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Hot Flashes (hot + flash)
Selected AbstractsHot Flashes in Breast Cancer SurvivorsTHE BREAST JOURNAL, Issue 5 2003Daanish Hoda MD Abstract: Hot flashes can be a major problem for patients with a history of breast cancer. The precipitation of menopause in premenopausal women who undergo chemotherapy for breast cancer can lead to the rapid onset of hot flash symptoms that are more frequent and more severe than those associated with natural menopause. In addition, tamoxifen, historically the most commonly prescribed pharmacologic agent for the treatment of breast cancer, is associated with hot flashes in more than 50% of its users. Although estrogen relieves hot flashes in 80,90% of women who initiate treatment, its use in women with a history of breast cancer is controversial, and most physicians in the community will not use this treatment modality. In addition, the results of the long-awaited Women's Health Initiative study and other recent studies suggest that long-term estrogen therapy should not be recommended for most women for a variety of reasons. However, hot flashes in breast cancer survivors should no longer be considered untreatable, as there are many pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments that can help alleviate this problem. This article reviews the current strategies for the management of hot flashes in breast cancer survivors and the evidence supporting their use. [source] Effectiveness of raloxifene on bone mineral density and serum lipid levels in post-menopausal women with low BMD after discontinuation of hormone replacement therapyJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 5 2006E. K. Song MS Summary Objective:, To evaluate the effect of raloxifene on bone mineral density (BMD) and serum lipid levels in post-menopausal women who had discontinued hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Methods:, Thirty-four post-menopausal women with low BMD who had taken 60 mg of raloxifene daily for 12 months after discontinuing HRT were evaluated retrospectively. Information about their demographics, fracture history, BMD, lipid profiles and adverse events were collected from medical records and intranet database. The outcome measures were changes in the spine (L2,L4) and femur BMD, serum lipid concentrations, fracture rate and tolerability. Results:, The post-menopausal women had a significant increase in their spine (L2,L4) and femur BMD from their baseline BMD [spine, 2·9 ± 4·6% (P < 0·001); femur, 3·0 ± 6·6% (P = 0·01)]. Serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was significantly reduced by 22·6% below baseline after 12 months (P = 0·007). No fractures were observed during therapy. Raloxifene was well tolerated. The most common adverse event was hot flash, which was generally mild. Conclusions:, Raloxifene increases BMD at important skeletal sites, and lowers LDL cholesterol with tolerable adverse events. [source] Validation of sternal skin conductance for detection of hot flashes in prostate cancer survivorsPSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007Laura J. Hanisch Abstract The gold standard for objectively measuring hot flashes in women is an increased sternal skin conductance level (SCL), but validation studies in prostate cancer patients are lacking. In the laboratory, an SCL increase of ,1.78 micro-mho in 45 s had a sensitivity of 68% and a positive predictive value of 100% in detecting self-reported hot flashes among prostate cancer patients. Outside the laboratory, 71% of the objective markers of hot flashes were accompanied by a subjective report of a hot flash, and 65% of subjective reports occurred in the absence of an objective criterion. This study demonstrates that sternal skin conductance can be used to detect hot flashes in men in a manner analogous to its utilization among women. Such use would improve outcome analysis of treatment studies. [source] Menopausal symptom perception and severity: results from a screening questionnaireJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 7 2008FAANP, Judith A Berg PhD Background., Although it is widely acknowledged women experience symptoms during their transition from reproductive to postreproductive stage, there is inconsistency as to the prevalence of symptoms as well as their severity ratings. Aim and objectives., The purpose of this study was to describe symptom perception and severity in mid-life women volunteering for an intervention study for menopause symptom management. Design., A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to provide data on presenting symptoms in a sample of women negotiating the menopausal transition. Methods., A community-based sample of Caucasian women aged 43,55 years was recruited from national nursing media, local media and a variety of local community sources. A screening questionnaire was administered to determine qualification for study entry based upon symptom severity scores from the questionnaire. This report includes results from the screening questionnaire. Results., One hundred and sixty-five women were screened to obtain 110 qualified participants with mean age of 49·3 SD 3·04 years who were 4·7 SD 7 months past their last menstrual period. Sleep difficulties, forgetfulness and irritability were perceived by the highest number of women while sleep difficulties, night sweats, irritability and forgetfulness were rated the most severe. Conclusions., Findings from this study expand understanding of the menopause symptom experience, because few reports include symptom severity reports. All aspects of the symptom experience are necessary to develop appropriate interventions and to evaluate them. Relevance to clinical practice., Providing education about menopause symptoms is central to nursing practice of mid-life women. Therefore, nurses must keep abreast of current knowledge to prepare women for their transition to postreproductive phase or to reassure women who are surprised to find hot flashes are not the only symptoms encountered. [source] Risk of hormone replacement therapy in stroke patientsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 4 2000Damczyk BSc Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (oestrogen with or without progestin) is often initiated with the onset of menopause to decrease symptoms of oestrogen deficiency, such as vasomotor instability (hot flashes) and urogenital effects ( 1,3). HRT can also prevent long-term consequences of oestrogen deficiency, such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease ( 1,3). The decision to start HRT in peri- and postmenopausal women is complicated by concerns of increased risk for thromboembolic events, uterine cancer and breast cancer ( 2,4). Thromboembolic stroke is a particular concern due to its association with the use of oral contraceptives with high oestrogen content ( 3, 4). However, for older women it has been suggested that HRT use decreases or has no effect on stroke risk ( 5,9). Should these findings apply to a women with a history of thromboembolism, in this case ischemic stroke? [source] The association between physical activity and hot flash severity, frequency, and duration in mid-life womenAMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2009William A. Romani The value of physical activity to reduce vasomotor symptoms has yet to be determined conclusively. As a result, we used a cross-sectional population-based design to examine the association between self reported physical activity level and hot flash symptoms in 45,54-year-old women. Participants (n = 603) completed a detailed survey to report physical activity level at work, home, and leisure as well as a detailed history of the frequency and severity of hot flash symptoms. Results showed that higher levels of physical activity were significantly associated with increasing odds of moderate or severe hot flashes (P for trend = 0.02). These findings suggest that there is a positive relation between physical activity and moderate or severe hot flash symptoms but no relation between physical activity and the reporting of any hot flashes, daily hot flashes, or hot flashes experienced for greater than 1 year. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Increases in core body temperature precede hot flashes in a prostate cancer patientPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 5 2009Laura J. Hanisch Abstract Objective: An effective and safe alternative treatment to hormone replacement therapy for hot flashes is needed for cancer patients. Interventions targeting the triggering mechanisms of hot flashes hold promise. Increases in core body temperature are a precursor of most hot flashes in women, and similar findings in prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy would support further research in this area. We present preliminary findings of physiological changes in a prostate cancer patient with frequent hot flashes. Methods: Physiological changes in sternal skin conductance, heart rate, and core body temperature were continuously measured during two 3.5,h laboratory sessions. Perceived characteristics of hot flashes were recorded in a diary. Results: Five hot flashes were reported during laboratory sessions. Severity and bother ratings were low. All hot flashes were accompanied by large increases in sternal skin conductance and moderate increases in heart rate. Core body temperature increased 0.11,0.32°C prior to and fell 0.23,0.44°C following the peak increase in skin conductance. Conclusions: This case study suggests that hot flashes in men may be preceded by increases in core body temperature. Identification of behavioral factors that raise core body temperature may lead to specific treatment strategies to reduce the frequency of hot flashes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Validation of sternal skin conductance for detection of hot flashes in prostate cancer survivorsPSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007Laura J. Hanisch Abstract The gold standard for objectively measuring hot flashes in women is an increased sternal skin conductance level (SCL), but validation studies in prostate cancer patients are lacking. In the laboratory, an SCL increase of ,1.78 micro-mho in 45 s had a sensitivity of 68% and a positive predictive value of 100% in detecting self-reported hot flashes among prostate cancer patients. Outside the laboratory, 71% of the objective markers of hot flashes were accompanied by a subjective report of a hot flash, and 65% of subjective reports occurred in the absence of an objective criterion. This study demonstrates that sternal skin conductance can be used to detect hot flashes in men in a manner analogous to its utilization among women. Such use would improve outcome analysis of treatment studies. [source] An alternative to Unibase/glycol as an effective nonhydrating electrolyte medium for the measurement of electrodermal activityPSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Sharon L. Dormire Although Unibase cream has been an effective medium for electrodermal recordings, its production has recently been discontinued. This study compared alternative media to Unibase for effectiveness. Three base creams similar to Unibase were initially compared for in vitro viscosity and effectiveness. Based upon this analysis one cream was eliminated. A volunteer sample of 6 postmenopausal women with hot flashes and 6 young women without flashes was recruited. Media were evaluated for viscosity and effectiveness of skin conductance. Results indicated that one electrolyte media produced readings within the normal range, identified true positive hot flashes, and produced few false negative readings whereas the second produced largely unreadable results with many false negative hot flashes. An appropriate substitute for Unibase as an effective electrolyte medium for measurement of electrodermal activity was identified. [source] Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer SurvivorsTHE BREAST JOURNAL, Issue 5 2003Daanish Hoda MD Abstract: Hot flashes can be a major problem for patients with a history of breast cancer. The precipitation of menopause in premenopausal women who undergo chemotherapy for breast cancer can lead to the rapid onset of hot flash symptoms that are more frequent and more severe than those associated with natural menopause. In addition, tamoxifen, historically the most commonly prescribed pharmacologic agent for the treatment of breast cancer, is associated with hot flashes in more than 50% of its users. Although estrogen relieves hot flashes in 80,90% of women who initiate treatment, its use in women with a history of breast cancer is controversial, and most physicians in the community will not use this treatment modality. In addition, the results of the long-awaited Women's Health Initiative study and other recent studies suggest that long-term estrogen therapy should not be recommended for most women for a variety of reasons. However, hot flashes in breast cancer survivors should no longer be considered untreatable, as there are many pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments that can help alleviate this problem. This article reviews the current strategies for the management of hot flashes in breast cancer survivors and the evidence supporting their use. [source] Mirtazapine: only for depression?ACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA, Issue 3-4 2006Luis San Background:, Mirtazapine is an antidepressant first approved in the Netherlands in 1994 for the treatment of major depressive disorder. However, evidence suggests its effectiveness in a variety of other psychiatric disorders and non-psychiatric medical conditions. Objective:, The present paper reviews the published literature on the off-label indications of Mirtazapine. Methods:, A search of the relevant literature from MEDLINE, PsycLIT and EMBASE databases, included in the Science Citation Index and available up to March 2006, was conducted using the terms mirtazapine, case-reports, open-label trials and randomized controlled trials. Only articles referring to conditions other than major depression were included in this present review. Results:, Off-label use of mirtazapine has been reported in panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, dysthymia, menopausal depression, poststroke depression, depression as a result of infection with human immunodeficiency virus, elderly depression, Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-induced depression, hot flashes, alcohol and other substance use disorders, sleep disorders, sexual disorders, tension-type headaches, cancer pain, fibromyalgia, schizophrenia and other less frequent conditions. Conclusions:, So far, data on the off-label usefulness of mirtazapine are limited and mainly based on observations from case reports or open-label studies. However, positive cues suggest that confirmation of these preliminary data with randomized controlled trials may give sufficient evidence to warrant the use of mirtazapine in a broad range of disorders. [source] | ||||||||||