Charleston Women Spring 2021

www. Char l es tonWomen . com | www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com CW S lowly it builds until that faint warming sensation becomes a sizzle, often at a most inopportune time – a meeting, a special event – and you are awash with an unwelcome red glow. Then, as quickly as it came over you, you find yourself freezing in front of the pocket fan you just called your best friend. The guessing game begins: when will the next one occur? For most, there rarely seems a pattern or predictability to this condition we know as hot flashes. When I asked a few known sufferers to give me one word that sums up their experience, they offered up descriptives such as aggravating, miserable, frustrating and, of course, sweaty. Hot flashes generally occur in the upper body and are often coupled with their evil sister, night sweats. The average age for onset is reported as 52, but some much younger women with hormone-related or other medical conditions experience hot flashes as well. While the frequency varies, most women who experience hot flashes have them daily, with the span averaging seven years, and some sufferers reporting the experience lasting over a decade. They can be so severe that they become unmanageable, affecting work and other daily activities, while the night sweats can be so intense that they cause ongoing sleep disturbances. THE MAYO CLINIC OFFERS THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOM CHECKLIST: • A sudden feeling of warmth spreading through your chest, neck and face • A flushed appearance with red, blotchy skin • Rapid heartbeat • Perspiration, mostly on your upper body • A chilled feeling as the hot flash subsides While hot flashes are not only a women’s issue — some male cancer patients undergoing treatments also have reported the unpleasant experience — for purposes of this article, we will touch on some options for the 75% of women who experience this unwanted rite of passage. And for the 25% of you who will dance through “the change” unscathed, count your blessings! Note: None of the following is intended to diagnose or treat a condition, and all options should be discussed with your physician to determine the appropriate course for your particular situation. DIET AND EXERCISE As with all healthy living suggestions, it begins with our diet and exercise habits. A healthy diet with limited alcohol, BY J EANNE TAYLOR Keep Your Cool When Hot Flashes Strike, Don’t Melt Down