Causes of Sweating Hot Flashes Other Than Menopause

Have you experienced sweating hot flashes (or hot flushes); not only at night but also in the morning? For most women, hot flushes and sweating are taken as signs of perimenopause or impending menopause. But is this the only reason?

Although these bodily heat waves and night sweats are usually associated with women and is believed to be due to hormonal changes in a woman's body, there are also men who experience the same condition. Causes of sweating hot flashes and night sweats other than menopause include:

1. Idiopathic hyperhidrosis can cause the body to sweat profusely but no medical cause can be identified.


2. Tuberculosis is also a common cause of night sweats. People with tuberculosis usually have higher temperatures at night thus activating the sweat glands.


3. Infections such as endocarditis, which is the inflammation of the heart valvesl HIV/AIDS, which is the infection of the body's immune system; abscesses, which are the inflammation of the tonsils, boils, or infection of the appendix or osteomyelitis, which is an infection within the bones, are also probable causes of hot flushes or night sweats. These conditions should be attended to immediately by a medical specialist.


4. Cancer patients often experience night sweats together with fever and consistent weight loss as an early symptom of certain cancers such as lymphoma.


5. Menstruation is a monthly occurrence in women and a lot of women also experience hot flushes before and after their menstrual period. This is quite normal because the level of estrogen in women's bodies changes before and after their period. This causes their body temperature to increase triggering the night sweats.


6. Medications can also lead to night sweats as side effect of antidepressants and other psychiatric drugs. Aspirin, acetaminophen, paracetamol and other medications to lower fever can also lead to sweating. Cortisone, predinisone and prednisolone are medications that can also trigger sweating during the day and night.


7. Hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid can also cause hot flushes that strike any time of the day.


8. Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar - a situation commonly experienced by diabetics who are taking insulin or anti-diabetic drugs - may also cause night sweating.


9. Hormonal disorders such as pheochromocytoma - tumors of the adrenal glands, carcinoid syndrome - excess hormones released by the gastrointestinal or carcinoid tumors and hyperthyroidism - overactive thyroid can all cause sweating accompanied by facial flushing.


10. Eating certain foods such as spicy food or hot spices, smoking, excessive drinking of alcohol, obesity, over consumption of sugar are also some of the instigators of sweating and hot flashes.

Both men and women are susceptible to these causes of sweating and hot flashes. If you experience sweating and rising body heat, the best thing to do is to consult with a doctor to help you rule out or identify underlying causes for it.

Early Signs of Male Menopause

Ladies, the so-called mid-life crisis that many men experience is not our imagination and neither is it theirs. As has been suspected some, but not all, men will suffer male menopause. If you know someone who may be in male menopause understanding it may help you to help them. It is also important that you encourage the men in your life that may have symptoms, to discuss them with their doctor.

About Male Menopause

Male menopause is also called andropause. In men hormone levels are at the peak somewhere between 15 and 19. When men reach their late 20's testosterone levels begin to slowly decrease but normally stay within healthy limits. In his 40's or 50's up to half the men who suffer andropause will report uncomfortable symptoms. This helps to support a healthy sex drive, the generation and production of sperm. This can allow a man to father children well into his eighties.

All women at some point in time will go through menopause which is the cessation of fertility and menstrual cycles. Not all men will go through andropause. It is not known why andropause affects the men it does affect.

Causes of Male Menopause

In some men menopause/andropause will occur naturally. In other men there can be underlying triggers. Illness can affect hormone levels. Depression, dementia, and obesity can also be triggers of andropause. Heart and lung diseases and autoimmune disease may go through andropause. A physical and tests run by your doctor can help determine if a man is in andropause or suffering with another health condition.

Early Signs of Male Menopause

Male menopausal symptoms are very similar to female menopause but much less intense.
Have you noticed a man or men in your life being a bit more forgetful, irritable, or exhibit a low energy level? These symptoms could be early signs of male menopause.

Male symptoms can include hot flashes and night sweats. Fatigue, joint pains, and muscle aches are also possible. On the emotional side men can have mood swings, become more irritable, and experience depression. They may appear to lose interest in sex or have difficulty with weak erections. They could feel like they no longer enjoy sex.

Many men don't like talking about their symptoms but should be encouraged to do so with the doctor at the onset of these symptoms to rule out other health conditions with similar symptoms.

Treatments of Male Menopause

It is also true that for treating early signs/symptoms of male menopause, hormone replacement therapy is the traditional choice of treatment. Testosterone replacement can reduce the symptoms for men. Erectile dysfunction treatments can also help to reduce treatments.

Men as well as women can choose natural treatments such as herbal supplementation.
The herbs should be tested at the molecular level to determine their metabolic paths and the interactions of the ingredients should also be examined. Only standardized herbal extracts should be used with no fillers or preservatives. When they are being made they should be made to meet pharmaceutical grade standards. This helps to guarantee the consumer consistent dosing and consistent quality from capsule to capsule. As always do not add herbal supplements to your regime without letting your know about it. Some herbs may affect how any prescriptions you may be taking.

Conclusion

If any man becomes more listless, irritable or wakes up sweating, these could be early signs of male menopause. It is a very real event for some men. It is as uncomfortable for them as well as women because they are often embarrassed to talk about it. There are treatments available including hormone replacement and herbal supplements. Your doctor can help a man decide the best treatment for their individual needs.

Antioxidants May Prevent Bone Loss - Texas Sees New Treatments For Osteoporosis

New research suggests that taking antioxidants may prevent bone loss in menopausal women, one of the primary health concerns associated with this condition.

Every year, 500,000 American women suffer at least one fracture of the vertebrae, and 300,000 sustain hip fractures. Fractures related to osteoporosis, or the thinning and weakening of bones, amounts to $10 billion every year in national healthcare costs, and approximately $977 million in Texas alone. In fact, 1.9 million Texans suffer from osteoporosis or bone loss at any given moment -- and they're not all menopausal women. That means in every city and small town -- from Dallas, to Houston, to Austin, to the Eastern plains -- someone is significantly affected by weakening bones. The repercussions this has for not only the personal health of these individuals and their families, but also on the health insurance and healthcare industries, are huge.

The past ten years of study have indicated that prevention early on in life is the best medicine. Menopausal women are, indeed, the most affected, and ladies in their premenopausal years do themselves a favor when they watch their calcium and vitamin D intake, as well as their levels of physical exercise and sunlight exposure -- all factors believed to affect the formation of bone. Menopausal osteoporosis, then, is the result of bone levels achieved before menopause, and the rate at which bone tissue deteriorates afterwards. The stronger and denser the skeleton becomes in youth, the more material the body has to work with later on in life.

While levels of calcium, vitamin D, exercise, and sunlight exposure are key factors affecting skeletal health, pregnancy, nursing, immobility, and low estrogen levels may also weaken bones. Contrary to appearance, bones are not inanimate structures, but are living tissues, constantly undergoing a cycle of breakdown and regeneration. This process must be balanced; if breakdown of cells occurs at a faster rate than the body can rebuild and replace them, then thinning of the tissues occurs. Therefore, processes to ensure healthy regeneration are essential.

All that hard work shoring up on bone tissue shows its greatest benefit during menopause, when estrogen levels plummet. Estrogen, or oestrogen, appears to inhibit the activity of osteoclasts, cells that reabsorb bone tissue during the process of osteoclasis. Normally, this reabsorption is an essential part of the body's inner workings. Bones cannot continually generate unchecked, after all, or we would soon literally be swallowed by our own skeletons. But once estrogen levels decrease, and osteoclast activity increases, osteoblasts – cells that develop bone – simply cannot keep pace.

One advantage of estrogen therapies has been to keep the activity of the osteoclasts at bay. Such therapies are controversial, though. While maintaining levels of estrogen may reduce some of the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause and decrease chances of heart disease and osteoporosis, they have also been linked with certain cancers. So what if bone loss could be minimized, or better yet halted, by a different method?

The Sir Joseph Hotung Centre for Musculoskeletal Disorders, at St. George's University of London, believes it may have a way. In other tissues, estrogen "opposes the activity of reactive oxygen species," or ROS, which, in turn stimulate NfKB -- a major intracellular signal that activates osteoclasts. In experimental mice with ovariectomies, antioxidant defenses in bone marrow decreased, while administering estrogen to them increased these defenses. "What," you say. "Come again?"

The theory states that estrogen may inhibit the activity of the osteoclasts by "opposing" the activity of ROS, which stimulate NfKB, which then activates osteoclasts. By increasing antioxidant defenses in bone marrow (done through estrogen or the administration of certain antioxidants), the degeneration process of bone may be halted or slowed. In other words, antioxidants may, in the end, have the same effect as estrogen therapy. Giving ascorbate or N-acetylcysteine (types of antioxidants) to ovariectomised mice, actually prevented bone loss, a significant finding considering that most treatments can only slow bone loss, at best.

The implication is that bone loss may be treated with antioxidants, versus other synthetic therapies. While further experimentation is needed, it's a phenomenal breakthrough in Western medicine. Indeed, boneset -- a plant believed to be high in antioxidants -- has been used by Native American peoples to treat and speed the healing of broken bones. The growing friendship between natural medicine and Western science just may produce treatment options in the coming years we never would have thought possible.

Optimizing bone health in your younger years can have a tremendous affect on you later in life. How you take care of yourself will certainly affect you as you age, and eventually your wallet, as well. If you’re a young individual who tries to keep informed and maintain a healthy condition and lifestyle, you should take a look at the revolutionary, comprehensive and highly-affordable individual health insurance solutions created by Precedent specifically for you. Visit our website, [http://www.precedent.com], for more information. We offer a unique and innovative suite of individual health insurance solutions, including highly-competitive HSA-qualified plans, and an unparalleled "real time" application and acceptance process.

Menopause Symptoms - Is an Enlarged Uterus One of Many Menopause Symptoms?

Menopause as all women know is a time for change and may have some uncomfortable symptoms. The question is whether one of the menopause symptoms could include an enlarged uterus. There are specific tests for diagnoses and treatments are available.

Causes and Symptoms of an Enlarged Uterus

An enlarged uterus is also called Endometriosis - a bulging formation that occurs in the uterus and continues to develop. It can sometimes be misconstrued as pregnancy. It is typically categorized by severe pain in the lower abdominal region. This pain occurs because of the pressure the enlarging uterus puts on the bladder. The extreme abdominal pain and possible bladder problems can be indicative of an enlarged uterus or other health conditions including pregnancy so it is strongly advised that you have the necessary exams and tests done to accurately identify the source of your symptoms.

Examinations and Tests Used to Diagnose an Enlarged Uterus

A laparoscopy is a surgical procedure used to examine internal organs. A pelvic examination is a physical examination by a physician of internal organs. An Endometrial biopsy is performed to rule out any possible malignancy as a cause for your symptoms. A hysteroscopy is similar to a laparoscopy but examines the reproductive organs specifically. An ultrasound scan and an MRI-magnetic resonance imaging test will produce images of the reproductive organs from which information can be gathered. Blood tests called a CBC- complete blood count may also be done to determine if hormone levels and body chemicals are at healthy levels.

For a specific diagnosis for enlarged uterus and or menopause a physical examination and some tests may be ordered by your doctor. These things will also help to rule out any other possible health concerns. It's better to have the test and find nothing serious than to not have them and have something serious going on.

Menopause symptoms could include an enlarged uterus because the changing hormone levels could mimic pregnancy. The uterus does change somewhat during sexual activity and this could affect the size of the uterus.

Treatment for an Enlarged Uterus

Current treatments include hormone therapies that can be very effective in treating enlarged uterus and other menopausal symptoms. Surgical examination can be done during a laparoscopy. In the past however, the typical treatment for an enlarged uterus was surgery that required a long incision or a complete hysterectomy- the complete removal of all reproductive organs.

Many women choose to use herbal supplements in treatment of menopause and they have been proven to be highly effective. If hormones are at a healthy level than it may be possible to treat it with herbal supplements but this is not known at this time.
An herbal supplement should be with only standardized herbal extracts and manufactured to meet pharmaceutical grade standards. The ingredients should have extensively tested including the metabolic route of the ingredients at the molecular level. The interactions of the ingredients should also have been tested.

All of this helps to guarantee consistent dosing and consistent quality from capsule to capsule. Herbal supplements are often chosen to avoid some of the serious side effects that can accompany traditional pharmaceutical treatments. Though they have far less side effects they should not be added to your health routine without your doctor's knowledge. Some herbs may interfere with the performance of prescriptions you may be taking for other health conditions.

Conclusion

The question was/is this: Can an enlarged uterus be one of many menopausal symptoms.
There are tests and treatments available including diagnostic imaging, physical examinations and blood tests. Treatments could include hormones but may also include the use of herbal supplements. If you have any of the symptoms listed here, consult your doctor to be on the safe side.

Herbs For Menopause - Researching The Effectiveness Of Herbs For Menopause

Believe it or not but the use of herbs for menopause goes back throughout history. Naturally, western medical practitioners call into question the validity and use of herbs for menopause. Despite this, there are millions of women throughout the world, who will attest to the fact that using herbs for menopause helped them reach attain comfort and relief during menopause. This article will examine the use of herbs for menopause.

Herbalists are people who become specialists in the healing power of natural herbs and substances. Herbalists believe that we can use natural methods as well as traditional medicine to cure many different types of medical conditions, symptoms, and diseases. Nutritionists are people who focus on what we consume. They study what vitamins and nutrients will help people be healthy. They believe the food we eat can improve the way we feel. When a woman is going through menopause, people in these disciplines can put their combined skills and knowledge together to make a unique blend of ingredients to help alleviate the symptoms of menopause.

Many women question the potential risks associated with taking herbs for menopause. However, it has been discovered that there are actually very few of these risks. Taking herbs for menopause has been found to be harmless and useful. However, it is not advised that a female go out to find her own set of herbs for menopause. If a woman is interested in acquiring a natural approach to the treatment of the symptoms that are associated with menopause, she should consult a professional that is certified in the field.

This is true even if she just wants to explore the field. In addition to using the resource of a professional's knowledge in the field, there are many books and other types of resources on the market that explores this area. One such resource includes a book that Chris Meletis, N.D wrote that is called "The Complete Guide to Safe Herbs".

When exploring the use of herbs for menopause, it is important to select those that will benefit the particular symptoms that you are experiencing. The common symptoms that are associated with menopause include uncomfortable hot flashes, high fluctuations in mood, feeling extremely exhausted, different types of headaches, as well as numerous other troublesome symptoms. Many doctors prefer to prescribe therapy treatments that aid in regulating hormones throughout the body, however, there is a huge debate associated with the safety concerning these treatments. This is mainly due to the fact that it is believed that hormone prescriptions may lead to the onset of breast cancer.

As women who are experiencing menopause research various treatment methods, they are starting to lean more towards the herbs for menopause then hormone replacement. One of the main reasons for this is that medical professionals cannot give a straight and direct answer as to the overall safety of the prescribed hormone treatments. However, if you find that you are interested in applying the use of herbs for menopause, it is important to keep in mind that not every herb on the market is a safe choice for you as an individual.

Can Menopause Cause Cancer?

Menopause is a natural process in women which takes place at the age between 40 and 50. In this process, estrogen level decreases and ovaries stop functioning. It is the end of women's menstrual cycle. For some women it is a blessing while for others it is a nightmare.

Cancer itself is a very scary word for everyone, irrespective of gender. It can develop in any organ of the body and can spread easily to other parts. There are several treatments of cancer, which are very painful themselves and have many side effects on body and health. Some types of cancer are incurable and can also be fatal.

Women, in their menopausal age, are already going through emotional and mental depression as the side effect of menopause and the thought that menopause can develop cancer is very frightening for them.

It is a very controversial debate for scientists and researchers to decide whether menopause can be a cause of cancer or not? After extensive research, it was discovered that:

- Menopause is not listed as a cause of cancer, but the risk of cancer in postmenopausal women is higher than in premenopausal women. Woman's age, at which she reaches menopause, has an impact on her likelihood of developing certain types of cancer.

- Women who get early menstruation, at age of 12, but have late menopause after age of 55, are at higher risk of developing cancer of ovaries, breast or uterus. Uterine and breast cancer are caused due to prolonged exposure to estrogen. Long history of menstruation means that the woman had a longer exposure to high estrogen level during her reproductive years so she is at more risk to get cancer.

- The chance of developing ovarian cancer depends on the total count of ovulations a woman had. The long menstrual history increases the chances of ovarian cancer because the woman ovulates more.

- Symptoms of menopause including hot flashes and vaginal dryness are treated by hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in which estrogen and progestin are combined. Recently it was discovered that hormone replacement therapy increases the breast cancer risk in women. Now after the latest research, they are advised not to take "combined hormone replacement therapy."

Research work on how to reduce the risk of cancer due to menopause is in progress to improve the life quality of women who are near or in menopausal age.

Treatments and Signs of Cervical Cancer

For a layman, the easiest definition of cervical cancer is that it is a cancer of cervix (the opening of the uterus that is connected to the vagina). This cancer, like all other cancers, has different stages. During the initial stage, the cells transform into something and this process is known as dysplasia. Abnormal cells take formation in the cervix and then they begin to multiply and spread in the area. It is one of the commonest types of cancers that attack females.

Signs of Cervical Cancer

It should be remembered that noticeable symptoms may occur only after the cancer reaches its dangerous stage. Following are some of the commonly noticeable signs that may occur:

-Pain during sexual intercourse or pain in the pelvic region
-Bleeding from vagina between periods
-Discharge from vagina, which is not normal
-Menstrual cycle extension in terms of duration and even heavy periods
-Bleeding after the menopause

Some of the Possible Treatments

These treatments can only help if the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage.

If not much damage has been done, then doctors focus on removing that area where the abnormal cell growth has occurred. This can be done through a number of latest scientific ways such as laser surgery, loop electrosurgical excision procedure, cone biopsy, and cryosurgery.

If the cancer has grown much and is invasive, then the treatment and its duration will depend on the stage when it is detected. Some of the options include radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hysterectomy.

Prevention

-Avoid HPV infection by not forming any sexual contact with the infected person
-HPV vaccination can offer a great prevention from this cancer
-Use routine PAP test to diagnose it at its earliest (this should be done frequently after you turn 21 years of age).