LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Certain behavior changes can make hot flashes less uncomfortable, but they probably won't decrease the number of hot flashes you'll experience. The National Institute on Aging recommends the following measures:
• sleep in as cool a room as possible
• use sheets and other bedding that breathe (some experts recommend all-cotton only)
• keep a glass of cold water nearby at all times and drink it as soon as a flash begins
• dress in layers so you can easily peel off clothing in the event of a hot flash, even in public
Avoid hot flash triggers, says Dr. Patricia Ganz, professor of medicine and public health at UCLA. These differ from woman to woman. For some, cutting back on caffeine or spicy foods may help; for others, avoiding stressful situations, when possible, will reduce the frequency or intensity of hot flashes. Joan Shaver of the University of Washington adds that sometimes moving from one room to another with a different temperature can trigger a flash. Try avoiding this type of "shock" to your system.
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General health
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