Understanding Hot Flashes
Sweating is our body's natural way to cool down by releasing heat through the skin. However, hot flashes are different from regular sweating. They involve a sudden sensation of warmth, often over the face, neck, and upper chest, and can make you feel flushed, turn red, and start sweating. The intensity of hot flashes can vary, lasting a few minutes and occurring from a few times a week to several times a day. They can happen anytime, even during sleep, when they are called night sweats. Severe hot flashes and night sweats can disrupt sleep. While most people experience warmth and sweating, some may feel chills.
Symptoms of Hot Flashes
Sudden warmth in the chest, neck, and face;
Chills as the hot flash subsides;
Anxiety;
Sweating, mainly on the upper body;
Flushed skin with red, blotchy areas;
Rapid heartbeat.
Hot Flashes and Cancer
Cancer treatments like hormone therapy and chemotherapy can temporarily disrupt estrogen production. This drop in estrogen affects the brain's temperature control center. Even a slight increase in body temperature, such as from stress or a hot drink, can trigger a hot flash. The body's heat control system responds as if the temperature were too high: blood vessels dilate to bring more blood to the skin, and sweating increases to release heat. This results in a hot flash.
Hot Flashes and Chemotherapy
Causes and Effects
Certain medications used in cancer treatment can cause hot flashes and night sweats, including:
Aromatase Inhibitors: Hormone therapy drugs for certain types of breast cancer, such as Anastrozole (Arimidex), Exemestane (Aromasin), and Letrozole (Femara).
Opioids: Strong pain relievers for some cancer patients.
Tamoxifen: A drug used to treat and prevent breast cancer in both women and men.
Tricyclic Antidepressants: A type of antidepressant medication.
Steroids: Used to reduce swelling and treat certain cancers.
Managing Hot Flashes During Cancer Treatment
Medicines
Sometimes medicines can be used to help with hot flashes. These can be classified as either non-hormone therapy or hormone therapy. Because every person's situation is different, it's important to talk to your cancer care team about what might be best for you.
Non-hormone therapy
Prescription medications, such as low doses of certain antidepressant and high blood pressure medicines, as well as some other medicines, have been shown to help with hot flashes in some people.
Over-the-counter medications, such as fever reducers or mild pain relievers, might be recommended by your cancer care team.
Certain vitamins, minerals, and other supplements have been suggested as being helpful for sweating and hot flashes. Some might help, but it's important to talk with your doctor about whether they are safe for you to take.
Hormone therapy
Medicines containing hormones might be prescribed to replace the hormones that have been lost because of surgery or other treatments. Whether this might be an option for you depends on the type and stage of your cancer, as well as other factors. It's important to talk with your doctor about your situation, about the pros and cons of taking these drugs, and the side effects they might cause if your treatment plan includes them.
