What causes hot flashes and how to treat them
Disease description:
My mom said she hadn't been feeling well recently, complaining of a severe sensation of dampness in her body, but I didn't pay much attention. Lately, she has started refusing to eat. The doctor diagnosed her with "damp-heat." What causes damp-heat, and how is it treated?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. He Haochen
Hot flashes are mainly caused by the following factors:
1. Endocrine imbalance: Especially in menopausal women, a decline in estrogen levels leads to dysfunction of the body's temperature regulation center. This is one of the most common causes of hot flashes.
2. Diet and environmental factors: Long-term consumption of spicy, greasy, or high-sugar foods, as well as exposure to high ambient temperatures, may exacerbate hot flash symptoms.
3. Psychological stress: Prolonged exposure to high-pressure environments or significant emotional fluctuations can also trigger hot flashes.
Various treatments are available for hot flashes:
1. Medication: Depending on the underlying cause and symptoms, herbal formulas such as Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan or Zuo Gui Wan may be used to restore balance.
2. Acupuncture therapy: Stimulating specific acupuncture points, such as Hegu (LI4) and Yinlingquan (SP9), can help soothe the liver, relieve depression, and clear internal heat.
3. Dietary adjustments: Avoid spicy and greasy foods; instead, consume more清淡 (light), yin-nourishing, and fluid-generating foods such as white fungus (tremella) and lily bulbs.
