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Sudden Hot Flashes and Sweating? When You Need to Read Menopause Warning Signs Properly

Have you ever woken up at night because of a sudden hot flash and night sweats? Many people experience discomfort in their daily lives due to heat and sweat that come without warning, and feel anxious worrying if it will show in front of others. "Sudden hot flashes and sweating" is one of the most common symptoms reported by menopausal women, but it is easy to neglect by simply blaming it on age. However, this may be an important warning light from our body.

💡 [Key Answer] The 3 most common causes of sudden hot flashes and sweating: ① Decrease in female hormones / ② Autonomic nervous system imbalance / ③ Decline in body heat regulation function Dalimchae Clinic fundamentally restores the female body through autonomic stabilization treatment.

Menopause refers to the period when female hormone estrogen secretion decreases as ovarian function gradually declines. Various physical and mental changes occur during this process, the most representative of which are facial flushing and sweating (diaphoresis). You might think of it as a natural phenomenon experienced simply because of aging, but if these symptoms become severe, they can significantly lower the quality of life and lead to other problems such as depression or insomnia, so active management is necessary.

When estrogen levels decrease during menopause, confusion occurs in the thermoregulatory center in the hypothalamus of the brain. The hypothalamus is an important part that regulates various autonomic functions such as body temperature, sleep, and appetite. Due to the decrease in estrogen, this regulatory function malfunctions, and the body mistakenly thinks it's hot even though the body temperature is not high. Accordingly, blood vessels dilate and heat gathers toward the skin, causing facial flushing and hot flashes, and the sweat glands become excessively activated to lower the body temperature, accompanied by sweating symptoms. Stress, fatigue, and emotional changes can also shake the balance of the autonomic nervous system further and worsen symptoms.

In Korean medicine, menopausal symptoms are not seen simply as a problem of hormones, but are diagnosed as a state where the overall balance of our body is broken. In particular, the imbalance of 'Suseunghwagang (水昇火降)', where heat gathers in the upper body and the lower body is cold, is seen as an important cause. It is understood that symptoms of hot flashes and sweating appear as Jin-aek (body fluids) in the body become insufficient and false heat rises. From this perspective, Dalimchae Clinic Songdo Branch helps to regain a comfortable state by correcting the broken autonomic balance so that the body can regulate heat on its own and supplement Jin-aek.

What is the effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment for menopausal symptoms?

The effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment for menopausal facial flushing and sweating is being confirmed through various studies at home and abroad.

According to a report by a research team from the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine published in the international journal 'Menopause' in 2009, as a result of conducting 12 acupuncture treatments over 4 weeks for 175 menopausal and postmenopausal women, the score evaluating both the frequency and intensity of facial flushing improved by more than 50% compared to before treatment. In another study published in the same journal, as a result of conducting 14 moxibustion treatments over 4 weeks for 51 menopausal women, a significant result was confirmed where the degree of facial flushing decreased by more than 50%.

In addition, a study published in the Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology & Dermatology in 2017 reported 3 cases of menopausal facial flushing patients prescribed with Hwangryunhaedok-tang-gamibang. As a result of combining herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment for about 12 weeks, skin symptoms such as upper heat feeling, flushing, sweating, itching, and dryness were significantly improved to 0 points in both the doctor's objective evaluation index (IGA) and the patient's subjective evaluation index (VAS). The researchers concluded that these results suggest that Hwangryunhaedok-tang-gamibang, which is frequently used for febrile diseases, can be effectively used for menopausal facial flushing.

Based on this data, Dalimchae Clinic focuses on improving symptoms and increasing the quality of life by stabilizing the autonomic nervous system and regaining body balance through complex Korean medicine treatments such as acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine for those struggling with menopausal symptoms.

Dalimchae Clinic Songdo Branch interprets menopausal facial flushing and sweating as a result of 'autonomic imbalance' and makes 'autonomic stabilization' treatment the core. The autonomic nervous system regulates all involuntary functions of our body, and during menopause, the autonomic nervous system is likely to become excessively hyperactive or unstable due to hormonal changes. This is like an overheated engine where the brain cannot rest and generates unnecessary heat throughout the body.

We focus on lowering the excessive heat of the nervous system and creating an environment where the brain can rest comfortably. In Korean medicine, this is called 'Suseunghwagang (水昇火降)', aiming to restore the body's natural circulation where cool energy rises and hot energy descends. This helps resolve the heat feeling gathered in the upper body and improve systemic circulation to normalize sweat regulation functions. In addition, when the balance of the autonomic nervous system is restored, not only facial flushing and sweating but also various symptoms commonly accompanied during menopause, such as insomnia, dizziness, anxiety, and depression, can be improved together.

How many of the following symptoms apply to you?

• I often feel my face, neck, or chest area suddenly becoming red and hot.
• I often have difficulty falling asleep or wake up due to night sweats.
• I feel heart palpitations or anxiety without a special reason.
• I easily feel fatigued and think I have no energy in my body.
• My emotional fluctuations become severe and I easily get irritated or depressed.
• I often experience headaches or dizziness.
• My skin becomes dry or itching appears.

[Judgment Criteria]

• 3 or more apply: Autonomic imbalance due to menopause is suspected. Consider Dalimchae Clinic's complex Korean medicine treatment.
• 5 or more apply: It may be a stage where active management is needed. We recommend visiting Dalimchae Clinic, a Songdo menopausal clinic, for precise diagnosis and consultation.

Q. Why does menopausal facial flushing occur? A. It occurs because the thermoregulatory center in the hypothalamus of the brain malfunctions as female hormone estrogen decreases during menopause. Regardless of the actual body temperature, the body mistakenly thinks it's hot and causes reactions like dilating blood vessels and sweating.

Q. My menopausal sweat is so severe, can it be treated with herbal medicine? A. Yes, it can be sufficiently treated. In Korean medicine, menopausal sweating is seen as occurring due to lack of Jin-aek (body fluids) and heat gathered in the upper body. Through herbal prescriptions suitable for individual constitutions and symptoms, we help restore sweat regulation function by supplementing Jin-aek and regulating heat balance.

Q. My menopausal symptoms are severe, must I undergo hormone treatment? A. Hormone treatment can be effective, but there are risks of some side effects, so it should be considered carefully. Korean medicine treatment restores autonomic balance without the burden of hormone treatment and develops the body's own ability to regulate symptoms, providing a safe and fundamental solution.

Q. What tests are conducted at the Songdo menopausal clinic? A. At Dalimchae Clinic Songdo Branch, we objectively identify the autonomic nervous system activity and balance through pulse wave tests, as well as consultation on symptoms and medical history. Based on this, we establish individualized treatment plans to help effective menopausal management.

Symptoms of sudden hot flashes and sweating are not problems that can be solved by enduring. You no longer have to ignore the signals your body has been sending for a long time. If you approach in the right direction, the body responds faster than you think. Bring your symptoms exactly as they are. At Dalimchae Clinic, we will find the cause together.

Where life blooms. For herbal medicine, it's Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic. Check your symptoms similar to mine through the AI consultation on the Dalimchae Clinic website first!

This article is health information compiled by Dalimchae medical staff based on questions frequently received in the treatment room. Medical Supervision | Women/Pregnancy Treatment Standards Dalimchae Clinic Songdo Branch Korean Medicine Doctor Oh Hyunmin (Menopause Column)