What is Hot Flashes?

Hot flashes, also known as hot flushes, are sudden feelings of warmth that spread across the body and face. They can cause sweating, reddening of the skin, and a rapid heart rate. Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause and perimenopause.

What causes hot flashes?

Hot flashes are caused by decreasing levels of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. As women approach menopause, their ovaries produce less of these hormones. This affects the body's temperature control center in the brain (the hypothalamus), causing it to mistakenly sense that the body is too hot when it isn't.

When do they occur?

Most women have hot flashes around menopause, as their estrogen levels decline. However, hot flashes can happen earlier, during the years leading up to menopause known as perimenopause. Perimenopause usually begins in a woman's 40s, but can start as early as the mid-30s. Hot flashes tend to peak in frequency and severity around actual menopause.

Ask your doctor about managing menopause hot flashes.

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What do they feel like?

The feeling of a hot flash can range from mild to intense:

  • A flushed feeling spreads rapidly from the face and neck to the chest and back
  • Heart rate quickens
  • Skin reddens and feels warm, even sweaty
  • Sudden chills may follow
  • Hot flashes tend to last 30 seconds to several minutes

The unpredictability of hot flashes can make them particularly bothersome. They can wake women at night or cause unexpected sweating during the day.

Managing hot flashes

Here are some tips that may help ease hot flashes:

  • Dress in light, breathable fabrics and layers that can be removed
  • Carry a portable fan or cooling spray
  • Learn your hot flash triggers like stress, caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods and try to avoid them
  • Try relaxation techniques such as paced breathing
  • Ask your doctor at Vitality Clinic about prescription remedies or botanical supplements that may help

The good news about hot flashes? They do eventually diminish for most women. As the body adjusts to lower hormone levels, hot flashes tend to become less frequent and intense over time. Staying healthy with activity and a nutritious diet may also help reduce symptoms.

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