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Infrared Thermometers
How
do infrared thermometers work?
Why
do temperature readings vary when obtained from different body sites?
What
would be a normal range of temperatures for different body sites,
and different age groups?
Why
measure in the ear? Is it an accurate site?
How
do you place an ear thermometer in the ear canal?
Does
earwax influence the accuracy of Exa-Med's ear thermometers?
When should
I not use an ear thermometer?
Does
the thermometer need to be calibrated?
Blood Pressure Monitoring
What is Blood Pressure?
Typical daily blood pressure
fluctuations.
What is High Blood Pressure?
Blood Pressure Classifications
Why is it Important to Measure
Your Blood Pressure at Home?
Hints for Accurate Measurement
Accurate measurement with
wrist type monitor
Product Manual (direct link)
Manual Pages
Infrared Thermometers
How do infrared thermometers work?
The Exa-Med™ VX-900 & TR-85S ear thermometers utilize
infrared technology to measure infrared energy emitted from the
eardrum and surrounding tissues. These organs share blood vessels
with the "body temperature regulator", better known as the Hypothalamus,
which best represents the body's core temperature. The Exa-Med™
thermometer scans the emitted energy 512 times per second, and then
converts it into a temperature value. The temperature can be obtained
within 0.1 second, and will be shown on the LCD display.
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Why do temperature readings
vary when obtained from different body sites?
There are four sites where body temperature is usually measured:
ear, mouth, rectum, and skin (underarm). Variations in temperature
readings from one site to the other are often a result of:
| 1. |
Distance from vital organs such as the heart and brain, which
represent the body's core temperature. |
| 2. |
Increase in temperature as a result of biochemical activity,
usually reflected in rectal measurements. |
| 3. |
Variations in temperature while breathing, eating, and drinking
while measuring temperature orally. |
| 4. |
Variations in temperature due to perspiration, external temperature,
and medication, are usually reflected in skin temperature measurements |
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What would be a normal range
of temperatures for different body sites, and different age group?
| Measurement site |
Normal range |
| Skin
(underarm) |
94.46
- 99.14ºF (34.7 - 37.3ºC) |
| Mouth |
95.90
- 99.50ºF (35.5 - 37.5ºC) |
| Rectum |
97.88
- 100.40ºF (36.6 - 38.0ºC) |
| Ear
|
96.44
– 100.40ºF (35.8 - 38.0ºC) |
The normal ranges of temperature
readings taken in the ear with the Exa-Med ear thermometers are:
| Age |
Exa-Med
Ear thermometer
Normal Range |
| 0
-2 |
97.52
– 100.40ºF (36.4 - 38.0ºC) |
| 3
- 10 |
96.98
– 100.04ºF (36.1 - 37.8ºC) |
| 11
- 65 |
96.62
– 99.68ºF (35.9 - 37.6ºC) |
| 65
< |
96.44
– 99.50ºF (35.8 - 37.5ºC) |
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Why measure in the ear? Is
it an accurate site?
The temperature of the ear, especially the eardrum, can best reflect
the core body temperature because the eardrum shares blood vessels
with the hypothalamus - the part of the brain, that controls body
temperature
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How do you place an ear thermometer in the ear
canal?
Simply insert the thermometer's probe into the ear canal, slightly
move it around the ear canal while pressing the power button, and
the thermometer will automatically record the highest temperature
out of the 512 scans taken each second.
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Does earwax influence the accuracy of Exa-Med's
ear thermometers?
Normal levels of earwax have no significant impact on temperature
readings. However, clogging of the lens at the tip of the probe
may result in inaccurate and fluctuating readings. Keeping the probe
clean will ensure accuracy and protect the lens from damage.
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When should I not use an ear
thermometer?
Generally, if the probe of the thermometer can be inserted fully
into the ear canal, the thermometer can be used. You should not
use an ear thermometer when the ear is clogged with blood, large
quantities of wax or any other drainage. A person with an outer
ear infection may not feel comfortable with the insertion of the
probe. In all previously mentioned cases, the opposite ear should
be used.
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Does the thermometer need
to be calibrated?
Under normal operating conditions, the thermometer doesn't need
to be calibrated.
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Blood Pressure Monitoring
What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force that blood exerts on the arteries. This
force is constantly changing as the heart beats. When the heart
contracts, blood pressure reaches its highest value. This is called
systolic blood pressure. When the heart relaxes between beats, the
value of blood pressure is lower. This is called diastolic blood
pressure. The unit of measure for blood pressure is the millimeter
of mercury, abbreviated mmHg.
For example, an individual's blood pressure may be measured as 120
mmHg (systolic) and 80 mmHg (diastolic). This would be spoken as
"120 over 80" and written as "120/80".
Remember that blood pressure varies throughout the day. Food intake,
smoking, time of day, stress, level of exercise and many other factors
can affect it.
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Typical daily blood pressure
fluctuations:
(Example: 35 year-old male)
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What is High Blood Pressure?
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition where an individual's
blood pressure remains high over a long period of time. Untreated,
hypertension can cause many serious medical problems including strokes
and heart attacks. To control hypertension, the American Heart Association
recommends that you do not smoke, reduce fat and salt intake, maintain
proper weight, exercise and get regular physical check-ups.
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Blood Pressure Classifications
Standards for assessment of high blood pressure, without regard
to age, have been established by the World Health Organization (WHO),
as shown in this chart.
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Why Is It Important to Measure Your Blood Pressure
at Home?
Having your blood pressure taken at the doctor's office may cause
you to become nervous, thus raising your blood pressure reading.
Having the ability to take your blood pressure at home makes it
easy to record a log of your daily readings. This will help you
to gain a greater understanding of your blood pressure reading and
the factors that affect it. Be sure that you share your information
with your physician.
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Hints for Accurate Measurements
| 1. |
Relax
and try to remain still for 5 to 10 minutes before a measurement. |
| 2. |
Remove shirts or other tight-fitting garments on the wrist
(for example wristwatches) before applying the wrist / arm cuff. |
| 3. |
Refrain from eating, smoking, and drinking (especially alcoholic
beverages) before a measurement, since these activities can
affect your blood pressure. |
| 4. |
Remember that blood pressure varies continuously throughout
the day. Try to take your blood pressure at the same time each
day. |
| 5. |
Do
not be concerned with the results of one measurement. Many measurements,
recorded over a long period of time, will provide a better indication
of your blood pressure. |
| 6. |
Please relax for 5 to 10 minutes before taking another measurement. |
| 7. |
Many
factors can affect your blood pressure such as exercising, eating,
talking, moving, nervousness, environment and temperature changes.
Emotional stress can cause an increase in blood pressure. Daily
fluctuations of 25 to 50 mmHg are common. |
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Accurate measurement with wrist
type monitor
To obtain the most accurate pressure measurement, please follow
these important directions.
* Be seated in a chair with a back support.
* Rest your arm on a table so the cuff is at the same level as your
heart.
* Use the storage case or similar item to support the forearm.
* Place both feet on the ground.
Important:
The wrist cuff must be at the same level as your heart, or accurate
measurement will not be possible. (Your heart is located slightly
below your left armpit.)
Please note:
Some individuals with hypertension, diabetes, kidney disorders,
arteriosclerosis or poor circulation may see a significant difference
in blood pressure readings taken from the wrist as compared to readings
from the upper arm. It is recommended that you consult with your
physician concerning the use of this monitor.
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