It is quite common for females to get hot flashes and a sensation of feeling faint during pregnancy. There are quite a number of theories as to why this happens but an exact cause has not been able to be determined. Generally it is believed to be due to the extra weight of the baby along with the extra pressure that is put on the heart during pregnancy. Although these sensations are temporary and subside quickly with rest but if these sensations become persistent then it calls for a checkup with the physician to identify a cause for it as it may be a sign of a medical condition like anemia or some nutritional deficiency.
Other than this, these sensations of hot flashes and feeling faint are quite common and resolve immediately after the delivery of the child. In this article, we give a brief overview on some of the causes of hot flashes during pregnancy and ways to get rid of it.
What Causes Hot Flashes During Pregnancy?
Hormonal Imbalance: This is one of the most common causes of hot flashes during pregnancy. When a female gets pregnant, there is a steep drop in the estrogen levels and thus the stress hormones increase signaling the brain to release more epinephrine and norepinephrine into the blood stream. This results in increased blood flow to the skin, especially in the head and neck causing the vessels to widen up making them red and hot. This is what we call as a hot flash, a feeling as if the body is on fire. This may also cause severe anxiety and a sense of fear which may be accompanied with a feeling as if you are about to faint.
Anemia: This is yet another cause of getting hot flashes during pregnancy. Under normal circumstances, a pregnant female is supposed to consume foods rich in iron and is also prescribed iron pills by their physician so that the passage of oxygen from the mother to the child is done freely. In some cases, where there is less iron in the body, this process is disrupted and the female may feel fatigued, irritable, short of breath, and may even have heart palpitations, and feel hot flashes. Thus it is always recommended to eat foods rich in iron like green leafy vegetables, beets, red beans, eggs along with prenatal vitamins diligently given to you by the physician.
Ketones in Urine: This is yet another cause for feeling hot flashes during pregnancy. You will be sent through lab tests periodically throughout the pregnancy to check whether there is presence of ketones in the urine. The presence of ketones in urine suggests that you are not getting enough nutrition that can suffice both the mother as well as the child. Apart from getting hot flashes and feeling faint you may also feel extreme hunger, cold sweats, and extreme exhaustion due to nutritional deficiency during pregnancy. Thus it is imperative for you to eat a lot of green leafy vegetables, eggs, fruits, proteins, and while grains so as to nourish you and provide enough calories for both the mother and the baby. It is important to note here that processed foods need to be avoided as they may be detrimental to the health of the baby. Also, increase the intake of water to stay hydrated at all times.
How to Get Rid of Hot Flashes during Pregnancy?
Below mentioned are some easy ways to help get rid of feeling of hot flashes during pregnancy.
Cool Place for Sleeping: During the course of the pregnancy you need to make sure that you sleep in a cool place so that it makes you comfortable and this can prevent and get rid of hot flashes at nighttime.
Avoid Sunlight: During pregnancy, it is important to avoid direct sunlight as much as possible in order to prevent and get rid of hot flashes. If required, wear light colored clothing and wide hats to protect the body from sunlight.
Stay Hydrated: It is very important to stay hydrated throughout the Pregnancy and drink plenty of water so that the body does not heat up due to hormonal imbalance and you do not get a feeling of hot flashes during pregnancy.
Adhere to Proper Diet: It is of utmost importance to stay away from any sort of caffeinated or alcoholic drinks during pregnancy as it can cause severe hot flashes and feeling of fainting and above all it is extremely detrimental for the health of the child.
Cooling Kits: Throughout the pregnancy carry cooling kits with you wherever you go so as to prevent and get rid of feeling hot flashes during pregnancy.
Breathing Exercises: If you are having hot flashes during pregnancy then simple breathing exercises can do a lot of good in helping you get rid of this problem.
Healthy Weight: It is important to maintain a healthy weight to avoid getting hot flashes during Pregnancy. Studies have shown that females who do some form of exercise during pregnancy can cut down the chances of getting hot flashes by about 40%.
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