It's Heat Intolerance...
For a couple of years now, I assumed I was having hot flashes. Except they aren't flashes because they don't go away. I'm just hot all the time. If the temperature outside is in the 70s I'm fine. But once it starts to go into the 80s and 90s I can hardly stand to go outside. Even if I stay inside I'm still hot!
I've been researching heat intolerance and found there are many causes, beyond menopausal hot flashes. Heat intolerance can be caused by some autoimmune conditions: lupus, Sjogren's syndrome, fibromyalgia. It can also be a symptom of multiple sclerosis and hyperthyroidism. Since I have been diagnosed with Sjogren's I assume that's the reason in my case. I also have "foggy brain" when I'm too hot. I just have to lie down, breathe deeply and let my body come to equilibrium.
There have been times when I'm out shopping when suddenly I'm hot and dripping with sweat and dizzy. But now I know I'm not alone. There is a support group online with others who have exactly the same symptoms. Some of them have Sjogren's and some of them have MS. The symptoms seem the same.
Not many people have heard of Sjogren's; even some physicians don't know much about it. Venus Williams was in the news a while back when she had to drop out of competitive tennis for a while because of Sjogren's. Before that, hardly anyone knew about it. There is no cure. You just have to treat the symptoms. I'm looking forward to cooler weather.
I had to look it up Judy to find out more about it - I am one of those who had never heard of it before. I do hope you can find a way to manage the challenging issues with this and that there is continuing medical research in this area for better outcomes.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that you looked it up. It seems like it is not very well known. I am finding more ways to manage it, because there is an increasing awareness.
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