Guest guest Posted March 21, 2005 Report Share Posted March 21, 2005 Hot Flushes- What are the options? Hot Flushes- What are the options? http://www.weightcontroldoctor.com/healthtopics/a-z/hotflushes.asp Hot flushes are the single most common symptom associated with menopause. They consist of a sudden sensation of heat which rises usually from the chest up over the neck and face. The face may actuallybecome quite red and sweaty. They last from a few seconds to several minutes and may occur just a few times a year or fifteen to twenty times a day! You may find yourself feeling hot and flustered while those around you are cool, calm and collected as they complain when you open windows and turn off heaters. The flushes can occur at night as well,but you may only be aware of them after waking drenched with perspiration. What causes them? Hot flushes are due to a rapid dilatation of blood vessels on the surface of the skin, which results from the fact that the body's thermostat, situated in the area of the brain known as the 'hypothalamus', does not function at all well without the presence of estrogen. The lack of estrogen is of course the hallmark of menopause. Nearly 80 percent of menopausal women are troubled with hot flushes and in 70 percent of this group the flushes will last, on average, for five years. They vary in severity between different women and may be associated with heart palpitations, dizziness and strange crawling or itching sensations under the skin. Books "HRT The Real Truth - balance your hormone naturally and swing from the chandeliers!" This is Dr Cabot's new book which covers all aspects of natural hormone replacement. Treatment & General Recommendations A simple treatment at the time of a hot flush is to apply cold water compresses to the face. It is wise to avoid foods and situations that will make you hot such as caffeine(coffee,pop) alcohol, cigarette smoking, big meals, emotional exertion, electric blankets and sitting in direct sunlight. Wear cotton clothing if possible, which allows your skin to breathe. Also see chapter 19 "Relief of the symptoms of menopause" in the book HRT - The Real Truth" Diet Numerous plants contain natural estrogenic substances which, though weak in potency and only present in small amounts, are capable of exerting a mild estrogenic effect when eaten regularly. These foods include - cabbage, carrots, green beans, peas, pumpkin, organic potato, alfalfa, parsley, olives, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, beetroot, rice, oats, split peas, chick peas, organic soya bean, kidney beans, lima beans, barley, rye, apples, cherries, plums, rhubarb, sesame seeds,sunflower seeds, wheat and baker's yeast. Drink two liters of water daily. --- FROM: Altern Med Rev 2003 (Aug); 8 (3): 284–302 ~ FULL TEXT Philp HA --- Hot flashes are a common experience for menopausal women, with an 85-percent incidence in the West. With the increased knowledge of side ffects attributable to conventional treatment options, more women areexploring natural alternatives. Although more definitive research is necessary, several natural therapies show promise in treating hot flashes without the risks associated with conventional therapies. Non-gmo Soy and other phytoestrogens, black cohosh, evening primrose oil, vitamin E, the bioflavonoid "hesperidin" with vitamin C, ferulicacid, acupuncture treatment, and regular aerobic exercise have beenshown effective in treating hot flashes in menopausal women. Medical Abstract Title: http://www.enzy.com/abstracts/display.asp?id=2256 --- Medical Abstract Title: Black Cohosh: Efficacy, Safety, and Use in Clinical and Preclinical Applications Author: McKenna DJ, Jones K, Humphrey S, Hughes K Source: Altern Ther Health Med. 2001;7(3):93-100. Abstract: Actaea racemosa L (formerly Cimicifuga racemosa [L] Nutt)(Ranunculaceae), commonly known as black cohosh, is an herb nativeto Eastern North America. Black cohosh has a history of traditional use among Native Americans for the treatment of a variety of disorders, including various conditions unique to women such as amenorrhea and menopause. Contemporary uses of black cohosh are primarily geared toward the treatment of symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, and menopausalanxiety and depression. Extracts also have been shown to be usefulforyounger women suffering hormonal deficits following ovariectomy orhysterectomy, as well as for juvenile menstrual disorders. A number of clinical studies using *Remifemin*, a standardized extract,have demonstrated efficacy for the alleviation of menopausal complaints. The safety profile of black cohosh is positive, with low toxicity, few and mild side effects, and good tolerability. In Europeanphytotherapy, "Remifemin" is commonly prescribed as an effectivealternative to hormone replacement therapy for menopause. http://www.enzy.com/abstracts/display.asp?id=2676 --- 'Vasomotor Symptom' Relief in Postmenopausal Women: A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study Author: Upmalis DH, Lobo R, Bradley L, Warren M, Cone FL, Lamia CA Source: Menopause 2000;7:236-242. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of an organic oral soy isoflavone extract for relief of menopausal hot flushes. DESIGN: This was a double-blind, randomized, parallel group, outpatient, multicenter (15 sites) study. A total of 177 postmenopausal women (mean age = 55 years) who were experiencing five or more hot flushes per day were randomized to receive either soy isoflavone extract (total of 50 mg genistin and daidzin per day) or placebo. Physical examinations and endometrial and biochemical evaluations were performed upon admission and completion. Body weight, symptoms, and safety were evaluated at all visits. RESULTS: Relief of vasomotor symptoms was observed in both groups. Decreases in the incidence and severity of hot flushes occurred as soon as 2 weeks in the soy group, whereas the placebo group experienced norelief for the first 4 weeks. Differences between evaluable subjectsinboth groups were statistically significant over 6 weeks (p = 0.03). Over 12 weeks, between-group differences approached significance (p =0.0. Endometrial thickness evaluated by ultrasound, lipoproteins, bone markers, sex hormone-binding globulin and follicle-stimulating hormone, and vaginal cytology did not change in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Organic Soy isoflavone extract was effective in reducing frequencyand severity of flushes and did not stimulate the endometrium. Soy isoflavone extracts provide an attractive addition to the choices available for relief of hot flushes. -- "To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public". Theodore Roosevelt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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