Hot Flashes
• Hot flashes are vasomotor symptoms of a rapid rise on skin temperature due to dilation of capillaries in the skin followed by sweating.
• Hot flashes result from impairment in the normal temperature regulation of the hypothalamus (the junction between the brain and the pituitary gland) and appears to be related to the lack of estrogen or change in estrogen levels.
• Hot flashes are the most common complaint of women in menopause lasting six months to two years.
• Hot flashes not associated with menopause can be caused by:
· hyperthyroidism
· infection
· diabetes
· carcinoid syndrome (serotonin secreting tumor)
· pheochromocystoma (epinephrine secreting tumor of the adrenal gland)
• Hot flashes that are not associated with menopause should be evaluated by your doctor.
Posted on September 24, 2008
