An Easy Guide To Body Temperature as a Health Risk
QHHL 
Feb 27 2020
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0 QHHL
Your body temperature is a quick and easy thing to measure. And it may convey important information about your individual health risk.
Of all the measurements you can take during health assessments, body temperature is the easiest. You can get the testing equipment just about anywhere and you don’t need to be an expert to take measurements. Most people only take their temperature when they’re sick or think they have a fever. But as it turns out, even small fluctuations in this measurement can be an early indication of health risk.
You probably don’t need to be told that your body temperature is important. When you or a member of your family is sick, this is probably the first measurement you take. Most households have a medical thermometer in the medicine cabinet. And best of all, taking your temperature is quick and easy. You don’t need a medical degree to take it or to understand the results.
The so called ‘normal’ temperature is 98.6 °F, but there can be a lot of fluctuation around this point. Some people even have a higher or lower than normal body temperature. This is often due to individual differences in metabolism and other factors. As with most health risk factors, these small fluctuations are more important than you think.
Your body temperature is a good indication of your body’s overall health. However, there are many factors that can cause measurement fluctuations. That’s why it isn’t easy to use body temperature for everyday health monitoring. Some of the factors that can influence body temperature are:
Generally speaking, most people use 98.6 °F as a baseline. But this wasn’t always true. In fact, there’s now evidence that the average body temperature has been decreasing over time.
There is now evidence that the average body temperature has decreased by 1.1 degrees over the last 150 years.
In 1851, German physician Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich found that 98.6 °F (37°C) was the average body temperature. He did this by surveying 25,000 people in one city. However, research now shows that the average is lower. A study of more than 35,000 people in the UK found an average of 97.9 °F (36.6°C).
At this stage there is no definite cause that could explain this change. It could be an indication of:
Although the reason for this change is still a mystery, it still indicates the importance of body temperature in health assessments.
These days, it’s easy for you to monitor your body temperature. The measurement tools are more precise and easier to use than ever before. Our understanding of temperature fluctuations is also much more complete. You can use your temperature to get information about a range of factors and conditions. You can even track your circadian rhythms and menstrual cycle using this measurement.
So, there’s really no excuse to ignore this health measurement. It’s a good indication of individual health and can help you identify health risk changes early.
If you’re concerned about a health risk, try using HomeLab to keep track of your condition and any preventative measures you take. And if you see signs of a significant problem, you should check with your doctor as soon as possible.
Tags: health risk, body temperature, fever