Night Sweats: Does this mean I’m menopausal?

The complaint of night sweats is a regular one that doctors hear. But, what does it mean? Are you menopausal or are there other possible problems to be associated with it. Well, the truth is that menopause is the most usual cause, but there can be other reasons for it.

Doctors don’t know the answer to all the questions of why they happen, but a hormonal imbalance is seemingly key to most problems from women of a certain age. What they do know is that night sweats are uncomfortable, disruptive and distressing. Read on to see the possible reasons for this problem.

Reasons for night sweats

Infections

Some of these can cause night sweats. Tuberculosis is relatively common in its association with this problem and other bacterial infections have been known to be a cause. Alternatively, AIDS has been known to be a symptom.

Medications

Antidepressants have been known to lead to night sweats and acetaminophen or aspirin can do the same. Aside from this, hot flashes can be caused by medicines. Up to 22% of people on antidepressants suffer from night sweats.

Cancers

Alongside fevers and weight loss, night sweats are known to affect cancer patients. It is most common is sufferers of lymphoma.

Idiopathic hyperhidrosis

This is a rare condition of the body, whereby you produce more sweat than necessary, with seemingly no cause.

MENOPAUSE

Of course, last but by no means least. When your hormones change, the hypothalamus in the brain gets confused and can mistake you for being too warm, thus making you sweat. This is the most common reason for night sweats. The important thing to remember is that a self diagnosis is unlikely to be correct as you will now look at the other possibilities with horror. Always get a medical opinion if you are concerned.

Drugs and other reasons that could relate to night sweats include:

Hormone disorders

Neurologic conditions

Strokes, autonomic dysreflexia, autonomic neuropathy and post-traumatic syringomyelia can cause sweating.

Hypoglycemia

Low blood sugar can be a reason for sweating.

More about night sweats

They are the nocturnal cousin of hot flashes, and can have a huge effect on your daily life. Understanding why it’s happening, where it came from and how to deal with it are three big parts and although night sweats usually relate to menopause, there are other reasons. Click the following link for more information about night sweats.

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