Hot flashes to the head occur as a result of physical and mental overstrain, against the background of diseases - menopausal syndrome, vegetovascular dystonia, hypertensive crisis and atherosclerosis. Less often, symptoms appear as a side effect of antihypertensive drugs, as well as in endocrine and neurological diseases. Diagnostic examination includes an assessment of the vegetative status, instrumental methods (EEG, ECG, echocardiography), an extended hormonal and lipid profile. Treatment consists of normalizing lifestyle, taking medications (sedatives, tranquilizers, hormones), physiotherapy.
A feeling of heat and a rush of blood to the head occurs during intense physical exertion, especially in untrained people with overweight. There is a feeling that the face is on fire. The skin visibly reddens and becomes very warm to the touch. Hot flashes are accompanied by a feeling of fullness and heaviness in the head, sometimes there is noise in the ears. Unpleasant sensations disappear after 10-2 minutes after rest.
Hot flashes to the head are noted with psycho-emotional overstrain, strong excitement, shame. A person feels how the face is filled with paint, the skin becomes hot. Sometimes an unpleasant pulsation in the head develops, discomfort in the abdomen. This condition occurs periodically in any person, but the frequent repetition of attacks, combined with a fear of blushing, may indicate erythrophobia.
Hormonal changes in menopause are the main etiological factor in hot flashes to the face and head in women. Attacks begin suddenly, provoked by staying in a stuffy room, excitement, eating spicy or hot food. A woman feels an unpleasant heat and burning sensation in the head and neck. The skin turns pink very quickly or becomes covered with red spots. There is severe sweating of the face and neck, when the sweat literally flows down the skin.
The feeling of heat is accompanied by headache, dizziness, a feeling of lack of air, increased anxiety. After 5-15 minutes, the sensation that blood has rushed to the head disappears, but the redness can persist for a long time. Similar paroxysms are observed from 5 to 2 or more times per day. The most intense and distressing flushes of heat to the head occur at night, whereby the patient suffers from insomnia.
Violation of nervous regulation is characterized by polymorphism of symptoms. VVD is often manifested by flushes of blood and heat to the head, increased sweating of this zone. In addition to these signs, patients experience dull pain in the temples and neck, a feeling of a “pressing hoop” around the head, and dizziness. Hot flashes in the form of vegetative paroxysms occur at different intervals, provoked by emotional overstrain, but more often develop without visible factors.
Flushes of heat to the head
Sudden flushes of heat, accompanied by a severe headache and flashing flies before the eyes, are characteristic of a hypertensive crisis. In connection with the expansion of superficial vessels, the skin of the face, the upper half of the body turns red, becomes noticeably hot. There is increased perspiration. Similar signs are typical for the neurovegetative form of hypertensive crisis.
Periodic redness, a feeling of overflow of blood vessels and flushes to the head are found in hypertensive patients even at normal working pressure. Occasionally bouts of reddening of the face with heat without fever occur with atherosclerosis. Such disorders are combined with headaches, dizziness, tinnitus. Hot flashes are possible at any time of the day and are not associated with external provoking factors.
Flushing in the head and neck is a side effect of taking nitrates to lower blood pressure. The symptom appears a few minutes after the rapid intravenous administration of drugs. The result of vasodilation is intense reddening of the skin of the face, patients feel a fever, a throbbing headache. When trying to take a vertical position, there is dizziness and darkening in the eyes, caused by a sharp drop in blood pressure.
Depending on the symptoms that accompany hot flashes to the head, the patient is prescribed a consultation with an endocrinologist, neurologist, cardiologist. During the initial examination, the doctor is interested in how long the seizures have been disturbing, how often they appear and what provokes them. The specialist conducts a physical examination, measures blood pressure and heart rate, and listens to heart sounds. The plan of laboratory and instrumental diagnostic studies includes:
With possible endocrine disorders, the results of ultrasound of the adrenal glands and thyroid gland are taken into account. To assess the emotional state, exclude various phobias and neuroses that cause hot flashes, a psychiatrist's consultation is required. Women of reproductive age who regularly experience paroxysms need to visit a gynecologist - sometimes hot flashes develop with dysfunction of the reproductive organs.
Dosed physical activity improves autonomic regulation
A symptom caused by physiological causes can be prevented: avoid excessive physical activity in terms of duration and intensity, minimize stressful situations. Hot flashes to the head should not be ignored as they may be the first symptom of serious cardiovascular or neurological disorders. If the attacks bother you often or are accompanied by a deterioration in well-being, you should consult a doctor.
Basically, the treatment of hot flashes occurs on an outpatient basis. Among the non-drug methods in the foreground is exercise therapy and dosed physical activity, which improve the state of autonomic regulation. In order not to provoke seizures, a diet with a restriction of acute and extractive substances is selected. Psychotherapy sessions are recommended to correct the emotional state.
The drug regimen is drawn up taking into account the cause of hot flashes. To normalize the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, sedatives, “daytime” tranquilizers, and antidepressants are used. Women who are faced with menopausal syndrome undergo hormone replacement therapy, which quickly eliminates unpleasant manifestations. Men with menopause are also prescribed hormones - testosterone in tablet, injection or transdermal form.
In the treatment of hot flashes to the head, an important role is played by physiotherapeutic methods. A good restorative and tonic effect is provided by balneotherapy (circular shower, carbon dioxide and radon baths), exposure to electric currents (interference therapy, electrical stimulation, diadynamic therapy). As an addition to the main treatment regimen, methods of homeopathy and physiotherapy are shown.
Patients who complain of redness and heat of the head due to the use of antihypertensive drugs (nitrates) require a discussion of therapy with the attending physician and clinical pharmacologist. In some cases, it is necessary to adjust the dose and frequency of administration, and with severe iatrogenic hot flashes, drugs from other pharmacological groups are used.