Hot flash is a common symptom of menopause. Many women feel hot flashes during perimenopause and menopause. Some women begin having hot flashes when they are in perimenopause, when they are still getting a period. Hot flashes are a feeling of strong heat in the upper part of the body. The hot flash lasts for 1 to five minutes. Some hot flashes can last as long as an hour. Core body temperature is higher during a hot flash. The face and neck become red. Red blotches can be seen on the chest, back, and arms. Women sweat after hot flashes. Sometimes a woman can have cold chills after the hot flashes. Women sometimes get more cold chills than hot flashes. Hot flashes often come with a higher heart rate and palpitations. Other symptoms can happen at the same time a hot flash does. These are: a urinary tract infection, dizziness, chills, sweating, flushing, and anxiety. Men who are being treated for prostrate cancer sometimes have hot flashes. Hot flashes are most common during the first four to seven years of menopause. They can happen for more than a decade. Japanese and Chinese women have fewer hot flashes than Caucasian women. Black women have hot flashes that are very difficult. The hot flashes continue longer for black women. Hot flashes in Indian women may occur at a younger age.
Hormone therapy lowers the number of hot flashes a woman has. About 8 in 10 women in the United States have hot flashes around the time of menopause. Hot flashes often happen daily. A third of affected women have about 10 hot flashes daily. Sometimes a hot flash feels mild. For other women the hot flash is more difficult. Hot flashes usually last from 4 to 10 years.
Some women do not look for treatment. Hormonal treatments work the best to treat hot flashes. Women sometimes do not want to take hormone treatments. Other medicine can be used to treat hot flashes that are not hormones. These include Clonidine, Venlafaxine and Paroxetine. Other kinds of medicines that are used to treat hot flashes are antidepressants. Relaxation techniques significantly reduced hot flashes by 50%. Breathing techniques have been found to reduce hot flashes by 50%. Some women take black cohosh to treat hot flashes. Studies have found that black cohosh doesn't affect hot flashes.
Preventive treatment can help make hot flashes easier. Hot flashes can make it hard to sleep. Some women sleep better if the bedroom is cool. Drinking cold water before bed can make sleeping better. Using a fan can help. Other things can help manage hot flashes. These are: stop eating spicy food, alcohol, caffeine, spices, and hot drinks. Relaxation exercises and moving to a cold room can be helpful. Reducing the risks of having hot flashes can be done by stopping smoking and loosing weight. Other risks that affect hot flashes are lower socioeconomic status, African background, and lack of exercise.
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