What Do These Hot Flushes Mean?
,
Hot flushes (or hot flashes outside the UK) are a common symptom experienced by women during menopause. They are typically characterised by a sudden feeling of heat in the upper body, often accompanied by a flushed face and sweating. But what is the root cause of these hot flashes? Let's delve into the science behind this.
The Hypothalamus and body temperature
The root cause of hot flushes lies in the brain. Your brain's hypothalamus, known as the body's thermostat, is responsible for maintaining your body temperature. During menopause, hormonal changes cause the hypothalamus to misinterpret the body's temperature, often causing it to believe the body is too hot when it's not. This miscommunication triggers the hot flash. In essence, hot flushes occur due to a miscommunication in your brain's temperature control centre.
Hormonal changes
During menopause, levels of the hormone oestrogen decrease significantly. This decline impacts the function of the hypothalamus, leading to the temperature miscommunication. The body then reacts by dilating the blood vessels to release heat, resulting in the sensation of a hot flash.
- Oestrogen: This hormone plays an important role in temperature regulation. As levels decline during menopause, the body's ability to regulate temperature can become disrupted.
- Progesterone: While less directly linked to hot flashes, this hormone also decreases during menopause and can contribute to temperature deregulation when levels are low.
Does the food we eat also have an impact on hot flushes?
Indeed, the food we eat can significantly influence the frequency and intensity of hot flushes. Certain foods are known to trigger hot flushes, and understanding this can help manage your symptoms better.
Trigger foods
- Spicy foods: These can raise the body's temperature, leading to a hot flush.
- Caffeine: It can stimulate the nervous system, which can trigger hot flushes.
- Alcohol: Alcohol can dilate blood vessels, increasing body heat and possibly leading to a hot flush.
- Sugar: High sugar intake can cause blood sugar to spike, which may result in a hot flush.
Keeping a food diary can be a useful tool in identifying personal triggers, helping you to manage your diet and reduce the occurrence of hot flushes.
In summary, the root cause of hot flushes during menopause is a complex interaction between hormonal changes and the body's temperature regulation system. This interaction results in the characteristic sudden feeling of warmth and sweating that many women experience.
