DIFFERENTIAL-DIAGNOSIS OF HOT FLASHES

Objective: The purpose of this study is to present the physiology and differential diagnosis of hot flashes, other than associated with meno pause, in order to facilitate the proper evaluation of symptomatic pat ients with hot flashes. Study Design: Literature search using Med-Line computer access. Results: Interest in flushing reaction began in hist oric times. With the rapidly expanding population of women over the ag e of 45 and prevalence of hot flashes as menopausal symptoms, physicia ns need to be aware of other medical conditions which may mimic hot fl ashes. These include hushing due to systemic diseases, carcinoid syndr ome, systemic mast cell disease, pheochromocytoma, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, pancreatic islet-cell tumors, renal cell carcinoma, n eurological flushing, emotional flushing, spinal cord injury, flushing reaction related to alcohol and drugs, flushing associated with food additives, and eating. Conclusion: There is a wide variety of disease processes that can cause hot flashes. Knowledge of the nature of these disease processes is necessary for quick recognition of patients with hot flashes who do not respond to estrogen replacement treatment, and to facilitate the proper evaluation of atypical patients. (C) 1997 El sevier Science Ireland Ltd.