CAUSES OF HOT FLUSHES AND NIGHT SWEATS

Most women in their life time experience hot flushes and sweating at night or even during the day. When peri menopausal, menopausal and post menopausal; it is estimated that this happens in about 15% of women throughout their lives. This can be very uncomfortable and very embarrassing depending on where you are and what you are doing at the time. The simple answer is to wear light clothing, give up smoking if you are a smoker, try HRT if it is ok for you, or natural remedies.

There are many other endocrine conditions which cause hot flushes and sweating, overactive Thyroid (this controls our body function and is located in the neck). If the hot flushes are not controlled by menopausal treatment, have your thyroid tested. It is common to have thyroid disorders during menopausal years, and the treatments are simple.

There are few other endocrine causes which can cause these symptoms, these are 1) Pheochromocytoma, this is a tumour of the Adrenal gland, 2) Carcinoid syndrome, is a complex syndrome arising from the appendix. This can occur at any age and will have many other symptoms associated with it. Often if someone is diabetic and is on insulin or diabetic drugs, sweating can happen due to low blood sugar, this is a serious problem and can be life threatening. Treatment is simple, sugar drinks or a glass of fruit juice with some food.

Various infections also cause sweating; some of these are very serious, such as Tuberculosis, Osteomylitis (bone infection), Endocarditis (infection of heart valves), HIV, Abscesses formation, Malaria and other infections.

Cancer also causes sweating and fever. Lymphomas are more common to do so.

Certain drugs particularly antidepressants are known to cause sweating.

Stroke and Heart Attacks can cause severe sweating.

Many disorders of the nervous system also cause sweating

My idea of giving women this list is to make them aware of the many causes of sweating. Most of these can happen suddenly and at different age groups, along with many other symptoms, so take notice and do not ignore them.