Do SSRI Anti Depressants Heal Or Cause Hot Flashes?

The term 'SSRI' is abbreviation for 'selective 5-hydroxytryptamine re-uptake inhibitor'. As the name suggests, these drugs enactment by restoring balance in the handiness of serotonin, the mood-influencing neurotransmitter, in the encephalon cells. Imbalance in 5-hydroxytryptamine is the primary somatic ground for depression in people; therefore, restoring its balance assists in the treatment of depression. SRRI drugs therefore are primarily anti-depressants. However, this grouping of drugs have many off-label applications - one of the somewhat controversial of which is with respect to hot flashes, which impact 85 per cent of women in the United States in varying degrees of intensity.

What are hot flashes: These are a sudden, short-lived flushing and sense experience of heat, particularly in the human face and upper body, in women during or after menopause. It is preceded, or accompanied by a rapid heartbeat, perspiration, vomitus sensation, dizziness, anxiety, a sense experience of suffocation, and weakness. In some women, it is preceded by an 'aura', an uncomfortable forewarning that it is coming. The flash is followed by a flush (chill).

Hot blinks are caused by hormonal alterations that return topographic point in the female organic structure during or after menopause. The peculiar internal secretion connected with hot flashes is estrogen. A autumn in the oestrogen degree directly 'confuses' the hypothalamus, which is the body's thermostat. Thus confused, the hypothalamus errors the alteration as inordinate heat. This trips the brain's heat-releasing mechanism. In other words, the organic structure chemical mechanism starts combating extra heat energy which is just not there. This causes a sudden release of heat, causing the organic structure temperature to hit up - by as much six grades centigrade in some women. The flash is usually followed by a flush, a cooling, leaving the adult female in a state of great discomfort. In some cases, hot flashes maintain recurring for a few old age even after time periods have got stopped.

Treatment of hot flashes: The most effectual treatment for hot flashes is hormonal substitution therapy, but it is now out of favour owed to potentially serious side-effects such as as bosom diseases, stroke, blood clots, breast cancer, and dementia. Today, selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs are preferred in most lawsuits though they are not approved by Food and Drug Administration for hot flashes. Yet, SSRIs are 70 per cent as effectual as hormonal therapy and are therefore considered a good trade-off with the unsafe hormonal treatment.

By their action on 5-hydroxytryptamine in the brain, SSRIs exercise a chilling consequence on the organic structure as well as composure anxiety, cut down irritability, and convey about other advantageous personal effects on the head which assist extenuate the hot flash symptoms.Of the many SSRIs available, venlafaxine (Effexor) have been establish most effective. Others that have got also been effectual in controlling hot flashes are: paroxetine (Paxil) and Fluoxetine (Prozac).

Mystery: Mysteriously, however, the newer SSRI, escitalopram (Lexapro) have reportedly caused hot flashes or aggravated them. It is therefore best to avoid Lexapro for hot flashes, and choose for Effexor, Paxil, or Prozac.

Conclusion: Don't choose for an selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor on your own. Your physician will necessitate to cognize your medical history and existent statuses / medicines before deciding if you should be prescribed an SSRI.