What causes intermittent waves of heat in the body?

Episodic body heat sensations may be caused by various factors. Excessively high indoor temperatures or hot environments can be direct causes, leading to increased body temperature and a sensation of warmth. Psychological factors such as excessive mental stress or poor emotional state may also trigger body heat, often accompanied by symptoms like nervousness. Pathological conditions such as perimenopausal syndrome and hyperthyroidism can also cause hot flashes— the former related to fluctuations in sex hormones, the latter due to excess thyroid hormone causing increased metabolic activity. Other possible causes include upper respiratory tract infections, wind-heat common cold, yin deficiency with internal heat, damp-heat, spleen deficiency, and qi and blood deficiency. Given the wide range of potential causes for episodic body heat, individualized assessment is necessary for accurate diagnosis and management.