What is Normal Body Temperature?
Our bodies need a certain temperature in order to survive and stay healthy. Normal body temperature is a major indicator of your overall wellness. Understanding normal body temperature is one way to monitor your health and detect abnormalities.
A healthy body temperature varies considerably throughout the day, depending on environmental conditions and activity levels. In general, a normal body temperature falls between 97.7°F (36.5°C) to 99.5°F (37.5°C).
How To Measure Body Temperature?
Traditionally, temperature was measured by placing a thermometer in the mouth, armpit, or rectum. These days, many thermometers offer non-invasive methods. A temporal artery (forehead) thermometer or ear thermometer can quickly and accurately detect body temperature.
If your doctor suspects an infection or other medical condition, they may order a special thermometer such as a core thermometer that measures temperature at the core of your body, not just the surface.
Finally, your temperature can also be measured using a watch. Wearable activity trackers, like Apple Watch, now have the ability to measure your temperature as well.
Factors That Affect Body Temperature
Your temperature is affected by many different variables, including age, gender, time of day, and surrounding environment.
Age: Typically, babies have a higher body temperature than adults. Their average range is 96.5–99.5°F (35.8–37.5°C). Older adults are more likely to have lower body temps than younger adults, usually around 96.4°F (35.8°C).
Gender: Females tend to have slightly higher body temps than males, usually around 1°F (0.6°C) more.
Time of day: Usually, body temperature is highest when you wake up and the late afternoon or early evening, and it’s lowest when you’re sleeping.
Environment: Your surrounding environment can affect your body temperature. A hot or humid day will increase your temperature, while a cold or dry day will lower it.
When to See a Doctor
If your temperature falls outside of the normal range, it’s important to contact your doctor. They may prescribe medication or suggest lifestyle changes, such as getting enough rest and drinking plenty of fluids, to help bring your temperature back to normal.
In some cases, a fever, which is a body temperature higher than 100.4°F (38°C), may be a sign of an underlying infection or illness. Though a fever can be uncomfortable, most fevers are a sign that your immune system is working to fight the infection.
Overall, our body temperature gives us insight into our overall health. With the right knowledge and resources, we can effectively monitor our temperature, recognize abnormalities, and take the necessary steps to get back to a healthy state.