5 Tips to Reduce Menopause Hot Flashes
June 26, 2009 by Helpful Menopause Tips
Filed under About Menopause
Women going though menopause are guaranteed the inconvenience of hot flashes.
These hot flashes can happen any time of the day or night, sometimes resulting in waking you up from even the deepest sleep. Hot flashes occur because of the decreased estrogen level in the female body. Hot flashes cause insomnia, anxiety, and panic attacks Sadly enough, while they will occur during menopause here are five tips to reduce menopause hot flashes.
The number one way to relieve hot flashes, as recommended by doctors is through HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). This is the means in which synthetic estrogen, and progesterone is added to the body to help balance out the loss of estrogen, thus causing the hot flash. This method of treatment does have side-effects such as nausea, irregular bleeding, and headaches. Another known fact about HRT is that if you have a family history of breast cancer, it might not be the best method in treating your symptoms, but it is a very efficient means of relieving hot flashes.
Another very useful means is to log your hot flashes. Keep a record of when they begin, and how long they last. Make sure you document the situation you were in when it came on so that you can determine if there are any triggers that are causing them. Once you get used to logging your hot flashes and the possible triggers that caused them, it becomes easier to avoid those triggers. While triggers are not the only cause of hot flashes and you may still have them anyway, this is still a useful empowerment for you to really give yourself an evaluation to see if there are lifestyle changes needed during this transition.
Exercise is also a very positive means of reducing hot flashes during menopause. Exercise helps increase the levels of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter directly linked to hormone levels. Since it is the depletion of estrogen, adding the benefits of exercise to get your serotonin level charged, it can help stave off anxiety and panic, two results of having chronic hot flashes. Another great medium of exercise is Yoga. For those who would rather have a more relaxing exercise regime than the contemporary aerobic exercise, this is wonderful for dealing with the anxiety and panic. It helps give focus, and clarity to the brain as well.
One thing that you can control is the thermostat in your home. Find ways to effectively cool down the body. Set temperature controls at comfortable levels. Dress in pure cotton clothing because it allows the skin to breath. Applying ice to the neck and wrists is a wonderful way to cool down the body. Also, take cool showers and drink plenty of cool water when you feel a hot flash coming on.
Stress is a major cause of hot flashes during menopause. During the time that you are logging your hot flashes, take careful note of stressful situations. Try to avoid stress by using relaxation methods, such as deep breathing. Find time for yourself to reflect and have quiet time. This can be done by taking a quiet walk, or finding a place that you can just sit and think. With our society under so much stress, this can sometimes be difficult but along with the medications used for menopause, there are some things that you will have to take control of. By relieving those areas of stress, you can help relieve your hot flashes, and eventually cause them to dissipate.
Related Articles:
Top rated Natural Menopause Products
Migraine Headache Treatment
Thanks to Raj Kumar for contributing this article to our Menopause blog:
These hot flashes can happen any time of the day or night, sometimes resulting in waking you up from even the deepest sleep. Hot flashes occur because of the decreased estrogen level in the female body. Hot flashes cause insomnia, anxiety, and panic attacks Sadly enough, while they will occur during menopause here are five tips to reduce menopause hot flashes.
The number one way to relieve hot flashes, as recommended by doctors is through HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). This is the means in which synthetic estrogen, and progesterone is added to the body to help balance out the loss of estrogen, thus causing the hot flash. This method of treatment does have side-effects such as nausea, irregular bleeding, and headaches. Another known fact about HRT is that if you have a family history of breast cancer, it might not be the best method in treating your symptoms, but it is a very efficient means of relieving hot flashes.
Another very useful means is to log your hot flashes. Keep a record of when they begin, and how long they last. Make sure you document the situation you were in when it came on so that you can determine if there are any triggers that are causing them. Once you get used to logging your hot flashes and the possible triggers that caused them, it becomes easier to avoid those triggers. While triggers are not the only cause of hot flashes and you may still have them anyway, this is still a useful empowerment for you to really give yourself an evaluation to see if there are lifestyle changes needed during this transition.
Exercise is also a very positive means of reducing hot flashes during menopause. Exercise helps increase the levels of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter directly linked to hormone levels. Since it is the depletion of estrogen, adding the benefits of exercise to get your serotonin level charged, it can help stave off anxiety and panic, two results of having chronic hot flashes. Another great medium of exercise is Yoga. For those who would rather have a more relaxing exercise regime than the contemporary aerobic exercise, this is wonderful for dealing with the anxiety and panic. It helps give focus, and clarity to the brain as well.
One thing that you can control is the thermostat in your home. Find ways to effectively cool down the body. Set temperature controls at comfortable levels. Dress in pure cotton clothing because it allows the skin to breath. Applying ice to the neck and wrists is a wonderful way to cool down the body. Also, take cool showers and drink plenty of cool water when you feel a hot flash coming on.
Stress is a major cause of hot flashes during menopause. During the time that you are logging your hot flashes, take careful note of stressful situations. Try to avoid stress by using relaxation methods, such as deep breathing. Find time for yourself to reflect and have quiet time. This can be done by taking a quiet walk, or finding a place that you can just sit and think. With our society under so much stress, this can sometimes be difficult but along with the medications used for menopause, there are some things that you will have to take control of. By relieving those areas of stress, you can help relieve your hot flashes, and eventually cause them to dissipate.
Related Articles:
Top rated Natural Menopause Products
Migraine Headache Treatment
Thanks to Raj Kumar for contributing this article to our Menopause blog:
Don be Alarmed With Hot Flashes During Pregnancy
June 4, 2009 by Helpful Menopause Tips
Filed under About Menopause
Although they are usually associated with the onset of menopause, hot flashes during pregnancy are quite common. Hot flashes are short periods when you experience intense heat and increased heart rate. Your face may become quite flushed and you may experience profuse sweating. If you are unfamiliar with this sensation, the experience can be rather frightening. One episode could last as long as five minutes, but they are usually less than a minute in duration. Some women do not experience hot flashes at all when they are pregnant and others have them all the time.
Experts suggest that hot flashes are caused by an increase in heat in the regulatory areas of the brain that control body temperature. One of the symptoms of pregnancy is an increase in the basal body temperature so it is only natural that you will go through hot flashes. Many things can trigger an episode, such as eating spicy foods. This is true even if these foods never bothered you before you became pregnant. Hot weather is another trigger that will make you feel warmer than normal and very uncomfortable. This is why many pregnant women find the summer months particularly trying when they are in the final trimester.
You don have to visit your doctor to get help for hot flashes when you are pregnant. There are natural ways of controlling this sensation and he/she will not likely prescribe any medication. They are often associated with lower than normal estrogen levels in the body. The best advice is to get to know the things that trigger your hot flashes and then avoid them as much as possible. The usual triggers include the following:
* Hot showers
* Drinking caffeinated drinks
* Consuming alcohol
* Smoking
* Becoming angry or stressed
* Hot drinks
Wearing loose clothing that gives your body room to breathe is another natural way of controlling your episodes of hot flashes. Another technique to reduce the discomfort is to take deep breaths from your abdomen and let the air out slowly through your nose. Taking walk can help to relieve the symptoms. Other treatments include swimming, taking cool baths and keeping cold water on hand for drinks when you need them.
While treatments for hot flashes do exist for menopausal women in the form of hormone therapy, this is not possible for a pregnant woman. When expectant mothers experience hot flashes the best remedy is to make changes in their lifestyle to help reduce the frequency and intensity of the episodes. During warm weather, having a fan close at hand or sitting near an open window with a wind blowing through will really give you comfort.
There is nothing to get concerned about when you do have hot flashes when you are pregnant. The episode may be embarrassing for you when you are in the company of others, but once you explain that you are expecting a baby, your friends will easily understand your situation. Some of them may have had the same experiences and may be able to offer you helpful advice.
Thanks to Ling Tong for contributing this article to our Menopause blog:
Experts suggest that hot flashes are caused by an increase in heat in the regulatory areas of the brain that control body temperature. One of the symptoms of pregnancy is an increase in the basal body temperature so it is only natural that you will go through hot flashes. Many things can trigger an episode, such as eating spicy foods. This is true even if these foods never bothered you before you became pregnant. Hot weather is another trigger that will make you feel warmer than normal and very uncomfortable. This is why many pregnant women find the summer months particularly trying when they are in the final trimester.
You don have to visit your doctor to get help for hot flashes when you are pregnant. There are natural ways of controlling this sensation and he/she will not likely prescribe any medication. They are often associated with lower than normal estrogen levels in the body. The best advice is to get to know the things that trigger your hot flashes and then avoid them as much as possible. The usual triggers include the following:
* Hot showers
* Drinking caffeinated drinks
* Consuming alcohol
* Smoking
* Becoming angry or stressed
* Hot drinks
Wearing loose clothing that gives your body room to breathe is another natural way of controlling your episodes of hot flashes. Another technique to reduce the discomfort is to take deep breaths from your abdomen and let the air out slowly through your nose. Taking walk can help to relieve the symptoms. Other treatments include swimming, taking cool baths and keeping cold water on hand for drinks when you need them.
While treatments for hot flashes do exist for menopausal women in the form of hormone therapy, this is not possible for a pregnant woman. When expectant mothers experience hot flashes the best remedy is to make changes in their lifestyle to help reduce the frequency and intensity of the episodes. During warm weather, having a fan close at hand or sitting near an open window with a wind blowing through will really give you comfort.
There is nothing to get concerned about when you do have hot flashes when you are pregnant. The episode may be embarrassing for you when you are in the company of others, but once you explain that you are expecting a baby, your friends will easily understand your situation. Some of them may have had the same experiences and may be able to offer you helpful advice.
Thanks to Ling Tong for contributing this article to our Menopause blog:
For more information on hot flashes during pregnancy,very early signs of pregnancy and pregnancy stages visit http://www.Pregnancy-Articles.com
