Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms, usually starting in the perimenopause, although in some cases they begin after menopause in women.
* What is perimenopause? Risk factors for hot flashes.
Obese women, despite having high endogenous estrogen levels due to conversion of androstenedion from adipose tissue, are, however, more likely to experience hot flashes than the general population. Other risk factors include: less physical activity; experiencing psychological trauma… Hot flashes usually start suddenly with a burning sensation in the face, upper chest and then quickly spread to the whole body. The sensation of heat lasts for 2 to 4 minutes, often accompanied by sweating, occasional palpitations, and then chills.
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The intensity of hot flashes varies greatly, from the usual blushing to intense, face-changing hot flashes. Redness from the torso and accompanied by profuse sweating. Some people have an occasional bout, while others have it constantly and are very uncomfortable. Hot flashes can occur before menopause and last for up to a decade.
Hot flashes often occur during sleep and therefore cause chronic insomnia. At night, hot flashes often wake patients up, sometimes having to change clothes or bed sheets because they are soaked with sweat. During the day, hot flashes can cause problems in daily life because of unexpected emotions and temperature changes of the external environment. In addition, sleep difficulty varies with the menstrual cycle (maximum during the early luteal phase and late luteal phase, when serum estrogen levels are lowest). Psychological and vasomotor symptoms also contribute to sleep disturbances. In addition, perimenopausal women with hot flashes are more likely to experience depression. Primary sleep disorders are also quite common in this subject.
* The cause of the fire.
The cause of hot flashes is not clear. Most hypothesizes are thermoregulatory dysfunction, which begins at the hypothalamic level due to decreased estrogen levels. Physiological studies have established that hot flashes are caused by dysfunctional thermoregulation: abnormally dilated peripheral blood vessels, sweating leading to rapid heat loss, and a drop in body temperature below normal. Usually, shivering is followed by the normal mechanism to restore body temperature. Women with mild symptoms usually do not need medical intervention. Possible methods include lifestyle changes (including keeping cool and exercising regularly, meditation and relaxation).
In case women experience frequent and persistent hot flashes, they should consult a doctor to supplement isoflavones (from soy or red clover) or vitamin E to reduce uncomfortable symptoms. .