How to manage hot flashes and night sweats

Sep 13, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. He Haochen

Introduction

Symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats can be managed through dietary therapy, developing good lifestyle habits, and lowering indoor temperature. For dietary therapy, patients should focus on a light diet and avoid spicy and irritating foods. They may consume cooling foods such as lotus root, kelp, sesame seeds, soy milk, pears, white fungus, and bananas, while also maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.

In recent years, with continuous social advancement and people adapting to the changing times in pursuit of a better life, daily stress has been steadily increasing. Prolonged excessive stress can lead to various physical symptoms. Night sweats, occurring in the morning or at other times, have become a common condition that negatively affects human health. So, how can one manage hot flashes and night sweats?

How to Manage Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

Symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats can be regulated through dietary therapy, developing healthy lifestyle habits, and lowering indoor temperature. Regarding dietary therapy, patients should focus on light foods and avoid spicy or irritating foods. They may consume cooling foods such as lotus root, kelp, sesame seeds, soy milk, pears, white fungus (silver ear), and bananas. Developing good lifestyle habits is also important—patients are advised to maintain regular work and rest schedules, go to bed early and rise early, and ensure sufficient sleep.

Menopausal women often experience hot flashes and night sweats due to declining estrogen levels and hormonal imbalances. They may suddenly feel their body heating up and sweat excessively at night—symptoms caused by this specific physiological stage. Patients with hyperthyroidism may also suffer from hot flashes and night sweats. Similarly, individuals infected with tuberculosis—for example, pulmonary tuberculosis—may exhibit these symptoms as well. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hot flashes and night sweats are primarily manifestations of yin deficiency.

It is recommended that patients eat more fresh foods, reduce intake of spicy and stimulating foods, ensure adequate sleep, and increase physical exercise. We hope this information is helpful to you. Wishing you good health and happiness in life.

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What to Eat for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

For hot flashes and night sweats, it is recommended to regularly consume foods that nourish yin, clear fire, moisten dryness, and generate fluids to quench thirst. Under normal circumstances, hot flashes and night sweats are primarily caused by yin deficiency. Qi deficiency and blood deficiency may also lead to these symptoms, though such cases are relatively rare. Additionally, kidney yin deficiency can likewise cause hot flashes and night sweats. Foods such as black rice may be consumed in moderation to support kidney qi.

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How to Relieve Menopausal Insomnia and Hot Flashes

Oryzanol may be considered to alleviate symptoms, or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be used to manage menopausal hot flashes. Typically, estradiol valerate (Progynova®) is employed, either alone or in combination with progesterone or micronized progesterone for adjunctive treatment. In daily life, many individuals experience hot flashes. This phenomenon may be associated with calcium metabolism and should be addressed promptly.