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A hot flash is a quick sensation of warmth in the upper body, most notably over the face, neck, and chest. Your skin may flush, as if you're blushing. Sweating can also be caused by a hot flash. If you lose too much body heat, you may become cold. Night sweats are hot flashes that occur during the night and might impair your sleep.
Although they can be caused by other medical disorders, hot flashes are most typically caused by menopause – the time when menstrual cycles become erratic and eventually stop. Hot flashes are, in fact, the most prevalent symptom of menopause.
There are several therapies available for unpleasant hot flashes.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HOT FLASHES?
During a hot flash, you may experience:
- A surge of warmth spreads through your chest, neck, and face.
- A flushed complexion with red, blotchy skin
- A fast heartbeat
- Sweating, mainly on your upper body
- A cool sensation as the hot flash subsides
- Anxiety
The frequency and intensity of hot flashes differ between women. A single episode can run as little as a minute or two or as long as 5 minutes.
Hot flashes might be moderate or severe enough to interfere with daily activities. They can occur at any moment of the day or night. Nighttime hot flashes (night sweats) might wake you up and impair your sleep for the rest of the night.
Hot flashes occur at different rates for different women, but the majority of women who report having them do so on a daily basis. Hot flashes can last for more than seven years on average. Some women have had them for almost ten years.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF HOT FLASHES?
Hot flashes are most typically caused by hormonal fluctuations before, during, and after menopause. It is unclear how hormonal changes produce heat flashes. However, most research suggests that hot flashes occur when your body's thermostat (hypothalamus) becomes more sensitive to small variations in body temperature. When the hypothalamus detects that your body is overheating, it initiates a cascade of actions — a hot flash — to cool you down.
Hot flashes and nocturnal sweats are rarely caused by anything other than menopause. Other possible causes include drug adverse effects, thyroid issues, some malignancies, and cancer therapy side effects.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR HOT FLASHES?
Hot flashes do not affect all women going through menopause, and it is unclear why some do. The following factors may enhance your risk:
- Smoking: Hot flashes are more common among women who smoke.
- Obesity: Hot flushes are more common in women who have a high body mass index (BMI).
- Race: Hot flashes are more common in black women than in other races after menopause. Asian women are the least likely to get hot flashes.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF HOT FLASHES?
Hot flashes can have an effect on your everyday activities and quality of life. Nighttime hot flashes (night sweats) might wake you up and lead to long-term sleep disturbances.
According to research, women who have hot flashes may have a higher risk of heart disease and bone loss than women who do not have hot flashes.
HOW ARE HOT FLASHES DIAGNOSED?
A description of your symptoms will typically suffice to identify hot flashes. Your doctor may recommend blood testing to determine whether you are in menopausal transition.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR HOT FLASHES?
The most effective technique to alleviate the discomfort of hot flashes is to take estrogen, but this hormone is not without hazards. If estrogen is right for you and you start taking it within 10 years of your last menstrual period or before the age of 60, the advantages may outweigh the hazards.
Antidepressants and seizure medications may also help lessen hot flashes, however they are less effective than hormones.
Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of various treatments with your doctor. You probably don't need treatment if hot flashes don't interfere with your life. Even without treatment, most women's hot flashes subside gradually, but it can take several years.
Hormone therapy
The principal hormone used to treat hot flashes is estrogen. Most hysterectomy patients can use estrogen alone. However, if you still have a uterus, you should take progesterone along with estrogen to prevent against uterine lining cancer (endometrial cancer).
Therapy should be adjusted to your specific needs with any regimen. For symptom control, guidelines recommend using the smallest effective dose. The duration of treatment is determined by the balance of your risks and benefits from hormone therapy. The goal is to improve your overall quality of life.
Progesterone-related adverse effects occur in some women who use progesterone in conjunction with estrogen therapy. A combination medication of bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens (Duavee) is also licensed for treating menopausal symptoms in women who cannot tolerate oral progesterone. Taking bazedoxifene with estrogen, like progesterone, may help you avoid the higher risk of endometrial cancer caused by estrogen alone. Bazedoxifene may also help to protect your bones.
Discuss estrogen therapy with your doctor if you have had or are at risk of breast or endometrial cancer, heart disease, stroke, or blood clots.
Antidepressants
The only nonhormone medication for hot flashes approved by the US Food and Drug Administration is a low-dose version of paroxetine (Brisdelle). Hot flashes have also been treated with the following antidepressants:
- Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
- Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
These drugs are not as effective as hormone therapy for severe hot flashes, but they can benefit women who are unable to take hormones. Nausea, difficulties sleeping or sleepiness, weight gain, dry mouth, or sexual dysfunction are all possible adverse effects.
Additional prescription drugs
Other drugs that may be beneficial to some women include:
- Gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, others): Gabapentin is an anti-seizure medicine that has a mild effect on hot flashes. Drowsiness, dizziness, water retention in the limbs (edema), and weariness are possible side effects.
- Pregabalin (Lyrica): Pregabalin is another anti-seizure medicine that can help with hot flashes. Dizziness, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, and weight gain are all possible side effects.
- Oxybutynin (Ditropan XL, Oxytrol): Oxybutynin is a tablet or patch that is commonly used to treat urinary problems such as overactive bladder. It may also help some ladies relieve hot flashes. Dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation, nausea, and dizziness are all possible side effects.
- Clonidine (Catapres, Kapvay, others): Clonidine, a tablet or patch commonly used to treat high blood pressure, may help with hot flashes. Dizziness, sleepiness, dry mouth, and constipation are some of the side effects.
Nerve block procedure
The stellate ganglian block method has showed promise in treating moderate to severe heat flashes, but additional research is needed. Anesthetic is injected into a nerve cluster in the neck. The technique has been used to treat pain. Pain and bruising at the injection site are among the side effects.
HOME REMEDIES FOR HOT FLASHES?
If your hot flashes are light, try the following lifestyle adjustments to manage them:
- Stay cool: Hot flashes can be triggered by slight rises in your body's core temperature. Dress in layers so that you can remove clothing as needed.
Use a fan or air conditioner, or open the windows. If possible, reduce the temperature of the room. If you feel a hot flash coming on, drink something cold.
- Take note of what you eat and drink: Heat and spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol can all cause hot flashes. Learn to identify and avoid your triggers.
- Make use of mind-body therapy: Despite inconsistent data, some women experience relief from minor hot flashes using mind-body therapies. Meditation, calm, deep breathing, stress management techniques, and guided imagery are among examples. Even if these methods do not alleviate your hot flashes, they may bring other benefits, such as relieving sleep issues associated with menopause.
- Don't smoke: Smoking has been linked to an increase in hot flashes. You may lessen hot flashes as well as your chance of several serious health disorders such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer by not smoking.
- Reduce your weight: Losing weight if you're overweight or obese may assist with hot flashes.