|  | Family Health | Womens Health

Menopause: Night Sweats & Potassium Deficiency

Menopause night sweats can occur several times a night, every night. In some cases, they can cause weakness and nausea, but can night sweats cause potassium deficiency? According to the Home Care Group, one of the causes of potassium loss is profuse sweating. Night sweats that require a change of clothing are certainly in that category.

  1. Menopause Night Sweats

    • Night sweats are just one symptom of menopause, but a very prominent one. Better known as hot flashes, the title is self-describing. It is a sudden feeling of extreme heat that seems to rise from within the body, until it encompasses the head and body. It can last 30 seconds or as long as 5 minutes, and cause the skin temperature to rise as much as 7 degrees. It disappears as quickly as it comes and can be followed by chills. Night sweats occur during sleep, and can take place several times in one night. Perspiration can be so severe that the person has to change clothes, and sometimes bedding. It is when night sweats are this severe that the possibility of hypokalemia can occur.

    Potassium

    • Potassium is needed for the normal function of the nerves, muscles and electrolyte balance in the body. A deficiency (hypokalemia) can manifest through profuse perspiration. Usually it is seen in athletes, but under the right conditions, night sweats can contribute to the loss of potassium. As women age and experience menopause, a general dryness takes place. It is most noticeable in the skin. It does not take much fluid loss for potassium to be affected. This is why the elderly dehydrate more quickly than younger people. Hot flashes during the day, coupled with any kind of exercise, and then night sweats can create the stage for hypokalemia.

    Considerations

    • Hypokalemia can cause abnormal heart rhythms to develop. It can also cause muscle weakness, cramping and twitching in the limbs. It can be very dangerous and needs to be treated.

    Treatment

    • Getting a simple blood test can diagnose hypokalemia. If the deficiency is not severe, medication in pill form can suffice. More severe cases require IV treatment, usually in a hospital or clinic setting. Medication for the night sweats may also be administered. Hormone treatments have been successful in reducing hot flashes and night sweats.

    Warnings

    • Women who experience night sweats should be aware of other conditions that can make their depletion even more significant and put them at greater risk of hypokalemia. A simple stomach illness that exhibits vomiting and diarrhea, medication like diuretics, diabetes, steroid treatment, and some medications for high blood pressure can deplete potassium, especially when profuse sweating is added to the mix.

Womens Health - Related Articles