A new study indicates that women who are overweight and experience hot flashes may reduce this uncomfortable symptoms by simply losing weight. Hot flashes are the uncomfortable sweating and flushing spells that is associated with menopause. According to Dr. Alison Huang, the main author of this study, if a woman is obese or overweight, she can increasingly improve her hot flashes by losing weight through exercise and diet. She also told that weight loss is not only going to benefit your long term health from now, but it will make a real difference in your quality of life and your symptoms.
The Study
As per older research, women who have a higher body mass indexes (BMI) experience severe hot flashes. On the other hand, some studies have tried to analyze the immediate effect that weight loss has on symptoms. The study was published in the “Archives of Internal Medicine,” which was conducted on 150 obese and overweight menopausal women. These women were experiencing hot flashes as well as urinary incontinence.
About Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are not a mere nuisance. They are associated with an increased risk of insomnia, anxiety and depression. According to Huang, most researchers and doctors did not take it as a serious health problem. However, it is still unclear why there will be a reduction in hot flashes following weight loss. Higher levels of estrogen are found in overweight and obese women. This may aggravate the condition of hot flashes. Also, body fat can prevent from cooling off while experiencing a hot flash.
Immediate Relief From Hot Flashes
A few low doses of prescription medications or drugs can help in providing relieving hot flashes in obese and overweight women looking for an immediate relief. This may include antidepressants. Even hormone therapy can help in reducing hot flashes as it replaces estrogen and several other hormones. These minimize during the stage of menopause.
