Reasons for Excessive Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are very common and usually connected to menopause, but other hormonal imbalances can also cause them. According to the Cleveland Clinic, as time passes, hot flashes become less and less intense. For some women, they only occur during menopause, while others may experience them through much of their lives.

The good news is, if you can tolerate occasionally breaking out in a sweat or getting red faced, no treatment is necessary for the condition. However, people who experience excessive hot flashes may want to seek help. The severity of hot flashes is different for every person.

Cause

• Mayo Clinic experts say the reason hot flashes happen is still unknown. They believe it has something to do with the hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature and other things. The hypothalamus is located at the base of the brain. One thing that can affect your body's "internal thermostat" is estrogen levels that are reduced during menopause.

Symptoms

• Hot flashes are very uncomfortable. Often times there is an intense pressure in your head just before it happens. There is intense heat in the upper body and face along with perspiration and an increase in heart rate. Weakness, fatigue and dizziness are also common with hot flashes.

Risk Factors

• According to the Mayo Clinic, there are certain things that may put you at a higher risk for hot flashes including smoking, obesity and lack of exercise. Ethnicity also plays a role.

  Excessive hot flashes may also cause trouble sleeping. These are known as night sweats. Mayo Clinic experts also say this can lead to memory problems and depression in some women. If this occurs, you should seek help from a doctor.

Treatment

• The most common way to treat hot flashes is through hormone therapy. It helps to regulate the level of estrogen in the body. If hot flashes are mild, some women choose to try home remedies. The Cleveland Clinic says botanicals and herbs such as black cohosh, soy products, evening primrose oil and flaxseed have shown to help relieve hot flashes. However, they also warn that some of these may have adverse side effects or may cause a bad reaction when combined with certain medications.

  Lifestyle changes like wearing lighter clothing, carrying a manual fan or deep breathing can also help.

Prevention

• It is difficult to completely avoid hot flashes, especially during menopause, but experts at the Cleveland Clinic say there are a few things that can trigger and increase the severity of them. They recommend avoiding caffeine, stress, alcohol and spicy foods. These may reduce the number of hot flashes that occur. Also, tight clothing and cigarettes smoke can cause hot flashes.

  To keep hot flashes at bay, they also recommend regular exercise. Acupuncture is another option if all other methods fail.