Hot flashes, or hot flushes, occur when the body is unable to regulate its temperature properly.
The hypothalamus region of the brain allows the body to maintain its hot and cold balance. When it gets cold, the hypothalamus sends a signal to trigger shivering. As the temperature rises, it sends a signal to initiate sweating. As sweat evaporates, it cools the body. However, in some cases, this balance can be disrupted.
One of the most common symptoms during menopause is hot flashes. A hot flash is a condition that comes suddenly at certain intervals, sometimes disappears in a very short time, and sometimes lasts for a long time, and commonly causes effects such as facial redness. Hot flashes can affect other areas of the body besides the face. It is especially more effective in the upper parts of the body. When hot flashes occur, women may experience sensations of chills, sweating, breathlessness, and discomfort. Hot flashes can happen several times throughout the day but are most common at night.
Hot flashes that arise due to menopause generally respond well to hormone therapy. However, if symptoms persist despite hormone therapy, other underlying causes should be investigated.
Besides menopause, hot flashes can also be indicators of various health conditions, such as thyroid cancer or kidney tumours.
Sometimes, medications used can also cause hot flashes.
Symptoms of Hot Flashes
- A feeling of intense heat
- Sudden, profuse, and overwhelming sweating
- Dizziness accompanying hot flash episodes
- Increased heart rate
- Feeling faint as a result of a hot flash
- Nausea and vomiting
- Facial flushing or redness
- Heart palpitations
- Headaches
- In severe cases, chest pain
Causes of Hot Flashes
- Menopause
- Hyperprolactinemia; high prolactin levels
- Pheochromocytoma; a rare tumour
- Carcinoid syndrome
- Thyroid cancer
- Systemic mastocytosis
- Pancreatic tumours
- Spinal cord injuries
- Migraine
- Parkinson’s disease
- Anxiety and other psychological conditions
- Allergic reactions
- Low blood pressure
- Autonomic epilepsy
- Arsenic poisoning
- Types of leukaemia
- Bronchogenic carcinoma
- Neuroblastoma
- Rosacea
- Excessive caffeine intake
- High consumption of fatty, spicy, or hot foods
- Alcohol use
- Dumping syndrome (rapid stomach emptying)
- Some medications used