Do you experience a feeling so uncomfortable that it makes you feel like you are burning from the inside all of a sudden? You sweat like a melting popsicle and feel embarrassed while the people around stare at you in utter confusion. We totally understand how it feels when one moment you are fine, but the very next moment you are hit by a hot flash. You feel feverish, when the heat emerges in your head and neck and spreads over your entire body, making you perspire a lot.
Hot flashes are a common occurrence among woman approaching their menopause. It is caused by the hormonal changes taking inside the body, as the ovaries prepare to shut shop. The drastic drop in the levels of estrogen triggers the hot flashes. Our body releases the heat in order to cool itself and maintain homeostasis. When the estrogen levels dip, it bamboozles our brain, the hypothalamus to be specific. The hypothalamus is a part of the brain in the basal area that is responsible for keeping the temperature of the body on the right track. So, when estrogen levels fall, it signals the hypothalamus that the body temperature is going up. In such a scenario, the hypothalamus strives to bring the body temperature back to normal, giving you fever like symptoms. The severity of hot flashes is directly proportional to the speed of your transition from normal periods to menopause.
Hot flashes can put you in an awkward situation for a period of 30 seconds to a couple of minutes. As a hot flash sets in, the face suddenly turns red and the woman begins to sweat. Some women experience hot flashes in the middle of their sleep as well. Almost 95% of women approaching their menopause experience hot flashes. 10 – 15% of women struggle with severe cases of hot flashes while the remaining 85-70% experience mild to moderate episodes.
Hot flashes is not a medical condition, but a temporary disorder kick-started by hormones going haywire in the body. Hot flashes can be corrected by hormone replacement therapy or drug treatments. But these treatments come at a price. Tinkering with the hormones has its own set of side-effects, leading to newer complications. But don’t lose your heart yet. There are natural ways to combat and survive hot flashes. We have compiled a list of top 20 remedies for hot flashes that can help minimize the intensity of your hot flashes and reduce their frequency as well.
Obese women approaching menopause are more likely to experience severe episodes of hot flashes, given their extra weight. Some of them might develop urinary incontinence as well, which further worsens the situation. So, the first step to control hot flashes is to develop healthy eating habits and lose some weight. You would be surprised to know that losing weight also cuts back the occurrences of hot flashes. Research suggests that for every 5 kg of weight-loss, women experienced a decrease in the intensity of the hot flashes by an amazing 33%.
While weight-loss makes your condition better, accomplishing it by taking diet pills don’t. Diet pills can disturb the levels of several hormones in the body, including those of estrogen and progesterone, increasing your susceptibility to hot flashes.
Stress is a major culprit when it comes to setting a woman’s hormone levels on fire, no matter what her age. Chronic stress messes up with the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body, leading to hormonal imbalances. Women nearing their menopause should avoid stressing themselves out if they want to witness some improvement in their condition. You can try meditation and breathing exercises to calm your blazing nerves. Devote at least half an hour of your time every morning towards meditation for a tranquil mind. It works from the inside and enhances your mental stamina too. Your mind gets engineered to combat demanding situations in a better way. It prevents mental stress and ultimately the hormonal imbalances, reducing your odds of getting severe hot flashes.
‘Phytoestrogens’ is a term used to define the estrogens derived from plants. Including moderate quantities of phytoestrogen rich food in your diet can bring your estrogen levels back on the right track. Alfalfa and licorice are rich in phytoestrogens and can be included in the diet. But remember that the quantity of such foods has a big impact on your hormones. So, talk to your doctor about the quantities of these foods to be incorporated in your diet.
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