Hormonal balance is your body’s natural state. But when there are too many demands on your body, its ability to balance your hormones is overwhelmed. The resulting hormonal imbalance gives rise to hot flashes or night sweats.
Basically, the heat-regulatory area of the brain is “tricked” into thinking the body needs to dispel heat, causing it to send out signals for blood vessels to dilate, heart rate to increase, and sweat glands to open. The result is the unpleasant rush of heat, perspiration, dizziness, and pounding heart that characterize hot flashes.
The demands that create hormonal imbalance tend to peak in perimenopause (the years leading up to menopause), which is why hot flashes are commonly thought of as a menopause symptom. But women can experience hormonal imbalance at any stage in their lives. It is just your body’s way of asking for help.
Some factors increase your likelihood of experiencing hot flashes. Women with high levels of anxiety are up to five times as likely to experience hot flashes and night sweats. Being overweight contributes to hot flashes as well, and smoking can double your risk. Certain foods like sugar, caffeine, alcohol and hot spices trigger hot flashes in some women. That is why your health care professional encourage you to listen to your body and respond.