title: What we know about managing menopausal hot flashes: navigating without a compass.
abstract: Hot flashes and night sweats are frequently experienced as the cardinal symptoms of menopause. However, their physiological basis has not been explained; nor have any potential risks been explored. Current knowledge and theoretical perspectives regarding hot flashes will be presented and contrasted with evidence for an emerging hypothesis of altered brain glucose availability as the hot flash trigger. Perspectives regarding hormone therapy and alternative therapies for treatment of hot flashes will be presented and directions for future research reviewed.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Texas at Austin, 78701-1412, USA. sdormire@mail.nur.utexas.edu
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Dormire
mesh_terms: D001923:Brain Chemistry; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D020407:Internet; D007529:Isoflavones; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations; D005947:Glucose