Thermoregulation is a process that allows your body to maintain its core internal temperature. All thermoregulation mechanisms are designed to return your body to homeostasis. This is a state of equilibrium. A healthy internal body temperature falls within a narrow window. The average person has a baseline temperature particularly between 98°F (37°C) and 100°F (37.8°C)

States of  Thermoregulation

The following are different states of thermoregulation that can occur:

Dynamic equilibrium

Setpoint

Normothermia

Hypothermia-Heat loss during prolonged exposure to cold overwhelms the body ability to produce heat causing hypothermia.

Hyperthermia-An elevated body temperature related to the body’ s inability to promote heat loss or reduce heat production is hyperthermia. Any disease or trauma to the hypothalamus can impair heat loss mechanisms.

Pyrexia-An elevated body temperature related to the body’ s inability to promote heat loss or reduce heat production is hyperthermia. However, any disease or trauma to the hypothalamus can impair heat loss mechanisms.

Skin and hypothalamus: Thermoregulation

Temperature receptors in the skin detect changes in the external temperature. On the contrary, Neurons transmit this information as nerve impulses to the brain. In addition, the hypothalamus also has temperature receptor cells which detect changes in the temperature of the blood flowing through the brain. Therefore, if the temperature is above or below 37°C, the hypothalamus sends electrical nerve impulses to effectors, which are mainly found in the skin. Consequently, it sends a response that brings body temperature back to 37°C.

Factors that affect body temperature

There are many factors which alter body temperature. These factors can range from psychological  to environmental factors. The following is a list of factors which influence body temperatures:

• Age
• Exercise
• Environmental changes
• Hormone level
• Heat stroke
• drug use
• alcohol use
• metabolic conditions d
  

   Thermoregulation  and anaesthesia

  The body temperature of an anaesthetized patient is measured for two main reasons. Firstly, hypothermia (< 35 °C) commonly occurs in neonates and during prolonged anesthesia in adults, particularly in those operations involving the body cavities. Secondly, body temperature  detect the onset of malignant hyperthermia (MH). Therefore, it is essential for any anesthetist to understand the principles of the physiology of temperature regulation if he is to interpret correctly the changes observed.

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