What you should know about hot flashes

Menopause can produce a wide range of symptoms, but the most well-known is hot flashes. Here’s a close look.

Causes
Hot flashes are caused by hormonal changes that occur during menopause. Estrogen, for example, a hormone that helps regulate body temperature, decreases during this phase of life. Consequently, nearly three-quarters of people undergoing menopause experience hot flashes.

Description
Hot flashes can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes and often occur without warning. They’re mainly felt in the chest, neck, and face. However, hot flashes can also be accompanied by flushing, sweating, chills, and heart palpitations.

Solutions
Hot flashes can disrupt daily activities and impact a person’s quality of life. Therefore, it’s important to adopt healthy habits to minimize their effects. For example, you should:

• Avoid foods and beverages that trigger hot flashes

• Wear light, breathable, loose-fitting clothes

• Stay cool using ice packs, fans, and other solutions

• Engage in activities that relieve stress

• Quit smoking

If you’re finding it difficult to manage your menopause symptoms, it’s a good idea to consult a health care professional. There are both hormonal and non-hormonal treatments that can help ease your symptoms.

Hot flashes tend to occur most often during the first few years of menopause. However, their frequency and intensity vary from person to person.