When you feel unusually hot or your body feels extremely warm, the first thing that crosses your mind is fever. But what if it isn't a fever? According to Dr Shobha Subramanian Itolikar, Consultant-Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, humans are warm-blooded. It means that we can regulate our body temperature independently of the surrounding environmental temperature, she said. However, sometimes, our skin or body may feel warm, even when there is no evident fever, she added. But why is it so? In conversation with Only My Health, the doctor shares some possible causes.
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When Is It A Fever?
Dr Subramanian said, “When we use the term fever, it usually concerns some infection caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites.”
A fever is a rise in the body temperature that occurs as a natural response to an infection. A normal body temperature is at 98.6°F (37°C), whereas, a fever can be measured by a thermometer and is characterised by a body temperature that is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
Causes Of Warm Body Temperature In The Absence Of Fever
It is important to note that a high body temperature or a warm body is not just a result of fever. It can occur due to other factors that are unrelated to an infection or a viral attack. The possible causes include:
Physiological cause
- Faster metabolism (as in the young)
- More muscle mass (as in males)
- Larger body surface area
- Large body fat percentage
- Menopausal hot flashes in females
- After exercise
- After meals
Pathological cause
- Endocrine disorders like Hyperthyroidism and Adrenal Insufficiency
- Heat stroke and heat exhaustion
- Immune disorders like Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Drug-induced fever - seizure medications, some antibiotics
- Cancer-associated fever
- Alcohol withdrawal
Other causes include pregnancy, menstruation, menopause or perimenopause, all of which are associated with hormonal changes. Furthermore, according to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, medications like analgesics, cardiovascular, hormonal, gastrointestinal, and psychiatric drugs, along with some antibiotics and antiviral drugs can also cause a person to feel hot without any fever.
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What To Do
According to Dr Subramanian, a person must differentiate between normal (physiological) and abnormal (pathological) causes, and seek timely medical attention. This is because each causative condition has different diagnostic tests and a different line of treatment and management. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who feel hot due to lifestyle and environmental factors should follow certain measures including:
- Wearing lightweight, pale, loose-fitting clothing
- Staying in air-conditioned spaces, if possible
- Taking a cool shower or bath
- Drinking plenty of fluids and replacing electrolytes lost through sweat
- Avoiding spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol
Bottomline
Next time you feel hot without any fever, assess the possible causes and consult a healthcare professional accordingly. Certain causes may be temporary, while others may last and can be concerning. If you feel hot constantly without any unexplainable reason, then it could be due to an underlying cause. Get yourself examined by a medical professional to know for sure.