Hot Flashes Are Not Fun
Never let life's hardships disturb you ... no one can avoid problems, not even saints or sages. -- Nichiren Daishonen
Some of the worst parts of menopause are the bothersome symptoms that come with the body changes. While some women complain of forgetfulness or family members may complain they are moody, many women believe that hot flashes are the most annoying menopause symptoms ever. One of the first physical symptoms a woman will experience is hot flashes. Sometimes women have no idea what they are experiencing until they hear someone else talking about their own last hot flash. They can be extremely irritating and scary and can sometimes be confused with panic attacks. Sometimes even women can think they are having a heart attack when a terrible hot flash occurs. When you are prepared ahead of time that is the best way to get through what are sometimes called "hot flushes". If you are coming close to menopause or even if you have already begun, be sure to read this information on what to expect.
What Happens During A Hot Flash?
According to the majority of women, when a hot flash first begins, a woman's face and neck will feel very flushed. When this happens, usually the heat spreads fast across their chest and often covers their entire body. When dealing with menopause, some women have described a rapid heart beat and others have complained with having a feeling of nausea from the flushness. Other women have complained with getting a headache as well. Another common complaint is profuse sweating.
When And How Often Do They Occur?
It has been found that they can occur at any time of the day. They typically come with very little warning and they are something that women have no control over for the most part. Some women will only experience hot flashes at night, in which case they are called night sweats. Many women have as little as one hot flash per month, while others complain of having at least two per day. The frequency does vary from female to female. A typical hot flash lasts between three to six minutes, however, they may seem a lot longer when you are going through them.
What Can I Do About Them?
The best thing to do is get to a cooler area. Perhaps try uncovering yourself if you are in bed. Or you may want to go to the bathroom and splash cool water on your face. If you want, try holding your inner wrist under cold tap water. These are all easy ways to cool yourself off quickly. You can always stick your head in the freezer for a moment or walk outdoors if you prefer that. Just do what you can to get yourself comfortable. Just remember staying calm is also important. If you begin to panic, try to calm yourself down with breathing techniques. A variety of breathing techniques can help you get through these bothersome attacks.
About the Author
Jennifer is a health researcher and likes to write about women's health concerns.