Feeling warmer than others, even in comfortable environments, is a common sensation often described as “running hot.” This can range from mild annoyance to significant discomfort. Understanding this involves exploring the body’s temperature regulation and daily and internal factors.
Your Body’s Internal Thermostat
The human body maintains a stable internal temperature through thermoregulation. The hypothalamus, a brain region, controls this system. Like a thermostat, it monitors core temperature, comparing it to a set point, typically 98.6°F (37°C).
When body temperature rises, the hypothalamus initiates cooling. Sweating releases moisture onto the skin; as it evaporates, heat dissipates, cooling the body. Vasodilation, another mechanism, widens blood vessels beneath the skin, increasing blood flow to the surface for heat dissipation.
Everyday Factors Making You Feel Warm
Everyday factors contribute to feeling warm. The environment plays a role; high room temperatures, humidity, or heavy clothing hinder natural cooling. When sweat cannot evaporate effectively due to humidity, the cooling effect diminishes.
Physical activity contributes to heat production. Muscles generate heat during exercise, raising core body temperature. The body responds by increasing blood flow to the skin and sweating to manage this heat. Dietary choices also influence warmth; spicy foods contain capsaicin that can trigger a cooling response. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, increasing heart rate and making you feel warmer, and potentially dehydrate, hindering cooling.
Stress and anxiety can manifest as increased body temperature, sometimes called psychogenic fever. The body’s “fight or flight” response, activated during stress, releases hormones that elevate metabolic rate and generate heat. This physiological response can lead to a temporary or persistent feeling of warmth, which may not respond to typical fever-reducing medications.
Internal Body Processes and Temperature
Internal physiological processes contribute to core body temperature. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the energy the body expends to maintain basic functions at rest. A higher BMR means the body produces more internal heat, making some individuals naturally feel warmer.
Hormonal fluctuations impact temperature sensation. Women often experience hot flashes during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause due to shifts in hormone levels, particularly estrogen. These changes can affect the hypothalamus’s temperature regulation, leading to sudden warmth, flushing, and sweating. Individual differences in thermoregulation also exist based on age, gender, and body composition. These variations mean some people may naturally have a different baseline temperature or respond to heat differently.
When to Seek Medical Guidance
While feeling warm is often due to common factors, it can signal an underlying medical concern. If you frequently or persistently feel hot without an obvious cause, or with other concerning symptoms, seek medical attention. Symptoms like unexplained weight changes, persistent fatigue, night sweats, or changes in heart rate could indicate a medical condition.
Certain medications can also cause warmth or heat intolerance as a side effect. These include some blood pressure medications, antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and stimulants. These drugs can interfere with the body’s ability to sweat or regulate temperature through the hypothalamus. Consult a healthcare professional to determine the cause of persistent warmth and rule out medical conditions.