If you are a woman who has reached menopause, or in the perimenopausal stage, then there is no doubt that you've experienced hot flashes. It's like your body suddenly catches fire for no apparent reason, leaving you feeling uncomfortable and sweaty everywhere. This article aims to explore whether these infamous hot flashes actually raise your body temperature or not.
What Are Hot Flashes?
Before diving into the topic of their relation to body temperature, let us first understand what hot flashes are. Hot flashes (also known as 'hot flushes') are essentially sudden feelings of warmth and heat that occur out-of-the-blue without any particular trigger. The sensation usually starts from within and spreads throughout the body in waves accompanied by sweating and/or redness on the neck and face.
How Long Do They Last?
The duration of each episode can range anywhere between 30 seconds to several minutes depending on an individual's biological makeup.
What Causes Hot Flashes?
As previously mentioned, hot flash episodes often appear with no underlying cause at all -- though it's worth noting that most women experience them during perimenopause or menopause phases due to hormonal changes where estrogen levels drop dramatically in their bodies.
Other reasons behind this frustrating phenomenon may include heightened stress levels, anxiety disorders such as panic attacks or severe depression medication use among others--all contributing factors leading towards bodily changes brought about through fluctuating hormone imbalances!
Why Are They Worse At Night?
Night sweats―a more intense version of daytime hot flashes—are common during menopause because our core body temperatures naturally decrease while our extremities become hotter just before bed-time – kicking those pesky symptoms into high gear! However one small upside could be saving some money on heating bills 😉
So...Do They Raise Body Temperature?
Without further ado: No they don't! Research suggests that while hot flashes can cause our skin temperatures to skyrocket, the internal temperature remains relatively normal/unaffected. What does this mean? Well simply put – it's all in your head/or is it all in your hormones?
The Science Behind It
It’s subcortical brain areas - hypothalamus and limbic system that controls both body temperature regulation and hormone levels responsible for these symptoms often working together... or against each other.
As people experience hot flashes, blood vessels start to dilate whereas at same time their perspiration rate increases leading to moisture evaporating on surface of skin giving impression of cooler feeling then reality. An excellent example on "Mind over matter" concept
So What To Do About Them?
Although relief from hot flashes would be appreciated by many women who suffer from them during menopause or perimenopause phase, unfortunately there are no definitive cures known today!
However some steps may help alleviate frequency & intensity:
- Dressing in layers so as not to get too warm too fast.
- Avoid wearing restrictive clothing esp ribbed tops with snug bras.
- Limit Coffee&Caffeine intake/Spicy foods which can contribute trigger points.
If you have any doubts about whether what you're experiencing could be a symptom associated with menopause ― don't hesitate consulting an experienced healthcare professional just like me 😉