Night sweats are generally a symptom of hormonal fluctuations in women caused by menopause. According to the United States Office of Women's Health, hot flashes experienced during menopause can lead to a sudden rush of heat throughout your body. In order to compensate for the heat, your body responds by breaking out into a sweat. When this occurs while you're sleeping, it's referred to as a night sweat and it's a normal symptom of a woman's transition into her non-childbearing years. Certain vitamins and minerals, including potassium, may help decrease the incidence of this harmless, but uncomfortable symptom.
Menopause and Night Sweats
Menopause signals the end of a woman's childbearing years, with decreased frequency of menstrual periods combined with symptoms of hormonal fluctuations. According to BBC Health, most women begin menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, although it can begin earlier or can be surgically induced. As you progress through menopause, your body's estrogen and progesterone levels decrease. The fluctuations and gradual decline of the production of these hormones is the mechanism behind hot flashes and night sweats. Night sweats can be mild or can be significant enough to cause profuse sweating that soaks the bedding. Night sweats can lead some women to experience insomnia, due to the discomfort of wet bedding and the anticipation of a mid-sleep hot flash.
Potassium
Potassium is an essential mineral that is used by every organ, tissue and cell of your body, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Potassium plays a role in the management of your bone density and blood pressure and because potassium is an electrolyte, it also helps to regulate your heartbeat. A deficiency of this mineral is considered rare however the risk increases as you age and progress through menopause. You can generally get enough potassium by eating foods like bananas, citrus fruits, animal proteins and potatoes.
Potassium for Night Sweats
Although not directly associated with decreasing night sweats, potassium plays an important role in the management of estrogen fluctuations that can cause hot flashes. In the book, "Alternative Medicine," the authors explain that women consuming a traditional Japanese diet naturally have a high intake of potassium, which appears to reduce the incidence of hot flashes that can cause night sweats in these women. Additionally, women in the midst of menopause may also have deficiencies of essential nutrients like potassium.
Considerations
Potassium deficiency that can lead to symptoms of muscle weakness and fatigue can occur during menopause or due to medications or medical conditions. "Women's Health and Menopause" explains that supplemental potassium administered to menopausal women has been found to help reduce mortality from stroke. Eating potassium-rich foods, in most cases, is enough to ensure you get enough potassium. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, potassium supplementation should only be done in the form of a multivitamin, or with the supervision of your doctor.
