Hot Flashes
About Hot Flashes
Hot flashes can occur at any time, and will leave you sweaty, flushed and sometimes even tired. Hormonal imbalances are the root cause of most hot flashes, with menopause being the main culprit. The cause for hot flashes is not completely known, though the signs point toward the hypothalamus, or the body’s thermostat. There is not set pattern, flashes could occur just a few times a week or up to several times a day.
The symptoms of hot flashes include: head pressure, mild to intense heat in upper body, flushing, rapid heart rate, fatigue, weakness, dizziness and faintness. Flashes at night are sometimes known as night sweats and can wake you up with their intensity. Many hot flashes only last minutes but they can last up to half an hour.
Treatment is usually not necessary if you can handle them fairly well. There are options for treatment of symptoms if hot flashes are disrupting your everyday life.
Medicine cures and remedies
Remedy for hot flashes by Sue Richards ©
The main medical cures for hot flashes are actually not for hot flashes specifically, but for menopause in general. Hormone replacement therapy or HRT is either estrogen therapy or progesterone therapy. The doctor may prescribe either or both together depending on your particular medical history. A very serious side effect, and the reason many women refuse HRT, is the chance of developing breast cancer. The chances of developing breast, uterine and ovarian cancer rise dramatically in women who are on HRT.
Alternative cures and remedies
Black cohosh, soy and red clover are all purported alternative cures for hot flashes. Black cohosh is used in European countries to treat hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms and is increasingly popular with menopausal women in the United States.
Soy and red clover both contain isoflavones which are thought to have a moderate effect on hot flashes associated with menopause. Women in Asian countries report less instances of hot flashes during menopause and it is thought to be because of the increased consumption of soy and soy based products.
Home cures and remedies
In cases where hot flashes are mild, lifestyle changes alone could alleviate the symptoms. Home cures and remedies for hot flashes include: keeping cool so as not to trigger hot flashes; stay away from spicy foods and caffeine; quit smoking as smokers have more instances of hot flashes. Deep breathing exercises can sometimes lesson the effects of hot flashes.
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