Difference How are hot flashes different from night sweats? Hot flashes and night sweats are both sudden changes in body temperature that make you feel overly hot, prompting your body to “flush” to cool itself down. by:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629dc41005b-426a-4780-a64d-eb2c86cccb74 Flushing of the skin or redness or discoloration of the skin Oily skin Chills Rapid heart rate Night sweats are hot flashes that occur at night. Hot flashes may not cause sweating, but night sweats do cause excessive sweating. This sweat can soak into your clothes and bedding, making it difficult to sleep. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762922a54b41-ac96-4146-be35-b6e002b64bf2 Night sweats can also occur during menopause, infection, diabetes, and cancer. what are they? What are hot flashes and night sweats? Hot flashes and night sweats are common symptoms of perimenopause, the transition period leading up to menopause. It is characterized by a sudden, intense feeling of heat in the upper body, usually the face, neck, and chest. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291e385186-d554-499a-b0fb-07e36207f125 Hot flashes and night sweats, also known as vasomotor symptoms, are caused by the following symptoms: Hormonal changes that affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Why they occur is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to decreased estrogen levels. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290f854412-8041-4ef9-b3b7-2a210a4ac59e Vasomotor symptoms can last months to years. Up to 80% of women experience vasomotor symptoms at some point during the menopausal transition. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291b533639-4af0-4dec-89ab-cf0263866685 “The average duration of hot flashes and night sweats is 7 to 9 years, and about one-third of women “I’ve seen women who have had flashes for over 10 years and continue to have symptoms well into their 80s,” says Dr. Stephanie Fabion, NAMS Medical Director and NAMS Certified Menopause Specialist. What causes hot flashes and night sweats? There are many things that can cause hot flashes, and some of them can also cause night sweats. Common causes of hot flashes and night sweats are: e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296440a881-f8b4-40bc-9594-31b36535c60a Wearing thick clothing Drinking caffeine or alcohol Eating spicy foods Stress Drinking hot drinks like tea or hot chocolate Taking a hot shower or bath Smoking Experiencing triggers near bedtime can cause night sweats. Some research suggests that factors such as sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety may contribute to night sweats. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b5e8fcb5-aeb9-404c-ba9d-0cf2d0e1550b Hot flashes and night sweats are vasomotor symptoms that commonly occur during menopause. Night sweats are hot flashes that occur at night. It can cause excessive sweating and disrupt sleep. Hot flashes and night sweats are common symptoms of menopause. A sudden intense feeling of heat occurs in the upper body. Both hot flashes and night sweats can cause facial flushing, oily skin, sweating, and increased heart rate. Night sweats are hot flashes that cause excessive sweating during the night. There are many things that can cause hot flashes and night sweats, including stress, alcohol and caffeine, wearing too much clothing, and taking hot showers or baths. Other Causes What else causes night sweats? Hormonal changes during menopause and pregnancy aren’t the only causes of night sweats. It can also occur as a side effect of medications or as a symptom of various diseases. Other causes of night sweats include: e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629009182b2-598e-4f95-8a27-8a932ecb7df7 Bacterial or viral infections Hormonal disorders such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism Cancer, including lymphoma and leukemia Sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep Apnea Side effects of medications such as diabetes medications, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications Always consult your health care professional to determine the root cause of your night sweats. Night sweats can be a sign of a serious problem. Seeing a Doctor When to See a Doctor If hot flashes or night sweats during menopause are interfering with your sleep or daily life, consult your doctor. Treatments are available to help reduce vasomotor symptoms, including hormone therapy, prescription medications, and lifestyle changes.
