Although hot flashes are not considered as harmful medical condition, many patients suffering from them experienced negative influence to the sleep. Menopausal women are especially prone to sleeping problems for they are also the main group of patients with hot flashes. Hot flashes are found out to be one of the reason for frequent sudden waking ups, and many women start to suffer from insomnia and sleep deprivation because of that. Going to sleep is also very problematic for patients suffering from hot flashes.
What Causes Hot Flashes and Insomnia
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been blamed for the increasing number of women suffering from both hot flashes and sleeping problems. Many believe that the risks of the HRT outweight the benefits of the therapy, especially because it seems to be associated with many health issues, includinginsomnia.
Solution for sleeping and other medical problems in menopausal women is not easy, and all patients do not react in the same way. Every symptom should be carefully assessed and then solved with the help of your doctor(s). Sleeping tablets are and should be only short term therapy, if necessary, but consult your doctor prior to any decisions about the treatment. He or she will review your medical history, check your medical condition, consult you about the symptoms and only then determine the suitable therapy. HRT should not be completely dismissed as the possible solution for your problem.
Aging can certainly bring changes to our sleeping patterns. Older people spend more time in non REM (rapid eye movement) stages of sleep, which is light sleep, than in phases of deep sleep. Because of that their sleep is normally lighter and they can more easily wake up. As the result, they get up earlier than they used to and plus, they are already tired when they get up. This is the condition which normally happens to everyone after the age of 50.
Helpful Tips
There are herbal and natural remedies helpful for people suffering from sleeping problems. Sleeping OTC (over the counter) aids should not be used if you don’t have to, rather opt for menopausal herbal remedies. New sleeping routine and new sleeping patterns might also be exactly what you need in order to get a good night sleep.
Also, you should find out the trigger for your nocturnal hot flashes. Weird noise or dreaming may be reasons for hot flashes at night, but whatever your causes are you should manage them if you want to sleep peacefully at night. Changing the diet, relaxing before sleeping, hot bath or a cup of herbal tea before bedtime are known to be very beneficial.
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