Cure For Hot Flashes?

Hot flashes might be the number one complaint of women during the time leading up to and shortly after menopause. Sudden, hard-hitting and often quite uncomfortable and even embarrassing, hot flashes are the bane of women during this normal period of life. They leave many asking about a cure for hot flashes.

Hot flashes themselves are generally caused by the hormonal changes experienced during menopause. They can also be brought on by a few other causes, including some illnesses, medications and lifestyle. While there is no single cure for hot flashes, there are options that can help.

A hot flash itself is characterized by its ability to appear at any time. They can strike during the day or at night, in the office or at home. They are very, very common among women in the menopausal phase of life. Up to an estimated 90 percent of women will experience incidence of hot flashes at some point during the time leading up to menopause or after it.

The symptoms of hot flashes are described in a number of different ways. It is thought by some that no two women experience them exactly the same. The generalized symptoms of this most troublesome of menopause symptoms include:

· Flushing. This includes a red, blotchy appearance on the skin from the upper chest through to the face.
· Heat. This can range from mild warming to very intense heat that spreads across the upper body and into the face.
· Heartbeat changes. Many women experience a rather rapid heartbeat during the throes of an individual hot flash.
· Perspiration. This can range from mild sweat on the brow to intense perspiration that covers the entire body. It can be the cause of "night sweats" in many cases.
· Chills. These tend to take place after an individual hot flash subsides.

Typical hot flashes can last from a few seconds up to a half-hour or so. They vary in frequency from woman to woman. The appearance of them can span up to a year – sometimes more or less.

A cure for hot flashes might not be the easiest thing in the world to find, but there are plenty of treatment ideas that work well for some women. The options on the cure for hot flashes front range from mild lifestyle alterations to fairly intense hormone replacement therapy.

The potential cure for hot flashes will depend on the woman in question, but might be found in:

· Dressing cooler. It is often recommended that women who suffer from hot flashes dress in layers. Keeping cool can help stave off a hot flash. Drinking something cool when one is felt coming on might also help.
· Exercise. Believe it or not, exercise can actually help the body ward off the appearance of a hot flash. Getting active and staying that way on a regular basis can be very helpful for hot flashes and overall health in general.
· Dietary changes. It is wise of avoid caffeine, hot or spicy foods and even hot drinks and alcohol. These are all known triggers for hot flashes.
· Quit smoking. Smoking is one of the many triggers for hot flashes. Quitting can help reduce their appearance and help the body ward off a host of other problems.
· Herbal, natural remedies. There are a variety of herbal and natural products that are used as a cure for hot flashes. The safety and effectiveness of these varies and they should not be taken without careful consideration. Some of the known herbal treatments for hot flashes include black cohosh, soy, vitamin E and red clover.
· Hormone replacement therapy. Hot flashes might be the number one reason why women seek out hormone replacement therapy. This can be very effective as a cure for hot flashes, but it does not come without its risks. This should very likely only be considered under close medical supervision.

There isn't one set cure for hot flashes, but there are many options. It is often suggested that women start with the dietary and lifestyle change suggestions first and then consider more extreme measures if they are needed.