Causes of Night Sweats in Menopause
Night sweats are quite common characteristics during menopause. Many menopausal women experience this unpleasant symptom. They wake up in the middle of the night cold and clammy, their heart pounding, and the sheets drenched in sweat. It’s hard to calm down and get comfortable again. It’s impossible not to be irritated by the interruption to a good night’s sleep.
Hot flashes and night sweats are caused by a complex interaction that includes:
- fluctuating estrogen levels;
- norepinephrine, a key brain chemical, and specialized receptors in the brain;
- the hypothalamus (a region of the brain that regulates body temperature);
- the body’s blood vessels and sweat glands.
During the period of menopause, estrogen levels fluctuate. The hypothalamus (a region of the brain that regulates body temperature and is affected by hormones) can become confused by these changes in estrogen levels. So the hypothalamus may respond to the changes in estrogen as if it senses an increase in the body’s temperature. In an attempt to cool the body down, the hypothalamus sets off a cascade of events, including dilating blood vessels to release heat (a woman feels it as a hot flash) and triggering sweat glands (a woman feels it as sudden, intense perspiration). As the result a woman wakes up drenched and chilly, with a speeding heart and a sensation of anxiety.
If you suffer from these symptoms, you don’t have to take it lying down. Here are some tips for coping with these frustrating moments:
Breathe deeply
Some studies suggest that slow, rhythmic deep breathing (also known as relaxation breathing) may help reduce hot flashes and night sweats. Moreover, relaxation breathing may help you get back to sleep after a night-sweat episode.
Keep to a healthy diet.
The spicy foods usually raise the body temperature and get people sweating. So if you react strongly to these foods, you might want to avoid them because they can trigger night sweats during your sleep. Avoid alcohol, smoking and caffeine.
Stay comfortable
One of the best ways to handle menopause symptoms such as night sweats is to keep your bedroom quite cool, especially during the night. A good idea is to keep a fan nearby to turn on if you do wake up from a night sweat. In addition, try to promote a deeper sleep by keeping your bedroom dark and quiet.
Try hormone replacement therapy
Though the potential risks of HRT are well known, it is still a popular and effective way to negate night sweats. Anyway, you should talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy. And depending on the severity of your symptoms and your overall health, it could be an appropriate strategy for you.
Consider a natural course
If you suffer from menopausal symptoms, you may include soy products in your diet. Some recent study found that women dealing with mild night sweats found relief from dang gui bu xue tang, a Chinese herbal remedy that includes dong quai, a popular herb from the celery family that is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat gynecological symptoms.
Keep fit
Go in for fitness. Walking and yoga can be a way to reduce menopausal symptoms. Getting active and losing weight, certainly, may not only reduce night sweats but can also positively affect your overall health and well-being.
Anyway, if you suffer from night sweats during your menopausal transition, you should know that you are not alone. Try to address this frustrating symptom of menopause by following some of the tips mentioned for keeping night sweats under control. Talk to your doctor about medication options and whether or not they are right for your menopause symptoms. Whatever choice you make, you can be sure that you’ll find the way to cope with unpleasant symptoms.
Read more about Natural Menopause Relief
 |
 |
 |
| Natural Menopause Relief Secrets | Menopause Acupressure - Simple Techniques | How to Conquer Menopause |
- Insomnia and Menopause
- Premature Symptoms of Menopause
- Black Cohosh and Menopausal Problems
- Menopause and Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Menopause and Hair Loss