What Occurs within the Physique Throughout a Sizzling Flash

What Happens in the Body During a Hot Flash infographic. Click to view PDF

About 3 out of 4 girls take care of scorching flashes associated to menopause. 

What’s a scorching flash?

  • As your ovaries produce much less estrogen, cells in your hypothalamus, the a part of your mind that controls temperature, are thrown off steadiness.

  • These cells ship a false sign that your physique is simply too heat.

  • When your physique tries to decrease your temperature, blood vessels close to your pores and skin widen in an try to chill you down. 

  • This causes flushing and sweating, often known as a scorching flash.

When scorching flashes occur whenever you sleep, they’re known as evening sweats.

Throughout a scorching flash

  • Pores and skin could flip purple, flushed and blotchy 

  • Your face, neck and chest could really feel scorching and sweaty 

  • Your coronary heart could race or flutter 

  • You might really feel anxious

  • You might get the chills or shiver 

How lengthy does a scorching flash final?  

A typical scorching flash lasts only a few minutes.

Girls expertise scorching flashes for 7 years on common. 

Do all girls get scorching flashes? 

Some girls don’t get scorching flashes in any respect, or barely discover them. For others, scorching flashes are excessive and disrupt regular life. 

Placing a damper on scorching flashes 

There are life-style adjustments and coverings that may assist with scorching flashes: 

  • Scale back caffeine

  • Keep away from spicy meals

  • Restrict alcohol

  • Don’t smoke

  • Hormone remedy

  • Non-hormonal medication

  • Cognitive behavioral remedy

Discuss to your clinician to study your choices. 

This instructional useful resource was created with assist from Astellas.