Hot flashes and how to stop them

Did you know?
Some women´s skin can rise by as much as six degrees during a hot flash.

Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms of menopause. If you´ve experienced one before, in all likelihood you´ll recognize the symptoms. Hot flashes are characterized by a sudden, intense feeling of heat on the face and upper part of the body. They can be accompanied by feelings of weakness, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, along with seating and an accelerated heartbeat. A hot flash is often followed by a flush, leaving the sufferer with reddened skin and hot flashes nervous drenched in sweat. The duration of the experience can vary from woman to woman, but on average lasts around 4 minutes. For those who haven´t experienced hot flashes, as you can imagine, the experience can be quite unsettling. Rest assured there are plenty of practical tips for surviving hot flashes and their symptoms.

What causes hot flashes?

Quick Fact:
10-15% of women experience such severe hot flashes that they seek medical attention.

Hot flashes have a range of different causes, but if we were to pinpoint just one it would be that hot flashes are related to menopause and reduced production of the hormone estrogen. With that, hot flashes can also be linked to lifestyle, diet and medication.

Quick Fact:
The most common time of hot flashes onset is between six and eight in the morning, and between six to ten at night.

To greatly simplify the process, decreased levels of estrogen have an odd impact on the brain´s internal regulator (the hypothalamus) and confuse it into believing the body is too hot – science hasn´t figured out why it does this yet, but it does. The brain reacts by sending signals to the heart, blood vessels and nervous system to cool down, and the subsequent rush of activity produces the sensation of hot flashes. This cooling mechanism keeps you from overheating in the summer, but a response triggered by a fall in estrogen levels can leave you embarrassed during a meeting or disturbed from a good night´s sleep. An episode of hot flashes can last a few seconds or a few minutes, even an hour, but it can take another half hour for you to feel yourself again. Quick fact: The most common time of hot flashes onset is between six and eight in the morning, and between six to ten at night.

How can I stop hot flashes?

hot flashes drink There are several approaches that a woman can take in stopping with hot flashes. The most preferable solution of course is to overcome them naturally. Whilst hot flashes are directly linked with low levels of estrogen in the body, other factors can help stop your temperature control system getting out of kilter. It is therefore vital to identify the things that trigger hot flashes in order to control them.

Ten typical hot flash triggers:
• alcohol
• caffeine
• diet pills
• spicy food
• smoking
• hot food
• hot tubs
• saunas
• hot showers
• hot rooms

Identifying what your triggers for hot flashes are can be really beneficial. Useful tips include keeping a log of the things you eat and do, and a record how you were feeling at the time. If you can nail down what activities are causing the hot flashes, you should make a conscious effort to stop those activities.

In addition to identifying the triggers, alternative medicines can provide a more precise solution to the problem of hormonal imbalance. Often a combination of alternative medicines and healthy lifestyle is the most effective method of dealing with hot flashes. Click the following link in order to find the best treatments for hot flashes currently available.