Hot flashes present many problems, especially if they occur at night. This interruption of sleep, followed by many uncomfortable symptoms, could prove to be problematic to alot of people. Luckily, there are many remedies and effective treatments to be taken advantage of in this type of situation.

Many women who are going through menopause tend to find themselves on the receiving end of this bothersome phenomenon. And while the true cause is not known, alot of doctors connect it to a change in blood circulation. The most natural treatment is to avoid stress, caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, tight clothing, heat, and cigarette smoking. All of these things if not the cause, could end up being the main trigerring factor. So it is best to avoid these acts if at all possible. Other professionals state that staying cool, taking deep breaths and daily exercise all help in minimizing the potential of experiencing a hot flash.

Outside of the natural methods mentioned here, there are many other treatments available. These tend to be be separated into two categories; prescription and non prescription. The latter consists of many drugs such as Catapres, Catapres-TTS, Aldomet, and other blood pressure medications. Birth control pills can also be prescribed along with various antidepressants, such as Zoloft, Paxil, and Effexor. While many people do find the natural treatments beneficial, others find better treatment through the consumption of these several different medications. These remedies provide different result depending on the situation, as well as the subject in question. HRT seems to be the number one choice to many women. The success rate of this treatment tends to show more stable results on a large scale. Whereas other treatments tend to vary greatly in results that depend more on the individual herself.

Nonprescription treatments include Vitamin B complex, Vitamin E, and Ibuprofen. One of the downfalls to non-prescrition products, is the lack of control by the FDA. Unlike prescription medications, the lack of regulation brings about many different ingredients and potency levels. A lack of proper testing keeps many customers away from attempting such treatments. “Clonidine” is an example of a treatment presented in both pill or patch form. It acts by decreasing the patients blood pressure. This drug can be effective in many women, wile having no effect whatsoever in others. This outcome is said to manifest itself randomly, depending on the receiving entity. This is why people must be careful when it comes time for treatment selection. Avoiding the wrong pills and patches could greatly save you from further complications.

In conclusion, prescription drugs along with relaxation techniques seem to be most effective in treating hot flahes. Consulting with a doctor is crucial in finding the proper medication. Extensive long term laboratory studies have shown that the use of hormones to treat hot flahes increased the risk of heart attack and stroke. They also showed an increased chance of being infected with breast cancer. While on a positive note, alot of the treatments have proven to reduce hot flashes by eighty to ninety percent. So at the end of the day, the patient has to weigh out the risk and benefits carefully. The medical history of the individual also has to be taken into consideration to avoid any unnecessary and long term complications.