The real causes of hot flashes & night sweats.
Hot flashes and night sweats are so common during menopause that women
are led to believe the two go hand-in-hand. But this assumption is
misleading for women approaching menopause — and downright confusing
for women in their 20’s and 30’s who suffer from hot flashes
or night sweats.
Once
you understand the real cause of hot flashes you’ll see that
not all hot flashes and night sweats are signs of menopause, nor
are they an inevitable part of being menopausal!
So what’s
the real cause of hot flashes and night sweats, and what can you
do — no matter what your age — to get relief?
Hot flashes
and your hormones
Hormonal balance is your body’s natural state. But when there
are too many demands on your body, its ability to balance your hormones
is overwhelmed. The resulting hormonal imbalance gives rise to hot
flashes or night sweats.
Basically, the
heat-regulatory area of the brain is “tricked” into
thinking the body needs to dispel heat, causing it to send out signals
for blood vessels to dilate, heart rate to increase, and sweat glands
to open. The result is the unpleasant rush of heat, perspiration,
dizziness, and pounding heart that characterize hot flashes.
The demands
that create hormonal imbalance tend to peak in perimenopause (the
years leading up to menopause), which is why hot flashes are commonly
thought of as a menopause symptom. But women can experience hormonal
imbalance at any stage in their lives. It’s just your body’s
way of asking for help.
Some factors
increase your likelihood of experiencing hot flashes. Women with
high levels of anxiety are up to five times as likely to experience
hot flashes and night sweats. Being overweight contributes to hot
flashes as well, and smoking can double your risk. Certain foods
like sugar, caffeine, alcohol and hot spices trigger hot flashes
in some women. We encourage you to listen to your body and respond.
The risk of
hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for hot flashes
In the past, HRT was the conventional solution to hot flashes associated
with menopause. For over 21 years we have recommended instead that
your first choice should be to support your body in a natural way.
This gets at the underlying problem and produces the best long-term
results — without the risks of prescription drugs commonly
used in hormone replacement therapy. Many women find that with the
proper support, their own bodies can correct the hormonal imbalance
that is the real cause of their hot flashes or night sweats.
Of course, the
choice to use HRT is a personal one. We simply want to improve your
health choices and support you in what you decide is best for you.
(See our article on the health risks of HRT.)
Natural relief
for hot flashes and night sweats
The good news is that you can solve the underlying causes of hot
flashes, naturally. The basic approach is to increase the support
you give your body. Over time, you should also try to reduce or
manage the demands you experience. You will find that this approach
to hot flash relief will help relieve other symptoms of hormonal
imbalance as well.
How do you increase
the support and so get relief from hot flashes? In over 21 years
of medical practice, we’ve helped tens of thousands of women
find a personal solution to hormonal balance. And now we offer that
program for your use at home.
Our Personal
Program is a great place to start
The Personal Program promotes natural hormonal balance with nutritional
supplements, our exclusive endocrine support formula, dietary and
lifestyle guidance, and optional phone consultations with our Nurse-Educators.
It is a convenient, at-home version of what we recommend to all
our patients at the clinic.
Start
by assessing your symptoms with our on-line Hormonal Health Profile.
It’s easy, informative, and free.
To learn more about the Program, go to How the Personal Program
Works.
For further reading about your symptoms and other health topics,
go to Our Article section.
Call to set up a nutritional consultation so these tests can be performed and a comprehensive strategy of lifestyle, dietary modification and nutrient supplementation can be implemented to aid you in reversing this disorder.
For an appointment, contact our office at: 800-956-7083 and visit our web site www.completehealth institute.com go to lab tests and click on appropriate test for information.
Dr. Rispoli, Ph.D., L Ac. has had a clinical practice for over 20 years. Her programs work because she is so thorough in testing and providing a nutritional approach. Remember that the body can heal itself if given the proper nutrients.
All lab tests can be done through the mail in the privacy of your own home, except blood tests, we send you to a lab to have your blood drawn for these. After you pay for the test we mail you the kit, the results take two weeks, the test results will be mailed to us and we will call you to go over the results, its that easy! All tests include the consultation for the report of findings.
Click on area of interest on the right for more information.
Call our office for details. 800-956-7083 OR 818-707-3126. |