How to get rid of hot flashes

A hot flash is when the body has an abrupt feeling of warmth. The warmth is most typically felt over the face, neck and chest, although other areas of the body may also be affected. They may cause the body to sweat, feel flushed or chilled and redden as the flash subsides.

Hot flashes are most commonly associated with menopause, the time in which a woman’s menstrual cycle stops, although they could be caused by other hormonal conditions.

Frequency of hot flashes can vary from woman to woman, anywhere from one a day to one an hour, but typically only last a few minutes.

The cause of hot flashes is not entirely known, but they could be related to changes in reproductive hormones and the hypothalamus, or the body’s way of regulating its temperature. While not always the case, there are certain factors that could increase a woman’s risk of hot flashes, such as:

Smoking;
Obesity;
Physical inactivity; or
Ethnicity.

While hot flashes are not a health concern, they can be uncomfortable and disruptive. There are a variety of treatment options for dealing with hot flashes. Lifestyle changes may be the all that is needed for relief from hot flashes, if they are mild. These changes could include:

Sleeping in a cool room;
Dressing in layers;
Drinking a cold beverage;
Avoiding spicy foods, caffeinated drinks and alcohol;
Maintaining a healthy body weight; or
Not smoking.

Hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for women suffering from hot flashes. If a woman has had a hysterectomy — the removal of her uterus — then she can take the hormone estrogen; however, taking estrogen could increase the possibility of developing other health complications. Women who still have a uterus can take a combination of estrogen and progesterone, which also helps protect against uterine cancer.

A doctor may also recommend other prescription medications for hot flash relief. Certain antidepressants, antiseizure and high blood pressure medications can provide some relief.

Mind and body methods may also help to provide relief from hot flashes. These include:

Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation and paced breathing;
Acupuncture;
Hypnosis; or
Homeopathic remedies.

Be sure to talk to a doctor to discuss which treatment options are best.

Additional information can be found at these websites:

http://www.hormone.org/questions-and-answers/2012/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-for-menopausal-symptoms

http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/menopause-time-change/what-can-you-do-hot-flashes-and-other-menopausal-symptoms

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hot-flashes/basics/definition/con-20034883