Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

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The Most Commonly Complained about Symptoms during the Menopause are Hot Flashes and Night Sweats.

Coping with Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

Hot flashes are caused by decreases in estrogen and progesterone that causes the hypothalamus, basically the gland in the body that acts as a thermostat, to have difficulty determining whether we are hot or cold.

Some women suffer only mildly from hot flashes, whereas others find they are hot and soaking in the cold of winter. Hot flashes can even be accompanied by headaches, lethargy, weakness, fatigue and insomnia.

Menopause is not a symptom free condition. The most important thing you can do to improve your experience of the side effects or symptoms of menopause is to remain calm. Next, check with your physician or healthcare provider to ensure that your symptoms fall within the normal range. Hot flashes for example, can be a sign of other serious medical disorders, not simply menopause.

Once you have done this your next step will be addressing the symptoms you are having.

Hot Flashes and How to Cope
For most women hot flashes feel like sudden waves of heat that strike at any time and any place. They can start at the waist or chest, but generally work their way to the neck and face, causing flushing, blushing, perspiration and discomfort. Many women find that their entire body from head to toes starts to sweat profusely during a hot flash.

Hot flashes can vary in length from a matter of seconds to several minutes.

What can you do to relieve your discomfort?  Aside from medical interventions there are a number of natural measures you can adopt to ease your discomfort. Among these include:

• Wear natural fibers- consider wearing clothes made of cotton or wool, which are better able to disperse heat and take it away from the body, helping you feel more cool and relaxed.

 
• Supplement- hot flashes can reduce the amount of essential vitamins in the body, particularly vitamins B, C and magnesium.  This is largely the result of the sweating that is associated with hot flashes.  Be sure to supplement so you feel your best at all times.

 
• Avoid triggers- there are many identifiable substances that contribute to hot flashes.  These include spicy foods, hot drinks, alcoholic beverages, stress, hot weather and even anger.

If you are having trouble with night sweats, consider wearing nothing at all or only lightweight fabrics in the evening.  Silk sheets can also help cool off your sleep environment, as well as an open window and extra fan or two.  Consider having a glass of ice water nearby to help cool you off if you have an attack in the middle of the evening.

You should also consider embarking on a regular program of exercise to help alleviate stress and reduce tension. Relaxing forms of exercise including meditation and yoga can also help you cope with your symptoms. While these forms of activity may not eliminate your symptoms altogether, they will help you have the patience and perseverance to better manage them when they occur.

There are also some herbal supplements that may help you cope with hot flashes.  Black cohosh extract, motherwort and ginseng are three such supplements. Be sure that you consult with your healthcare provider however, before taking any supplements to ensure that it is safe for you to take them and that they won't interfere with any other medications you may be taking.

When all else fails, remember to smile and take a deep breath.  Remember that all hot flashes, like any of the symptoms of menopause will eventually pass and you will overcome any and all other challenges you face during your menopausal years.