If you are a woman who is going through perimenopause or menopause, you may notice you are suffering from hot flashes. This is a common symptom of menopause and while it is extremely uncomfortable, it is not harmful.
The Definition of a Hot Flash
When you get hot flashes, you will notice a sudden wave of heat coursing through your entire body. Sometimes you may sweat or have a flushed face. Professionals are still unsure why hot flashes occur, some think it has to due with the altering of the body’s circulation when a woman is in the menopause stage of her life.
When a hot flash occurs the blood vessels located on the surface of the skin dilate to cool which causes the flushing of the skin. Some but not all women sweat while others have a quicker pulse. Some women can have these hot flashes during the night which can lead to an uncomfortable sleep. This is commonly known as night sweats. Each woman will experience hot flashes uniquely.
Some only experience hot flashes briefly while in the menopause stage in their stage. Others may not be as lucky and deal with hot flashes the rest of their lives. However, the majority of women will notice a decrease in hot flashes or a complete end to hot flashes with age.
How to Lessen and Avoid Hot Flashes
While it is highly unlikely you can fully avoid hot flashes, you are able avoid things which make them worse or trigger them. Some of the things you should avoid or take in moderation are:
- Caffeine
- Tight clothing
- Stress
- Alcohol
- Smoking or cigarette smoke
- Spicy foods
- Hot climate
These are not surefire factors which can trigger a hot flash, but they can add to your discomfort. Avoiding these things can reduce how many hot flashes and also how severe they are.
Mitigating How Severe Your Hot Flashes Are
If you find yourself getting extremely uncomfortable when dealing a hot flash, here are some tips to remember:
- Try to stay as cool as possible. If you find yourself suffering especially from night sweats, make sure to keep your house cool. It also helps if you keep a portable fan nearby for these night sweats occur. Do not fuss around the bed or fan yourself, this will ultimately lead you to be more uncomfortable.
- Keep circulation flowing by exercising and staying active. Do some low-impact exercising such as bike ride or swimming to stay active and keep the blood flowing through your body.
- Make your home more comfortable for yourself. There are plenty of products geared toward keeping people cool. Things such as cooling pillows or towels, noiseless fans, and cooling sleeping masks can alleviate your discomfort during a hot flash.
Know you do not suffer alone when it comes to hot flashes. While your experience may be unique, you do have ways to lessen the discomfort during this stage in your life. Take the extra steps to avoid the triggers of hot flashes and you may find them to be more bearable than not.
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