Contents:
- Medical Video: What Causes Hot Flashes or Hot Flushes?
- Hot flashes can occur not only because of menopause
- 1. Drug side effects
- 2. Being overweight
- 3. Certain health problems
- 4. Food and drinks
- 5. The temperature of the bedroom is too hot
- 6. Anxiety and excessive stress
Medical Video: What Causes Hot Flashes or Hot Flushes?
Hot flashes is a great heat sensation that comes from inside the body, not caused by changes in temperature or weather around the environment. This hot and hot sensation can occur slowly or arise suddenly. Hot flashes is the most common menopausal symptom. Usually marked by the face and skin of the body (especially the neck and chest) which are red and warm, sweating, and tingling in the fingers. This is normal.
However, what causes it if you experience ithot flashes even though it hasn't entered the age of menopause?
Hot flashes can occur not only because of menopause
The causes of hot flash are not known for sure, but are likely related to changes in reproductive hormones and hypothalamic work which makes you more sensitive to changes in body temperature.
According to Beth Battaglino, RN, CEO of HealthyWomen, an NGO related to women's health, though hot flashes is a common symptom of menopause, in fact this condition can affect anyone, anytime, and with a variety of different causes. Hot flashes can even attack men.
So, what are the causes of non-menopausal hot flashes?
1. Drug side effects
Without your realizing it, a hot sensation and sudden memory due to hot flashes can occur due to the side effects of the medication you are taking. Some types of drugs that cause side effects of hot flashes are antidepressants, breast cancer chemotherapy drugs, and painkillers.
If this is the case for you, consult your doctor further. Do not stop using the drug if the doctor considers the drug really needs to be continued. Usually these symptoms will slowly recede as the body adapts to the effects of the drug. In other cases, the doctor may change the dose or type of medication so that you no longer feel hot flashes.
2. Being overweight
Fat accumulation in the body can slow down the body's metabolism. When your metabolism runs slowly, it means that your body is slow to burn fat. Fat is an energy source that is used by the body to warm the body. That's why people who have a lot of fat reserves will find it easier to feel warm or hot.
To overcome this, you need to manage your weight with regular diet and exercise. A study from the University of California at San Francisco reported that the risk of hot flashes dropped dramatically in women who were overweight but routinely exercised and had a healthy diet.
3. Certain health problems
There are several health problems that can cause sensations of hot flashes, such as hyperthyroidism and pancreatic tumors. If you experience hot flashes without obvious causes, you should immediately go to the doctor to find out the exact cause and treatment.
4. Food and drinks
Spicy foods, caffeinated drinks, and alcoholic drinks can cause swelling sensations in the body.
Spicy foods stimulate the nerve endings of the tongue to activate an increase in body temperature which causes physical reactions, including dilation of blood vessels, sweating, crying, and reddened skin. This series of symptoms causes you to feel hot when eating spicy food.
Even in some people, hot flashes can occur as a reaction to certain food and beverage allergies.
5. The temperature of the bedroom is too hot
Sleeping in a hot, dry room, for example, because you are wearing a blanket that is too thick or your nightgown material does not absorb sweat, can cause you to get hot and sweat at night. Therefore, you may often wake up in the middle of the night.
The solution, use clothes with thinner and more comfortable material when used to sleep and do not use blankets for a while until you feel your body temperature has returned to normal.
6. Anxiety and excessive stress
Anxiety, worry, and too much stress can increase your risk of experiencing hot flashes. Because when you feel anxious or stressed, usually the body's adrenal hormones will increase which will produce a warm sensation from within the body.
The solution, immediately overcome your stress with a variety of simple activities that can restore your mood. For example, practicing deep breathing techniques, listening to music, or meditation.
