We’ve all experienced this at some point, perhaps after eating something spicy or a sudden surge of anxiety. Hot flashes can come unannounced and make you restless and uncomfortable. An intense feeling of warmth rising from the chest and spreading over the face and neck, sometimes accompanied by a sweat, can leave you wondering what happened. Hot flashes at night can be especially disruptive to your sleep schedule. Some may even experience this in an air-conditioned room. A typical symptom of menopause, hot flashes have some surprising triggers. (Also Read: Effective Ways To Manage Hot Flashes During Office Or Between Meetings)
“Hot flashes are a common symptom experienced by women going through menopause. However, they can be triggered by a variety of other factors, some of which may surprise you. It’s important to remember that everyone’s triggers can be different, and what causes hot flashes. A Flashes in one person may not affect another. If you are experiencing hot flashes, keeping a journal of your symptoms and those triggers can be helpful. This can help you identify your specific triggers and avoid them as much as possible,” said Dr Smita Satpathy, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, CARE Hospital, Bhubaneswar told HT Digital. (Also Read: Traditional Drinks To Manage Hot Flashes)
Amazing triggers of hot flashes
Here are the surprising triggers of hot flashes shared by Dr. Satpathy that you should know:
1. Spicy foods: Eating spicy foods, especially foods containing capsaicin, can cause hot flashes in some people. Capsaicin is a chemical in chili peppers that can raise your body temperature, causing hot flashes.
2. alcohol: Alcohol consumption can also trigger hot flashes. Alcohol dilates blood vessels, which can increase body temperature and cause hot flashes. Additionally, alcohol consumption can disrupt sleep, which can lead to hot flashes.
3. Stress: Emotional stress can also trigger hot flashes. Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, which can increase your heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, leading to hot flashes.
4. Caffeine: Caffeine consumption can also trigger hot flashes in some people. Caffeine is a stimulant that can dilate blood vessels, raising body temperature.
Dr Anita K Sharma – Senior Director and Head – Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Max Hospital Vaishali says that night sweats can occur in pre-menopausal women due to a drop in estrogen levels in the blood and thus changes in temperature perception by the hypothalamus. mind
Dr. Sharma adds a few more triggers of hot flashes to the list.
5. cigarettes: Smoking has been linked to an increased risk of hot flashes in women, especially during menopause. This is because smoking can affect the body’s hormone levels, including estrogen, which can contribute to hot flashes. Additionally, smoking can cause blood vessels to constrict, which can cause a sudden increase in body heat, triggering hot flashes.
6. Tight clothes: Wearing tight clothing can make hot flashes worse, especially during menopause. Tight clothing restricts blood flow and traps heat in the body, making it more difficult to regulate body temperature. When the body overheats, it can trigger hot flashes.
Tips for avoiding hot flashes during the day and night
Dr Sharma also suggests some tips to avoid hot flashes in addition to avoiding the triggers mentioned above.
– Special care should be taken to keep the sleeping room cool at night.
– Bedding and nightclothes should be made of cotton or any other organic material.
– The last meal should be light and at least two hours before bedtime.
– Other useful lifestyle choices include deep breathing, meditation, yoga, exercise, dancing and swimming. It is important to keep the mind engaged in useful activities.
– Live carefully and keep in mind that one-third of a woman’s life is spent in the post-menopausal phase and the rest of her life can be just as productive and fulfilling.