Antipyretic:
In normal course our body
temperature is ranges from 98.4 to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature
goes above this level it is called fever. Most common cause of fever is
infection. Bacteria and virus cannot thrive above a certain temperature. To
defend the invading virus and bacteria the immunity system increases the body
temperature.
Once infection is sensed, the immune
system releases a chemical called pyrogen. These pyrogens released into
bloodstream reaches the hypothalamus, present at the basal part of the brain.
The function of Hypothalamus is to control the body temperature. Sensing the pyrogens,
hypothalamus increases the body temperature by releasing a chemical called
prostaglandin.
Normally little fever is good as it
helps to arrest the growth of infection. However if the internal body
temperature exceeds 105°F, this may cause damage to our body protein and the
brain may experience seizures and delirium. The prolonged high fever may also
cause death.
Antipyretics (anti - against and
pyretic -Feverish) are chemical substances that reduce fever. They suppress the
release of prostaglandin and reduce fever. The most common and well known anti
pyretic is paracetamol. Other antipyretics and anti inflammatory agents include
Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac.
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