Common Hot Flash Symptoms And How To Cope With Them

You're driving to work on a cool morning listening to your stereo when all of a sudden you feel intense heat. You know that you don't have a fever - you were feeling great just a minute ago. And yet there is no denying the severe heat you feel inside your body. The sudden feeling of severe warmth is unexplainable. That's when you realize that what you are feeling are hot flash symptoms.

Hot flashes are a condition typically present during menopause, which can occur for several years before and after you cease menstrual bleeding. Hot flash symptoms are primarily caused by hormonal changes. Although in some cases, hot flashes can occur in people who have a rigorous lifestyle or those who are taking certain medications.

Here are the most common hot flash symptoms:

1. Sudden redness of the skin, commonly noticeable on the face and the upper body.

2. Intense heat, despite the coolness within your environment. This feeling is different than heat from outside the body - it feels like it comes from within. The heat can vary between women, and even with hot flash episodes. It may be gone after a few moments and then recur a few minutes later.

3. Excessive sweating may be felt when you experience hot flash symptoms. This is not the ordinary sweating common with heavy exercise. Instead of hot sweats, you may go through cold sweats. This is especially common during the night, when you may experience what are usually called "night sweats."

4. Night sweats will often cause difficulty in getting a good night's sleep.

Other accompanying hot flash symptoms apart from the above are:

1. Heart Palpitations
2. Nausea
3. Dizziness
4. Anxiety
5. Headaches
6. Shortness of Breath

After experiencing redness of the face and upper body, a feeling of severe and unexplainable hotness, as well as discomfort, is almost certainly a hot flash when all of those symptoms end with a chill. Experts say that a "chill" is often the culmination of a hot flash.

Hot flash symptoms vary from one person to another. To get an accurate picture of your menopausal symptoms and their severity, it is a good idea to keep a diary. You can record in your diary the times, length, and severity of each symptom as it occurs.

Fortunately, most hot flash symptoms can be treated quite easily with a combination of lifestyle changes and herbal medications. A first line of defense is to eliminate spicy foods, alcohol, coffee, and smoking. Make sure you are eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and fresh vegetables. Increase your exercise and practice deep breathing. Just these steps alone will often greatly reduce hot flash symptoms.

If you are still suffering symptoms, try one of the many herbal remedies for hot flashes that are readily available at most health food stores. Black Cohosh and Evening Primrose Oil are herbs that are very effective in reducing hot flash symptoms. Finally, consult with your doctor for additional suggestions and help in navigating your journey through menopause.