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Hot flashes are characterized by a sudden
feeling of heat often accompanied with a reddening of the face
and profuse sweating. For some, it is as mild as a brief warm
flushing of the face and skin. For others, it is experienced
as an intense heat on the face and upper body with intense sweating.
Sometimes hot flashes are also accompanied by an increased heart
rate, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, weakness or a feel of suffocation.
Physiologically speaking, hot flashes are
the body's reaction to a decreased supply of estrogen. Typically
this occurs when a women approaches menopause. Every woman's
experience of this important life change is different, unpredictable
and highly individual and they all follow their own pattern.
In some production of estrogen decreases gradually, producing
few flashes. In others, the ovaries stop abruptly or start and
stop before production ends completely. For these women, hot
flashes can become tricky.
Dropping estrogen levels confuse the hypothalamus
(the part of the brain that controls appetite, sleep, sex hormones
and temperature), where it makes the body think it is too hot.
This activates the body's heat releasing mechanism where it causes
the blood vessels in the skin to expand, increasing blood flow
to help dissipate heat. At the same time, the sweat glands begin
producing sweat in an effort to cool the body off even more.
Not all women experience hot flashes, but
more than half of them do. In fact, it is estimated that nearly
85% of all women in the US experience hot flashes in one way
or another. Hot flashes often begin before a woman notices a
change in her menstrual cycle and can start as early as her late
30's and early 40's. It is typically the first sign that menopause
is approaching.
Usually experienced for a short period
of time, some women complain of them all the time for a number
of years. Most women begin to experience hot flashes 1-2 years
before menopause and they end within a year of their last menstrual
cycle. Some women can experience hot flashes up to and sometimes
more than 5 years after their last menstrual cycle.
While estrogen therapy is the traditional
solution to hot flashes it is good to try a less drastic measure
first. Below are some things you can try to help reduce the heat
of hot flashes.
Recommendations For Wellness
Dress in layers so you can peel off a layer
if you start to feel warm.
Stick to cottons, linens and rayon and
avoid wools and synthetic blends.
Try to keep some ice water on hand to sip
on and cool down your insides.
Turn down the thermostat, buy an air conditioner
or a ceiling fan to help keep your environment cool.
Silly as this may sound, many women report
sticking their heads in the freezer when a hot flash hits.
Try to identify what is triggering your
hot flashes. Keep a record of when they occur, what you're are
eating or doing and how you're feeling at the time a hot flash
strikes.
Incorporate massage, meditation, yoga,
breathing exercises and other techniques to help you reduce your
stress level.
Herbs such as black cohosh, chaste tree,
wild yam and don quai have historically been used to relieve
menopausal symptoms including hot flashes.
Talk to your health care provider about
natural bio-identical hormone replacements.
A menopause homeopathic may also help to
alleviate hot flashes, relieve pain and hyper-sensitivity.
© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer
2005. All rights reserved.
Naturopathic Physician, Dr. Rita Louise, Ph.D. is the author
of the books "Avoiding the Cosmic 2x4" and "The
PowerWithin". It is her unique gift as a medical intuitive
and clairvoyant that illuminates and enlivens her work. Let Dr.
Louise help you bring health healing and wholeness back into
your life. Medical Intuition & Energy Medicine Certification
training classes are now forming. Visit http://www.soulhealer.com
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