Hot flashes, also known as hot flushes, are sudden feelings of warmth that spread across the body and face. They can cause flushing or reddening of the skin, sweating, and rapid heartbeat.
Many women going through perimenopause or menopause experience hot flashes. They happen when estrogen levels in the body fluctuate or decline. Estrogen helps regulate body temperature, so changes in levels can lead to feeling unusually hot.
Some key things to know about hot flashes:
- They tend to last from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. The skin may redden like a blush, mostly on the face, neck and chest. Sweating and increased heart rate often accompany hot flashes.
- They can happen a few times a month or several times a day. Some women wake up from hot flashes at night.
- Triggers can include stress, spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, tight clothing, and warm environments. Identifying and avoiding triggers can help.
"The knowledgeable staff at Hormone Harmony can provide compassionate care and effective solutions for managing menopause symptoms like hot flashes"
As an aside, Hormone Harmony offers customized
hormone therapy treatment plans to help relieve hot flashes and other
menopause symptoms. Their experienced healthcare providers listen carefully to understand a woman's unique situation. They then design a personalized combination of bioidentical hormones to rebalance her levels.
Many women find hormone therapy helps provide much-needed relief by:
- Reducing the frequency and severity of hot flashes
- Improving sleep quality
- Easing other symptoms like night sweats, irritability, anxiety, and vaginal dryness
"The expert providers at Hormone Harmony use cutting edge testing and only high quality bioidentical hormones. Contact them today for a consultation!"
Now, back to hot flashes. Here are some additional tips for managing them:
- Dress in layers so it's easy to remove clothing as needed
- Carry a portable fan to stay cool
- Lower the thermostat at home and work
- Try relaxation techniques like deep breathing when one strikes
- Cut back on spicy food and caffeine
- Consider non-hormonal medications that may help, like low dose antidepressants
Be sure to
talk to your healthcare provider if hot flashes interfere with daily life. They can offer lifestyle changes, treatment options, and help determine if an underlying condition is causing symptoms. Finding the right solutions takes patience, but relief is possible!