Hot flashes during menopause are caused by the dilation of blood vessels in the face and upper body area in order to cool. This is what is responsible for the telltale red, flushed look in the women who suffer from it. Hot flashes that occur at the same time as excessive sweating may also occur at knight. This phenomenon is known as night sweats and is often sleep-disruptive.

For most women, the severity and duration of hot flashes often vary. For some, they only experience hot flashes during a limited time during menopause. For others, they will experience some form of hot flashing in different degrees of intensity throughout the rest of their life. The one thing they do have in common is that the intensity and duration of these hot flashes tend to lessen over time.

When a hot flash occurs, there is little one can do except ride it out. The following tips may help women alleviate their hot flashes and cool down in the process.

The following substances are known to trigger hot flashes and should therefore be avoided: Stress, tight clothing, spicy foods, alcohol, heat, and cigarette smoke.

Women should also try deep breathing exercises of around six to eight breaths per minute. This deep, slow, abdominal breathing should be practiced for around fifteen minutes in the morning, fifteen minutes in the evening and whenever the woman feels an onset of a hot flash about to happen.