November 29, 2006

What are Some Medical Solutions for Hot Flash Relief?

Filed under: Hot Flashes, Menopause — Linda @ 10:45 pm

The uncomfortable night sweats and overwhelming heat wave that attack the body are some of the reasons women scream for hot flash relief. While there are numerous lifestyle changes providing hot flash relief, like exercising and yoga, there are plenty of medicinal approaches that doctors may prescribe for patients. The market is also filled with many different kinds of hot flash relief in the form of nutritional supplements and over-the-counter remedies.

Often, when lifestyle improvements and alternative measures of treatment fail to provide hot flash relief, stronger drug options are available for you to discuss with your physician. An assortment of medication from drugs to lower blood pressure to mild sedatives might be suggested.

Blood Pressure Medication

Medication that lowers your blood pressure provides hot flash relief because drugs like Catapres-TTS and Aldomet have been known to decrease the intensity and frequency of hot flashes. Catapres-TSS is a patch that is applied once during the week while Aldomet is a pill taken twice per day. These medications work towards hot flash relief because they affect the blood vessels that influence the dispersing of heat throughout the body.

Antidepressants

You might feel pretty low when hot flash relief is nowhere in sight, but antidepressants are more than just a mood enhancer. This type of drug when given in low doses has been known to stall the onset of hot flashes by thwarting the attempts of hot flash chemicals from affecting the body. This is achieved through a rebalancing of serotonin and epinephrine. Taking Effexor (venlafaxine) has been proven to cut the incidence of hot flashes in half with Paxil a close second towards accomplishing hot flash relief.

Mild Sedatives

When taking Bellergal-S, you may experience hot flash relief because the drug works against overactive chemical processes within the brain. This medication can be taken when needed, about 1-2 times per day. The only thing to pay careful attention to is the potential for developing a dependency on the drug if used on a regular basis. Alcohol should also be avoided when taking mild sedatives.

Conclusion

When looking for hot flash relief, there are many different options to consider. If blood pressure medication, mild sedatives and antidepressants don’t impress you, there are always progesterone-like products like Megace or menopausal hormone therapy to consider, which some praise as being one of the most effective ways to achieve hot flash relief. Deciding on the best course of action for yourself is a choice that you may seek the help of your physician to solidify.

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