The summer heat can be uncomfortable for many people, but if you're unusually overwhelmed by sudden sweating and feeling hot most of the time, it can be signs of not just menopause, but thyroid problems.
Sudden hot flashes can be thyroid problems
Your thyroid actually serves as your body's thermostat, regulating your body temperature along with your energy intake and hunger levels. So even when temperatures start to rise, the weather may not be the only reason why you feel unusually hot and have a great deal of sweat.
Also, when your thyroid is not working properly, these are just the beginning of the symptoms you may experience. Persistent fatigue and moodiness are also common signs of thyroid problems.
Fortunately, there are ways to balance your hormones naturally, such as changing your diet, reducing stress, and increasing your intake of certain nutrients. Also, for people who seem to be particularly sensitive to heat, there are easy ways to stay cool all summer long.
Temperature intolerance and thyroid dysfunction: what is the relationship?
Among the many important roles in the human body, the thyroid gland controls body temperature, and you normally experience different physical reactions to hot and cold temperatures, depending on the levels of thyroid hormone your body is producing.
Essentially, thyroid hormone (a collective term used to describe the many hormones that the thyroid gland produces) increases the rate of metabolism and heat production, while also increasing oxygen consumption and stimulating enzymes, which explains its effect. thermogenic in the body.
When it comes to your thyroid health, there are two main conditions that you can experience (although there may be other problems). With hypothyroidism, which is the most common type of thyroid problem, the thyroid is underactive. This means that the thyroid is not producing enough thyroid hormone, slowing down the body (and its normal functions).
Do you feel cold all the time?
People with hypothyroidism generally have an increased sensitivity to cold temperatures, often feel cold, and may have skin that feels cool to the touch. Hypothyroidism can also cause fatigue, dry hair and skin, mental confusion, unexplained weight gain, digestive problems, and muscle weakness.
Although it is commonly known as hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's disease is actually a little different because it is not a lack of thyroid hormone that causes the symptoms. Instead, the antibodies react against proteins in the thyroid gland, causing the gradual destruction of the entire thyroid gland.
Do you feel hot all the time?
Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, causes the opposite effect of hypothyroidism because the body produces too much thyroid hormone. Higher thyroid hormone levels speed up your body's processes, which can increase your heartbeat, make you sweat, and cause hot flashes.
Signs of thyroid problems in people with an overactive thyroid usually have warm, clammy skin to the touch, and they tend to sweat more and feel very uncomfortable in the heat. In general, it is more common for people with hyperthyroidism to experience thyroid "hot flashes" because their bodies are in overdrive.
But any change in thyroid hormone can lead to temperature intolerance, so it is important to balance these hormone levels to react normally to hot and cold temperatures.
Let's take a closer look at how to do that:
How to Balance Hormones and Avoid Thyroid "Hot Flashes”?
1. Change your diet
To maintain thyroid hormone levels, you should focus on eating a nutrient-dense diet with anti-inflammatory foods and healthy fats. If you have hot flashes due to a thyroid imbalance, focus on eating foods rich in selenium, such as Brazil nuts, spinach, organic grass-fed beef, turkey and chicken, and eggs.
Eating foods high in B vitamins will also help, including organic animal protein and organic yogurt. In addition to eating foods that are high in these key nutrients, focus on limiting your carbohydrate intake and increasing your intake of healthy fats. This will help reduce inflammation and balance your hormones naturally.
Some of the best options for healthy fats include wild salmon, coconut oil, walnuts, and chia seeds. You should also try cutting out processed and packaged foods that can be highly inflammatory and disrupt your hormonal balance.
2. Reduce stress levels ASAP
You've probably heard about how emotional and physical stress can be detrimental to your health, and it's true. When we suffer from persistent stress or feel overworked, our bodies are in a constant "fight or flight" state that wreaks havoc on our adrenal and thyroid glands.
If you feel like you have a thyroid problem and know that stress may be at least part of the cause, make a serious effort to reduce this mental and physical strain. Try some natural stress relievers, such as exercising, taking a walk in nature, taking time for yourself, meditating, and getting enough rest each night.
L-carnitine test: L-carnitine is a type of amino acid that plays a central role in energy production. Research shows that l-carnitine can inhibit the entry of thyroid hormones into cell nuclei, which can be beneficial for people with hyperthyroidism.
A pilot study found that l-carnitine and selenium significantly reduced hyperthyroid symptoms and improved quality of life for patients.
3. Stay cool
If you are prone to hot flashes, especially during the hotter summer months, make an effort to stay cool by drinking plenty of water, eating hydrating foods, and avoiding direct sunlight on very hot days.
You should also review your medications, as some of them (including antibiotics, antidepressants, antihistamines, medications for blood pressure and cholesterol, diuretics and laxatives) can impair your ability to deal with high temperatures.
“keto” is a term for a low-carb diet (like the Atkins diet). The idea is for you to get more calories from protein and fat and less from carbohydrates. You cut back most on the carbs that are easy to digest, like sugar, soda, pastries, and white bread.
