Chronic fatigue, persistent hot flashes, depression, shortness of breath and migraines can warn of health abnormalities in women over 40 years old.
Women’s bodies undergo significant changes throughout their lives, especially during perimenopause and menopause. These changes are often due to hormonal changes, especially estrogen, which can affect overall health. Although this change is a normal aging process, women need to recognize warning signs of the risk of heart attack or other abnormal conditions to see a doctor.
Chronic fatigue
Chronic fatigue in women over 40 is quite common. Perimenopause, menopause, and midlife hormonal changes contribute to frequent exhaustion. But some other problems can also be the cause.
Anemia occurs when the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells or red blood cells do not function normally, often causing fatigue, common in women of reproductive age. Fibromyalgia, which causes pain, insomnia and fatigue, also occurs in women aged 40-75.
Prolonged hot flashes
Most premenopausal women experience hot flashes and night sweats during this time. Hot flashes often begin before a woman’s last menstrual period, appearing with greater frequency over the following two years.
Hot flashes feel like a sudden increase in body temperature, accompanied by sweating and flushed skin. This condition can also cause heart palpitations, dizziness, and night sweats. Hot flashes occur due to hormonal changes, especially the hormone estrogen. The hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature, becomes more sensitive to temperature changes, causing hot flashes to release heat and cool the body. Some factors that may contribute to an increased risk of hot flashes include smoking, obesity and genes.
Depression
Depression is very common and can affect women over 40 years old, especially during perimenopause and menopause. Symptoms may include anxiety, sadness, hopelessness, and shame. Some people are often angry, irritable, lose interest in activities, sleep too much or too little, have weight changes, have suicidal thoughts… Women who suspect depression should see a doctor. to take appropriate corrective measures.
Shortness of breath
Chronic shortness of breath in middle-aged women can be due to many causes. Lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension or heart diseases such as congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy… also contribute to difficulty breath. Obesity, poor health, weakness, interstitial lung disease, pleural effusion, cancer or neuromuscular conditions are also factors in chronic dyspnea.
Migraine headache
Migraines are more common in women over 40 due to fluctuations in the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, poor sleep, and anxiety can also be triggers. Other factors that promote migraines include mental or physical stress, bright lights, dehydration, or medications that affect blood flow.