Personal Summers

We can laugh at personal summers or hot flashes…unless you’re in the middle of an intense heatwave yourself.   They can be awkward or downright embarrassing.   Is there a way to prevent or minimize hot flashes?

First, talk with your OB/GYN about your symptoms.  The symptoms may or may not be related to menopause.  There is relief out there!

Second, take a look at different things that can cause you to become hotter than usual.

Food – Carbohydrates and sugars increase your body temperature.  By reducing your carbohydrate and sugar intake, you can keep your body temperature at a comfortable level.   Eating a high carbohydrate meal or a sugary treat before bed can lead to night sweats.

Drink – Drinking beverages high in sugar, caffeine or alcohol can all increase your body temperature.

Fabrics – Synthetic fabrics such as rayon, polyester and nylon are water repellent, allowing sweat to build up and no evaporation to occur. Natural fibers like cotton help soak up the moisture and draw it away from the skin and help the moisture to evaporate.   Some running and athletic gear are made from wicking material.   Wicking material is a synthetic material, but it does draw moisture away from the body.

Bedding – There’s nothing worse than waking up totally soaked in the middle of the night.   But there is hope.   Many of the home stores offer wicking or cooling sheets, bedding and pillows.   Another good site is Cooling Mattress

Blood Sugar – If your blood glucose level is high, it will make you feel hot, sticky and sweaty.

Showers – Do you like to take a nice hot shower in the morning?   That will increase your body temperature.   If you do enjoy a hot shower, slowly decrease the temperature towards the end of your shower until you feel your body cooling down. Keep a table fan in the bathroom so it can cool you down while getting ready.

Sue’s Super Nutrition  carries natural products to help reduce the symptoms of menopause.

Cooling Packs – We have soft freezable cooling packs for sale at the office.   Keep these coolants in the freezer so you can grab-and-go.   Use them on your body during the day, or under your head at night.   These packs stay cool for hours.  (You can also heat these packs in the microwave, but with your personal summers, there will be no need to do that!)

Only $5