it lower? Do you like hot weather? What do you consider hot?
*Some information was from WebMD.com
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