Definition
Hot flashes are sudden feelings of warmth, which are usually most intense over the face, neck and chest. Your skin may redden, just as if you were blushing. Hot flashes can also cause profuse sweating and may leave you chilled.
Although other hormonal conditions can cause them, hot flashes most commonly are due to menopause — the time of life when a woman’s menstrual periods stop.
Depending on the person, hot flashes may occur a few times a week or several times a day. Hot flashes that occur at night can interrupt your sleep. If your hot flashes become particularly bothersome, a variety of treatments are available.
Symptoms
When you’re having a hot flash, you may experience:
- A feeling of warmth spreading through your upper body and face
- A flushed appearance with red, blotchy skin
- Rapid heartbeat
- Perspiration, mostly on your upper body
- A chilled feeling as the hot flash subsides
Hot flashes vary in frequency — you may have many in one day or just a few each week. Each hot flash usually subsides in just a few minutes. Most women who experience hot flashes will have them for at least a year.
When to see a doctor
If hot flashes become particularly bothersome and disrupt your daily routines, consider making an appointment with your doctor to discuss treatment options.
Original Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hot-flashes/DS01143
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