Night sweats contribute to poor quality sleep for millions of people.
Diabetes, thyroid disorders, pregnancy, menopause and cancer treatment often cause excessive sweating. Night sweats or hot flashes can be so severe that the individual may have to get up and change their sheets and clothing during the night.
Waking up soaking wet and freezing to death can be quite uncomfortable.
Night sweats are a type of hot flash mainly associated with women experiencing menopause, but they can occur for men and women afflicted with other disorders.
Some medications can also contribute to night sweats for certain individuals. While the exact cause is not known, some medical researchers believe that night sweats and hot flashes may be caused by changes in circulation.
If you have a physical condition or are under treatment that is causing your night sweats, there's not much you can do to prevent them. You can take steps to stay more cool and comfortable.
Look for cool fabrics that effectively absorb or even draw moisture away from the skin. Look for light, cool fabrics and even athletic wear. A new fabric made from polyester that acts like a wick to draw moisture away from the skin shows promise. The garments that I found in a search are very expensive, averaging around $70 for one pair of pajamas.
Even if you feel cold when you go to bed, don't bundle up if you're prone to night sweats or hot flashes. Use extra blankets that can be kicked off when you feel hot.
While it would seem that sleeping in the nude would keep one cooler, the reverse is usually true. Perspiration tends to pool around the body and you may wake up in a puddle, which can feel even worse than wet clothing. With nothing between your body and the sheets to absorb moisture, you may find yourself getting up at 3 a.m. to change the bedding.
Take inventory of your bedding. Flannel sheets may be cozy and comfortable, but their warmth can make night sweats wetter. Stretch fabrics can make hot flashes feel hotter. Smooth polyester and cotton blends may keep you cooler through the night.
Unless you have severe allergies, keep your bedroom cooler by opening the windows. Utilize an air conditioner or fan. Fans can serve double duty by cooling off the room and providing the "white noise" that can help some people fall asleep.
Certain herbs especially Agnus Castus
can be very helpful in alleviating night sweats and hot flushes associated with the menopause.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Detoxifying the Menopause Mystique.
Currently, over 40 million women, more than 1/3 of the women in the United States, are experiencing menopausal symptoms. Another 20 million women will reach the age of menopause over the next 10 years. Easing into menopause gracefully has become the number one goal for all.
In modern times, pollution, toxins in the environment, drugs, alcohol and food additives place a great strain on the liver and can overload its function of detoxifying the bloodstream and getting rid of 'bad estrogens' in the body.
This becomes especially important when menopausal symptoms start to kick in and the unpleasant symptoms of menopause cause havoc in a woman's everyday life like hot flashes, hostility, itchy skin, and forgetfulness.
The right probiotics, or 'friendly bacteria,' are essential in helping detoxify the liver of harmful estrogens, restoring the integrity of the intestinal tract, and maintaining the immune system.
Adding the correct friendly bacteria to a nutritional supplement program can, through a variety of different mechanisms, markedly improve health and reduce/ease menopausal symptoms.
This timely information is described in the recently released book by Dr. Khem Shahani, Cultivate Health from Within. 'It has been known for nearly a century that eating fermented foods containing 'friendly bacteria' has important nutritional and therapeutic benefits in proper friendly bacteria balance.
Proper balance of friendly bacteria is not an easy feat to accomplish.
Diets rich in sugar, cortisone and cortisone-like drugs, birth control pills, immuno-suppressive drugs and antibiotics have been major culprits in affecting a naturally healthy digestive system and overall body health.'
That's precisely the reason Dr. Shahani authored Cultivate Health From Within. He sensibly describes which probiotics are instrumental in achieving and maintaining body health.
Dr. Shahani"s® L. acidophilus DDS-1 and other probiotics greatly help the body in ridding itself of toxins and "bad estrogen" buildup in the liver, making the transition into menopause just a little easier.
In modern times, pollution, toxins in the environment, drugs, alcohol and food additives place a great strain on the liver and can overload its function of detoxifying the bloodstream and getting rid of 'bad estrogens' in the body.
This becomes especially important when menopausal symptoms start to kick in and the unpleasant symptoms of menopause cause havoc in a woman's everyday life like hot flashes, hostility, itchy skin, and forgetfulness.
The right probiotics, or 'friendly bacteria,' are essential in helping detoxify the liver of harmful estrogens, restoring the integrity of the intestinal tract, and maintaining the immune system.
Adding the correct friendly bacteria to a nutritional supplement program can, through a variety of different mechanisms, markedly improve health and reduce/ease menopausal symptoms.
This timely information is described in the recently released book by Dr. Khem Shahani, Cultivate Health from Within. 'It has been known for nearly a century that eating fermented foods containing 'friendly bacteria' has important nutritional and therapeutic benefits in proper friendly bacteria balance.
Proper balance of friendly bacteria is not an easy feat to accomplish.
Diets rich in sugar, cortisone and cortisone-like drugs, birth control pills, immuno-suppressive drugs and antibiotics have been major culprits in affecting a naturally healthy digestive system and overall body health.'
That's precisely the reason Dr. Shahani authored Cultivate Health From Within. He sensibly describes which probiotics are instrumental in achieving and maintaining body health.
Dr. Shahani"s® L. acidophilus DDS-1 and other probiotics greatly help the body in ridding itself of toxins and "bad estrogen" buildup in the liver, making the transition into menopause just a little easier.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Menopause Years Especially Tough for Execs?
I don't think so!
All women who are having a difficult menopause have a tough time, but the survey that led to this article was a survey of the National Association of Female Executives sponsored by the maker of a menopause drug.
The survey indicated that 95% of the 843 respondents had suffered from the physical symptoms of menopause.
Insomnia, night sweats and daytime hot flashes were reported as the most vexing problems, and 56 percent said they deal with symptoms daily. Nearly 8 out of 10 reported mental or emotional symptoms such as forgetfulness and irritability.
About half of the women reported lack of sexual desire and painful intercourse due to vaginal dryness. That could explain why emotional well-being and romantic relationships were ranked as the two areas most affected by menopause symptoms, ahead of professional life, said Dr. James Simon, a gynecologist and menopause specialist at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., who helped design the survey questionnaire
When menopausal hot flashes caused sweat to run down Donna Cook's face during business meetings, she joked to concerned colleagues, "I'm having my personal summer." But for executives like Cook, menopause symptoms such as profuse sweating, nasty mood swings and memory lapses aren't funny.
Cook, 54, felt self-conscious when she had to blot up sweat while giving presentations at System Planning Corp., an Arlington, Va., firm that does scientific research and government contract work. She said she would awake several times a night in drenching sweats after she stopped taking hormone replacement medication, which she had been on for about 10 years.
"I would oversleep in the morning. I'd miss the alarm. I'd be late for work. I constantly felt like I was playing catch-up," she said. Sometimes, she had trouble remembering how to do routine duties.
Two years later, her symptoms are less frequent and severe, but her problem points to the embarrassment and loss of confidence suffered by many women executives at midlife.
Plenty of earlier studies have examined how menopause affects women in general, said Simon, but "a generation ago, there weren't enough female executives to bother" doing a survey of that group.
He said menopause symptoms may be more prevalent because of the growing obesity problem. "Fatter women are more likely to have hot flashes than thinner women," he explained.
Simon said he was not compensated for the survey by Barr Laboratories of Woodcliff Lake, N.J. The company makes Cenesten, a synthetic, plant-derived prescription drug for menopause symptoms. The survey was conducted online by pollster Harris Interactive in February.
The results will be reported next week in San Diego at the annual meeting of the North American Menopause Society, a doctors' group. Simon is the group's immediate past president.
Amy Niles, president of the National Women's Health Resource Center in Red Bank, N.J., said past educational campaigns about menopause have not targeted women in the work force. They are more likely than their mothers to have to deal with menopause.
"I think we've made great improvements over the last few years in creating awareness that this is a significant issue" that women should discuss with their doctors, Niles said.
Dr. Lauren Streicher, a gynecologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and author of "The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy," which addresses menopause, said her lower-income, less-educated patients are more likely to accept the strains of menopause as just another big bump in life. Her well-educated professional patients are more likely to seek help and often complain about lack of sleep, which leaves them less motivated and less focused at work.
"This has an incredible impact on their ability to function in the corporate world," she said.
Streicher said many women were confused and scared of hormone therapy after federal researchers reported in 2002 that estrogen-progestin pills sold as Prempro could increase risks for heart attacks, breast cancer and strokes. Many doctors still recommend short-term hormone treatment.
"In an executive position ... you have to look your best," and project a calm, focused and capable image, said Rosalie Roberts, a 61-year-old survey participant who owns an Omaha, Neb., public relations business. She had moderate symptoms until several years ago but occasionally would sweat enough during meetings that she would head to the restroom during breaks.
"In my business, that's very, very unfortunate," Roberts said.
Well, it's unfortunate and difficult for all women who go through the menopause!!
All women who are having a difficult menopause have a tough time, but the survey that led to this article was a survey of the National Association of Female Executives sponsored by the maker of a menopause drug.
The survey indicated that 95% of the 843 respondents had suffered from the physical symptoms of menopause.
Insomnia, night sweats and daytime hot flashes were reported as the most vexing problems, and 56 percent said they deal with symptoms daily. Nearly 8 out of 10 reported mental or emotional symptoms such as forgetfulness and irritability.
About half of the women reported lack of sexual desire and painful intercourse due to vaginal dryness. That could explain why emotional well-being and romantic relationships were ranked as the two areas most affected by menopause symptoms, ahead of professional life, said Dr. James Simon, a gynecologist and menopause specialist at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., who helped design the survey questionnaire
When menopausal hot flashes caused sweat to run down Donna Cook's face during business meetings, she joked to concerned colleagues, "I'm having my personal summer." But for executives like Cook, menopause symptoms such as profuse sweating, nasty mood swings and memory lapses aren't funny.
Cook, 54, felt self-conscious when she had to blot up sweat while giving presentations at System Planning Corp., an Arlington, Va., firm that does scientific research and government contract work. She said she would awake several times a night in drenching sweats after she stopped taking hormone replacement medication, which she had been on for about 10 years.
"I would oversleep in the morning. I'd miss the alarm. I'd be late for work. I constantly felt like I was playing catch-up," she said. Sometimes, she had trouble remembering how to do routine duties.
Two years later, her symptoms are less frequent and severe, but her problem points to the embarrassment and loss of confidence suffered by many women executives at midlife.
Plenty of earlier studies have examined how menopause affects women in general, said Simon, but "a generation ago, there weren't enough female executives to bother" doing a survey of that group.
He said menopause symptoms may be more prevalent because of the growing obesity problem. "Fatter women are more likely to have hot flashes than thinner women," he explained.
Simon said he was not compensated for the survey by Barr Laboratories of Woodcliff Lake, N.J. The company makes Cenesten, a synthetic, plant-derived prescription drug for menopause symptoms. The survey was conducted online by pollster Harris Interactive in February.
The results will be reported next week in San Diego at the annual meeting of the North American Menopause Society, a doctors' group. Simon is the group's immediate past president.
Amy Niles, president of the National Women's Health Resource Center in Red Bank, N.J., said past educational campaigns about menopause have not targeted women in the work force. They are more likely than their mothers to have to deal with menopause.
"I think we've made great improvements over the last few years in creating awareness that this is a significant issue" that women should discuss with their doctors, Niles said.
Dr. Lauren Streicher, a gynecologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and author of "The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy," which addresses menopause, said her lower-income, less-educated patients are more likely to accept the strains of menopause as just another big bump in life. Her well-educated professional patients are more likely to seek help and often complain about lack of sleep, which leaves them less motivated and less focused at work.
"This has an incredible impact on their ability to function in the corporate world," she said.
Streicher said many women were confused and scared of hormone therapy after federal researchers reported in 2002 that estrogen-progestin pills sold as Prempro could increase risks for heart attacks, breast cancer and strokes. Many doctors still recommend short-term hormone treatment.
"In an executive position ... you have to look your best," and project a calm, focused and capable image, said Rosalie Roberts, a 61-year-old survey participant who owns an Omaha, Neb., public relations business. She had moderate symptoms until several years ago but occasionally would sweat enough during meetings that she would head to the restroom during breaks.
"In my business, that's very, very unfortunate," Roberts said.
Well, it's unfortunate and difficult for all women who go through the menopause!!
Friday, September 23, 2005
Tofu, for Strong Bones.
While we're on the subject of osteoporosis....
Eating soy may help prevent bone fractures in postmenopausal women.
A large study of more than 24,000 women suggests that soy protein is especially helpful to bone health in the first few years after a woman reaches menopause.
The subjects in the study, women 40 to 70, were participants in the Shanghai Women's Health Study who were followed for four and a half years. In this time, 1,770 fractures were reported.
They found that the more soy a woman ate, the less likely she was to break a bone.
Within 10 years of menopause, high soy consumption was associated with a 50 percent reduction in the risk for bone fracture.
Dr. Xiao-Ou Shu, a co-author of the paper and a professor in the department of medicine at Vanderbilt, pointed out that the American Heart Association and the Food and Drug Administration recently recommended the consumption of 25 grams of soy protein each day as a heart disease preventive.
That would be more than enough to assure protection against fractures as well. 'The consumption level of women who were in the top 20 percent in our study is equivalent to two cups of soy milk per day, or three-quarters of a piece of tofu,' she said.
Although the amount of soy protein can vary among different brands, one cup of soy milk contains about 6.6 grams of soy protein, and a piece of tofu contains about 16 grams. 'In my opinion,' Dr. Shu said, 'women should increase soy intake.'
Do make sure you aren't intolerant or sensitive to soy before you take soy for menopausal symptoms.
Eating soy may help prevent bone fractures in postmenopausal women.
A large study of more than 24,000 women suggests that soy protein is especially helpful to bone health in the first few years after a woman reaches menopause.
The subjects in the study, women 40 to 70, were participants in the Shanghai Women's Health Study who were followed for four and a half years. In this time, 1,770 fractures were reported.
They found that the more soy a woman ate, the less likely she was to break a bone.
Within 10 years of menopause, high soy consumption was associated with a 50 percent reduction in the risk for bone fracture.
Dr. Xiao-Ou Shu, a co-author of the paper and a professor in the department of medicine at Vanderbilt, pointed out that the American Heart Association and the Food and Drug Administration recently recommended the consumption of 25 grams of soy protein each day as a heart disease preventive.
That would be more than enough to assure protection against fractures as well. 'The consumption level of women who were in the top 20 percent in our study is equivalent to two cups of soy milk per day, or three-quarters of a piece of tofu,' she said.
Although the amount of soy protein can vary among different brands, one cup of soy milk contains about 6.6 grams of soy protein, and a piece of tofu contains about 16 grams. 'In my opinion,' Dr. Shu said, 'women should increase soy intake.'
Do make sure you aren't intolerant or sensitive to soy before you take soy for menopausal symptoms.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Once a Month Osteoporosis tablet
Once-a-month osteoporosis tablet helps Menopausal Women.
Osteoporosis can lead to fractures and is especially prevalent in post menopausal women.
People with the bone disease osteoporosis will now be able to take a monthly rather than daily or weekly tablet for their condition, which will help patient compliance.
The drug works in the same way as other available bisphosphonates - helping the body to rebuild bone loss.
Doctors hope "Bonviva" will mean more patients keep taking their long term medication.
Research suggests half of patients on weekly bisphosphonates stop taking the pills by the end of the first year.
Many do not continue with treatment because they do not have symptoms for a number of years and they may not feel the beneficial effect that the treatment is having on their bones.
Osteoporosis affects an estimated three million people and is responsible for 230,000 breaks per year in the UK.
Every three minutes someone has a fracture due to osteoporosis.
Women are particularly at risk because they have smaller more fragile bones to start off with.
This is complicated by the menopause during which the body stops producing oestrogen - a hormone essential for good bone health.
And because of the natural ageing process, the risk increases with age.
OSTEOPOROSIS-RELATED FRACTURES PER YEAR
70,000 hip fractures
50,000 wrist fractures
120,000 spinal fractures
Currently, there is no cure for osteoporosis, so the treatments available aim to preserve bone mass and prevent fractures.
Dr Richard Keen of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London said people on osteoporosis treatment ( and this goes for all women going throught the menopause too) should not overlook the importance of ensuring that they were also getting enough vitamin D and calcium, which is important for bone health.
Osteoporosis can lead to fractures and is especially prevalent in post menopausal women.
People with the bone disease osteoporosis will now be able to take a monthly rather than daily or weekly tablet for their condition, which will help patient compliance.
The drug works in the same way as other available bisphosphonates - helping the body to rebuild bone loss.
Doctors hope "Bonviva" will mean more patients keep taking their long term medication.
Research suggests half of patients on weekly bisphosphonates stop taking the pills by the end of the first year.
Many do not continue with treatment because they do not have symptoms for a number of years and they may not feel the beneficial effect that the treatment is having on their bones.
Osteoporosis affects an estimated three million people and is responsible for 230,000 breaks per year in the UK.
Every three minutes someone has a fracture due to osteoporosis.
Women are particularly at risk because they have smaller more fragile bones to start off with.
This is complicated by the menopause during which the body stops producing oestrogen - a hormone essential for good bone health.
And because of the natural ageing process, the risk increases with age.
OSTEOPOROSIS-RELATED FRACTURES PER YEAR
70,000 hip fractures
50,000 wrist fractures
120,000 spinal fractures
Currently, there is no cure for osteoporosis, so the treatments available aim to preserve bone mass and prevent fractures.
Dr Richard Keen of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London said people on osteoporosis treatment ( and this goes for all women going throught the menopause too) should not overlook the importance of ensuring that they were also getting enough vitamin D and calcium, which is important for bone health.
Exercise relieves menopause symptoms
Bouche an executive assistant at Nickelodeon Animation, is a testament to the power of exercise over menopausal symptoms.
That link has been noted by fitness instructors and trainers who have seen the effect on the hot flashes, insomnia, joint aches and weight gain often accompanying this phase of a woman's life.
But it's only now starting to get a closer look from researchers and from many women looking for natural ways to ease the symptoms of menopause.
One analysis of 12 menopausal women in an eight-week strength training program found that 40% of the women felt less anxious and half had less aching, stiffness and irritability.
Yet the prevailing wisdom is that exercise can be of benefit to some women who experience menopausal symptoms - if not by actually reducing the frequency of hot flashes and other discomforts, then by generally improving their health.
'We know that exercise improves quality of life, and if you translate that into any population you see improvements,' says Alysia Mastrangelo, associate professor of physical therapy at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and lead author of the strength training and yoga studies.
One study, published last year in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, followed 353 women through a four-year diet and exercise program and found it was able to slow the progression of menopause-related atherosclerosis.
'The health benefits of exercise go far beyond management of menopause symptoms,' says Dr. Carol Mangione, UCLA professor of medicine and chair of the NIH panel.
It reported that viewing menopause as more of an ailment than a normal life stage can lead to overuse of treatment programs such as hormone replacement therapy.
It's not unusual to find women in various stages of menopause frequenting Pilates, yoga and aquatics classes.
p
That link has been noted by fitness instructors and trainers who have seen the effect on the hot flashes, insomnia, joint aches and weight gain often accompanying this phase of a woman's life.
But it's only now starting to get a closer look from researchers and from many women looking for natural ways to ease the symptoms of menopause.
One analysis of 12 menopausal women in an eight-week strength training program found that 40% of the women felt less anxious and half had less aching, stiffness and irritability.
Yet the prevailing wisdom is that exercise can be of benefit to some women who experience menopausal symptoms - if not by actually reducing the frequency of hot flashes and other discomforts, then by generally improving their health.
'We know that exercise improves quality of life, and if you translate that into any population you see improvements,' says Alysia Mastrangelo, associate professor of physical therapy at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and lead author of the strength training and yoga studies.
One study, published last year in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, followed 353 women through a four-year diet and exercise program and found it was able to slow the progression of menopause-related atherosclerosis.
'The health benefits of exercise go far beyond management of menopause symptoms,' says Dr. Carol Mangione, UCLA professor of medicine and chair of the NIH panel.
It reported that viewing menopause as more of an ailment than a normal life stage can lead to overuse of treatment programs such as hormone replacement therapy.
It's not unusual to find women in various stages of menopause frequenting Pilates, yoga and aquatics classes.
p
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