Author: Manisha Purohit, M.D., FACOG
According to large sample data, approximately 75 percent of all women experience hot flashes. For many women, episodes of hot flashes can last for up to five years. In addition to medication and other therapies, you can use these four at-home remedies for hot flashes.
#1 Cool Down
The first and most obvious way to treat hot flashes at home is to cool down. By lowering your body’s core temperature, even just a little bit, you can reduce hot flash triggers. Dress in layers and stay indoors during the hot Arizona summers. If you don’t want to lower the temperature in your own home because of energy costs, go to a mall or movie theater for the afternoon. Also, be sure to keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
#2 Make Dietary Changes
Speaking of hydration, the food and drinks you put into your body can trigger hot flashes. Pay attention to what food and drinks trigger hot flashes in you. Every woman is different. However, hot, spicy foods, as well as caffeine and alcohol are known to trigger hot flashes in many women.
#3 Release Stress
By raising your core temperature, stress can trigger a hot flash. Learning to cope with stress is an essential “home-remedy” for hot flashes. Not only will you have fewer hot flashes, but you’ll also sleep better and feel better overall when managing stress in a healthy way.
#4 Quit Smoking
If you smoke, the time to quit is now. Numerous studies have drawn a positive correlation between tobacco use and hot flashes. By joining a smoking cessation program, you can start treating hot flashes at home. Plus, you may reduce your risk for other common diseases associated with smoking.
The Latest Medical Treatment for Hot Flashes
If you didn’t get a chance to read my last blog post on non-hormonal treatments for hot flashes, be sure to check it out. Paroxetine, a new alternative treatment for hot flashes that received FDA clearance this past summer, is now completely changing the way physicians treat this menopause symptom. This is a must-read for any woman suffering regular, severe hot flashes.
For more information about treating hot flashes via home remedies and medical therapy, call Arizona Associates for Women’s Health at 480-257-2700. Or, schedule an appointment online.
Please consult with your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.
