We all know that hot flashes are some of the most uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. But are you aware that it is actually possible for you to experience hot flashes even if you’re just in your 20s or you’re a male?

According to doctors, most cases of hot flashes are a benign or transient issue, which means that they are harmless and can go away on their own even without you doing anything to get rid of them.

But then there are also certain medical conditions that can cause hot flashes to make their presence known. Needless to say, identifying and treating the root cause can help put an end to those bouts of hot flashes.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the most common causes of hot flashes aside from menopause:

Medications

Certain types of medications, most especially prescription ones, are known to cause hot flashes as side effects. Some of them include those that are formulated for pain, osteoporosis and depression.

So if you started experiencing hot flashes as soon as your doctor recommended you to start a course of prescription medications, there’s a possibility that your hot flashes are caused by those that you pop in your mouth.

However, don’t stop taking those prescription medications — what you need to do if you can no longer stand those hot flashes is talk with your doctor to see if alternative medications may be prescribed.

Anxiety or Panic Attacks

Having an anxiety or a panic attack can be really scary and traumatic due to the many different weird symptoms it brings, and some of those are hot flashes which can usually make the attack even more frightening.

What you need to do is try your very best to relax during an anxiety or a panic attack to put an end to those hot flashes, as well as other unfavorable things like palpitations and shortness of breath.

It is a good idea for you to seek the help of a therapist or psychiatrist if your anxiety or panic attacks are already keeping your from having a normal life — there are pharmacological and non-pharmacological solutions around.

Excess Pounds

Are you overweight? Then don’t be surprised if you are experiencing hot flashes from time to time. Doctors say that it all has something to do with the fact that those excess pounds can disrupt one’s metabolism.

However, hot flashes should be the least of your worries if you are overweight. That’s because it’s something that is associated with all sorts of scary health problems, from diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. 

What should you do to get rid of those hot flashes due to excess pounds? Get to a more ideal weight by opting for healthy foods and also getting your regular dose of exercise.

Food Sensitivities or Intolerances

It’s not unlikely for you to experience something similar to hot flashes upon the consumption of spicy foods. Are you aware that even non-spicy foods can potentially leave you having bouts of hot flashes?

If you have a food sensitivity or intolerance, it’s very much possible for you to be bugged by hot flashes after consuming foods that your body does not like — it can be anything from milk, egg, wheat, soy, tree nuts to shellfish.

Keep a food diary so that you may be able to identify easily some of the food triggers of hot flashes. It’s also a good idea for you to pay a registered dietitian a visit.

Health Conditions

Just like what’s mentioned earlier, there are some medical conditions that can cause hot flashes to strike. To get rid of hot flashes, you have to deal with what’s causing them to show up in the first place.

Doctors say that problems with the endocrine system or hormones can cause menopause-like symptoms, including hot flashes. Certain types of bacterial or viral infections can cause them, too.

If you are constantly being bugged by hot flashes as well as a few other unusual symptoms, see a doctor so that the root cause of all of those unfavorable symptoms may be identified and treated accordingly.