One of the reasons doctors ask so many questions and conduct tests is to make sure that hot flashes are medically based. Although there are no definitive studies that link any particular action to hot flashes, there are a surprising number of other conditions that cause them, including:
- Smoking – There has been research linking smoking to the earlier onset of perimenopause. That means that menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, will manifest earlier.
- Stress -- Yes, there are hormones that can be triggered by stress reactions to work, school, life issues, relationships and other situations. This can trigger an occasional hot flash.
- Food -- If you fuel your body to the limit by overeating or eat something spicy the body is not accustomed to, the digestive furnace can be turned up, creating a hot flash sensation.
- Restrictive clothing -- Sure, fashion is fun, and everyone wants to look good at the club. But binding the body in uncomfortable ways can create stress, which in turn can let loose hormones that can produce hot flashes.
- Alcohol - As we are reminded many times, alcohol is a drug. Too much of a good thing or the right sort of alcoholic drink can trigger a body reaction, resulting in a hot flash.
- Caffeine - The stimulant found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and some foods can stimulate the body’s productions of certain hormones.