Evidence-Based Treatment of Hot Flashes Related to Cancer Therapies

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in American women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). However, regular screening and mammograms can help reduce the mortality rates of breast cancer patients (LaPorta, et al., 2017). Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include lumps, abnormal changes to the nipple, abnormal discharge from the nipple, or change in color of the breast or part of the breast (Asuquo and Olajide, 2015). There are many factors that can put women at risk of developing breast cancer, the two most common being growing older and being female (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). Other risk factors can include things such as a

With prolonged heat exposure the older adult is not able to shed excess heat at an adequate rate. This can result in adverse effects such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and exacerbating chronic health conditions. Some things that can be done to help decrease these adverse effects are to educate the older adult on the effects exposure to heat can have, and having the older adult refrain from prolonged heat exposure. Providing the older adult with ways to stay cool while in the heat include, wearing a hat, or a cool wet towel around the neck to aid in the older adult not overheating. Another thing that needs to be assessed is if the patient has air conditioning or a fan to help keep the older adults living environment in a safe temperature during hot days (Kravchenko, Abernethy, Fawzy, & Lyerly,

My reticuloendothelial system defends me too diligently. We are one of those riding out the biological purification process, our bodies feel that feel more like superheated tin men that’s freezing all at once. If I were to light up my wrenched joints, the constellation of stars and lights would glow on the map, lit up to follow whirling storm fronts . A friend and I trade texts: My fan’s on full blast—I’m not warm enough, I have now wrapped myself in my bed sheet. You?

Women may experience a range of emotions with the diagnosis as well as throughout the treatment as a result of breast cancer, such as: sadness, anger, fear and guilt. Therefore, it is essential to closely monitor the client for their psychosocial adjustment to the diagnosis and treatment, and identifying those that need further psychological interventions (Boehmke & Dickerson, 2006). This includes being aware of the impact the diagnosis will have on the family members and loved ones; as their support is warranted as possible caregivers during the process. Appropriate nursing diagnoses for a woman with a new verdict of breast cancer may include (but not limited to): disturbed body image related to loss of hair due to chemotherapy; fear related to the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease; and knowledge deficit of cancer treatment options and reconstructive surgery. Other diagnosis will be added and removed as the patient decides if she wants treatment; and the psychological, psychosocial, and physical changes that may affect her quality of life. For instance, after a mastectomy the patient may have a nursing diagnosis of: risk for disturbed body

The article, “Hot flashes in menopause may have genetic links”, by Catharine Paddock is relevant to our class because it addresses an important topic of women’s biology and period of time in women life. When we discussed the topic of menopause we went over the perimenopause which is the signs of women experiencing menopause like headaches. Similarly in the article Paddock explained the symptoms of hot flash and night sweats women commonly expressed during or after menopause. We learned in class about the symptoms but we did not explore further into it to understand why this occurs in the women’s biology.

Heat characteristic of this period occur because decreased levels of estrogen affects the thermoregulatory center, the brain region responsible for regulating the body temperature. It detonates a true thermal runaway. More than a torment, the arrival of hot flushes should be seen as a warning. Victims of hot flashes will go through the menopause. This could be the end of menstruation and childbearing life. The hot flashes and other symptoms can remain for up to five years after menopause. Some women, however, go through menopause without feeling any discomfort, especially those who have healthy life. However, most are not only affected by heat waves. You can also experience decreased libido, vaginal dryness caused by, and failures in memory, fatigue, irritability, insomnia, anxiety

Due to cancer including over 100 different diseases it can cause almost any type of symptom through both direct and indirect mechanisms. The American Cancer Society lists the following as general symptoms that if persist for a long period of time and worsen, might be indicative of the presence of cancer, unexplained weight loss, fever, fatigue, pain and skin changes such as itching, excessive hair growth, hyperpigmentation, jaundice and reddened skin. These symptoms, due to their wide variety, aren’t expected to solely lead to an individual diagnosis.

Parts of your body, usually the face and neck, become flush and may appear red. This sudden feeling of heat can also be followed by heavy sweating and cold shivering. Hot flashes can last between 30 seconds and 10 minutes (Trien 45). Nights sweats are when you experience a hot flash while sleeping. Sometimes they are severe enough to wake you out of a sound sleep. Not everyone who has hot flashes gets them at night. However, those who have night sweats always have hot flashes during the day as well.

Hot flushes and night sweats are the most common symptoms of menopause. Potential triggers such as caffeine, smoking, alcohol, an overheated room, the wrong clothing and spicy food can all exacerbate these and other menopause symptoms. Keep a diary of where you were and what you were doing and within a

Breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy have faced the almost inevitable prospect of losing their hair. DigniCap, a cooling system that chills patients' scalps to reduce chemo hair loss, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FAD) for breast cancer. The DigniCap, made by Sweden's Dignitana AB, is the first version officially cleared by the FDA. The company will lease the device to cancer centers to use as their patients come in for chemotherapy (1).

As a result, the amount of money that gets propelled back into the healthcare industry skyrockets as the list of medical issues following these treatments grows more and more extensive. A study done by Dr. John Diamond shows that females who undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments “face a 35% chance of developing breast cancer by the time they are 40, which is 75 times greater than average” (Dr. John Diamond, MD). Chemotherapy and radiation have been proven to weaken, and sometimes completely destroy, the immune system. This makes the already physically unstable patient even more susceptible to illnesses and diseases that they wouldn 't otherwise have had to worry about. Consequently, the recurrence of cancer is a very likely, and in some cases, unavoidable. But it is unacceptable that the most common and easily accessible drug is the reason why 35% of patients will develop a second cancer (haematologica.org). Many other cancers can come as a result of chemotherapy too. One study found that, "Patients who underwent chemo were 14 times more likely to develop leukemia and 6 times more likely to develop cancers of the bones, joints, and soft tissues than those patients who did not undergo

HRT rose in the effort to ease symptoms associated with menopause. Today there is little doubt that hot flushes amongst others can be relieved by the use of exogenous estrogens.2 The focus of HRT changed however in the 1990s from short-term treatment to preventive long-term treatment.2 Exogenous hormones are very bioactive and interact with endogenous hormones and interfere with natural variations. Estradiol, the main component of HRT in Europe, has shown effects on inflammation74-77, immunity78, 79 and metabolism80-86. These effects are multifaceted and not unidirectional,81, 86, 87 as they strongly depend on the tissue and the specific microenvironment.88-91 The effects of HRT depend further on age, timing in relation to menopause, dose and therapeutic window2, 81, 84

Due to an effect of gabapentin at the level of hypothalamus to regulate the temperature, it can also be used as an effective non-hormonal therapy for hot flashes, a bothersome problem of menopause. It is shown to be more efficacy if used in patients with hot flashes that associated with sleep interference [17].

Mitchel and Barnes (2005) note that menopause or peri-menopause has the effect of increasing depressive symptoms or initiating the onset of depressive symptoms. A systematic review of literature on the impact of menopause on the course of bipolar disorder indicate that postmenopausal women reported worsening mood symptoms particularly depression (Mitchel & Barnes, 2005). A study by Dalal and Agarwal (2015) on postmenopausal syndrome found that 75% of women investigated experienced vasomotor symptoms; in some case the symptoms lasted for up to 10 years. The symptoms included hot flushes, emotional lability, difficulty in concentrating and insomnia. The highlighted symptoms are similar to bipolar disorder symptoms.

is also a harm that you are causing on your mind. High heat can cause a change in a normal