Are hot flashes bothering you?
Are hot flashes bothering you? There’s no mistaking a hot flash. They often feel like a sudden flare of heat which is usually most intense over the face, neck, chest, and arms. Sometimes, it is accompanied with red, flushed skin as if you’re blushing. Suddenly, a rush of heat rolls over you, often leaving you feeling dizzy and weak, breathing fast or even having chills too.
Research seems to suggest that daytime hot flashes are reported more frequently than both night sweats and nighttime hot flashes.1 However, night sweats are generally considered more troublesome than daytime symptoms.1 Hot flashes are a common symptom that can significantly affect your wellbeing and quality of life.
What are common triggers of hot flashes?1-4
The most common triggers of hot flashes are related to
- Clothes & hot weather or environment → winter or tight clothes, summer heat, room heaters, heated car seats, electrical bed linen
- Natural or biological causes → genetic makeup, ageing (particularly in mid-40’s), black race1
- Surgical operation → removal of the uterus or ovaries4
- Lifestyle habits → alcohol, smoking, sun tanning, exercise
- Diet choices → caffeine, spicy foods, boiling hot drinks or food
- Hormonal changes → Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), menopause
- Medication side effects → chemotherapy, steroids, hypertensives, hormone therapy, antidepressants, medicines taken to lower fevers (aspirin or paracetamol) and diabetes.
- Certain health issues → anxiety, stress, obesity, flu, fever, TB, Covid-19, sleep, and thyroid problems
How long do hot flashes last?
Hot flashes often come on suddenly, but how long any single hot flash lasts will vary from person to person. Some hot flashes pass after a few seconds, while a long hot flash may go on for more than 10 minutes. On average, hot flashes last about four minutes.4
Both the frequency and intensity of hot flashes also varies. Some people experience a few, short hot flashes per week that are mild, while others may have several bouts of severe symptoms in one hour. Depending on the stage you are in menopause, that can change.
Should You Be Concerned About Hot Flashes?
Yes, especially when they trouble you frequently, repeatedly, intensely and leaving you debilitated or incapacitated. You should seek immediate professional help when hot flashes begin to interfere with your health, wellbeing, relationships, and daily functioning such as sleep, memory, concentration, executive function, fights over air conditioner, opening windows or doors at home, office, meetings or car.
The good news is that you can use these easy self-care tips together with Nativa Complex® Menopause Support to help relieve hot flashes related to menopause. All you need to do is to take 1 capsule in the morning and 1 capsule in the evening, it’s just that simple.
References:
Avis NE, Crawford SL, Green R. (1 December 2019). Vasomotor Symptoms Across the Menopause Transition: Differences Among Women. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 45(4):629-640. doi: 10.1016/j.ogc.2018.07.005. Epub 2018 Oct 25. PMID: 30401547; PMCID: PMC6226273.
Mayo Clinic Staff (5 March 2022). Mayo Clinic: Hot flashes – Diagnosis & treatment. Accessed 30 November 2023 Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hot-flashes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352795
Traci C Johnson (3 July 2022). WebMD: What Are Hot Flashes? Accessed 30 November 2023 Available from: https://www.webmd.com/menopause/menopause-hot-flashes
Debra Rose Wilson and Marijke Vroomen Durning (29 May 2021). Health Line: Understanding and Dealing with Hot Flashes. Accessed 30 November 2023 Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/understanding-hot-flashes
Wen Shen (8 March 2023). Johns Hopkins Medicine: Did I just have a hot flash? I’m 44! Accessed 30 November 2023 Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/did-i-just-have-a-hot-flash-im-44
