You probably have been told that your body temperature "should" be 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit and that any deviation, higher or lower, is a red flag for potential health concerns. But the reality is much more complex. Generally, body temperature is somewhat variable among individuals and may fall within the range of 97 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit (36.1 to 37.2 degrees Celsius) as recorded by an oral thermometer. Other factors that affect this temperature include age, sex, time of day, and even levels of physical activity.

While a slightly lower temperature might not be alarming, the possible reasons behind it should be known. Let's take a deep dive into the causes of low body temperature and when to seek medical help.

What Does a Low Body Temperature Indicate?

Good news: A slightly lower-than-normal body temperature is often nothing to worry about. Research from Harvard Health Publishing suggests that the "new normal" for body temperature might be closer to 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit (36.4 degrees Celsius). This shift could result from factors like increased time spent in climate-controlled environments and a population-wide reduction in metabolic activity and inflammation.

That said, it is a medical emergency with a body temperature that remains consistently lower than 95 degrees Fahrenheit or 35 degrees Celsius. Hypothermia occurs if the body loses heat much faster than it can replenish it, thereby slowing down the nervous system and heart and other vital organs.

Causes of Low Body Temperature

1. Hypothermia

Exposure to prolonged cold environments may cause hypothermia. Babies and the elderly are the most vulnerable as their bodies cannot regulate temperature as effectively as other people. The symptoms include shivering, slow breathing, confusion, and drowsiness.

Wear warm clothing in cold weather, and avoid excessive alcohol consumption because it increases heat loss through dilation of blood vessels. In case hypothermia has set in, go to a warm place immediately, remove wet clothes, and seek medical care.

2. Hypothyroidism

The thyroid gland controls metabolism, which directly relates to body temperature. An underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, results in a low body temperature that is persistent. Often, symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, and intolerance to cold.

If you suspect a thyroid problem, see a doctor who will draw blood to determine your hormone levels. Therapy usually consists of replacement thyroid hormone therapy.

Also Read: How Your Bedroom Temperature Impacts Your Sleep Health

3. Nervous System Disorders

The hypothalamus in the brain controls body temperature. Conditions affecting the nervous system, such as strokes, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis, can disrupt this regulation, resulting in a low body temperature. These disorders may also impair the body's ability to respond to cold environments.

4. Severe Infections

While infections often cause fevers, serious illnesses like pneumonia or sepsis can cause a drop in body temperature, especially in older adults or people with weakened immune systems. Low body temperature in these cases can indicate complications that require urgent care.

5. Certain Medications

Certain antidepressant medications, drugs used for the treatment of bipolar disorder, and medications used to treat schizophrenia can result in hypothermia as a side effect. In this case, you must contact your health care provider and have him determine whether or not this is indeed due to a drug.

6. Other Medical Conditions

Low body temperature may result from anorexia nervosa, deficiency of vitamin B1, hypoglycemia, or from erythrodermic psoriasis-a serious skin disease.

Is Low Body Temperature Related to Hypertension?

Cold settings cause an increase in blood pressure since the contraction of the blood vessels enhances resistance. According to some research studies, lower core body temperature may be related to the rising rate of blood pressure. If you feel cold intolerance with the simultaneous onset of high blood pressure, it would be worth your while to consult with your doctor to have proper assessment.

How to Read Your Own Body Temperature

Sometimes, a low temperature reading may be due to improper use of a thermometer. To ensure accuracy:

• Use a digital thermometer, which provides the most reliable results.
• Place the thermometer in contact with the skin or use oral or rectal methods for better accuracy.
• Hold the thermometer steady until it signals that the reading is complete.
• Taking multiple readings can also help confirm accuracy.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Not all temperature fluctuations are a cause for alarm. However, you should consult a doctor if your temperature remains below 97 degrees Fahrenheit and is accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, shivering, or confusion.

For temperatures below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, medical attention is necessary immediately. Symptoms of severe hypothermia or sepsis, such as slow breathing, disorientation, and a weak pulse, should be treated in an emergency.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.

Body temperature norms. NIH

Thermoregulatory disorders and illness related to heat and cold stress. Autonomic Neuroscience. 2016

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. NIH

Quantification of Human Thermal Risks During Ambient Temperature Steps Based on Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation. AATCC Journal of Research. 2024

While medications are made to have a certain effect on one’s body, everyone’s body is built differently. What may work on one person may not have the same effect on others. Different eating habits, lifestyle choices and other factors can enhance or decline the effect of medication.

One such anomaly that researchers have found is a particular spice. A new study found that consuming this spice can change the way medication reacts to your body. Published in the Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences journal, researchers have found that cinnamon is a key ingredient in the way one’s body processes medicine. While some cinnamon is good for your body, a lot of it could stop your body from using certain drugs properly.

How Does Cinnamon Impact Medication In The Body?

Researchers in this study wanted to understand exactly how cinnamon and the important parts of it affect the way our bodies break down medicines. To do this, they did experiments that copied how our stomachs digest food. They looked closely at cinnamon oil and two main things it contains: cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid. The study showed that both of these things can turn on special sensors in our bodies called xenobiotic receptors. These sensors are important for controlling how we deal with drugs.

Researchers explained the activation of these receptors by excessive cinnamon intake could lead the body to eliminate some drugs too rapidly, meaning, it could make our bodies get rid of some medicines too quickly. If this happens, the medicines might not stay in our bodies long enough to do their job properly, making them less effective. So, while a little cinnamon might be good for you, using too much could actually make some of your medications not work as well as they should.

How Much Cinnamon Poses Risk?

The researchers pointed out that even though a small amount of cinnamon in your food is probably okay, using a lot of it regularly or in strong forms could be a problem. They specifically warned that cinnamon supplements, which have a much higher amount of cinnamon in them, might be more likely to cause these issues with your medicines. Because of this, the researchers strongly advise people to talk to their doctors before they start taking any cinnamon supplements or similar products to be safe.

As the popularity of cinnamon grew researchers wanted to bring this issue to the forefront. A lot of people like type 2 diabetes patients who benefit from cinnamon. According to a study published in the American Diabetes Association 2003, one three and six grans if cinnamon per day reduced the amount of serum glucose, LDL or bad cholesterol and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes, effectively lowering risk of cardiovascular diseases and other conditions linked with diabetes.

As many people become aware of the health benefits of cinnamon and start incorporating it in their diet, it is important to do more research to find out what side effects it could have and how it could potentially affect our health. While this new study gives us some important information, the researchers say we still need to do more research, especially studies with people, to really understand how cinnamon might interact with different medications.

Showering every day has been a matter of discussion. But you will always find someone who has gone a day or two without a shower. While it is generally not considered unhygienic, dermatologists have now raised concerns about this habit.

There are always red flags which are sent by your skin if you miss bathing. Some of you may experience scaly patches or discoloured parts. It may even start to look dirty because of hyperpigmented spots. It's not dirt, though. If you reach that point, you might want to see a dermatologist right away, who can determine if you have dermatitis neglecta.

Understanding This Condition

Dermatitis neglecta, as the name suggests, is caused by neglecting the skin. While it might look like dirt, it is just neglecting the skin. Besides discolouration, it is also reflective of significant inflammation and irritation caused by a lack of personal hygiene.

Why Does It Happen?

The answer lies in how your skin sheds. Every few weeks, all dead cells are removed. Cells slough off. Showering helps this process along, even if you don't use an exfoliant. Therefore, when you aren't showering, those cells are likely to remain on the upper layer of your skin or epidermis. If left for days, it will naturally combine with all the bacteria, sweat, oils, and grime your skin encounters. And a layer of tough buildup will begin to appear.

How Long Can It Take For A Person To Get Dermatitis Neglecta?

Dermatitis neglecta does not happen overnight or even in a couple of weeks. A 2015 study in the Journal of Dermatology explored three cases. In one of the cases, the affected individual had not cleaned a part of her body for no less than three to four months. (As a side note, the woman had gone through surgery and was worried about causing an infection in the area, which is why she stopped washing it.) Fortunately, the skin treatment for dermatitis neglecta is fairly simple. Most people can resolve skin issues that are related to dermatitis neglecta with regular cleaning and, in stubborn or severe cases, alcohol-based wipe-downs or administration of topical agents.

There are many conditions that can affect a woman’s reproductive health. Certain medications or conditions that need hysterectomy can cause early menopause in women. There are many likely reasons why this happens. According to Office on Women’s Health (OASH) family history, smoking, chemotherapy or pelvic radiation or autoimmune conditions like thyroid disease and rheumatoid arthritis, could be some of the reasons why some women go through early menopause.

However, a new study shows that endometriosis could also be a reason for early menopause in women. The study published in the Human Reproduction journal found that women with endometriosis are seven times more likely to undergo surgical menopause, which involves the removal of both ovaries, compared to women without the condition. Furthermore, they are twice as likely to have this surgical procedure before the age of 40.

Women with endometriosis face a greater risk of experiencing natural menopause earlier than others. They are 1.4 times more likely to enter natural menopause before the age of 40, a stage defined as premature menopause. These women also have an elevated risk of early menopause, occurring between the ages of 40 and 44.

What Is Endometriosis?

It is a persistent condition affecting approximately one in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK. According to the NHS, it involves tissue similar to the womb lining appearing in other parts of the body. Previous research has shown a significant delay of nearly nine years in receiving an endometriosis diagnosis, potentially leading to missed treatment opportunities and irreversible organ damage due to the continued growth of this misplaced tissue.

According to the World Health Organization, 190 million women throughout the globe have endometriosis, which is roughly 10% of people. Not only does it cause pain during periods, issues in bowel movements, urination etc., but also causes bloating nausea, fatigue and mental health issues like depression, anxiety and infertility.

What Does Early Menopause Mean For Women?

It's crucial for women with endometriosis to be aware not only of the wide range of debilitating menopause symptoms they might experience earlier in life but also of the broader health risks associated with premature menopause, whether it occurs naturally or is surgically induced. These risks include cardiovascular disease and premature death.

Researchers from the study stressed the importance of understanding the causes of early or medically induced menopause to implement proactive measures for managing the associated long-term health risks.

OASH explains that women who experience menopause early may face similar symptoms and health issues as those going through regular menopause. However, some women with early or premature menopause might also have a greater chance of developing serious health problems like heart disease and weak bones (osteoporosis) because they'll live for a longer time without the protective benefits of higher estrogen levels.

They might also have more intense menopause symptoms, and there are treatments available to help manage these if they interfere with daily life. Additionally, some women may feel sad or depressed about losing their fertility early or the changes in their bodies. If these feelings, like low energy or loss of interest in enjoyable activities, last for more than a few weeks, speaking to a doctor is recommended.