If you’re a woman in menopause, then it is very likely you’ve suffered from hot flashes at one time or the other. Hot flashes affect 75-85% of all women in menopause to varying degrees. It also affects women who begin their menopause after chemotherapy or surgery to remove their ovaries. It is believed that hot flashes occur due to hormone imbalances caused by changes in the level of estrogen and most women are searching for a safe and natural cure for hot flashes.
In this article, you’ll learn
- What Is a Hot Flash?
- The Symptoms of Hot Flashes
- The Causes of Hot Flashes and
- The Solution to Hot Flashes
What Is a Hot Flash?
A hot flash is an unexpected sensation of heat that starts in the upper body and spread to other parts of the body. Your skin may experience some redness during this period known as flushing and this may last from 30 seconds to a few minutes.
It occurs when blood vessels near the skin’s surface broaden to cool down, thereby causing excessive sweat. Some women experience fast heart rate or chills during this period.
When they happen while you’re fast asleep, it is called night sweats. They may interrupt your sleep and sometimes make it difficult to get proper rest.
The Symptoms of Hot Flashes
The rate and degree of hot flashes among women varies. It may be moderate or very intense that it affects your daily activities and It may happen at any time of day or night.
During a hot flash, you might experience:
- A sudden sensation of heat spreading through your face, neck and chest
- A flushed, red skin
- Fast heartbeat
- Excessive sweating, mostly on your upper body
- A chilled feeling
- Anxiousness
The Causes of Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are caused by changing hormone levels before, during and after menopause. However, it’s not clear precisely how hormone changes cause hot flashes. New studies show that hot flashes occur when estrogen levels decline, causing your body’s thermostat (the hypothalamus) to become more sensitive to any changes in body temperature. The hypothalamus begins a series of events — hot flashes — to cool your body down when it believes your body is too warm.
The mechanism responsible for the sudden sensation of heat in the body followed by chills is called a vasomotor spasm. This involves a sudden spasm of the blood vessel walls causing a rush of blood to the skin, thereby heating it up
Other possible causes of hot flashes include side effects of medication, thyroid problems and some cancer treatment side effects.
The Solution to Hot Flashes
There are many options that may help you manage the symptoms of hot flashes but no treatment is guaranteed to prevent hot flashes.
You can use a “chill pillow” filled with water or other cooling material at night. During the day make sure you use fans and wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes made with cotton.
Also, you can try exercising daily and practice deep, slow abdominal breathing. Try deep breathing for 15 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes in the evening (6 to 8 breaths per minute) and when a hot flash begins.
Plant estrogens which can be found in soy products may have weak estrogen-like effects that could prevent hot flashes. Medical experts suggest you get your soy from foods like tofu and edamame rather than supplements. Recent studies suggest black cohosh may be helpful for a period of 6 months or less. Using herbs or botanicals may change how other medications work or have side effects, so seek expert advice from your doctor first.
Celeste London is a Holistic Hormone Nutritionist who teaches women how to use food to balance female hormones. You can book a consultation with her – https://calendly.com/hellocelestelondon/ If you’ll like to learn how to use food to balance female hormones, stop your hot flashes and menopausal symptoms without Hormone Replacement Therapy.
