Author: James Anderson
Night sweats and alcohol: Causes and treatment
However, the risk of depression does tend to increase during menopause. According to a large 2009 study, an extra 10 grams of alcohol (1 drink) per day increases your risk for breast cancer by 12 percent. To get rid of alcohol flush reactions, you can limit alcohol consumption, choose beverages with lower alcohol content, or take antacids before drinking. Alcohol-related hot flashes can be just one of a number of other symptoms such as excessive sweating, high blood pressure and rapid heartbeat.
Night sweats are a common symptom of alcohol withdrawal, which often affects people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Even if alcohol doesn’t directly trigger your hot flashes, any resulting post-drink agitation might. “High emotion can trigger hot flashes and night sweats,” Dr. Marin says.
It is best that people with alcohol dependency or intolerance speak with a doctor. Alcohol affects women more than men because they usually have a lower body weight. However, some people have a genetic variation that produces a deficiency in an enzyme responsible for converting acetaldehyde into acetic acid. As a result, acetaldehyde accumulates in their bodies, leading to the symptoms of a hot flush.
Hot flashes and excessive sweating are just one of the many menopausal symptoms. Different steps can be taken in order to alleviate these hot flash symptoms. Even in women without depression, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to alcohol use disorder. It also increases her risk for central obesity, the accumulation of weight mostly around the midsection. This type of obesity is a big factor in the development of heart disease.
What do studies say about drinking during menopause?
You may experience a hot flash for reasons that have nothing to do with alcohol including medical causes. Even small amounts of alcohol can interfere with certain medications. It’s important to talk to your doctor about the medications you take if you plan on drinking.
Waking up after a night of over-indulging in your favorite cocktails or pints of beer may result in hangover hot flashes, among other unpleasant side effects. In fact, the Cleveland Clinic lists sweating as one of the more common symptoms of a hangover. That said, how much you sweat, or the intensity of the episode often depends on the amount of alcohol you consumed. “Now is the time to really lean into the healthy habits,” says Dr. Kling. “Those healthy lifestyle habits are going to provide you the most success at helping during the menopause transition,” says Dr. Kling.
Do hot flashes go away after menopause?
Inconsistent flush reactions can be due to various factors, including alcohol type, quantity consumed, and individual tolerance. While hot flushes can be normal in certain situations, such as during menopause, they can also indicate underlying health issues and alcohol abuse. Another symptom of menopause that you might experience is painful intercourse. If you find that sex is uncomfortable or painful, there are things you can do to make it better. Try using a vaginal water-based moisturizing lotion or lubricant during intercourse.
- Spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol are just a few things that can cause you to experience hot flashes.
- Hot flashes can vary in length, frequency, and severity for each woman.
- Certain medications used during menopause strongly advise against alcohol use.
- What might be a short inconvenience for one person could be intense heat for another.
Drinking alcohol can cause some people to feel hot and may lead to night sweats. This occurs when alcohol affects the nervous system and how the body regulates and senses body temperature, blood pressure, and heart activity. To maximize health benefits and minimize health risks during menopause, most healthy women should consume no more than one drink per day, or 7 drinks per week.
This risk exists even for women who have just one serving of alcohol per day. Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her period stops completely. As the female body ages, it gradually produces smaller amounts of reproductive hormones such as estrogen. To address this reaction, moderation, antacids, or taking medications before drinking can help.
Reason for the Body to Have Hot Flushes After Drinking Alcohol
The flush may improve or decrease in intensity with time but might not completely go away. The duration of flushing after alcohol varies but typically lasts for 30 minutes to a few hours. Fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, and elevated liver enzymes are common early signs. Night sweats are often self-limiting and not a cause for medical intervention. However, if they persist, recur, or happen alongside other symptoms, help may be necessary.
Speak to a Healthcare professional or Detox Specialist
When alcohol warms the body, other parts of the body start working to cool the system down, resulting in the typical symptoms of a hot flash. Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause that often feels like a sudden flare of heat, paired with sweating and flushed skin. Hot flashes typically start with menopause and can end when you’re post-menopausal or last the rest of your life.