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Flushing (physiology)

 

 
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Flushing (physiology)
 
 
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For a person to flush is to become markedly red
Red

Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 625?740 Nanometer....
 in the face
Face

The term face refers to the central sense organ complex, for those animals that have one, normally on the ventral surface of the head and can depending on the definition in the human case, include the hair, forehead, eyebrow, eyes, nose, ears, cheeks, mouth, lips, philtrum, tooth, skin, and chin....
 and often other areas of the skin, from various physiological
Physiology

Physiology is the study of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of living organisms. Physiology has traditionally been divided between plant physiology and animal and all living things physiology but the principles of physiology are universal, no matter what particular organism is being studied....
 conditions. Flushing is generally distinguished, despite a close physiological relation between them, from blushing
Blushing

To blush is to display redness in one's face; the term is usually used when the redness is a result of an emotional response, which could reflect embarrassment, shame, or modesty....
, which is milder, generally restricted to the face or cheeks, and generally assumed to reflect embarrassment. Flushing is also a cardinal symptom of carcinoid
Carcinoid

Carcinoid is a slow-growing but malignant type of neuroendocrine tumour, originating in the cells of the neuroendocrine system.In 2000, the World Health Organization redefined "carcinoid", but this new definition has not been accepted by all practitioners....
 syndrome – the syndrome that results from hormone
Hormone

Hormones are chemicals released by cells that affect cells in other parts of the body. Only a small amount of hormone is required to alter cell metabolism....
s (often serotonin
Serotonin

Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter synthesized in serotonergic neurons in the central nervous system and enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal tract of animals including humans....
 or histamine
Histamine

Histamine is a biogenic amine involved in local immune system as well as regulating physiological function in the gut and acting as a neurotransmitter....
) being secreted into systemic circulation.


only referred to as the sex flush, vasocongestion (increased blood
Blood

Blood is a specialized bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the body's Cell s ? such as nutrients and oxygen ? and transports waste products away from those same cells....
 flow) of the skin
Skin

The skin is the outer covering of the body, also known as the epidermis. It is the largest organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of epithelial biological tissue, and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and organ s....
 can occur during all four phases of the human sexual response cycle
Human sexual response cycle

The human sexual response cycle is a four-stage model of physiological responses during sexual stimulation. These phases, in order of their occurrence, are the #Excitement phase, #Plateau phase, #Orgasmic phase, and #Resolution phase....
.






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For a person to flush is to become markedly red
Red

Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 625?740 Nanometer....
 in the face
Face

The term face refers to the central sense organ complex, for those animals that have one, normally on the ventral surface of the head and can depending on the definition in the human case, include the hair, forehead, eyebrow, eyes, nose, ears, cheeks, mouth, lips, philtrum, tooth, skin, and chin....
 and often other areas of the skin, from various physiological
Physiology

Physiology is the study of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of living organisms. Physiology has traditionally been divided between plant physiology and animal and all living things physiology but the principles of physiology are universal, no matter what particular organism is being studied....
 conditions. Flushing is generally distinguished, despite a close physiological relation between them, from blushing
Blushing

To blush is to display redness in one's face; the term is usually used when the redness is a result of an emotional response, which could reflect embarrassment, shame, or modesty....
, which is milder, generally restricted to the face or cheeks, and generally assumed to reflect embarrassment. Flushing is also a cardinal symptom of carcinoid
Carcinoid

Carcinoid is a slow-growing but malignant type of neuroendocrine tumour, originating in the cells of the neuroendocrine system.In 2000, the World Health Organization redefined "carcinoid", but this new definition has not been accepted by all practitioners....
 syndrome – the syndrome that results from hormone
Hormone

Hormones are chemicals released by cells that affect cells in other parts of the body. Only a small amount of hormone is required to alter cell metabolism....
s (often serotonin
Serotonin

Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter synthesized in serotonergic neurons in the central nervous system and enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal tract of animals including humans....
 or histamine
Histamine

Histamine is a biogenic amine involved in local immune system as well as regulating physiological function in the gut and acting as a neurotransmitter....
) being secreted into systemic circulation.

Causes of flushing

  • Sexual arousal
    Sexual arousal

    Sexual arousal is the the arousal of sexual desires in preparation for sexual behavior....
     (see section to follow)
  • Emotions: anger
    Anger

    Anger is an emotional state that may range from minor irritation to intense rage. The physical effects of anger include increased heart rate, blood pressure,and levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline....
    , embarrassment
    Embarrassment

    Embarrassment is an emotional state experienced upon having a socially or professionally unacceptable act or condition witnessed by or revealed to others....
  • Inflammation
    Inflammation

    Inflammation is the complex biological response of Blood vessel tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. It is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue....
     (for example sinitus)
  • An abrupt cessation of physical exertion (resulting in heart
    Heart

    The heart is a muscle organ in all vertebrates responsible for pumping blood through the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions, or a similar structure in annelids, mollusks, and arthropods....
     output in excess of current muscular
    MUSCLE

    MUSCLE is public domain, multiple sequence alignment software for protein and nucleotide sequences.MUSCLE is integrated into UGENE bioinformatics tool as a plugin....
     need for blood
    Blood

    Blood is a specialized bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the body's Cell s ? such as nutrients and oxygen ? and transports waste products away from those same cells....
     flow)
  • High doses of Niacin
    Niacin

    Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin which prevents the Nutrition disorder pellagra. It is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5NO2....
     (Vitamin B3)
  • Some recreational drugs such as Heroin
    Heroin

    Heroin is a opioid synthesized from morphine, a derivative of the opium poppy. It is the 3,6-acetate ester of morphine . The white crystalline form is commonly the hydrochloride salt diacetylmorphine hydrochloride, however heroin Freebase may also appear as a white powder....
     and Cocaine
    Cocaine

    Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine....
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease especially emphysema
    Emphysema

    Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . It is often caused by exposure to toxin Chemical substance, including long-term exposure to tobacco smoking....
     (also known as "pink puffer")


Sex flush

Commonly referred to as the sex flush, vasocongestion (increased blood
Blood

Blood is a specialized bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the body's Cell s ? such as nutrients and oxygen ? and transports waste products away from those same cells....
 flow) of the skin
Skin

The skin is the outer covering of the body, also known as the epidermis. It is the largest organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of epithelial biological tissue, and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and organ s....
 can occur during all four phases of the human sexual response cycle
Human sexual response cycle

The human sexual response cycle is a four-stage model of physiological responses during sexual stimulation. These phases, in order of their occurrence, are the #Excitement phase, #Plateau phase, #Orgasmic phase, and #Resolution phase....
. Studies show that the sex flush occurs in approximately 50-75% of female
Female

Female is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces mobile ovum . The ova are defined as the larger gametes in a heterogamous reproduction system, while the smaller, usually motile gamete, the spermatozoon, is produced by the male....
s and 25% of male
Malé

Mal? , population 104,403 , is the Capital , the largest city in terms of population, and the name of an island in the Maldives. It is located at the southern edge of North Male' Atoll Kaafu Atoll....
s, yet not consistently. The sex flush tends to occur more often under warmer conditions and may not appear at all under cooler temperature
Temperature

In physics, temperature is a physical property of a Physical system that underlies the common notions of hot and cold; something that feels hotter generally has the greater temperature....
s. It has also been commonly observed that the marked degree of the sex flush can predict the intensity of orgasm
Orgasm

An orgasm is the conclusion of the Human sexual response cycle#Plateau phase of Human sexual response cycle, and may be experienced by both males and females....
 to follow.

During the female
Female

Female is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces mobile ovum . The ova are defined as the larger gametes in a heterogamous reproduction system, while the smaller, usually motile gamete, the spermatozoon, is produced by the male....
 sex flush, pink
Pink

Pink is a pale red color; the use of the word for the color was first recorded in the late 17th century, describing the flowers of Dianthus, flowering plants in the genus Dianthus. Pink itself is a combination of red and white....
ish spots develop under the breast
Breast

The breast is the upper ventral region of an animal?s torso, particularly that of mammals, including human beings. The breasts of a female primate?s body contain the mammary glands, which secrete milk used to feed infants....
s, then spread to the breast
Breast

The breast is the upper ventral region of an animal?s torso, particularly that of mammals, including human beings. The breasts of a female primate?s body contain the mammary glands, which secrete milk used to feed infants....
s, torso
Torso

Torso is an anatomical term for the central part of the many animal bodies from which extend the neck and limbs. It is sometimes referred to as the trunk....
, face
Face

The term face refers to the central sense organ complex, for those animals that have one, normally on the ventral surface of the head and can depending on the definition in the human case, include the hair, forehead, eyebrow, eyes, nose, ears, cheeks, mouth, lips, philtrum, tooth, skin, and chin....
, hands, sole
Sole

Sole may refer to:* Sole , the bottom of the foot* Sole , the bottom supporting member of the shoe* Sole , several species and groups of flatfishes:...
s of the feet
Foot

The foot is an anatomical structure found in many animals. It is the terminal portion of a limb which bears weight and allows locomotion. In many animals with feet, the foot is a separate organ at the terminal part of the leg made up of one or more segments or bones, generally including claws or nails....
, and possibly over the entire body
Body

With regard to organism, a body is the integral physical material of an individual. "Body" often is used in connection with appearance, health issues and death....
. Vasocongestion
Vasocongestion

Vasocongestion is a term for the swelling of bodily tissues caused by increased blood vessel blood flow and a localized increase in blood pressure....
 is also responsible for the darkening of the clitoris
Clitoris

The clitoris is a sex organ that is present only in female mammals. In humans, the visible button-like portion is located near the anterior junction of the labia minora, above the opening of the urethra and vagina....
 and the walls of the vagina
Vagina

The vagina is a fibromuscular cylinder tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles....
 during sexual arousal
Sexual arousal

Sexual arousal is the the arousal of sexual desires in preparation for sexual behavior....
. During the male
Malé

Mal? , population 104,403 , is the Capital , the largest city in terms of population, and the name of an island in the Maldives. It is located at the southern edge of North Male' Atoll Kaafu Atoll....
 sex flush, the color
Color

Color or colour is the visual perception property corresponding in humans to the categories called red, yellow, blue and others....
ation of the skin develops less consistently than in the female, but typically starts with the epigastrium (upper abdomen
Abdomen

In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity....
), spreads across the chest
Chest

The chest is a part of the anatomy of humans and various other animals sometimes referred to as the thorax....
, then continues to the neck
Neck

The neck is the part of the body on many limbed vertebrates that distinguishes the head from the torso or trunk. The scientific term signifying "of the neck" is nuchal....
, face
Face

The term face refers to the central sense organ complex, for those animals that have one, normally on the ventral surface of the head and can depending on the definition in the human case, include the hair, forehead, eyebrow, eyes, nose, ears, cheeks, mouth, lips, philtrum, tooth, skin, and chin....
, forehead
Forehead

In human anatomy, the forehead or brow is the bony part of the head above the eyes....
, back
Back

Back may refer to:People*Adam Back*Charles Back*Ernst Emil Alexander Back*Fr?d?ric Back*George Back*Natasja Crone Back*Neil Back...
, and sometimes, shoulder
Shoulder

In human anatomy, the shoulder joint comprises the part of the body where the humerus attaches to the scapula. The shoulder refers to the group of structures in the region of the joint....
s and forearm
Forearm

The forearm is the structure on the upper limb, between the Elbow-joint and the wrist.. This term is used in anatomy to distinguish it from the arm ....
s.

The sex flush typically disappears soon after orgasm
Orgasm

An orgasm is the conclusion of the Human sexual response cycle#Plateau phase of Human sexual response cycle, and may be experienced by both males and females....
 occurs, but this may take up to two hour
Hour

The hour is a unit of time. It is not an SI unit but is Non-SI units accepted for use with SI....
s or so, and sometimes, intense sweat
SWEAT

SWEAT is an OLN/The Sports Network television program hosted by Julie Zwillich that aired in 2003-2004.Each of the 13 half-hour episodes of SWEAT features a different outdoor sport: kayaking, mountain biking, ice hockey, beach volleyball, soccer, windsurfing, Sport rowing, Ultimate , triathlon, wakeboarding, snowboarding, telemark skiin...
ing will occur simultaneously. The flush usually diminishes in reverse of which it appeared.

See also

  • Pallor
    Pallor

    Pallor is a reduced amount of oxyhemoglobin in skin or mucous membrane, a pale color which can be caused by illness, emotional shock or stress, avoiding excessive exposure to sunlight, anemia or genetics....
  • Erythema
    Erythema

    Erythema is redness of the skin caused by capillary congestion....
  • Rash
    Rash

    A rash is a change of the skin which affects its color, appearance, or texture. A rash may be localized in one part of the body, or affect all the skin....
  • Cholinergic urticaria
    Cholinergic urticaria

    Cholinergic urticaria is a subcategory of physical urticaria that is a skin rash brought on by a hypersensitive reaction to body heat. Symptoms follow any stimulus to sweat such as exercise , heat from the sun , saunas, hot showers , spicy foods which may cause an increase in body temperature or even stress due to blushing or anger....


External links

  • by Chrisstian Nasr, MD