Related Concept Videos
Increased Body Temperature
A body temperature above 38°C (100.4 °F) is known as fever or pyrexia, and a person with fever is termed 'febrile.' Typically, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat, regulates body temperature through a thermoregulatory setpoint. It receives signals from cold and warm thermal receptors throughout the body and adjusts the body's temperature accordingly. Fever occurs when this hypothalamic setpoint is altered, usually in response to an infection or illness.
Homeostatic Imbalances in Body Temperature
Hyperthermia occurs when the body's temperature becomes unusually high, often due to heat exposure, intense physical activity, or certain illnesses. This condition can create a dangerous cycle where elevated body temperature increases the metabolic rate, generating more heat and potentially leading to organ failure and brain damage. A severe form of hyperthermia, called heat stroke, can raise body temperature to life-threatening levels. Fever, on the other hand, is a controlled form of...
Types of Fever
Fever can be triggered by several factors, including infections, nervous system disorders, certain cancers, blood diseases like leukemia, embolism, thrombosis, heatstroke, dehydration, surgical trauma, crushing injuries, and allergic reactions.
Here are the different types of fever:
Here are the different types of fever:
Decreased Body Temperature
A decreased body temperature can occur in patients with hypothermia and frostbite. Heat loss with extended cold exposure overpowers the body's ability to create heat, resulting in hypothermia. Core temperature readings help classify hypothermia. Mild hypothermia is temperatures between 32 °C (89.6 °F) and 35°C (95 °F) and is caused by impaired thermoregulation. Moderate hypothermia is temperatures between 28 C (82.4 °F) and 32 °C (89.6 °F) caused by sustained extreme cold exposure, and severe...
Methods of reducing fever
The signs and symptoms of fever include hot and dry skin, flushed face, thirst, muscle aches, anorexia, headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fatigue. Elevated body temperature is reduced using two methods: pharmacological and nonpharmacological. Proper identification and treatment of the root cause of a fever is of utmost importance.
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...
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Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026

07:56
Protocol for Long Duration Whole Body Hyperthermia in Mice
Published on: August 25, 2012
Emergency preparedness case study: malignant hyperthermia.
1dhutton@bellnet.com
Summary
Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare but dangerous inherited syndrome during anesthesia. Prompt recognition and treatment drastically reduce MH mortality from 80% to 5%.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Medical Genetics
Background:
- Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare, inherited hypermetabolic crisis.
- It occurs in 1:50,000 adults and 1:15,000 pediatric patients during anesthesia.
- MH carries a high mortality rate if not recognized and treated promptly.
Observation:
- This case study presents a scenario of malignant hyperthermia.
- It highlights the critical importance of early diagnosis in surgical settings.
- The case prompts review of risk factors, clinical signs, and symptoms.
Findings:
- Untreated MH mortality can reach 80%.
- With prompt intervention, mortality is reduced to 5%.
- Key aspects include risk assessment and recognizing MH signs.
Implications:
- Early recognition and rapid treatment are crucial for patient survival.
- Understanding MH pathophysiology aids in risk assessment and management.
- Nursing responsibilities are vital in managing this anesthetic emergency.

