What Are Hot Flashes Or Hot Flushes?

What Are Hot Flashes Or Hot Flushes?
Hot flashes or hot flushes involve a sudden sensation of intense
heat, usually in the upper part of the body. They can last from a few
seconds to half an hour.

Women going through menopause or having chemotherapy for breast cancer often suffer from severe hot flashes. Soy

is one of the many non-drug substances that have been suggested for
easing symptoms that include flushing, sweating, rapid heartbeat, and
anxiety. But a new study finds that soy may not in fact help relieve
hot flashes. The soy product did not alleviate hot flashes in breast
cancer survivors," state a group of researchers in the March '00 issue
of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

"We were unable to demonstrate any suggestion of benefit," they add.

Foods derived from soy products contain compounds known as
isoflavones, which have weak estrogen activity in the body. It is
thought that regular intake of soy containing products not only
provides a healthy source of protein, but may play a role in decreasing
hot flashes as well.

Hot flashes, the most commonly reported symptom related to
menopause, are experienced by up to 85 percent of menopausal women. Hot
flashes occur when there is a decrease in previously well established
circulating estrogen levels. The decline in estrogen is thought to
affect the temperature control center in the brain, resulting in a
turning on of the body's heat-losing mechanism. Blood flow is directed
to the skin, which causes a visible flush, a sensation of heat,
perspiration and a measurable drop in body temperature. Thus, a chill
may be experienced afterwards. Hot flashes vary in frequency and
intensity and can be stimulated by stress, spicy foods, caffeine,
alcohol and warm external surroundings. Night sweats are hot flashes
that occur at night and can be a cause of significant sleep
disturbances.

Estrogen replacement therapy is, without question, the most
effective treatment for the management of hot flashes and night sweats.
An initial response to therapy is usually noted within a week or two of
starting therapy, with a maximal effect established within four to
eight weeks. Estrogen replacement should be considered by those women
who experience disruption in their lives from symptoms and have medical
approval for therapy. For women who can not take estrogen or those who
choose not to, alternative therapies exist in addition to lifestyle
modifications.

Other medications are sometimes used to treat the vasomotor symptoms
of menopause with varying levels of success. These include progestins,
androgens and Clonidine (a medication used in the treatment of high blood pressure).

Vitamin and supplement therapy are also used by some women for
symptom relief. Vitamin E is frequently described as therapy for hot
flashes although its usefulness has not been documented scientifically.
When used in recommended doses, it is thought to have valuable
antioxidant activity and is not harmful.

There are many herbal compounds
sold, singly or in combination, for the relief of menopausal symptoms.
The usefulness of many of these products has not been scientifically
documented. Phytoestrogens that are structurally similar to estrogen
are found in soy and in herbal extracts of Cimcefuga racemosa, Vitex, Licorice Root and Dong Quai.
An extract from Cimcefuga racemosa, called Black Cohosh (frequently
marketed as "Remifemin"), is the most commonly prescribed agent for the
relief of menopausal symptoms in Germany. Some women may find relief
utilizing relaxation techniques, yoga, biofeedback and acupuncture.

The
herbs and nutrients mentioned above reflect the major nutritional
supplements that may help the condition. Please do remember however
that nutritional supplementation is an adjunct to medical treatment and
in no way replaces medical treatment.