The human body manages its own temperature within a normal range within which the body is designed to function. Different body systems and organs work properly when the body is at its optimum temperature. The normal body temperature for human beings is around 98 degrees with a 1 degree fluctuation that happens throughout the day. In order to maintain body heat, the body uses heat that is produced during the chemical reactions associated with metabolism. The blood transports heat around the body as it gets warmed when it passes near areas where metabolism is taking place. In order to lose heat, the body allows blood to flow more closely to the surface of the skin. This is why some people have reddened skin when they are hot. This allows heat dissipation to take place. To speed up this process, individuals may also sweat which promotes evaporation and, thus, cooling.
There are two temperature unit measurements that are used globally. The body temperature may therefore be presented in Celsius or Fahrenheit. According to the body temperature scale in Celsius, the temperature is normal when it is 37 degrees Celsius. Temperatures up to 37.3 and down to 36.7 are considered to be within the normal body temperature scale in Celsius. Hyperthermia occurs when the temperature rises above 37.3 degrees. Dangerously high temperatures on the body temperature scale refer to any temperature above 40 degrees Celsius. Hypothermia, on the other end of the scale, is any temperature that is below 36.2 degrees Celsius.
The body temperature scale may also be represented using Fahrenheit temperatures. On the body temperature scale in Fahrenheit, an individual is considered to be hypothermic when the body temperature rises above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures above 104 degrees are considered to be dangerous. Equally, temperatures below 96 degrees are considered to be dangerous. In both conditions, emergency measures should be taken to ensure that the temperature is corrected quickly so that the individual does not suffer from any risk of mortality or organ damage.
The body temperature scale is useful for individuals to understand the state of their bodies and, also, the state of their medical conditions. Fever is a condition that changes the body temperature scale, because the body intentionally warms itself up to fight the disease or infection. Even in this case, temperatures over 104 degrees are considered to be dangerous. Individuals who suspect that they are suffering from thermoregulation problems should chart their body temperatures through the day to see if it fits within the body temperature scale mentioned above.