Hot Flashes
Type: Symptom
Definition
A sudden feeling of feverish heat, typically in the face, neck, and chest, accompanied by sweating.
Clinical Details
The profound lack of circulating estrogen disrupts the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for regulating body temperature. The brain incorrectly perceives that the body is overheating and triggers a massive reflex to cool down. This involves sudden, intense vasodilation of skin blood vessels and profuse sweating.