Hot flashes are a common symptom in women going through menopause. You suddenly feel hot in one second and cold in the next. They are usually caused by hormonal fluctuations.
What are the signs and symptoms of hot flashes?
In the menopause phase, women begin to feel that the gas stove is burning inside and their upper body is getting hot and probably sweaty.
Here are few more signs that a woman can co-relate to have hot flashes:
- Flushed appearance with red, blotchy skin like you have put up a red blush.
- Feeling warmth in upper body, face, neck and chest.
- Increased heart rate
- Excessive sweating, like your brows or scalps is covered with sweat.
- Feeling stressed or anxious.
Hot flashes can persist minimum for 7 years and maximum to 12 years during and after menopause.
Sometimes hot flashes are the basic indication of underlying health conditions like breast cancer, so don’t overlook your symptoms and do consult your gynecologist for proper evaluation.
Causes
Generally, hot flashes are caused by hormonal fluctuations during and after menopause. In this phase production of estrogen level decreases in the body and your body’s thermostat ( hypothalamus ) become too sensitive to any change in body and food.
One should also look around if you are taking any other medications. Hot flashes might be a side effect of any of your drugs. You should consult your treating physician and have a worse about it.
What can trigger hot flashes?
During menopause, certain things can suddenly trigger hot flashes like the weather or maybe your food. You need to observe what triggers yours. Here are a few common factors that can angry your body.
- Spicy food
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Tight clothing
- Hot shower
- Weather
- Stress
So before looking at any treatment or alternative options for your symptoms, you should eliminate the causative factors. You should also avoid sweets if you are high on hot flashes.
How to stop hot flashes?
Too many and too frequent episodes of hot flashes do need medical attention. Your physician may order a few blood tests to check hormonal levels.
Hot flashes are generally treated with
- hormonal replacement therapy
- oral estrogen therapy
- anti-depressant
- anti-seizure
but all of the medications may have serious side effects, so should discuss them with your healthcare provider before taking them.
Lifestyle modifications for hot flashes
A healthy lifestyle is a key to happiness and the same works to cool down the hot flashes. If you make a few changes in your diet and lifestyle, you can reduce your episodes.
Cool clothing
A slight change in core body temperature can trigger hot flashes. You should dress in layers so that you can remove an extra layer when your body is warm and put the clothes back on when your body cools down.
Watch what you eat and drink
Avoid certain foods and drinks that can trigger your symptoms. Do not consume hot and spicy food and avoid alcohol and caffeine. Do observe your common triggering factors.
Therapies for menopause
Practising mind-realxing therapies is also a good initiative, practice
- slow breathing exercise
- meditaion
- stress management techniques
These therapies will not only manage your symptoms, but they will also give you other health benefits and help in mind and body detoxification.
Quit smoking
Smoking is injuries to health, we all know but it is time to accept it and change your habits for your wellbeing if have not yet. Also, avoid passive smoking, because smoking accelerates the disease and also cause hot flashes in menopausal women.
Weight loss
Obesity is an invitation to many other health problems like diabetes, hypertension and many more. Similarly obesity cause more severe menopause symptoms and also cause frequent episodes of heat production. So losing weight can significantly improve your health.
Quick fixes
Apart from medications and lifestyle modifications, here are few quick tips to fix the hot flashes naturally and fast.
- Keep yourself hydrated
- Carry cool water all the time
- Take cold shower
- Daily use of isoflevon rich soy products
- Eat fresh fruits
- Use a portable neck fan*
- Take natural supplement
- Avoid wearing synthetic, wool or silky clothes
- Walk daily
- Consider drinking Amberen Menopause Relief*
Losing weight will help in reducing the symptoms as well as it will prevent the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease in post-menopause women.
If you like this article do give it a big thumbs-up to keep me inspired and motivated to provide you with more and more tips about women health. You can always reach out to me in the comment section with your queries and feedback.
Be sure to sign up for my free newsletter to be the first to get new posts!
