Hot flashes

Hot flashes

Hot flashes



Definition:
It is a sudden feeling of heat in the face, neck and chest then spreading into the whole body, it can last for 2-4 minutes.
It can cause skin reddening and sweating followed by chills.

It is the most common symptom of menopause

Hot flashes can start months or years before menopause, and last for several years after.


The cause is not clearly known, but likely it is caused by hormonal changes.

It can be also triggered by:

  • Spicy food.
  • Caffeine.
  • High weather temperature.
  • Stress.
  • Some medications.
  • Overactive thyroid.
  • Diabetes.

It can happen also during sleep (night sweats).


Lifestyle changes can help in managing hot flashes:
1. Losing weight in case of overweight.

2. Taking cold or lukewarm shower.

3. Keeping body temperature cool by dressing light and loose.

4. Drinking something cold when feeling the hot flashes are coming.

5. Controlling spicy food and caffeine consumption.

6. Stress management.

7. Stop smoking.


Treatment:
If it is not severe, no need for treatment as it probably will stop without treatment after few years.


Treatment options for severe cases:
Treatment can be reduced gradually after one to two years.

1. Hormonal therapy:
With Estrogen only for women who had hysterectomy.

Estrogen with progesterone for women who still have uterus.

Possible side effects: breast soreness, headache, mood swings, bloating, blood clots.

This type of treatment is considered if:

a. The patient had past history of cancer that is not sensitive to hormones.

b. No history of blood clot, breast cancer, coronary heart disease or stroke.

c. Within 10 years of menopause.

d. Younger than 60 years old.


2. Non-hormonal therapy :
It is an option for women who can not use hormones.
Less effective than hormonal therapy.

a. Antidepressant medications:

Also helps in moods swings and and depression.
Venlafaxine, Fluoxetine, desvenlafaxine, paroxetine, citalopram, and escitalopram .
It Holds some side effects such as dizziness, dry mouth and nausea.

b. Anti-seizure or anti- hypertensive medications:

Gabapentin, Clonidine.
Hold some side effects such as dizziness and headache.


There are other common treatment options, but be careful first and make sure with your doctor as they are not scientifically proven yet and may have some side effects, such as:

1.Herbal therapies:
Black cohosh: no enough studies proven its effectiveness

Possible side effects: stomach upset, side effects on liver and may interfere with other medications.

Evening Primrose Oil: still no enough studies proven its effectiveness

Side effects: Nausea, diarrhea, headache

ginseng: Has no effect on hot flashes.

2. Soy: Found in food such as tofu and soy milk. Might help but still no enough studies proven its effectiveness

3. Exercise: studies so far did not find its effects on hot flashes.

4. Acupuncture: studies are conflicting regarding its effectiveness.

5. Vitamin E: Might help in reducing hot flashes, but holds some side effects such as heart failure and death if used in high doses.

6. stellate ganglian block: It is an injection into a nerve in the back of the neck.
It might reduce the frequency of severe hot flashes, but still more studies needed.

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