Night sweats and vitamin deficiency

Two of the scariest things a woman can experience during menopause are night sweats and vitamin deficiency. Night sweats mean waking up to cold, wet bedclothes and a sense of anxiety. A vitamin deficiency can quickly morph into a serious condition that requires hospitalization.

Night sweats and vitamin deficiency afflict as much as 70% of all menopausal women. The occurrence of night sweats and vitamin deficiency is completely normal, but that doesn’t mean that women must resign themselves to living with either. Read on for more information on night sweats and vitamin deficiency.

Definition: Night sweats and vitamin deficiency

night-sweats-and-vitamin-deficiency1 As many menopausal women are already aware, night sweats and vitamin deficiency are often cornerstones of the experience of menopause. Night sweats is exactly what it sounds like: excessive nocturnal sweating, caused by a variety of factors. A vitamin deficiency is a condition in which certain necessary nutrients are either improperly absorbed by the body or lost in some way. A vitamin deficiency during menopause is usually caused by night sweats itself, simply because of the massive amount of fluid lost during night sweats. Together, night sweats and vitamin deficiency can rob women of precious hours of sleep and even health.

The “Why?” of night sweats and vitamin deficiency answered

Night sweats and vitamin deficiency occur for the same reason as virtually all other effects of menopause – hormonal imbalances and fluctuations. Night sweats and vitamin deficiency result from levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone fluctuating unpredictably and interfering with the proper functioning of the body’s hypothalamus (temperature-regulating system). The hypothalamus incorrectly identifies these fluctuating levels (particularly of estrogen) as a dangerously high body temperature and compels the body to release a massive amount of heat. When the heat is released from the body, it takes the form of sweat. This false alarm causes night sweats and vitamin deficiency.

Effects of night sweats and vitamin deficiency

Night sweats and vitamin deficiency are rife with side effects, making them some of the most unpleasant aspects of menopause. Night sweats and vitamin deficiency can result in one, several or all of the following:

night-sweats-and-vitamin-deficiency2 • Dehydration.
• Electrolyte imbalance.
• Fatigue or weakness.
• Irritability or moodiness.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Osteoporosis.
• Hair loss.

The nutrients that women suffer the highest loss of during menopause are sodium, bicarbonate, magnesium, phosphate, sulfate, calcium, iron and potassium, so it is easy to understand how the side effects listed above might result from vitamin deficiency. Night sweats and vitamin deficiency can wreak havoc on a woman’s daily life if left unchecked and lead to much more serious conditions.

Is there any relief from night sweats and vitamin deficiency?

Fortunately, the answer is a resounding “Yes”. Women suffering from night sweats and vitamin deficiency have a wealth of information and possible treatments at their disposal. See the list below for possible treatments of night sweats and vitamin deficiency.

night-sweats-and-vitamin-deficiency3 • Sleep in lightweight sheets, blankets, and nightclothes.
• Try to avoid hot or spicy foods that can raise body temperature.
• Take a cold shower or bath prior to going to bed.
• Take a daily multivitamin or supplement.
• Use non-estrogenic herbal compounds (black cohosh, Dong Quai) to stimulate natural estrogen production.
• Remove all alcoholic beverages and hot drinks from daily intake.

With night sweats and vitamin deficiency, anything that will help lower the body temperature will in turn help to prevent night sweats (and thus vitamin deficiency). Women afflicted by night sweats and vitamin deficiency do not have to suffer.

Finally, women who are unduly disturbed by night sweats and vitamin deficiency should consult a physician to determine the best treatment option. Night sweats and vitamin deficiency should not keep any woman from living her life, especially during menopause. Click the following link to read about treatments for night sweats.