Posts Tagged "night sweats"

Sticks and stones

Posted by Liz on Apr 6, 2009 in bone health | 0 comments

Remember that nursery rhyme from days gone by? It appears that vasomotor symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats, may be as powerful in contributing to breakage as sticks and stones. Or at least in contributing to a lower bone mineral density (BMD). BMD reflects the strength of an individual’s bone, usually in relation to calcium content.

Researchers analyzed data for 2,213 women participating in the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation. At the time of the study, all participants had their uteri intact, were not using hormones and were determined to be in pre- or perimenopause.  Menopausal stage and vasomotor symptoms were assessed via questionnaire and BMD was analyzed at yearly follow up visits.

The results, which are published in the March/April edition of Menopause, showed that BMD was consistently lower among women who had had vasomotor symptoms than among women who had not. These findings remained even after researchers adjusted for factors such as age, time within each menopausal stage, race/ethnicity, study site, and stage of menopause at the time that the study began.

Additionally, BMD was even lower among women who had more frequent night sweats and/or hot flashes than those who did not.

Notably, these effects varied by anatomic site and were most prevalent in the lumbar spine and hip in postmenopausal women, and at the femoral neck (pelvic region) among pre and perimenopausal women. More troubling, even women in the earliest stages of menopause also experiencing vasomotor symptoms  had lower bone mineral density than those who did not.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, it is never too late to start a program aimed at halting bone loss and preventing future fractures. Because data are now suggesting that vasomotor symptoms may be linked to lower bone mineral density, it might be worthwhile to speak to your doctor to determine if you should undergo BMD testing. Other important steps include making sure that you are getting adequate amounts of vitamin D and calcium, engaging in weight-bearing activity, avoiding cigarettes and minimizing alcohol intake.

There is not time like the present to avoid potential pitfalls (no pun intended). Only you and your health practitioner can determine the proper steps to take. I’d also encourage you to read more about osteoporosis at the National Osteoporosis Website. The information is thorough and easy to navigate through.

Sticks and stones may break your bones. And hot flashes and night sweats might hurt you? Yikes!

Wednesday Bubble: Just say “no”

Posted by Liz on Feb 25, 2009 in bone health, breast cancer, hot flash, HRT, nightsweats | 4 comments

Gonna burst that hormone bubble at least one more time. Seems that the synthetic hormone Livial, which is billed as an alternative to HRT, significantly increases the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Ouch!

Livial is a selective tissue estrogenic regulator (SERM), which mimics estrogen’s activity with regards to strengthening bones. The agent has mostly been marketed in Europe for treatment of hot flashes, night sweats and bone loss, as well as a treatment for osteoporosis.

In a study reported in the current issue of The Lancet Oncology, researchers evaluated the effectiveness of 2.5 mg/day of Livial compared to placebo  in more than 3,000 women with a history of breast cancer. Although the agent had a positive effect symptoms and bone density, the trial was stopped six months early because women taking Livial had a 40% increased risk of having their breast cancer return.

The researchers state that the likely reason for this increase is that Livial interferes with the protective effect of different cancer drugs and might stimulate dormant tumors to become active again.

Clearly, Livial should not be used in women with a history of breast cancer. Then again, with data definitively showing an increased risk of cancer and heart disease with use of hormone therapy, why take a chance to begin with?

What are your thoughts? Is estrogen worth the risk for a few less symptoms? Or are you better off taking an alternative route?

Let’s talk about sets

Posted by Liz on Oct 6, 2008 in apparel, hot flash, nightsweats | 3 comments

Cool Sets that is!

I was contacted by a consultant with Cool Sets to “test drive” some of their wicking clothing (lounge and sleepwear). You may recall that wicking fabric draws moisture away from the body and promotes absorption so you can stay cool and dry. Great for hot flashes and night sweats.

Cool Sets uses a proprietary CoolBalance moisture wicking fabric that is designed to wick away the moisture and regulate your temperature.

Okay, sounds very promising, right?

I perused the online catalog and picked out a few items. Not quite my style but a lot cuter than what I’ve seen when searching the web for wicking clothing lines. I’m also not a silk kind of girl when it comes to loungewear, even when it comes to sexy lingerie. So, admittedly, I was a bit skeptical.

Well, skeptic no more! This has got to be some of the most comfortable fabric I’ve ever worn! It’s silk like in texture but comfortable like cotton. Not cold, not hot, not scratchy, not slippery. Just right. Goldlilocks would have had a field day!

I had a rather warm evening over the weekend and the Cool Sets cami and shorts kept me dry and comfortable.

Okay, I’m starting to sound like an advert, right? But I do recommend that you take a test drive like I did.

I do have a few complaints though…

• The sizes seem a bit “big,” so a small is well, more of a medium if you ask me.
• The shorts, while cute, have a drawstring, which I’m not too crazy about.
• I wish that the clothing was geared towards the fashionista in me.
• The cami is truly adorable, but I’d lose the flower embroidery – too matronly.

Despite these minor distractions, I am thoroughly impressed. I’ve not had to wash them yet but the company recommends that you either machine or handwash. They can be laid out to dry or placed in the dryer. A note of caution however; the use of fabric softeners or dryer sheets can interfere with the fabric’s ability to absorb moisture.

Thanks Cool Sets for the test drive! Now, if somebody could only design some nice stylish clothing that looks like cotton but acts like a wicking fabric. Dare to dream!

That Old Black Magic

Posted by Liz on Aug 17, 2008 in herbal medicine, hot flash, nightsweats | 0 comments

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_KNmHYYARI]

Remember black cohosh? That wonderful herb in the buttercup family of plants that is commonly used  to address hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats and other vasomotor symptoms? Black cohosh has been used in traditional folk medicine for centuries and was introduced to the settlers by Native American Indians, who incorporated the herb into their traditional medicines for women’s ailments.

I’ve discussed the utility of black cohosh for sleep and other disturbances in a previous post.

Personally, I’ve been using a standardized black cohosh formulation in combination with some Chinese herbs, (as recommended by acupuncturist and Chinese medicine specialist Elaine Stern)  with great success for many months now. Hence, I am a huge fan. And in my book it is that ‘old black magic.” Still, I believe that it’s important to address warnings that link black cohosh to liver damage. Here’s what you need to know:

Based on recent statements that have been recently issued in Australia and the United Kingdom, The U.S. Pharmacopeia’s Council of Experts extensively analyzed data from 30 case reports, side effects reports and other sources to evaluate the association between black cohosh and liver damage.  They concluded that there was enough evidence from case reports to suggest a possible link and proposed that a cautionary statement be included on manufacturer labeling.

So, what’s the bottom line? Overall, there are been few reports of liver damage but they have provoked enough concern to raise a red flag amongst several regulatory agencies worldwide. Here, the U.S, the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements says that millions of people have safely used black cohosh without any apparent negative health effects.

As always, if you choose to go the herbal route, speak to an health professional who is well-versed in herbal medicine first. Try to select standardized formulation (it usually says it right on the label), which can help to insure that optimal and safe manufacturing processes have been followed and that you’re getting a pure form of the herb. Finally, be aware of potential side effects. In addition to liver damage, black cohosh has been linked with headache, dizziness, visual disturbance, constipation and intestinal discomfort, mostly at higher than recommended doses. Finally, remember that herbal medicine is medicine, and like Western preparations, requires vigilence, common sense, and can result in adverse effects if not used correctly.

How many changes of clothing?

Posted by Liz on May 22, 2008 in apparel, hot flash, nightsweats | 3 comments

How many changes of clothing do women in the midst of hot flash heaven take to work? I’ve heard of numbers ranging from one up to three. Guess it depends on how often you’re flashing, right?

Recently, I ran across this interesting site for COOLMAX apparel. COOLMAX is a wicking fabric that draws moisture away from the body while promoting its absorption. What this means for the wearer is that you will stay cooler despite the sweat. Now mind you, while several sites carry COOLMAX clothing, it tends to run on the more casual side and may not be appropriate as work attire. Nor has it moved into high fashion arena as of yet.

COOLMAX is only one of numerous wicking fabrics that have been used in recent years for athletic gear and are now moving into other markets. Several companies cater to women who experience hot flashes and night sweats and in coming weeks, I’m going to highlight a few (and rate a few as well!).

A quick search revealed a cute tank top to wear under jackets (although the rest of their wares are bit too conservative for my taste!), Sierra Trading Post carries a COOLMAX long sleeved top and a tank that are not bad looking.

Look, this apparel is definitely not geared towards the fashionista and I’m hoping that as more and more women start opening up about what’s going on, that designers will start to listen and accommodate.

In the interim, it may be prudent to start the day with loose, cotton clothing in several layers, if work allows. As you flash, remove a layer or two. And be sure to have an ’emergency’ kit with moist towelettes on-hand so that you can change clothing and feel fresher.