Symptoms of night sweats

night-sweats-cold Night sweats are a very disturbing symptom of menopause and can greatly impact on a woman´s state of mind. Sleep is a vital part of a healthy, active life and that´s why night sweats and the symptoms of night sweats can be difficult to cope with.

The symptoms of night sweats affect around 75% of women during the menopausal transition and women often wonder why the symptoms of night sweats are occurring and how they can treat them. The article below helps to answer such questions so read on to find out all you need to know about the symptoms of night sweats.

When do the symptoms of night sweats begin?

Most women will notice the symptoms of night sweats and other common menopause symptoms while still menstruating. Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause (the stage before menopause begins) can trigger the symptoms of night sweats and other menopausal problems. Women will enter perimenopause at different stages in their lives but for most perimenopause begins in the early 40s though the symptoms of night sweats and other troublesome symptoms can begin 10 to 15 years before actual menopause starts.

Below is a detailed list of the symptoms of night sweats.

What are the symptoms of night sweats?

Common symptoms of night sweats include:

• Sudden and intense feelings of heat.
• Sweating (mild to severe).
• Heart palpitations and rapid heartbeat.
• Nausea.
• Headaches.
• Flushing.
• Chills.
• Damp to soaking clothes and bedding.
• Frequent interruptions of sleep.
• Loss of sleep or insomnia.

Keep reading to learn about what causes the symptoms of night sweats.

What causes the symptoms of night sweats?

Night sweats are known in the medical world as “sleep hyperhidrosis,” and they are episodes of nighttime sweating and the symptoms of night sweats range from mild to severe. The symptoms of night sweats can often wake a woman from her sleep and this why the symptoms of night sweats are so annoying, as they can impact a woman during the day if she is tired and lacking energy from a poor night´s sleep.

It is not yet known exactly what causes the symptoms of night sweats but hormonal imbalance is likely to be the main reason for why the symptoms of night sweats occur. During the menopausal transition the body produces less estrogen and this can trick the hypothalamus – the part of the brain that regulates body temperature – into thinking that the body is too hot. In response, it sets off a variety of physiological reactions that manifest themselves as the symptoms of night sweats and other bothersome menopausal symptoms.

Read on to understand the best ways to treat the symptoms of night sweats.

How to treat the symptoms of night sweats

Dealing with the symptoms of night sweats is key to leading as normal a life as possible during the menopausal transition. You need to support your body adequately to maintain hormonal balance. Eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly are good ways to start this process. Other means by which you can manage the symptoms of night sweats effectively is by:

• Sleeping in a cool room, or opening your window.
• Taking a cold shower before going to bed.
• Drinking 2 liters of water each day.
• Supporting your body with natural remedies.
• Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, sugar, spicy foods and hot soups.
• Stopping smoking.
• Exercising regularly to reduce stress levels.