Hot flashes, or hot flushes, are the commonest menopause symptom reported. Although hot flashes are experienced by many women -- around 70-80% of those in menopause -- not every woman in menopause experiences hot flashes. It is believed that the reduction in oestrogen level that the menopause brings is the main factor in causing hot flashes.
A hot flash (flush) either starts at the chest or waist and moves up or starts at the head and spreads down. Some women find that it spreads to other parts of the body. Its duration is from a couple of minutes up to as long as an hour.
Hot flashes are much more common in the USA and UK that in the Far East.
What Can You Do For Hot Flashes (Flushes)
Hot flashes, or flushes, can be uncomfortable and inconvenient and where this is the case, many women are willing to try just about any thing to relieve them.
The main approaches to coping with hot flashes are:
1. Drugs, especially ERT, or HRT
2. Herbs
3. Diet
4. Exercise, and
5. Rest
Many women try to avoid the hormone based drugs which are used to treat hot flashes, ERT or HRT. Fortunately, a combination of the other four methods helps the majority of women - if followed closely.
The difficulty often is changing your habits to healthy ones.
If you will:
- Take several different herbs regularly -- such as agnus castus, dong quai and red sage
- Modify your diet -- reduce starchy food, junk food and processed foods; increase fresh foods especially fruit and vegetables and especially raw
- Get vigorous exercise 3 times a week
- Chill out - spend time relaxing
then in most cases hot flashes will reduce in 1-2 months. Continue for 6 months for more long-lasting effects. An extra benefit is that your general health will improve too.
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