Night Sweats

You wake up in the middle of the night, drenched. You may even feel panicky and anxious.You have to change your night clothes and even your bedlinen, yet you're not ill and you don't have a fever. If you're over 40 and a woman, you could be experiencing night sweats.

Excessive night sweats are a type of hot flash mainly associated with women experiencing menopause, but they can occur for men and women afflicted with other  disorders.

In women, menopause is the most common cause of excessive night sweats, although as stated above, there are other conditions that also cause night sweats, so please check with your doctor if you have other associated symptoms.

Some medications can also contribute to night sweats for certain individuals. While the exact cause is not known, some medical researchers believe that night sweats and hot flashes may be caused by changes in circulation.

There's not much you can do to prevent them, but you can take steps to stay more cool and comfortable.

It may be treated a number of ways.

Exercise is considered an important part of treatment, and a number of herbal treatments are
often employed: Dong Quai, Chaste Berry, Black Cohosh, Motherwort,
Licorice Root, Agnus Castus and essential oils, among others.

A more traditional treatment is the use of estrogen and progestin
replacement therapy. Changing to a healthier diet may also take care
of the problem.

OTHER THINGS THAT MAY HELP:

• Keep the bedroom cool. Install air conditioning, use a fan, or keep
a window open at night. Use minimal bedding.

• Take a cold shower before bed, or get up when night sweats occur and
take a cold shower or bath.

• Have a cold drink handy, so that when night sweats occur, you may
obtain some relief with cool water.

• Switch to all cotton bedding and nightclothes; other fibers may make
you more warm.

• Drink more water throughout the day.

• Don’t drink alcohol anytime near bedtime.

• Don’t eat near bedtime, particularly foods with sugar or carbohydrates.

Above all, try not to get frustrated or panicked - just stay calm and remember, this too shall pass!