I've had hot flushes for the past 10 years, and I'm getting sick of them. I'm 64, and I had been blaming the menopause but when I read descriptions of what menopausal women usually suffer, my hot flushes seem different. I hear that they start in your chest and go up your neck. Mine spread across my arms, and I get a startled sort of feeling, a sort of prickly sensation. Could it be something else? Can you suggest a remedy?

There are many different 'types' of hot flushes, and most women will have their own individual symptoms.

There is no standard flush if so to speak. However, menopause-like symptoms such as flushes, after all this time, may be an indication of adrenal stress rather than hormonal.

In this situation it is very important to do supportive work for the adrenals, such as taking a high strength multivitamin with extra magnesium - aim to work up your intake to at least 400-600mg per day.

Liquorice tea can also be helpful as well. I would also suggest acupuncture as it can be very effective for adrenal stress.

Studies have shown that daily relaxation can reduce symptoms quickly, so make taking 30 minutes of relaxation a day a priority.

Check your diet too; avoid caffeine and high salt and sugar foods as these can all trigger the adrenals contributing to your symptoms.

Low iron and low thyroid can also cause similar symptoms so it is a good idea to ask your doctor to test for these if they haven not done so already.

Eileen Durward