*The FDA has not approved intravenous ketamine or NAD+ for the treatment of any psychiatric or pain condition. These articles reference off-label use. Like all medical treatments, the discussed therapies carry risks and benefits. Speak with a doctor at Clarus Health to learn if these therapies may be right for you.
Reducing Hot Flashes: Stellate Ganglion Block vs anti-depressants
Hot flashes affect over 80% of menopausal women and women treated for breast cancer. Hormone-replacement therapy carries risks. Learn how SGB helps hot flashes
Over 80% of women experience hot flashes, making them one of the most common and distressing symptoms of menopause. Over 90% of patients with breast cancer experience hot flashes. The Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) can provide valuable relief to these symptoms, especially in women also experiencing chronic fatigue and PTSD.
What are Hot Flashes?
Hot flashes, also called hot flushes or vasomotor symptoms, are episodes of flushing, sweating, and intense heat that begins on the face and upper chest, and can be associated with anxiety, palpitations and red blotching of the skin.
How do Stress Hormones Cause Hot Flashes?
We don't know what causes hot flashes, but we have several explanations:
- A decrease in estrogen levels
- Dysfunction of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland
- Decreased estrogen levels increasing levels of nerve growth factor (NGF)
- Dysregulated stress hormone levels, like noradrenaline (also called norepinephrine, NE)
Stress hormones may be involved with hot flashes because as estrogen levels decrease, so do serotonin levels. A decrease in serotonin levels triggers an increase in norepinephrine (NE). An increase in NGF also stimulates an increase in NE. This increase in norepinephrine (NE) is believed to dysregulate the body's "thermostat" in the hypothalamus.
The Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) can Normalize Stress Hormone Levels
SGB is a powerful technique to reduce the body's stress hormone levels. This also makes it a powerful approach for PTSD, anxiety, and irritability.
We believe SGB's ability to suppress the body's stress hormones, part of the sympathetic nervous system, may explain the benefits in women with hot flashes. Improvement in hot flashes has been shown in women treated for breast cancer. Sleep quality has also been found to improve with SGB in these patients. Post-menopausal women also find benefit. The benefits from a single SGB typically last several weeks.
SGB Avoids Side Effects From Traditional Hot Flash Treatments
Hot flashes treatments typically involve side effects:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): blood clots, breast cancer, stroke, and heart disease (reference)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor): standard anti-depressant side effects, as well as challenges with withdrawal symptoms
- Gabapentin: brain fog, fatigue
- Clonidine: sedation, dry mouth, tension, irritability
Furthermore, women with breast cancer are not candidates for HRT. Notably, SGB does not share these side effects with HRT and other oral treatments for hot flashes. While SGB also has side effects, they are typically short-lived and minor. You should discuss these with your doctor.
Find Healing from Hot Flashes with the Stellate Ganglion Block
You deserve to find healing from hot flashes. If you also suffer from PTSD or chronic fatigue, you may want to discussed SGB with your doctor *** may provide a break in your symptom relief. It is important to speak with your doctor about the benefits and risks of IV Ketamine and NAD+ therapy. Schedule a free consultation with Clarus Health to learn if IV Ketamine Therapy may be effective in restoring your energy levels.
Anthony Kaveh MD
Dr. Kaveh is a Stanford and Harvard-trained anesthesiologist and integrative medicine specialist. He has over 800,000 followers on social media and has guided hundreds of patients throughout transformative healing experiences. He is an authority on Ketamine, NAD, and SGB therapies. He is a registered continuing education lecturer in the Bay Area.
