By Julie Stachowiak, Ph.D.March 31, 2014
I had no idea that resting body temperature could be different among different groups of people (who did not have an infection, that is). Turns out that it can.
In this study, researchers took the temperature and tested 40 healthy controls, 50 people with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and 22 people with secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) for general fatigue, physical fatigue and cognitive fatigue. Here is what they found:
- Body temperature (taken with an aural – in the ear – thermometer) was highest in people with RRMS at 37.04 degrees Celsius (98.67 degrees Fahrenheit). Normal temperature is 36.75 (98.15).
- Controls had an average temperature of 36.83 (98.29) and people with SPMS had a temperature of 36.75 (98.15).
- Warmer body temperature was associated with general fatigue and physical fatigue, but not cognitive fatigue.
While the differences here don’t seem like very much, I have heard that a fraction of a degree in core temperature can hugely affect how a person with MS functions. Of course, this is preliminary data, but I know that on hot days, drinking a huge glass of water with lots of ice or taking a cold shower can give me a little more energy.
What about you? Do you know your average body temperature? What are some of your tricks for keeping cool? Let us know in the comments section below.
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