Stop Night Sweats

stop-night-sweats1 The most common symptoms of menopause, such as night sweats, can be terribly burdensome and difficult to handle. In fact, for many women experiencing or even approaching it, menopause can feel like a genuine illness. Its symptoms, however, are not insurmountable. The symptoms of menopause are evidence of changes in the body in levels of the hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. The hormonal imbalance that results often causes night sweats. Read on for more information on how to stop night sweats.

What are night sweats?

Night sweats are an unfortunately common menopausal symptom that affect as many as 70% of women who approaching or going through menopause. Characterized by extremely heavy sweating during nocturnal periods, night sweats can be very uncomfortable and inconvenient, often necessitating a change of clothing and bed linens, but stopping night sweats is very possible.

All women experience menopause at some point, albeit to varying degrees of intensity. Some women may have intense and severe night sweats, others may have few or none at all. However, the frequency, occurrence and intensity of night sweats can often be alleviated by making simple lifestyle changes. Implement these changes, and chances are night sweats will be an impediment to sleep much less often.

Ways to prevent or stop night sweats:

• Avoid hot and spicy foods, acidic foods, caffeine, white sugar, and hot drinks.
• Try natural remedies, such as Black Cohosh and Dong Quai, that help your body naturally produce estrogen more efficiently.
• Practice relaxation breathing – a study at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggest this may help ease night sweats.
• Decrease alcohol and tobacco intake (both are thought to increase night sweats).
• Keep your bedroom as cool as possible – get a bedroom fan, wear moisture-wicking pajamas, etc.
• Avoid warm weather, hot tubs and any other situation that may raise your body temperature.
• Reduce overall stress levels with relaxation techniques, such as yoga.
• Eat foods that are rich in vitamins B, C, and D, and especially calcium.
• Exercise!

Conclusion: Which is the right option for women?

stop-night-sweats2 Many women believe that a closely monitored diet is the best way to avoid or stop night sweats. The acid in certain foods, along with the spices in others, can work with estrogen fluctuations to make the body believe its temperature is much higher than it actually is. Some women also claim that eating a lot of salad can help keep the body cool because of the high water content of lettuce and other common salad ingredients, while many doctors have advocated the consumption of soy products to stop night sweats and keep them at bay.

Though placed at the bottom of the list above, exercise is key in mitigating the occurrence and severity of night sweats. A recent study at Penn State University indicated that overweight women in menopause were far more likely to experience night sweats than their normal-weight counterparts. Of course, exercise has also long proven to be instrumental in promoting overall health and well-being; however severe menopause symptoms may be, their effects can be reduced (and thus stop night sweats) by following an exercise regimen that leaves the mind and body both refreshed and stimulated.

Although they are unpleasant and can seem permanent, it is possible to stop night sweats with one or more of the methods listed above. The menopause experience of every woman is different, but it is extremely likely that relief can be found by implementing certain diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes. Click the following link to learn about how to stop night sweats.