You suddenly feel a burning feeling on the face and the upper body, probably with a lightning-fast heartbeat, nausea, vertigo, headache and other irritating symptoms. You are experiencing what is commonly known as a "hot flash." What infernal reason is behind this? Hot flashes are a woman's biological process caused by the hormonal dictates of menopause. Principally that is, but it can also be brought about by particular medications and the styles/manner of living.

Technically, menopause is a biological operation and not a deficiency state in estrogen. It happens at age fifty on the average. Specifically though, a lowered level of estrogen directly impacts on the hypothalamus. The latter is that part of one's body that controls sleep cycles, sex hormones and temperature. The lowering of estrogen disconcerts the hypothalamus - and what it reads is "too hot."

The brain reacts by announcing an all-out order to the heart, nervous system and the blood vessels: "eliminate that heat." End result is that the heart beats quicker, blood vessels dilate and the sweat glands excrete. The unfortunate consequences would be: the body cools down when factors dictate that it should not, thus, one is soaking wet in the middle of a sales presentation. Not only is it highly uncomfortable, it is embarrassing.

This is in fact normal; 85% of women in the US have this as they come near menopause. Twenty to fifty percent continue to have them for a longer period of time. Thus, intensity decreases over time. There are significant differences in terms of onset, frequency, duration and the nature of these flashes. It may last for just a few minutes but it could take more than an hour for one to completely normalize. The most ordinary time of onset is from 6 to 8 a.m. and also between 6 to 10 p.m.

Do not despair, if one can really make a conscientious effort of avoiding the triggers, it would be a significant victory. It would be a major first step in winning at least a battle. Hot flash is triggered by the following: alcohol, caffeine, diet pills, spicy food, hot food, hot tubs, smoking, hot weather and still some others. Here are some survival tips: dress in layers and avoid turtleneck shirts. Where possible, lower the thermostat, get a larger bed if you and your partner are on different heat modes but still want to be close to each other, take a shower before crashing, arrive at meetings and functions early so that you can take a pick of your seat, and try tylenol.

Regarding the treatment of hot flashes, Chinese medicine has a well-respected reputation. The Chinese have descriptions for all kinds. They involve: acupuncture and herbology. The latter means that different kinds of herbs are mixed to make a particular tea suited to alleviate one's specific symptoms.

One of Mayo clinic's doctors, Dr. Loprinzi, has studied that antidepressants also play an important role in treatment. Low-dose may assist in delaying a hot flash. Effexor (venlafaxine) can cut down the frequency of hot flashes by about half, this in close to sixty percent of women with breast cancer.

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