Symptoms Of Hot Flashes Can Derail A Day

Many non-menopausal women and especially men don't understand the serious impact hot flashes can have on a woman. The reality is this symptom of menopause is very real and it can very much stop a woman in her tracks for a while. The symptoms of hot flashes themselves often combine to make getting through everyday life very difficult in some cases. This particular menopausal issue might be the biggest reason why women seek out medical treatments to help them cope with this phase of life.

The symptoms of hot flashes are many. They can differ greatly between women. In general, the chief complaints that go along with hot flashes include:

· Heat. Women who suffer from the symptoms of hot flashes report feeling a warming sensation or even intense heat across their chests and up into their faces as a hot flash strikes.

· Racing heart. Many women say they feel their heart begin to race or speed up in the throes of a hot flash.

· Flushing. As a hot flash subsides, it tends to leave behind a flushed or even splotchy appearance on the face and neck. This is a fairly visible sign of a hot flash. The body's core temperature normally doesn't rise during a hot flash, but the skin might heat up a bit.

· Sweating. Many women suffer from profuse sweating following an incident of a hot flash. If an attack happens during sleep, night sweats are what results.

· Chills. The sweat produced in hot flashes often leads to a chilling sensation as the body returns to normal.

There are other potential symptoms of hot flashes. Many women report feeling an "aura," much like migraine headache patients prior to the arrival of a hot flash. While a lot of women endure hot flashes that are brief and don't strike very often, this is not always the case. The symptoms of hot flashes can last up to 30 minutes an attack. The frequency of flashes also tends to vary greatly among women.

While hot flashes deliver some very distrusting symptoms, they are not uncommon. There are estimates that say about 90 percent of women will feel the symptoms of hot flashes at some point during the pre- or post-menopausal phase.

Hot flashes and their symptoms can strike at any time of the day or night. They don't seem to discriminate on location at all. It is just as likely a hot flash suffering will feel an attack at work as they might at home.

There are some things women can try to help relieve or prevent the symptoms of hot flashes. They range from easy-to-try remedies to those that require medical advice and supervision. Some of the more common recommendations for treating the symptoms of hot flashes include:

· Keeping it cool. Women who suffer from the symptoms of hot flashes often benefit from keeping their environments a bit cooler. Turning down the temperature a degree or two, wearing lighter clothing and even removing heavy bedding at night can really help.

· Diet and exercise. Paying attention to good nutritional habits and even adding exercise into the mix can very much help with hot flashes and even assist with warding off other conditions and symptoms. Foods to avoid include hot or spicy meals prior to bedtime, alcohol and even hot drinks.

· Herbal and natural remedies. Some of these can prove quite useful in treating the symptoms of hot flashes. They can have some side effects, however, so it's wise to carefully evaluate the options.

· Hormone replacement therapy. This is often very useful in relieving hot flashes, but it doesn't come without its share of potential risks. Medical advice is almost always in order.

· Antidepressants. Some medications, such as Prozac, can help with hot flashes. Medical advice is needed for this potential remedy.

Living with the symptoms of hot flashes isn't an easy prospect. There are ways to try and prevent the appearance of symptoms. If they are severe, it is generally worth seeking medical advice and help for dealing with them. Having one's life sidelined by hot flashes does not have to be accepted in many cases.