Causes of Hot Flashes
What Causes Hot Flashes
I get asked a lot about what causes hot flashes, and as with lots of other modern day health issues, one of the biggest causes of hot flashes is lifestyle.
Smoking tobacco or marijuana intensifies and causes hot flashes because it affects your circulation. If you smoke, now is an excellent time to stop.
Stress is thought to contribute to the causes of hot flashes. Try to ease the stresses in your life and find time to relax, as relaxation may help to stop hot flashes from occurring in the first place, and can decrease their intensity when they do.
During a hot flash move to a cool, peaceful place where you can sit or lie quietly. Breathe deeply and slowly, and practice visualization and calming thoughts. If you can, when you inhale, think about cool air filling your body, and when you breathe out, visualize heat rushing out through your hands and feet.
Choose your clothes carefully. Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester and nylon, trap perspiration and those with high collars and long sleeves intensify feelings of suffocation. This material is not necessarily one of the causes of hot flashes, but they certainly don’t help when you get one. It’s preferable to wear natural fibers such as cotton or linen, and garments that are loose-fitting. Many women choose short sleeves, round or v-necks, or clothes that can be unbuttoned at the neck. Avoid round-necks or any garment or jewellery that is tight-fitting around the neck.
Maintaining a regular and active sex life can also help. A Stanford University research study in the United States has shown that women who have sex regularly, at least once a week, have fewer or less intense hot flashes. Not that a low sex life is what causes hot flashes, but again, anything that you can do help prevent them is worth considering.
One of the obvious causes of hot flashes is hot environments. Stay away from hot tubs and saunas. Be on the alert in hot weather, as heat can trigger flashes. Some women keep a fan in their handbag.
