Triggers and Causes of Hot Flashes in Menopause

The causes of hot flashes are believed to be decreasing levels of estrogen or other naturally occurring hormonal changes, unique to a woman. The symptoms of hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause are more severe in women who have had their ovaries surgically removed, supporting the belief that loss of hormones produced by the ovaries are causes of hot flashes. There are certain triggers that can increase the severity and frequency, even though they are not the actual causes of hot flashes.
Hot flashes are considered a "vasomotor" symptom, because dilation of the blood vessels and changes in circulation are involved. For many years estrogen replacement therapy was the most commonly recommended treatment for hot flashes, but because of the health risks associated with this form of treatment, it is not used nearly as often.
The symptoms of hot flash typically include excessive warmth in the chest, neck and face. The hands and feet may feel chilled at the same time, once the heat has subsided a woman often feels chilled all over. Increased perspiration under the arms, on the chest, neck and forehead may occur.
When a hot flash occurs at night, usually referred to as night sweats, it can interrupt a woman's sleep, leading to insomnia, decreasing energy levels and overall sense of well being. A recent study indicates that the majority of peri-menopausal (a term referring to the time "around" menopause) women do not feel that symptoms of hot flash affect their quality of life as much as emotional changes and mood swings, but mood swings sometimes trigger hot flashes. When a person is angry or frustrated, body temperature raises and rising body temperature is one of the symptoms of hot flash.
Sometimes referred to as hot flushes, these sudden changes in body temperature do not threaten a woman's health. No medical treatment is required, unless they happen frequently, are severe or disruptive to a woman's life. The causes of hot flashes are natural changes that happen in a woman's body as she ages, so they are nothing to worry about, but their is relief.
Most women can get relief from the symptoms of hot flash by using an herbal supplement called black cohosh. This herb was used historically by Native American healers to correct symptoms related to hormonal imbalances, to help regulate menstrual cycles, as a diuretic and a mild sedative. Research has shown that women get as much relief from hot flashes when using black cohosh as they do from estrogen replacement. It is highly recommended for women who can not risk estrogen replacement therapy, because of previous cancers or other concerns. Because, the Women's Health Initiative found that the health benefits of hormone replacement therapy do not outweigh the risks, most doctors no longer recommend this treatment unless numerous symptoms are present and are severely impairing a woman's ability to function, her relationships or her quality of life. Black cohosh, on the other hand, is being recommended more and more.

Treatments For Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

It's the classic symptom of menopause: the heat on your face and upper body, sweating, and rapid heartbeat known to menopausal woman everywhere as hot flashes or, the nighttime version, night sweats. While some women only experience a little warmth, others women's hot flashes are accompanied by nausea, dizziness, muscle weakness, headaches, and a feeling of anxiety. Just because they're common, though, that doesn't mean you have to put up with them. Understanding the causes and treatments for hot flashes and night sweats can help you deal with this uncomfortable symptom.
Causes of hot flashes and night sweats
While just about every woman entering menopause knows what a hot flash is, not many can tell you exactly what causes hot flashes. As with most menopause symptoms, hormone fluctuations are the underlying cause, but it's little more complicated than that.
Estrogen regulates not only your reproductive cycle, but also your body temperature. This hormone, along with testosterone (yes, even in women), affects the hypothalamus, the segment that regulates your body temperature. Without the normal amount of estrogen, your hypothalamus gets the signal that you're too warm. Your body then starts doing it's best to cool you off by getting your heart pumping in order to increase blood flow to the skin, where the excess he can be let off. That leaves you a pounding pulse and sweating like it's 110 degrees out.
Treatment for hot flashes
The good news is that there are plenty of treatments for hot flashes. The place to start is with what you eat and drink. Stay away from caffeinated beverages, alcohol, and spicy foods as much as possible. Decreasing the fat in your diet may also help although the effects are slow to show up. You might also want to try increasing the amount of vitamin E and omega 3 fatty acids in your diet by eating more nuts, olive oil, and fish like salmon and trout.
Herbs for hot flashes
Natural remedies for hot flashes are also available. Herbs for hot flashes include licorice root, black cohosh, red raspberry leaves, chasteberry (Vitex), spearmint, motherwort, and wild yams
Evening primrose oil can also help stave off hot flashes, but this may only be because of the essential fatty acids it provides.
Products for hot flashes
If adjusting your diet and using herbal remedies doesn't help, consider a product for hot flashes that includes natural progesterone. These products are made from plants rich in phytoestrogens (plant estrogens) and have been shown to help some 80% of women who use them. Besides helping with hot flashes and night sweats, products like these have also been shown to lessen other menopause symptoms like insomnia and loss of libido.
With time, the intensity of menopause hot flashes decreases and eventually they'll stop altogether. That said, in around 30% of women, hot flashes can keep happening for years before and during menopause. If you'd rather not put up with regular hot flashes and night sweats, but aren't willing to resort to traditional medications, look into some of the herbal remedies or progesterone creams available.

Hot Flashes and Panic Attacks

In our body a gland named hypothalamus acts as a channel between the thalamus and the pituitary gland. It acts as a regulator and controls the temperature of our bodies. It regulates the body temperature with the help of a hormone named estrogen in case of women. Before menopause this particular hormone in women decreases and this problematizes the normal working of the hypothalamus which results in a rise in body temperature and hot flashes in women. Hot flashes can be compared to panic attacks though there are certain differences. Hot flashes and attacks are characterized by symptoms such as rapid breathing, excessive sweating, increased heart rate, nausea, headaches etc.
Causes
There are different factors which cause anxiety attacks such as pressure at work, emotional stress, lack of sleep, unhealthy life style, depression, thyroid imbalances, chemical imbalances etc. Once it is realized what are causing it, it will be easier to cure anxiety attacks.
How to deal with
When an attack occurs one should not try to suppress the process but go through the entire process. This way one can learn how to tackle it when it happens next time. As the most famous cause for panic attacks are phobias people tend to avoid it but when they can not avoid it this causes the panic attack to aggravate. The same thing happens in case of stress, depression etc. the best way to deal with it is to try relaxation. Avoiding focus on the cause of the problem and shifting ones focus on something else can help.
How to treat
To cure anxiety attacks the best way is to lead a healthy lifestyle and maintain a proper well balanced diet. The key is to avoid inorganic foods and include lots of organic fresh green vegetables and fruits in ones diet. Fried and oily foods and products rich in caffeine should be excluded from diet. Cigarettes and alcohol should be strictly avoided. To treat bouts of anxiety attacks one should follow strict regimen of workouts and exercises. Meditation and yoga are great ways to deal with these types of attacks.
Generally medications are avoided in the case of panic attacks as medicines only relieve the pain for the time being and the person tends to get depended on the medicines. Cognitive behavioral hormone therapy is a therapy which teaches one how to treat panic attacks and deal with its symptoms. The best way to cure anxiety attacks completely is to be in control of yourself and not to let the tension of having another panic attack take over you. If you are in perfect control panic attacks can be easily left at bay.

Methods To Control Hot Flashes

A hot flash makes a woman feel like her upper body is suddenly becoming warm, but particularly so from the neck up. You will find this condition mostly in women who are in menopause, especially perimenopause. They can also be caused by certain types of medication or habits. Hot flashes are often accompanied by other symptoms including sweating, rapid heartbeat, nausea, flushed appearance and dizzy spells.
Sometimes hot flashes are accompanied by sweating in the middle of the night. These can be so extreme as to wake you up during a deep sleep and end up leading to sleep problems. A hot flash can last from thirty seconds to a few minutes. They usually stick around for about 5 years but in some cases can last up to 10 years.
The exact cause of hot flashes has not been discovered, though there is ongoing research. Many specialists believe that it is caused by the female hormone estrogen. When this chemical drops it is suspected that it directly affects the hypothalamus, which is responsible for regulating body temperature.
Because of this the body releases certain chemicals and the blood vessels in the skin begin to dilate. As the temperature of the body increases a reaction occurs and you begin sweating in order to cool down.
It is important to make sure that your diet and lifestyle habits are in order. This can go a long way in helping to take care of your hot flashes. Make sure that you try and drink 8 glasses of water each day and stay as cool as you can. Don't be cheap about the air conditioning and use a fan if you need it. Try to exercise as often as you can and stay away from cigarettes. Stop eating food that is hot or spicy. It is also important to stay away from drinks that contain caffeine and alcohol.
Relaxation techniques are very important when it comes to dealing with hot flashes. If you have time try to attend some yoga or meditation classes. You can also do these in the comfort of your own home but classes tend to keep one more motivated. Practice breathing deeply whenever you are feeling overstressed.
Several herbs have also been found to lessen the symptoms of hot flashes. Black Cohosh and Pasque Flower are known to keep the female body in top health during menopause. If you are unsure about how much to take or which is better then talk with a naturopath in your town or city. Also, make sure that your doctor knows that you are using herbs as part of your treatment plan.

Help Alleviate Common Hot Flashes

Hot flashes, among the most frequent menopause symptoms, that may be referred to as unexpected feeling of warmth on the face and upper body, particularly the head and neck areas. Hot flashes are generally encountered by women who are going through menopause, mainly perimenopause, nevertheless it may be also caused by lifestyle and some specific medications. Hot flashes could possibly be coupled with other menopause symptoms which often involve perspiration, a flushed appearance with red, blotchy skin, dizziness, headache, rapid heartbeat and nausea.
Nearly all women may suffer from this common symptom that are coupled with night sweats which could wake them up, disturb their sleep and bring about trouble sleeping. This can happen at night time and can last for 30 seconds to several minutes. Nearly all women may go through hot flashes for five years yet others may go through it for 10 years. Mainly because dealing with this symptom is unbearable, almost all women look for natural menopause treatments that can offer menopause relief.
The exact cause of hot flashes is still not known. Medical research shows that these occurrences are a result of a drop in the level of the female hormone, estrogen within the body which has an immediate effect on the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is the portion of the brain that is certainly responsible for controlling temperature which starts overproducing heat. Due to this, the body temperature increases and chemicals are released that causes the blood vessels in your skin to widen or dilate and lead to a hot flash.
Fortunately, help are out there that may give menopause relief. Diet alterations and lifestyle modifications can certainly make a huge difference in eliminating such symptoms. Keeping yourself as cool as you can can ease hot flashes by drinking lots of water all through the day, using a fan or air conditioner, and dressing up in light layers or using light clothes. Increase your physical activity by having adequate and daily exercise. Give up smoking and avoid alcohol. Keep an eye on your eating routine; be sure to keep away from hot and spicy foods and drinks that have caffeine.
Knowing ways to relax is extremely important so that you can efficiently deal with this symptom and some other menopause symptoms. Learn about stress-reducing techniques such as yoga, deep breathing and meditation. If perhaps you're experiencing moderate to severe hot flashes, there are numerous treatments and medications which might be prescribed by doctors like estrogen therapy, progesterone therapy, antidepressants or blood pressure lowering medication. Nevertheless the most effective treatment method for hot flashes is the Estrogen therapy.
Among the list of treatments for menopause symptoms, the usage of natural remedies is the most dependable and gentlest option when compared to utilizing prescribed medications. Natural menopause treatment can certainly help support a woman's overall health and well being during perimenopause and menopause. Natural remedies for menopause are made of herbal ingredients that decrease common hot flashes related to the change of life, aid stimulate healthy sleep patterns and supports good disposition and day to day calmness.

Male Menopause Hot Flashes Explained

Sometimes there are things that may go wrong with our bodies as we get a little bit older and we may not know what's going on. One thing that is very established is that women go through a hormonal change as they reach a certain age. The steep drop-off in the production of these hormones stops their ovaries from working and releasing an egg on a regular basis. It also causes a lot of emotional and physical problems that she will have to deal with for a number of years. What happens, however, if you are a male and you are experiencing symptoms that are similar to what women experience at this time? It may be a matter of you having male menopause.
The symptoms that are experienced during male menopause are very similar to what females experience in the same time. You might be having male menopause hot flashes, a lack of sexual desire and a decrease in energy. Other symptoms include an inability to concentrate, tender breasts and a loss of pubic hair. Most of these conditions can be treated in one way or another but one of the most difficult to handle are male menopause hot flashes. Of course, they can be handled the same way that females handle the situation but all too often, they don't know what to do about it either.
Male menopause hot flashes might just be something that you have to deal with but you can reduce their effects to a certain extent by reducing the overall effects that are felt from your menopause like symptoms. Since male menopause is a drop in your testosterone levels, you may be able to get some relief by building the levels of your testosterone again. You can do this through testosterone therapy from your doctor or you can try and build up your testosterone naturally through eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise and rest along with some natural supplementation.
Although your efforts may not completely get rid of all of your male menopause hot flashes, you will be healthier as a result. As your testosterone levels continue to rebound you will, no doubt, start to feel better because the natural balance in your body will be returning to you again. Remember, you're never too old to begin rebuilding the testosterone that your body is now lacking.

Facts You Need To Know For Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are most often accompanied by menopause which is something that is inevitable for all women. But the symptoms that often accompany it are not. While many choose to use hormone treatments among other, natural remedies for hot flashes are an excellent alternative for many women.
The concerns of HRT greatly increasing the risk of breast cancer only serves to increase stress levels at a time when many women are already suffering from the changes brought on by menopause. While HRT may well be the best choice for some, the following home remedies are often very helpful in relieving symptoms while supporting your health.
Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes And the 7 Facts You Need to know for Cool Relief

1. Menopause and it`s related symptoms such as hot flashes, is not a disease, but a natural part of a woman`s life. It need not be something to fear and beyond the initial symptoms many women find it liberating in many ways.
2. Learning to use nature to help you through this natural cycle of life clearly makes sense and should be among the choices you consider to help you through this change in your life.
3. In America it is estimated that 80% of women will suffer hot flashes during menopause, but in most parts of Asia this is only 12 - 15%. In Japan there isn`t even a word for this condition because it is so rare.
4. The reason for this is not genetic, but rather diet. In most Asian countries soy is a regular part of ones diet. Traditional Japanese diet includes a large variety of soy products into their daily meals.
5. Miso soup is included with most meals. Tofu, soy milk, edamame and others are used daily as both the center piece or as a side dish or appetizer. Soy has plant estrogens which are weaker then human estrogen, but otherwise very similar.
6. This means they are strong enough to often relieve the symptoms of menopause without raising the risk of breast cancer and other concerns of using hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
7. General practices of good health will also go a long ways in helping this problem. Talking with family and friends and getting their support is also very useful. Make sure you are eating plenty of whole foods and fish. Get an appropriate amount of exercise, take up meditation to reduce stress and find a spiritual faith of you choosing to be actively involved in.