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Alternative Means To Deal With Menopausal Hot Flashes
By
Janet Martin |
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A woman's body undergoes a lot of changes before, during and after menopause. But for those who have to undergo menopause prematurely because of surgery, chemotherapy and other medications, the symptoms of this change can be more severe and long lasting. In fact, studies show that women who had surgical menopause experience hot flashes and other signs of menopause a couple of years longer than those who underwent the change naturally.
For many women, the most annoying symptom of menopause is hot flashes. Figures show that almost 85% of American women experience this annoying sign at least once during menopause or right before their menstruation period permanently stops. About 20% of the same women even experience hot flashes a year or two after menopause.
Although the most popular solution for alleviating this problem is through hormone replacement therapy, it may not be the wisest, especially if you are a cancer survivor. This approach is still riddled with controversies, especially with regard to its safety. It would probably be better if you use natural means as your line of attack against menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flashes.
Know The Triggers
If you want to prevent being soaked in sweat during an important meeting or wake up in the middle of the night because of wet sheets, then you have to know what triggers your hot flash attack. Although most women are given a few minutes' head start to prepare for the bout of sudden heat, many are still caught unaware or in very compromising situations.
Once you have an attack, you need to write down the circumstances that lead to the attack. Take note of what you are doing, what you just ate or what is your general emotional and physical state. Jotting down these things after a hot flash episode will provide you with a pattern that will help you determine what situations or things are triggering your hot flashes.
For majority of women, their number one trigger is stress. If this is also the case with you, taking several mini-breaks during the day could help alleviate your stress. Meditation, relaxation, massage, scented candles, cuddling up with your partner, eating a piece of chocolate, or even smiling can be helpful in reducing stress.
Other common triggers include sauna, hot bed, caffeine, alcoholic beverages, smoking, hot weather, spicy foods, and diet pills. In order to prevent frequent attacks, make sure you stay away from these triggers.
Mind Your Diet
If in your 20s you were not concerned so much about the food you eat, this time you have to be pickier with your food. Since a woman's susceptibility to bone density loss and risk of getting heart diseases increases dramatically after menopause, you have to make sure that you eat healthier and more nutritious food. From now on, you have to increase your servings of fruits and vegetables from five to nine servings a day.
Go Alternative
You really do not have to take pills or whatever drug to ensure a worry-free menopause, if there is such a thing. There are alternative better and safer means that can help you deal with your stress, hot flashes and other symptoms.
Having a massage therapy is a start because it helps you become more relaxed. For people who are not afraid to be pricked a little, acupuncture sometimes work. However, make sure that the needles used on you are sterilized because there are a lot of other diseases that you can get from infected needles.
Many also swear to the efficacy of herbal medication. If you are not sure about what to take, you can use supplements, such as Menersa, that contain chaste berry and other herbs that are known to help ease menopausal symptoms safely. However, it is best to seek advice from doctors first before taking any supplement, especially if you are already taking other medications. For more information about how Menersa can help you, visit http://www.menersa.com.
Author's Bio
Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine www.thearticleinsiders.com.
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