Hot Flashes 101

Hot flashes and menopause -- it's almost impossible to think of one without the other. Hot flashes are the most common symptom of perimenopausal and menopausal women; according to some studies, affecting approximately 85% of these women.  Most women have mild to moderate hot flashes, but about 10–15% of women experience such severe hot flashes that they seek medical attention.

When you're having a hot flash, you may experience:

• a feeling of pressure in your head as the hot flash begins
• a feeling of mild to intense heat spreading through your upper body and face
• a flushed appearance with red, blotchy skin on your face, neck and upper chest
• rapid heartbeat
• perspiration, mostly on your upper body
• a chilled feeling as the hot flash subsides

Hot flashes are mostly caused by the hormonal changes of menopause, but can also be affected by lifestyle and medications. A diminished level of estrogen has a direct effect on the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for controlling your appetite, sleep cycles, sex hormones, and body temperature. Somehow (we don't know how), the drop in estrogen confuses the hypothalamus—which is sometimes referred to as the body's "thermostat"—and makes it read "too hot."

There is considerable variation in time of onset, duration, frequency, and the nature of hot flashes. . An episode can last a few seconds or a few minutes, occasionally even an hour, but it can take another half hour for you to feel yourself again. Research shows the most common time of onset is between six and eight in the morning, and six to ten at night.
Some women keep a record of when a hot flash occurs and what they were eating or doing, or how they were feeling at the time.  You can then try to avoid the triggers.  Some common triggers are:

stress alcohol caffeine diet pills spicy food

hot food hot tubs saunas hot showers

hot beds hot rooms hot weather smoking

Hot flash survival tips -

• Dress in layers, so you can peel off one layer after another as you get warmer.
• Don't wear wool, don't wear synthetics, and be wary of silk. That leaves cotton, linen, rayon, and more cotton.
• Avoid turtlenecks. Stick to open-neck shirts.
• Keep ice water at hand that you can sip to cool down.
• Where possible, lower the thermostat or maybe it's time for an air conditioner or a ceiling fan.
• Wear cotton pajamas or a nightgown. If you perspire a lot at night, your nightclothes are easier to change than the sheets.
• Use cotton sheets only, not synthetics.
• Get a bigger bed if you and your partner are on different heat planets but you still want to stay in close orbit.
• Take a cool shower before bed.
• Arrive at meetings early so that you can get the coolest seat.
• Use your freezer liberally. A number of women talked about opening the freezer at home (or in the supermarket) and sticking their head in when a hot flash hits.
• Put a cold pack or a cold cloth at the back of your neck.

Hope this information helps; I’ve referenced the following links for the information contained in this posting:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hot-flashes/DS01143/DSECTION=symptoms

http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/menopaus1/a/menopause2.htm

http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/hotflashes/a/nomorehotflashs.htm

http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/menopausal/facing/hot_flashes.jsp

Monica

Disclaimer -The material provided on this site is designed for information and educational purposes only. The materials are not intended to be a self diagnostic and/or self treatment tool. I encourage you to use this information as a tool for discussing your condition with your health practitioner.