Hot Flashes & Sweating - Causes & Solutions
Hot flashes have a knack of creeping up on you at the most inconvenient times, much like an unwelcome guest! They strike at any time, without warning and with a total disregard for important events in your life. To add insult to injury, a hot flash is often accompanied by its partner in crime, excessive sweating!
They’re an embarrassing, uncomfortable nuisance – a scourge. But there are ways to avoid them, and if they do strike, there are things you can do to manage them better.
Let’s chat about hot flashes and how to handle them.
What Are Hot Flashes?
A hot flash begins as a sudden feeling of intense warmth in the upper body, followed by flushed skin (turning red) and excessive perspiration. If you lose too much heat, you will experience a cold and clammy feeling. Usually, these symptoms start from the head and spread down toward the neck and chest. They can last from about 30 seconds up to 5 minutes, the average being 4 minutes.
Hot Flashes Causes
Generally, they are caused by the ‘big M’: menopause. Menopause predominantly affects women between 45 to 50 years of age. Hot flashes Opens in a new windowcould also be caused by the side effects of medication, thyroid problems, certain cancers and their treatment, consuming alcohol and caffeine, or eating spicy foods, among others.
Interesting fact, did you know that men can also have hot flashes? Yes, ladies, you are not alone! This has been mostly considered a female problem, but when a man’s testosterone levels drop suddenly and significantly, he could also experience a hot flash.
What Causes Sweating?
Normal sweating is a natural response to the weather, physical activity, stress, fear, or anger. When not a result of physical activity or heat, excessive sweating can be caused by certain medical conditions, such as hyperhidrosis. HyperhidrosisOpens in a new window is a medical condition that affects about 1% of people and sufferers can produce up to five times more sweat than normal. It is believed to be caused by overactive sweat glands, but the exact cause is unknown.
Hot Flashes And Sweat Differences Explained
What’s The Difference Between Hot Flashes And Sweat?
A hot flash is an intense feeling of warmth in your body and face, while sweat is a response of your body from heat or warmth. Hot flashes can cause sweating, but sweating cannot cause you to experience a hot flash.
How Do I Stop Hot Flashes And Sweating?
Help is at hand, there are many ways to deal with a hot flash and perspiration. Importantly, it’s time to seek medical advice to determine the cause and consider medication or alternative therapies.
For self-treatment identify what triggers your hot flashes and avoid them. Certain foods such as spices, caffeine and alcohol can cause a hot flash. Stress and smoking cigarettes can make them worse. If possible, wear loose, lightweight, and easily removable layers of clothing. Daily exercise and losing weight may also help.
There are sweat control products and treatments available that can help to control excessive sweating. Shield’s clinical strength antiperspirants have 3X the strength of normal antiperspirants and can make a big difference to your confidence.
Don’t Suffer In Silence
Often sweating has a huge negative impact on a person’s self-confidence and their ability to go about their daily routines. Do not let sweating get you down. Shield’s range of antiperspirants for men and women has got you covered and will keep you protected and smelling fresh all day long.