The night sweats men experience can be caused by several of the same things that cause night sweats in women, yet just as women uniquely experience menopausal hot flashes, men can experience their own hormonal causes of male night sweats.

Table of Contents:

• Night Sweats In Men or Andropause Night Sweats
• Andropause Symptoms
• What Causes Night Sweats In Men?
• Male Night Sweats at Different Ages
• Treatments for Night Sweats In Men

I should distinguish true night sweats and sleep disorders related to night sweats in men from simple environmental heat and natural fluctuations in body temperature experienced by many. Forty percent of all doctor visits involve a complaint about night sweating, yet a much smaller percentage of these visits actually involve a real clinical case of sleep hyperhidrosis or idiopathic hyperhidrosis. It will help you in your treatment to know if you’re suffering true night sweating or if you’re just suffering environmental discomfort because your bedroom is too hot for sound sleep.

Night Sweats In Men or Andropause Night Sweats

Back to Top

There are a number of reasons why the night sweats men experience are difficult to pinpoint, some of them universal and some specific to men. With this article I will address those specific night sweats in males, so for other causes that may trigger night sweats in anyone, please visit my website’s front page: Night Sweats.

The first cause we’ll discuss is andropause. Yes, andropause, sometimes referred to as male menopause. It does exist. Well, at least more and more research compels people to think so. Just as women experience a reduction in their production of certain hormones during menopause, many feel that men experience a reduction in testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone during an andropause phase. The kind of nite sweats men experience is often associated with this phenomenon.

You will find some controversy in the medical community about the overall nature and condition of andropause and its relation to the night sweats men experience. Some simply consider it a “state” or phase, while others consider it a potential “disorder.” If you experience many of these symptoms in your middle or early manhood and you’re cleared of any other medical conditions that may cause them, you may be diagnosed with an andropause disorder. However if you experience this as an older man, it may simply be diagnosed as a state or phase.

Although, because men can continue to reproduce well into their old age, some researchers feel this is a false diagnosis or label for this disorder. Put simply, there really isn’t a cut and dry answer for what andropause means just yet.

Andropause Symptoms

Back to Top

Common symptoms of andropause (whether defined as a state or disorder) are as follows:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Excessive perspiration
• Fatigue
• Hot flashes
• Impaired memory
• Impotence
• Insomnia
• Lack of concentration
• Loss of libido

Of course, you may not experience all these symptoms (let’s hope not, right?), but let’s focus on the hot flashes and excessive perspiration symptoms since they relate directly to the topic at hand. It is important to understand that these result from hormonal changes in your body and those hormonal changes affect your hypothalamus — your body’s thermostat. And while more drastic and permanent hormonal changes occur during andropause, it isn’t uncommon for men to experience an ebb and flow of hormones (specifically the testosterone or the estrogen hormone) throughout their life, causing occasional cold sweats or cold night sweats.
_____________________________________

_____________________________________

An embarrassing for some, but real example involves a common occurrence for most healthy men. It isn’t uncommon for a man to experience random erections while asleep. This is a result of hormonal rushes in the body. These same hormonal rushes can cause night sweats in men. Often it isn’t unhealthy or unnatural, but if the sweating becomes more severe and more consistent each night, then you should discuss this with your primary care physician or check with a medical professional.

What Causes Night Sweats In Men?

Back to Top

While this article is mostly about night sweats in men, I must also note that some serious health conditions can be indicated by night sweats or hot flashes in men, including:

• Arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• Diabetes (Type I or Type II) or Hypoglycemia (in this case sometimes referred to as Nocturnal Hypoglycemia. Learn more at: Night Sweats and Diabetes
• Fibromyalgia
• Heart conditions along with high cholesterol
• HIV or AIDS
• Hypoglycemia
• Infections of any sort along with infectious diseases
• Inflammation, in particular that resulting from endocartitis (infection of the heart valve lining) and osteomyelitis (a bone or bone marrow infection)
• Malignancy or cancer, specifically lymphoma. Cancer can cause a sudden rise or fall of body temperatures, which often leads to sweating. The body temperature changes cancer causes tend to be pretty distinct and severe, but always check with your doctor if you’re concerned.
• Silent Neoplasm
• Thyroiditis or Hyperthyroidism
• Tuberculosis

If you experience other symptoms with the sweating or a sudden change in your pattern of sweating while sleeping that involves more severe or more frequent excessive sweating, consider consulting a physician. It may be nothing to be concerned about, but of course it is better safe than sorry and any such signs or complications should be addressed by a professional. I always encourage people to seek appropriate treatment for night sweats, but you must also treat the underlying cause or condition. Early diagnosis and treatment can help you avoid further problems.

Keep in mind that sometimes factors outside of any medical condition or disease can cause severe night sweats in men. These could include:

• A lifestyle with poor diet, irregular sleeping patterns or too much stress.
• Alcohol Withdrawal
• Any psychological states or conditions that trigger the autonomic nervous system or cortisone, such as anxiety or fear.
• Consuming or experiencing anything that causes flushing, including alcohol, niacin or caffeine.
• Obesity or rapid weight gain
• Over-the-counter medications, specifically antipyretic medications such as acetaminophen.
• Poor diet or eating foods like spicy foods, excess heavy and fatty foods or food allergies.
• Side-effects from prescription drugs.

This list shouldn’t be considered all inclusive. I suggest reviewing the home page and reviewing my guides to night sweats in men at different ages (see below).

Male Night Sweats at Different Ages

Back to Top

While andropause symptoms may manifest in men of any age, more medical professionals lean towards andropause itself being a phenomenon unique to men between the ages of about 40 and 55. But what if you’re a younger man and you still feel like your sweating at night is unusual and excessive? In attempt to answer this question and more, I’ve started series on how and why this condition occurs in men of different ages. I will add to the following list as these individual guides are completed:

• Night Sweats In Men Under 30
• Night Sweats In Men Over 50

Please return later if you’re interested and your age group hasn’t been covered yet.

Treatments for Night Sweats In Men

Back to Top

Male night sweats treatments are as nebulous as the causes. If you are suffering from this condition, I suggest you first isolate whether it is something persistent or just the result of diet or a bad habit (like drinking alcohol or caffeine too close to bed time or smoking). If it is something persistent, you might discuss the matter with your doctor. In lieu of a specific medical diagnosis, I encourage you to read my detailed post: Night Sweats Treatment.

I also suggest you address the matter with poise and common sense. Sometimes simple and natural solutions like changing the environment in the bedroom to be less warm can make a world of a difference. Wicking pajamas or lighter sleepwear, light breathable materials for your sheets and better temperature control in your home may be all you need to combat this uncomfortable condition (see my night sweats sleepwear article for specific suggestions). If you can prevent your male night sweats or find relief without resorting to expensive medicines or doctor’s visits — great! But don’t be afraid to seek appropriate health care, either. Always ask a doctor instead of the Internet when it doubt.

As you can see, it is possible some men can empathize for a woman’s battle with menopause night sweats. Male night sweats may be less discussed and less understood, but they still exist and they still serve to make for long and sleepless nights, even if night sweats in men are often the result of normal hormonal changes.

I hope this helps you better understand night sweats in men. I encourage you return to my site often as I roll out more and more detailed information to round out your understanding of night sweats in general as well as night sweating in men.

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

Night Sweats In Men is a post from: Help For Night Sweats

Menopause can manifest itself in various symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, memory loss, vaginal dryness, depression, osteoporosis, and decrease in sexual appetite, to name just a few. Most women experience some discomfort during this period so many women turn to herbal remedies, drugs, and hormones, to alleviate their symptoms. However, one group of women have to deal with the difficulties associated with another problem —- that of late menopause, sometimes referred to as delayed menopause.

Causes of Late Menopause

While there isn’t a clear definition of late menopause, if a woman reaches age 55 or older and still hasn’t started menopause it is usually considered late. Studies have been done to determine what influences the early or late onset of menopause, but there are still many unknowns. These factors seem to have some bearing on the issue:

• Family History — If your mother experienced a late menopause, you are more likely to experience a late menopause also.
• Smoking — Women who smoke for many years tend to experience an earlier menopause.
• Nutrition — Good nutritional habits tend to support a later menopause.
• Alcohol Use — Moderate use of alcohol tends to support a later menopause, although alcohol abuse may cause an earlier menopause.
• Number of Children — Women who have never been pregnant tend to experience earlier menopause. Likewise, the more children a woman has had, the later the onset of menopause. However, studies on this issue have been conflicting.
• Thyroid Disorders — The thyroid regulates metabolism; when it isn’t functioning properly it can affect a woman’s reproductive system causing either an early or a late menopause.

Benefits of Late Menopause

Besides delaying the emotional aspect of going through this phase of life there are a few other potential benefits of late menopause, although they are somewhat controversial. The greatest benefit can be cited in a 2003 study in Norway, reported by the American Journal of Epidemiology. The study found that women who experience menopause after the age of 52 have a longer life expectancy.

Other benefits include:

• A delay of menopausal symptoms, although perimenopause comes with its own set of discomforts.
• A woman has a longer child-bearing period, if her desire is to produce a child during her mid-life years. However, these late pregnancies carry higher risks for mothers and babies.
• A woman continues to produce estrogen, which helps prevent osteoporosis and heart disease.

Unfortunately, there is another side to this, as the risk of some cancers escalates.

Dangers of Late Menopause

The downside of late menopause revolves primarily around the fact that the body experiences longer exposure to estrogen. Because of this, there is increased risk for breast, uterine, ovarian, and colon cancer. There are some women in particular who may be at higher risk if their menopause is late. They are:

• Women who began menstruating before the age of 12 who have never conceived, but may have undergone fertility treatments to try to become pregnant. If there is a family history of ovarian cancer, they may be at higher risk.
• Obese women have increased health risks as fat cells tend to retain estrogen longer, so ovarian cancer risk increases.
• Women with high density breast tissue are at increased risk for breast cancer.

The Bottom Line on Late Menopause

To some extent, there is very little that one can do to control when menopause happens. The rules of healthy living pretty much apply here, as one cannot alter one’s genes or family health history. Eating a well-balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising are smart options for every woman, as are having regular check-ups and mammograms. If there is cause for concern regarding your menstrual/menopausal cycles, the best course of action is to talk with your doctor.

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

Late Menopause is a post from: Help For Night Sweats

Millions of people have persistent sleep problems that may lead to full-blown sleep disorders. There are over 70 different known sleep disorders, that are categorized in three ways, two of which are complete lack of sleep and disturbed sleep. In some cases these sleep disorders can lead to night sweats in men and women.

What Is Sleep Anxiety?

A sleep anxiety disorder is usually brought on by an existing anxiety disorder. This includes generalized anxiety where the person is always in a state of worry or nervousness. Other anxiety disorders include panic disorder, post traumatic stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, and social anxiety.

The main characteristic of a sleep anxiety disorder is a person’s lack of ability to get into a normal sleep pattern. Without a normal sleep pattern, mental, physical, and emotional health can be affected. Anyone who can’t easily fall asleep, who wakes up often, and then wakes up too early are often diagnosed with insomnia.

Risks of Continued Sleep Anxiety

Living with chronic sleep anxiety can do much more than just make the sufferer constantly tired. There are many risks to overall health like heart disease, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and even obesity. Anxiety can also lead to gastrointestinal issues.

The emotional factor of sleeplessness is just as serious. The more the person can’t sleep, the more obsessive thought patterns may become, worries continue or worsen, stress levels increase, and the inability to sleep gets even worse.

How to Treat Sleep Anxiety Naturally

A problem with sleep anxiety and anxiety disorders is that there is no good way to know if the anxiety is causing the sleeping issues or if the sleeplessness is causing the anxiety. Most methods of treating the sleep anxiety should also work on the connected anxiety disorder.

For someone with sleep anxiety, there are natural treatments and behavior modification techniques that can help, such as:

• Meditation – During meditation it is important for you to focus on your breathing and slowly inhale and exhale. Visualization is important, such as picturing a specific place that you have always loved or felt safe, or even imagining yourself alone in a beautiful forest or on a deserted beach. You need not adhere to any time constraint. Meditate as long as it takes for you to feel calm.
• Exercise – I’m sure you’re familiar with the many benefits of good exercise. It is a panacea for both physical and mental health. The hormones that are released during exercise, called endorphins, can lighten mood and help you sleep as long as you don’t exercise within a few hours of going to bed.
• Music – Listening to calming music can help relax you and reduce your blood pressure.
• Sleep – While anxiety can reduce your ability to get a good night’s sleep, not getting enough sleep can also increase anxiety levels, so it is important to focus on getting enough sleep. If you need help try some of these Tips for Improving Sleep.
• Redirect Your Anxiety – Helping others is often a good way to take your mind off of your own fears and anxiety. Try volunteering or helping friends, family or neighbors.
• Natural Remedies – Natural remedies can be helpful for some people. Rhodiola rosea has been studied for its ability to help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, but because this remedy can increase energy levels it is important to take it in the morning. Natural remedies like chamomile, Valerian or melatonin that are calming or that help with sleep may also provide some benefit.

It is very important for someone with any type of anxiety or sleep disorder to see his or her doctor. You should never solely rely on the internet to diagnose and treat yourself. These things can be successfully treated with medication, relaxation therapies, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

Sleep Anxiety is a post from: Help For Night Sweats

If you’re not getting enough sleep at night because of night sweats or another sleep disorder, it is important to address the issue directly, but here are some other things you can do to help promote better sleep.

Set The Stage For Good Sleep

Just as you might do certain things to help improve your workout, for example wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move in and make a good set list for your mp3 player, you should also set the scene for a good night of sleep. Setting the mood for sleep can help create a relaxing, comfortable environment that is conducive to good sleep.

What you wear to bed can help improve or distract your sleep. Everyone has a different preference on what is most comfortable; find what works for you and stick with that. Keep in mind clothes that are too tight and restrictive are typically not the best for good sleep.

Keeping your room cool and dark can also help. For most people a temperature around 68 degrees is best, but everyone has a slightly different preference. Keeping the room dark is also a signal to your body that it is time for sleep as your body will start producing melatonin, the sleep hormone.

Invest In A Good Mattress

Along with setting the stage for sleep, it is also important to have a comfortable place to sleep. A good mattress can be a good investment if you want to improve your sleep. You don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money on a mattress; you just need to make sure you have a comfortable one that will help induce sleep not disrupt it. Before you make a decision try out a few of them to determine what’s most comfortable for you. Or you may simply want to add a memory foam topper for your current mattress to give it a comfort upgrade.

Then dress your mattress with comfortable, breathable bedding and comfortable pillows. You may even want to get a small pillow to use behind your knees if you lay on back at night, or to use between your knees if you lay on your side. This can help reduce back strain and increase your comfort level during the night.

Avoid Unnecessary Distractions

Your bed needs to be a relaxed place. Keep work, laptops and phones out of the bed as they can be stimulating or even stress-inducing. Even watching television in bed isn’t a great idea because of the light and flickering that comes from the television. If you want to watch television before bed watch it elsewhere to unwind then slip into bed when you are feeling more relaxed. Try to keep your bedroom as stress-free as you can.

Keep A Regular Sleep Schedule

By going to bed and getting up around the same time every day you can help set your body’s circadian rhythm. This will help your body know when it’s time to go to bed and when it is time to get up, which in turn should make it easier to go to sleep at night and to wake up in the morning. This can be difficult on weekends or days off of work, but try to go to bed and get up within an hour of your normal schedule. For more on this read: How A Sleep Schedule Can Improve Your Sleep.

Having a relaxing bedtime routine may also help you get to sleep faster. Whether you choose to listen to soothing music, read, meditate or do mild stretching, having a relaxing routine can help get your mind off of other things and provide a nice ending to your day.

What You Eat And Drink Can Make A Difference

Of course drinking a cup of coffee shortly before bed isn’t a good way to induce sleep, but it is best to avoid strong caffeinated drinks, like coffee, for several hours before going to bed.

Eating a big, heavy meal too close to bed time can also disrupt your slumber. Laying down too soon after eating can trigger acid reflux and even night sweats in some people. It’s best not to eat for at least 3 hours before bed, unless you are just having a light snack an hour or so before you call it a night.

Don’t Spend Too Much Time In Bed

Spending more time in bed doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get more or better sleep. If you really don’t feel tired enough to go to bed try to find a way to relax and turn the lights down so your body gets the message that it’s time to go to bed.

Sometimes even if you’re tired you may find yourself tossing and turning. If you can’t go to sleep get up and try doing something that will help relax you, for example read, do a few mild stretches or do some breathing exercises until you feel sleepy enough to try again. If you can’t nod off because your mind is racing try writing down your thoughts, or making a to do list. Often externalizing thoughts this way can help calm those racing thoughts.

Exercise In The Morning

Getting regular exercise is a great way to improve your sleep. It can help reduce stress and help make you more physically tired at night. Working out mid day or early evening is great, but if you are specifically exercising to sleep better working out in the morning is best. Studies show that people who workout in the mornings spend more time in a deep sleep and that they cycle through the four different stages of sleep more often throughout the night.

Hopefully you find some of these tips helpful. Everyone has a few poor nights of sleep now and then, but if you are struggling with this on a regular basis it may be time to consult with your doctor.

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

7 Ways To Improve Your Sleep is a post from: Help For Night Sweats

Set A Reasonable Schedule

Most people who follow a regular schedule get more sleep because they set reasonable time schedules for when they will go to bed and when they will get up in the morning. Following a schedule alone can improve bedtime habits, but there is a lot more to it than this.

Make Use Of Your Internal Clock

Going to bed and getting up around the same time every day helps your body get into a natural rhythm and it helps reinforce your body’s internal clock. After following a routine for a few weeks you may notice you naturally start to feel tired when bedtime is approaching and you should notice an improvement in your quality of sleep. You should also be able to wake up a little more easily in the morning after getting up at the same time every day for several weeks.

Fall Asleep More Quickly

Getting into a natural rhythm means your brain and your body will be more ready for sleep when bedtime approaches so you should be able to fall asleep more quickly. Your body should also get more accustom to waking up at the same time each day, and you may notice you feel more refreshed and ready to face the day.

Use Light To Your Advantage

To help improve your sleep even more use light to your advantage. About an hour or so before your scheduled bedtime start dimming the lights or use table lamps instead of bright overhead lights. This will encourage your body to start producing melatonin and help your body start to relax and get sleepy. Then in the morning open the blinds right away or turn the lights on as soon as you get out of bed to help naturally wake yourself up. Exposure to light at the same time each day can help strengthen your body’s own internal clock.

Following a regular sleep schedule should help your body get into a natural cycle where you fall asleep more quickly, experience a better quality of sleep and wake more easily than you would if went to bed and awoke at a different time each day. If you don’t follow a regular sleep schedule now, it may take several weeks to adjust and really feel the benefits, but once you do you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
_____________________________________

_____________________________________

How A Regular Schedule Can Improve Your Sleep is a post from: Help For Night Sweats

This type of sweating while sleeping can vary from mild to severe and it is the most common cause of night sweats in women under 40. But even mild sweating can be disruptive for a woman’s sleep, and getting enough sleep is very important for overall health, especially during pregnancy. She either wakes up from the high body temperature or from being drenched in sweat, and drifting back to sleep is often difficult because of the discomfort. Why do night sweats and pregnancy often go hand in hand? And what are the healthy solutions to bring more comfort and better sleep?

What Causes Night Sweats During Pregnancy?

The hormonal imbalance that takes place during this time is the primary cause of pregnancy night sweats, much like hot flashes during menopause. During pregnancy estrogen levels change, and this change can trigger some of the low estrogen symptoms commonly associated with menopause.

These changing estrogen levels cause the hypothalamus to react somewhat erratically. The hypothalamus is what regulates the body’s temperature, releasing heat through sweat and dilated blood vessels when the body is hot, and retaining heat when the body is cold. When the change in hormones impacts the functioning of the hypothalamus it often leads to hot flashes and night sweating.

Sleep And Pregnancy

Sleep is very important during pregnancy, but there are a number of reasons why it is more difficult to sleep well during this time, besides sweating at night. The constant need to get up and go to the bathroom, the discomfort of an expanding belly and the added stress of this life change can all interfere with sleep. It is important to take steps to improve sleep during this time as there is evidence to suggest that women who experience more sleep disturbances during pregnancy are more prone to postpartum depression. Not to mention pregnancy is already tiring and energy levels may already be lower during this time.

Are There Any Solutions?

Unfortunately there is no magic cure for night sweats during pregnancy, but there are some things that may help reduce the severity or frequency of them. Certain natural remedies for night sweats in women and hormone replacement therapy aren’t an option for treating night sweats caused by pregnancy, but there are other options.

Keeping the thermostat a few degrees cooler is the first place to start as pregnant women tend to feel overheated already. Wearing cool, cotton pajamas, using a fan in the bedroom, limiting bed coverings to light weight cotton sheets, and avoiding a heavy blanket may also provide help for night sweats. Many doctors and midwives believe that proper diet and exercise during the course of pregnancy can help lessen the severity of symptoms, and there is some evidence to indicate this is true, however no major research has been done to prove this.

Eating more antioxidant rich foods and avoiding processed foods and unhealthy fatty foods may help, plus it will provide better nutrition for mom and baby. Avoiding spicy foods at night is important as spicy foods can cause a rise in body temperature. It is also important to avoid caffeine in the evening; in general caffeine should be limited during pregnancy.

Exercising early in the day is best. Exercising too close to bed time can raise body temperature and lead to sweating, and it can also increase energy levels making it difficult to fall asleep. But getting regular exercise can foster better sleep.

Drinking something soothing, like chamomile tea, or practicing relaxation techniques can set the stage for a better night’s sleep.

If you struggle with night sweats during pregnancy, be sure to discuss your symptoms and night sweats treatment options with your pregnancy health care provider. He or she may have some helpful advice. Keep in mind it’s not uncommon to experience night sweats after pregnancy, but if they are severe or if they last for several months after pregnancy talk with your doctor.

Thankfully, even in the worst case scenario, if the symptoms persist throughout the entire course of the pregnancy, there will be an end to them at some point after the baby is born, and he or she will have certainly been worth it.

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

Night Sweats During Pregnancy is a post from: Help For Night Sweats

What Are Hot Flashes?

Typically a hot flash involves a sudden and intense feeling of heat in the face and upper body, lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes. These hot flashes, also known as hot flushes, often come with sudden redness (flushing) in the face, neck or chest, and intense sweating. They are often followed by a cold, clammy feeling, making them feel somewhat like cold sweats. They can occur occasionally or several times a day.

What Causes Hot Flashes?

The exact cause of hot flashes isn’t fully understood, but they are most commonly linked to changing hormone levels, particularly estrogen. Hot flashes are one of the common causes of low estrogen symptoms that accompany menopause, and lead to menopause night sweats when they occur at night. During menopause, when most women suffer from hot flashes and menopause night sweats, specific estrogen levels are decreasing, setting the stage for these uncomfortable episodes. However, some women suffer from hot flushes before and after menopause.

Women aren’t the only ones who may experience this sudden, uncomfortable sensation; men can also experience this, which can lead to night sweats in men when they occur at night. The main cause for hot flashes in men is also a drop in hormones, but for men it is related to a drop in testosterone. This mainly occurs in men who are going through treatment for prostate cancer.

Some other possible triggers or causes of hot flashes include:

• Stress
• Reactions to food, especially spicy or acidic foods
• Thyroid conditions
• Certain types of cancer, including lymphomas
• Medicinal side effects

Because these sudden intense feelings of heat can, in rare instances, be a symptom of a more serious condition, they should always be discussed with a doctor.

Night Sweats And Hot Flashes

When hot flashes occur during sleep, they cause night sweats, which soak the sheets and are sometimes accompanied by strong feelings of anxiety. Those who suffer from severe sweating while sleeping, especially if it isn’t accompanied by hot flashes in the waking hours, should check into other possible causes of night sweats. These include stress and anxiety as well as environmental factors such as excessive humidity, overheated rooms, or warm bedding or pajamas.

In some cases, night sweats in women or in men may be an indication of a more serious medical condition, so a health care professional should be consulted in the case of ongoing or unexplained sweating while sleeping.

Coping With These Uncomfortable Flushes

While there isn’t a specific hot flashes treatment that will magically make these uncomfortable flushes go away or stop them from occurring, there are steps you can take to help reduce the occurrence and severity of them. Different things work for different people so you may need to experiment with a few ideas or treatments for hot flashes.

Certain strategies can reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night sweats. Anyone suffering from them can benefit from:

• Reducing or eliminating spicy and acidic foods in the diet
• Reducing or eliminating caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol
• Exercising regularly (early in the day is best)
• Addressing causes of stress or anger
• Avoiding hot tubs and hot baths

Here are some other steps you can take to be prepared when an episode occurs:

• Carry a small, portable fan
• Keep ice water handy
• Dress in layers that can easily be removed
• Wear cotton clothing instead of wool or synthetic fabrics
• Wear open-necked tops
• Wear cotton pajamas or nightgowns that can be easily changed if soaked
• Sleep in a large bed if the bed is shared

While there isn’t scientific data to confirm this, some women have found relief from menopause hot flashes through the use of natural remedies for hot flashes. These include things like black cohosh, red clover and phytoestrogens.

Medical Treatments For Hot Flashes

Certain antidepressants may be able to reduce hot flashes in men and women. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is another possible treatment. Men going through treatment for prostate cancer shouldn’t take testosterone, but some have experienced relief by taking a form of estrogen called estradiol. Of course any of these treatments need to be carefully discussed with your doctor and the side effects need to be weighed against the possible benefits.

By gaining a proper diagnosis for the cause of hot flashes, a sufferer can understand the best ways to deal with them. Hot flashes and night sweats may be impossible to eliminate entirely for many people, but by learning how to cope and prepare for them, these episodes need not control a person’s life and the enjoyment of it.

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

Hot Flashes Causes And Treatment is a post from: Help For Night Sweats