Alternative Medications For Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are the first symptoms that are associated with menopause. Though mostly hormone therapy is used to treat the problem, there are some alternative medications also that are followed by women for getting relief from challenge. These alternative medications include:
Black cohosh:
Black cohosh is a popular choice of many women for getting relief from hot flashes. There are evidences that it has been for long used in Europe for the treatment of this disease and has slowly gained popularity among the women who suffer from this menopausal symptom in USA. However there have been very little or almost no evidence to prove that black cohosh acts as a good remedy against the symptoms of heart palpitations, anxiety and headache which are all related to hot flashes.
Natural progesterone:
Natural progesterone is also regarded as an effective remedy to provide relief for this problem and various other related symptoms of menopause in many women. This natural alternative medication is available in various forms such as cream capsule and in the form of Prometrium. The creams and lotions are easily available over the counter.
Soy:
In the Asian countries soy is regarded as an excellent natural source for estrogen. Therefore women in Asian countries regularly have various by products of soy as part of their diet. It is true that the isoflavones which are estrogen like compounds in soy are helpful in prevented hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms in women. However isoflavones have estrogen-like effects and therefore if any woman is suffering from cancer then she should not be taking soy.
Red clover:
Red clover is also regarded as an excellent source of estrogen for the presence of isoflavones. You can either have isoflavones as pills or have red clover for having relief from hot flashes. Though the cancer patients should first consult the physician before having red clover, experts generally believe that soy or red clover are healthy and safe to consume, if you have it in moderation.
Vitamin E:
This is another good remedy of hot flashes and night sweats. It is revealed in writing in the Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation. Therefore any food which is a natural source of Vitamin E should be consumed regularly for having relief from this problem in a natural way.
However, all these herbal products should be consumed only after consulting a physician. This is because though these are natural products still they might have harmful effects for some women.

How to Control Hot Flashes

Many women nearing the age of 50 have experienced uncomfortable changes in their bodies as the menopausal period begins. Some women experience these changes as early as 40 years old and all women will experience them after a hysterectomy.
Menopause occurs because of a series of changes in the body's hormones. During the menopausal changes, the number of functioning eggs within the ovaries begin to decrease and the ovaries dramatically decrease their production of estrogen.
At birth, most females have between 1-3 million eggs. By the time of the first menstrual period, there are approximately 400,000 eggs. At menopause there are fewer than 10,00 eggs. Most eggs are reabsorbed by the body as they die off.
Estrogen affects every part of the body, including heart, skin, blood vessels, urinary tract, uterus, breasts, bone and brain. Another hormone, testosterone, is also reduced at the time of menopause, and can cause a reduction in libido.
One of the major symptoms women will experience is Hot Flashes. A hot flash is an uncomfortable sense of warmth which spreads throughout the body causing flushed, red skin, sweating, and palpitations. They can lead to difficulty concentrating and sleeplessness.
Hot flashes usually last 2-3 years, but some women may experience them for 5 or more years.
The menopausal time also causes changes in the urinary tract which can cause incontinence of urine. More frequent episodes of burning with urination can occur as well.
Bone loss, or osteoporosis, is another important change that begins in the peri-menopausal time, or the years preceding menopause. Peak bone density occurs between 25 and 30 years of age. After this time, bone loss occurs at a rate of 0.13% per year. Later, it increases to 2% per year.
Osteoporosis increases the risk for bone fractures, which can be intensely painful and can interfere with daily activities. The risk for death also increases with bone fractures in menopause.
Menopause increases the risk of heart disease. Some of this increased risk is probably due to aging, and part is due to the hormonal changes that occur around the menopausal time.
Associated with the increased risk of heart disease is the fact that cholesterol significantly increases at the menopausal time. Total cholesterol as well as the 'bad' cholesterol or LDL increases and 'good' cholesterol or HDL decreases.
Women will also notice an increase in weight during the menopausal time.
The Women's Health Study was a 15 yr study that addressed the most common causes of death, disability, and poor quality of life in post menopausal women -- cardiovascular or heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis.
The two arms of the hormone clinical trials -- the estrogen only and the estrogen plus progestin studies were stopped prematurely because of increased risk noted to the cardiovascular system from the prescription hormone replacement therapy. After the release of this information, there was a dramatic decrease in the use of prescription hormone replacement therapy.
Natural forms of hormones however, have been used for many years, and provide a safe method of treating the menopausal symptoms. Natural forms of progesterone, in particular, offer an effective and safe treatment. Many medical and holistic providers now regularly offer their patients progesterone replacement in menopause.

Natural Remedy For Hot Flashes

The hellish experiences and unpleasant changes brought about by menopause often cause women to critical levels of depression. Alarmed by the increasing adverse effects of a natural phenomena in Eve's kind, medical professionals conducted studies and experiments to find a good remedy for hot flashes.
In particular, studies are geared to help women suffering from sudden shoot-ups of body temperature and they'd be so uneasy with profuse sweating and heat. After these flashes come the chills and dropping of body temperature and more of the discomfort. Such periods of hot flashes further render sleepless nights and unproductive days. Many women also have severely altered moods and emotions during menopause, often affecting their productivity and needing psychiatric intervention.
But with different kinds of medications and therapies, it's also a challenge for women to choose which is most suitable and safe. A well-advertised remedy may have side effects for those with prior health conditions, while other pharmaceutical or herbal products may just exacerbate other ailments. With all these concerns at hand, and a persistent need to cope well with the symptom women must act. Finding the healthiest methods and medications would require them to be dedicated in the pursuit, and at the same time be cautious and well-informed.
What most women don't know is that there is a natural remedy for such symptom minus the side effects. More importantly, they could device such remedy according to their own experience and current state of health and lifestyle.
So what's the natural remedy? It's a process each woman should master. Here's how.
First, eliminate or lessen activities in humid and hot weather, it includes spas, hot tubs and saunas. They are top triggers for hot flashes, although other menopausal women attribute worst experiences after a stressful day at work or spicy foods.
Second, determine all other events that set off the symptom. It could be after a cup of coffee, acidic food, after the cigarette break, alcohol consumption or lack of rest. Once you know what triggers such hellish episodes, avoid them ultimately like the drinking and smoking habits. Some women experience less traumatic condition when they have the triggers controlled, particularly food and too much work.
Third, make a list of all the things that contribute to the uneasy condition and indicate positive response to each. If the bedroom ventilation isn't effective, have it fixed. Replace spicy and junk food with healthier meals, and opt for fruit juices instead of coffee. Extend break periods to lessen stress and choose only meaningful social events. All of what's listed would be your guide to avoid hot flashes more often.
Lastly, include exercise in your remedy for the condition. There are various options of physical activities, exercises and routines that will keep your body systems healthy and reduce stress. With all these, hot flashes may still come frequently, but you're sure to cope pretty well.

Hot Flashes- Four key treatments

Hot flashes in menopause are the commonest symptom reported by Western women. They are thought to relate to the reduction in estrogen level which the menopause produces.
The key areas to consider treating are:
1. Exercise
2. Stress
3. Diet, and
4. Supplements
1. Hot Flashes And Exercise
Regular aerobic exercise reduces both the frequency and severity of hot flashes. As this is so good for maintaining bone strength and so avoiding osteoporosis, this is important to do. Studies have further found that found that mood is elevated by regular exercise, adding another good reason in its favour.
Avoid exercise within 2 or 3 hours of bed, to help avoid any night sweats.
2. Hot Flashes And Stress
Stress produces tireness and eventually exhaustion. This tiredness exacerbates hot flashes (hot flushes). Minimising stress is key.
Recommended strategies include:
* Spending time on yourself regularly
* Take herbs for the nerves regularly. St John's wort, scullcap and vervain (verbena officinalis) all have beneficial properties.
* Take exercise regularly to reduce stress
* Regular meditation is a great help to deal with stress. Even just sitting quietly for 10 minutes following your breath can be very helpful.
3. Hot Flashes And Diet
There are some foods which can trigger hot flashes. Examples are alcohol, coffee, tea, chocolate, and spicy foods. It is best to avoid these and look out yourself for any other which affect you.
A diet high in phytoestrogens such as soy products have been shown to help reduce menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes.
4. Supplements For Hot Flashes
We will look here at herbs. The main herbs for hot flashes are:
* Black cohosh
* Dong quai
* Agnus castus
* Motherwort
* Red clover
* Red sage
Choose several remedies and try them simultaneously; one by itself will probably not be sufficient. You can try one capsule each of black cohosh, dong quai and agnus catus, 3 times daily. Keep regular written notes how you feel so that you can refer back. You would hope to see some changes by the second month, otherwise change your combination.
Pay attention to cautions on the product and do not take alongside prescription drugs unless you have the agreement of your doctor or a herbalist or other trusted advisor. Ideally ask a herbalist to plan your herbal treatment for you.

Tips of Hot Flashes treatment

In the U.S., there are about 50 million women who are in their menopausal stage. Eighty percent of these women are hot flashes sufferers. Though hot flashes in themselves are harmless, they can become extremely uncomfortable. That's why most menopausal women spend a lot of effort trying to find effective control of hot flashes.
Hot flashes may occur any time. They can occur as a mild warm feeling or intensified heat which spreads throughout the upper part of the body to the face. During a hot flash, the skin often appears blotchy and red. Hot flashes also increase perspiration, cause a rapid heartbeat, and finally chills as they wind down.
One of the most effective ways to get control of hot flashes is with some changes in lifestyle plus appropriate natural remedies.
Here are some simple methods to control hot flashes that work for most women:
1. Stay away from stimulants such as alcohol, spicy foods, and caffeine. These can trigger hot flashes. Spicy foods are a major trigger of hot flashes. Excess caffeine can act as a diuretic, which can cause magnesium and calcium loss. These minerals are very important for bone building as well as helping women to stay calm. It is advisable to drink no more than one cup of coffee a day. An herbal tea is much better if you are trying to get total control of hot flashes.
2. Avoid foods that contain high amounts of sugar or are acidic. These foods stimulate mood swings. Acidic foods cause nausea especially when you eat them a lot.
3. Stay calm, eat a balanced diet, and get plenty of exercise. Take ten deep breaths after you wake up in the morning. You might be surprised at how effective this is. Eat three small meals a day and occassional healthy snacks in between. Above all, get plenty of rest.
4. Take one of the herbal supplements that have been shown to help you get control of hot flashes, such as black cohosh. Oil from flax seeds and the mineral magnesium is also recommended. Magnesium is vital for menopausal women, not only to maintain bone density, but to also benefit the heart. Magnesium helps prevent many diseases and promotes calmness that can help you get a good nights sleep.
5. Watch your weight. Being too thin can cause women to suffer more intense hot flashes and other related symptoms related to estrogens. It is also important not to be overweight. The prime site of estrogen production during the postmenopausal stage is in body fat. Being overweight can open the risks for acquiring breast and uterine cancer.
6. Perform paced breating. Controlled, deep, slow rhythmic breathing practiced two times a day can help give you control of hot flashes. You will also find that paced breathing reduces anxiety, which is another common menopausal symptom.
7. Stop smoking. Besides increasing hot flashes, smoking can cause other serious health problems such as cancer, stroke, and heart diseases.
8. Think of hot flashes as power surges. Women are powerful as they experience those hot times in their lives and transition to the next stage. They can be simply a reminder that we are journeying on to the next life stage. The more you use these tips to get control of hot flashes, the less discomfort they will cause you.

When Hot Flashes Occur

During mid life is when most women experience menopause. A woman may experience night sweats and hot flashes which can create less than desirable feelings.
When hot flashes occur many women describe it as an intense heat all over their bodies. There is usually a copious amount of sweating to go along with it.
There is no cure for these symptoms; however there is medication on the market that can help to alleviate them if a woman chooses to take them, otherwise there are other alternatives that can help lessen the degree of their intensity.
Many women remove their clothing and bed sheets at night to keep cool. When the body sweats and it evaporates it creates a cooling effect that will calm the blood and body to make things more comfortable during the night so a woman can rest easier.
Today, a brand called Outlast has created a new technology in the bedding industry. Outlast has created bedding that keeps the body cool at night by drawing the heat away from it to a cooler surface. This prevents the night sweats from occurring. This technology helps women going through menopause to stay cool and dry at night. Outlast has several bedding products on the market including mattresses, pillow cases and bed sheets.
Without getting involved in the technical aspects of this bedding, which is quite complex, it can simply be said that it works according to certain conditions that are present at the time.
Bullet proof vests use a similar technology as this; only the bedding does not react to impact but to heat. It removes heat away from the body toward a cooler surface, thus keeping the body cooler and drier.
Modern technology has definitely improved, especially for the menopausal woman. This technology has helped many women have more comfortable and restful nights, while keeping them dry and cool.

Remidies of Hot Flashes

For years studies have been carried out for finding out natural remedies for the treatment of hot flashes. In recent times new studies which are first of its kind carried on postmenopausal women have shown that the nutritional supplements which are made from whole soy germ and contain the natural S-equol act as excellent remedies for reducing the frequent occurrences of hot flashes both moderate and severe.
They are also helpful in reducing muscle and joint pain. The compound S-equol that is the effective remedy is formed with the help of the bacteria present in the digestive tract of many women from the natural metabolism, or conversion, of daidzein, which is an isoflavone that is found in whole soybeans.
However, there are some problems in having the compound since not every woman is able to form the compound after consuming soy. It is dependent on the presence of a particular type of bacteria in the large intestine and also depends on the amount of soy consumed by the woman.
A study conducted on 102 postmenopausal women in USA has shown that a treatment by giving daily SE5-OH supplement having dosage of 10, 20 and 40 mg of Natural S-equol for consistently eight weeks helped in reducing the problem of frequent severe and moderate severe hot flashes. It had the same effect that a soy isoflavone supplement of 50 mg dosage had on other women. It has also been seen that those women who complained of having severe joint pains or muscle pains have also benefitted by having a dosage of 10 mg to 20 mg of Natural S-equol compound than having isoflavone products.
Thus the study concluded that if a woman has a daily dose of 10 mg of Natural S-equol then she would get the relief from both the problems of hot flashes as well as muscle and joint pains which are also part of the problems related to menopause. However, researches are being continued to find the other effects of this compound on the bone health of women.
The studies have further showed that there are no problems created by this compound in the reproductive system of the women and also no changes were recorded on the serum concentrations of the hormones secreted by these women. Ultrasound tests have shown that the thickness of the lining of the uterus and the tissues that line the vagina have shown no adverse effects of these soy supplements.

 hot flashes can be treated naturally by including soy in the diet.

Controlling Hot Flashes

What was so frustrating about menopause was trying to control all of the symptoms that I was having. It seemed like if I got one controlled then another menopause symptom popped up. For a long time, I was worried that this was a never ending cycle. However, some of the symptoms I could deal with, but controlling hot flashes was something that I needed to get handled right away; it was driving me absolutely nuts. I couldn't take it, feeling totally normal one moment and then the next I was turning bright red and sweating uncontrollably, it just wasn't something that was easy to deal with, and in fact it was embarrassing.
For me, at least, it seemed that the hot flashes were the worst menopause symptoms that I had. So, I consulted my doctor to try to get help controlling the situation. But, we went through medication after medication that only seemed to make it worse, or the side effects were out of control. I thought that I was going to be dealing with these menopause symptoms until it was all over, and I didn't know if I could bear to handle this for a year, it was out of control. It was like I was on trial, and every time I would start to turn red or start to sweat, it was obvious that everyone around me knew what was going on. I couldn't live my life like this.
A friend told me about a product called Amberen, and how it had worked so well for her. I was so skeptical, but I checked it out because at this point it couldn't get any worse. I even called a nurse for a free consultation that comes with the product, she was so kind, and explained that this was a great way to try controlling hot flashes and my other menopause symptoms. After a few days on this natural remedy, I could feel a change already. Amberen made menopause bearable.

Sweating Hot Flashes Other Than Menopause Causes

Have you experienced sweating hot flashes; not only at night but also in the morning? For most women, hot flushes and sweating are taken as signs of perimenopause or impending menopause. But is this the only reason?
Although these bodily heat waves and night sweats are usually associated with women and is believed to be due to hormonal changes in a woman's body, there are also men who experience the same condition. Causes of sweating hot flashes and night sweats other than menopause include:

1. Idiopathic hyperhidrosis can cause the body to sweat profusely but no medical cause can be identified.
2. Tuberculosis is also a common cause of night sweats. People with tuberculosis usually have higher temperatures at night thus activating the sweat glands.
3. Infections such as endocarditis, which is the inflammation of the heart valvesl HIV/AIDS, which is the infection of the body's immune system; abscesses, which are the inflammation of the tonsils, boils, or infection of the appendix or osteomyelitis, which is an infection within the bones, are also probable causes of hot flushes or night sweats. These conditions should be attended to immediately by a medical specialist.
4. Cancer patients often experience night sweats together with fever and consistent weight loss as an early symptom of certain cancers such as lymphoma.
5. Menstruation is a monthly occurrence in women and a lot of women also experience hot flushes before and after their menstrual period. This is quite normal because the level of estrogen in women's bodies changes before and after their period. This causes their body temperature to increase triggering the night sweats.
6. Medications can also lead to night sweats as side effect of antidepressants and other psychiatric drugs. Aspirin, acetaminophen, paracetamol and other medications to lower fever can also lead to sweating. Cortisone, predinisone and prednisolone are medications that can also trigger sweating during the day and night.
7. Hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid can also cause hot flushes that strike any time of the day.
8. Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar - a situation commonly experienced by diabetics who are taking insulin or anti-diabetic drugs - may also cause night sweating.
9. Hormonal disorders such as pheochromocytoma - tumors of the adrenal glands, carcinoid syndrome - excess hormones released by the gastrointestinal or carcinoid tumors and hyperthyroidism - overactive thyroid can all cause sweating accompanied by facial flushing.
10. Eating certain foods such as spicy food or hot spices, smoking, excessive drinking of alcohol, obesity, over consumption of sugar are also some of the instigators of sweating and hot flashes.

Both men and women are susceptible to these causes of sweating and hot flashes. If you experience sweating and rising body heat, the best thing to do is to consult with a doctor to help you rule out or identify underlying causes for it.

Hot flashes during menopause

Hot flashes are a sudden intense feeling of heat, predominantly in the head, neck and chest area. They are caused by a drop in the hormone estrogen. A drop in the level of estrogen is facilitated by the onset of menopause. Hot flashes are often accompanied by a rapid heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and a feeling of suffocation. They can be very uncomfortable and may leave you flushed and sweaty. 85% of women will suffer these symptoms at some point during menopause.
It is possible to prevent or at least lessen the severity of hot flashes during menopause. It is believed that these symptoms can be triggered by things like stress, hot rooms and caffeine, among others. Figuring out what your triggers are and avoiding them may lessen the impact of your flashes.
Learning what your triggers are is fairly easy. Whenever you have a hot flash you can record where you are, what you're doing and what you've recently eaten. When you look back at your record a pattern should soon emerge that will aid you in finding and avoiding your triggers.
There are many natural remedies for hot flashes during menopause including turning down the temperature in a room whenever possible. Other helpful tips are dressing in layers so you can strip down a little if you get too hot and avoiding synthetic fabrics that will trap your sweat.
Getting more exercise and eating a low fat diet are also reputed to help. Finding a constructive way to deal with your stress or even better, to relieve some of it, is recommended. Sipping ice water will help to cool you down from the inside out, and some women actually recommend sticking your head into the freezer if a hot flash hits when you're at home.
Acupuncture helps some women, as well as taking vitamins B6 and Peridin-C. Various herbs such as evening primrose oil and black cohosh have been used for centuries. Care must be used when taking an herbal remedy, though, as there are many possible side effects.
There are also a selection of medical remedies that your doctor may recommend to you. Some blood pressure medications have been shown to lessen the severity of hot flashes during menopause. Effexor, an antidepressant, has been a successful treatment when taken in a low dose.
However many doctors will recommend the treatment they have had the most success with, estrogen therapy, a synthetic replacement for the hormone your body is no longer producing. This is not as common as in the past, however, due to the research study concluding that too much estrogen can be a contributing factor to breast cancer.

Hot Flashes causes

Hot flashes are caused by the onset of menopause which occurs later in a woman's life.
The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that regulates your body's temperature. When hot-flashes occur, it is because the hypothalamus is reacting to the change in estrogen levels in the body. The hypothalamus then believes it is overheating, causing blushing and sweating in the face and neck and even increased heart rate.
The severity of each episode changes for each person. If these symptoms are experienced more during menopause, they can become even more sever.
It is important to be prepared for when these symptoms suddenly occur. Dressing accordingly with a tank top and a jacket can prove helpful. When you feel your body heat rise, take the jacket off to cool yourself. Also, keep a fan nearby you whenever possible.
Sometimes something as simple as sticking your head in your freezer for a minute will help cool you down faster. If you have your clothes worn as layers, you will most likely need your jacket or outer layer after the hot flash as you may experience a cold chill post-hot flash.
If you are not experiencing menopause you may notice that you still get hot flashes. While most episodes of hot flashes are caused by menopause it is also possible for men to get them as a drop in one's testimony levels causes it.
Some other reasons you may get hot flashes include but are not limited to alcohol, medications, caffeine, or spicy foods. In rare cases, hot flashes Canby a symptom of cancer or other infections.
While there maybe other reasons for hot flashes menopause is the leading cause as 85% of hot flashes in women are caused by menopause.