Hot flashes

Hot flashes, also known as "sudden hot flashes", is a condition in which a person feels a sudden and intense rise in body temperature and a strong feeling of heat. This process may be accompanied by increased sweating, increased heart rate, and other physiological and emotional changes.

Causes of the hot flashes

Hot flashes are one of the most characteristic symptoms of menopause, a period in a woman's life when her ovaries stop functioning and levels of female sex hormones such as estrogen decrease.

1. In menopause: Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms of menopause. In menopausal women, changes in hormone levels, including a decrease in estrogen, can lead to instability in thermoregulation and cause sudden hot sensations, often with sweating and rapid heartbeat. Hot flashes can be daytime or nighttime.
2. Postmenopause: In some women, hot flashes continue after menopause ends, but their frequency and intensity usually decrease.
3. Symptoms of decreased estrogen: Hot flashes can also occur as a result of surgical castration or as a result of cancer treatment leading to decreased estrogen levels in the body.

However, hot flashes can also be caused by other factors and medical conditions such as:

1. Psychological issues.
2. Stress and anxiety: Stress and anxiety can trigger hot flashes in some people. Adrenaline, which is released during stress, can affect the body's thermoregulation.
3. Medications: Some medications, including antidepressants, antihypertensives, and opioids, can cause hot flashes as a side effect.
4. Endocrine disorders: Some endocrine disorders such as hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) can cause hot flashes.
5. External factors: Consumption of alcohol, spicy and fatty foods, and high ambient temperatures can trigger hot flashes.
6. Sleep disorders: Lack of sleep or restless sleep can make hot flashes worse.
7. Drug overdose: Overdose of some medications, such as salicylates, can cause hot flashes.
8. Chronic fatigue syndrome: Some people with chronic fatigue syndrome may experience hot flashes.

It is important to see a doctor to diagnose and treat hot flashes, especially if they cause significant anxiety and impair quality of life. Treatment may include a variety of approaches, including hormone therapy, non-hormonal methods (such as lifestyle changes), or medications, depending on the cause and intensity of hot flashes.

Symptoms

Hot flashes can also be caused by other factors and conditions. Here are the main symptoms:

1. Feeling hot: Hot flashes start with a sudden feeling of heat, which can be very intense.
2. Sweating: In response to feeling hot, the body begins to actively produce sweat to cool the body. Therefore, during hot flashes, a woman may sweat because of the heat, even if the environment is cool.
3. Heart palpitations: Hot flashes may be accompanied by palpitations (tachycardia) and a feeling of heartbeat.
4. Feelings of discomfort: Many women describe hot flashes as unpleasant and even uncomfortable.
5. Skin redness: The skin on the face and neck may become blotchy or red during a hot flush.
6. Insomnia: Hot flashes, especially at night, can interfere with normal sleep, which can lead to insomnia.
7. Additional symptoms: Some women may also experience anxiety, nervousness, mood changes, fatigue, and other related symptoms.

Symptoms can vary greatly in intensity and duration from woman to woman. They can occur for months or even years during menopause.

Diagnostics of the hot flashes

Diagnosing hot flashes usually begins with a consultation with a physician, who will perform a physical examination and gather a medical history to determine the cause and nature of the symptoms. Here are some steps that may be included in the process of diagnosing hot flashes:

1. Medical History: Your doctor will ask you a series of questions about the nature and duration of hot flashes, how often they occur, and other symptoms that may accompany hot flashes.
2. Physical Exam: Your doctor will perform a physical exam to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms and to assess your overall health.
3. Lab Tests: Based on your examination findings and history, your doctor may recommend various lab tests such as blood tests to check hormone levels, thyroid levels, and other indicators that may be associated with hot flashes.
4. Thyroid exams: Thyroid exams, such as measuring thyroid hormone levels (TSH, T3, T4) and thyroid ultrasound, can help rule out or confirm abnormalities in this area.
5. Ruling out other causes: Sometimes hot flashes may be associated with other medical conditions such as tumors, infections, or hyperthyroidism. Your doctor may recommend further tests to rule out or confirm such causes.
6. Specialist consultation: Depending on the results of the initial examination, you may need to consult specialists such as a gynecologist, endocrinologist or neurologist.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of hot flashes involves the process of ruling out other possible causes of symptoms, as hot flashes can be caused by a variety of factors. Here are some possible causes of hot flashes and how the differential diagnosis is made:

1. Menopause: Hot flashes are generally associated with menopause in women. Ruling out other causes may involve evaluation of age, hormonal status, and menopausal symptoms.
2. Hyperthyroidism (increased thyroid function): Hyperthyroidism can cause similar symptoms. Blood tests for thyroid hormone levels are performed for differential diagnosis.
3. Pheochromocytoma: This is a rare tumor disease that can cause hot flashes. Diagnosis may require measuring catecholamine levels in the urine and examining the adrenal glands.
4. Endocrine disorders: Other endocrine disorders such as diabetes mellitus or adrenocortical insufficiency can cause hot flashes. These can be detected by appropriate blood tests and examinations.
5. Alcohol and medications: The use of alcohol and certain medications can cause hot flashes. It is important to consider these factors in the history.
6. Psychological problems: Stress and anxiety can also cause symptoms similar to hot flashes. A psychological evaluation may be helpful.
7. Infections: Some infectious diseases can cause an increase in body temperature and a feeling of fever. Appropriate tests should be performed for differential diagnosis.

For an accurate differential diagnosis of hot flashes, it is important to see a physician who will take a medical history, perform a physical examination and, if necessary, order additional tests to rule out or identify other possible causes of symptoms.

Treatment of the hot flashes

Treating hot flashes can involve a variety of methods, and choosing a particular strategy depends on individual factors such as the degree of symptoms, overall condition, and the patient's medical history. Here are some of the most common treatments:

1. Lifestyle changes:

   • Moderate physical activity and a healthy diet can help improve overall health and reduce symptoms of hot flashes.
   • Avoid spicy, sour, spices and other foods that can cause hot flashes.
   • Limit your alcohol and coffee consumption.

2. Hormone therapy:

   • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is one of the most effective ways to manage hot flashes in women during menopause. It involves taking estrogen or combined estrogen and progesterone medications. However, hormone therapy may not be suitable for everyone and its use should be discussed with your doctor. It is also worth considering the potential risks and benefits of HRT.

3. Non-hormonal medications:

   • Serotonin and norepinephrine antagonists (SSRIs and SNRIs) - Some antidepressants, such as venlafaxine and paroxetine, may help reduce symptoms of hot flashes in some women, even if they are not depressed.
   • Gabapentin and pregabalin are medications used to treat neuropathic pain, and they can also help reduce hot flashes.

4. Herbal preparations and supplements:

   • Some women find relief by taking herbal remedies, such as red clover and others, but the effectiveness of these methods is not always supported by scientific studies.

5. Alternative Methods:

   • Relaxation, yoga, meditation and acupuncture can help some women manage stress and reduce the symptoms of hot flashes.

Treatment of hot flashes should be individualized and considered in conjunction with a physician. The patient should discuss their symptoms, medical history and preferences with their doctor to find the best way to manage these symptoms. It is important to remember that hormone therapy has its own risks and side effects, and the decision to use it should be made by the physician based on the benefits and risks for each individual patient.