Causes of night sweats in middle aged women
Women in their 40s and 50s report more night sweats than any other age demographic in the United States. While a few specific causes for night sweats might immediately come to mind, there are a number of reasons middle aged women might be experiencing night sweats.
Less Common Causes for Night Sweats
The following list outlines some of the less common causes for night sweats in middle aged women.
Cancer
One of the earliest symptoms of some types of cancer, such as lymphoma, is experiencing night sweats. In undiagnosed cancers, however, night sweats are usually accompanied by other symptoms, like fevers and inexplicable weight loss.
Infections
Bacterial infections like endocardidits and abscesses are another one of the causes for night sweats. Less commonly, tuberculosis and HIV are also known to cause night sweats.
Medications
Certain medications, most notably antidepressants and breast cancer treatment prescriptions, can be a cause for night sweats in middle aged women.
Common Causes for Night Sweats
The most common cause for night sweats in middle aged women are the hormonal changes that accompany menopause. In the years leading up to and immediately after menopause, as many as 85% of American women report having night sweats.
Menopause and Night Sweats
Night sweats that occur as a result of menopause are caused by the fluctuations of the levels of hormones like estrogen. When estrogen dips to a low point, a message is sent to the hypothalamus region of the brain, the region that is responsible for controlling body temperature. The hypothalamus reacts to the sudden lack of estrogen by behaving erratically and allowing the body’s temperature to spike momentarily, thereby causing night sweats and their daytime counterpart, hot flashes.
While the hormonal causes for night sweats are the most powerful, a number of external triggers are also known to cause night sweats. To prevent or diminish the effects of night sweats, women should avoid the following triggers:
• Spicy foods
• Excessive bedding
• Thick pajamas made of synthetic materials
• Hot rooms
• Hot showers and baths
• Excessive caffeine
More about Causes for Night Sweats
Night sweats can be troubling, but if women are armed with adequate knowledge about the causes of night sweats, their manifestation, and their treatment, they will be able to sleep through the night without worry. Please click here to learn more about treatments for night sweats.
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