Menopause 
There is only one way to describe hot flashes: an unpleasant symptom. Whether you are in the middle of a meeting with your most important client, sitting in an auditorium full of people at your child's recital, or just doing your weekly grocery shopping, hot flashes can strike at any time. These sudden attacks of heat are known for leaving an otherwise happy woman irritable and uncomfortable.
Read on to discover four must-haves for combating hot flashes.
Water
Always make sure that you have a full water bottle with you. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will help keep you hydrated and cool. Keep an extra bottle in your car, at your office, and on your bedside table, so they are convenient to grab when you feel a hot flash coming on. Also, by always having water on hand, you'll be less likely to drink caffeinated beverages such as coffee and soda that only exacerbate your hot flashes.
An Exit Strategy
When you go out for a party or dinner, make sure you have thought of an exit strategy. Be aware of the nearest doors to the outside, so you can quickly and easily get to fresh air. If you start to feel a hot flash coming on, you can sneak outside for a few minutes until it passes.
Hot flashes can be stressful, uncomfortable experiences, and they are often made worse by being in a social situation or public space. Knowing that you can quickly and easily access cool, fresh air, and an open space should ease any feelings of anxiety, which can exacerbate hot flashes.
Comfortable Clothing
Always dress in thin layers and wear clothes that are made of breathable fabric. If you cover your body in fabrics that keep the heat in, hot flashes will feel much more intense than they need to. Be conscious of the clothing you choose and how it can improve or aggravate your hot flashes. Dressing in layers allows you to remove and replace pieces of clothing easily, according to fluctuations in body temperature.
Click on the following link to learn more about treatments for hot flashes.
Sources
- "Hot flashes ... in January". Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2004: 170 (1).
- Miller, Heather and Rose Maria Li, M.D. "Measuring Hot Flashes: Summary of a National Institutes of Health Workshop". Conference report. Mayo Clinic. June 2004: 79.
- Sikon, Andrea and Holly Thacker M.D. "Treatment for Menopausal Hot Flashes". Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. July 2004: 71 (7).
