What Is a Hot Flash?
A hot flash is a sudden rush of warmth and heat that spreads throughout the body. According to a report published by Intelihealth, reviewed by Harvard Medical Center, a hot flash usually occurs because something is affecting the hypothalamus, which is essentially the body's thermostat. The hypothalamus thinks the body is too warm, so it creates heat by sending a rush of blood through the blood vessels, which radiates to the skin. The symptoms of a hot flash are usually seen and felt most acutely in the upper body, such as the face, neck and chest. While there are many unknown triggers for hot flashes, we do know some causes.
Menopause Cause
The most commonly assumed cause of a hot flash in women is menopause. During menopause, the estrogen levels that were once in the body are withdrawn, causing the hypothalamus to misread the body's temperature. But women are not the only ones who get hot flashes as a result of a declining hormone. Men, when they experience a drop in testosterone levels, whether from surgery or medication, also can experience severe hot flash symptoms. In fact, the Mayo Clinic has also released a report on what is referred to as "male menopause." Male menopause has many of the same symptoms that female menopause has, but it does not happen in all men.
Food Causes
Other common triggers of severe hot flashes include the foods we eat. Two main culprits are the preservative monosodium glutamate (MSG) and chili peppers. Chili peppers do increase a body's temperature, so the hot flash is the body's legitimate way of trying to cool the body. According to Intelihealth, MSG, certain cheeses and alcohol are all food items that can affect the hypothalamus and trigger a hot flash.
Other Causes
Causes of severe hot flashes that can not always be easily avoided are underlying health conditions. Certain physical diseases cause inflammation in the body, which in turn can affect the hypothalamus. Other conditions such as cancer, tumors, leukemia, pregnancy and panic attacks are all listed by Pathology Associates in West Columbia, South Carolina, as possible causes of hot flashes.
While certain medical conditions can not be immediately avoided or changed, the risk of severe hot flashes can be reduced by limiting exposure to some of the other causes, such as food triggers and alcohol, and finding a way to keep your body temperature down by cooling off.
