Hot: Hot: EVEN WHEN

A hot flash (also called a hot flush) is a sudden, intense feeling of warmth in the face, neck and chest that is often accompanied with profuse sweating. The “flash” occurs when blood vessels near the surface of the skin widen, or dilate. (A hot flash that occurs during the night is called a night sweat.) While the exact causes are unknown, common triggers are menopause, hormone changes, embarrassment, spicy foods, alcohol, tight clothing, stress, heat and smoking.

Hot flashes affect nearly 75% of perimenopausal women according to the North American Menopause Society. Hot flashes are an uninvited guest that often overstay their welcome. They first show up for most women in their forties, and drop in, off and on for an average of seven years. However, some women can have hot flashes for 11 years or longer.

Full prevention of hot flashes, unfortunately, isn’t likely possible, but there are a number of ways to lessen the frequency and intensity of hot flashes, such as:

Š Learning which specific triggers may cause hot flashes for you and then trying to avoid those triggers

Š Taking sips of ice water when you feel a hot flash coming

Š Carr ying a portable fan with you and keeping a fan on while you sleep

Š Practicing meditation to reduce stress

Š Exercising regularly

Š Dressing in layers

Š Wearing loose fitting clothing

Š Quitting smoking

Š Using certain prescription medications such as antidepressants, a specific anti-seizure medication, or a specific blood pressure medication may help

Š Using hormone replacement therapy

Just as every individual is unique, each individual's hot flash experience will be different. Some women will never experience a hot flash, or their hot flashes may be mild and tolerable. However, many others will experience a high frequency and high intensity of hot flashes for over a decade.

For those women battling hot flashes and that have tried the common strategies to minimize them but are still looking for options to improve their quality of life, there are options.

Experimentation may be needed to find the most effective way to navigate this part of life since there is no one-size-fits all solution. Despite this, there are certainly effective ways to combat hot flashes. Talk with your primary care provider or reach out to healthcare professionals that specialize in helping this group of patients to learn more.

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