The most common symptoms of menopause are hot flushes and night sweats. These symptoms occur in majority of women. What are hot flushes? When do they occur? Find answers to these common questions.Hot flushes are nothing but sudden feeling of heat or warmth in the body. Hot flushes are also characterised with excessive sweating. Women may also experience symptoms like dizziness, uneasiness, nausea etc, when they experience hot flushes. Hot flushes are very common in menopausal women. Therefore, it is also identified as one of the symptoms of menopause in women. Let us take a look at some of the common concerns of women related to hot flushes.
Who are susceptible to hot flushes?
Hot flushes are well recognized as the most characteristic manifestation of
menopause. The hot flushes and night sweats of vasomotor instability occur in some 75% of women. They may be more abrupt and more severe in women whose menopause is induced suddenly, by surgery or radiotherapy. In most women, these flushes persist for more than a year, and in 25% of cases they may still be present after 5 years.
When and where do hot flushes occur?
Hot flushes may occur at any time of day or night and can be precipitated by a variety of common situations such as sleeping, working, recreation, housework or stress. Flushes usually begin in the face, neck, head or chest. Hot flushes may be associated with episodes of sweating, elevation of skin temperature, irritability, lethargy, insomnia and chronic tiredness. Successful treatment of hot flushes will usually relieve associated symptoms of exhaustion and depression.
What is the difference between hot flushes and hot flashes?
There is no difference between hot flushes and hot flashes. These two different terms are used in different countries to express the same thing.
What are some of the common symptoms of hot flushes?
As mentioned above women experiencing hot flushes will suddenly start feeling hot accompanied with symptoms like sweating, nausea, tiredness, dizziness etc. The skin may also become red when hot flues are experienced. Redness of skin can be observed on face, chest, neck, ears and other parts of the body.
Heart may also start beating faster along with these symptoms. Tingling sensation in hands and feet can also be experienced.
Why do hot flushes occur during menopause?
The main cause of hot flushes is not yet identified. But the researchers say that hot flushes occur in women mainly during menopause due to
dip in the levels of estrogen hormone. Due to the reduction in the levels of estrogen, the way in which hypothalamus detects the temperature of the body is disturbed.
Sudden changes in temperature, including too much of spicy food in the diet, stress, anxiety etc; can trigger hot flushes in menopausal women.
What are the other causes of hot flushes?
Not only menopausal women, but also hot flushes can also be caused due to the underlying reasons. Let us take a look at them.
- Fever
- Obesity
- Hyperthyroidism
- Faulty eating habits
- Side effects of certain medicines
- Certain types of cancers
- Tuberculosis
- Heart problems
How to prevent hot flushes?
Hot flushes can be prevented by
staying healthy and fit. Quitting all bad habits like smoking,
drinking etc; is a must. Exercising regularly, having balanced meals and drinking a plenty of water can definitely help to deal with the symptoms of hot flushes and menopause.
Women are not the only victims of hot flushes. Even men can experience them. If menopause is not the reason why you are experiencing hot flushes, you must bring it to the notice of your doctor.