Antidepressant Medications Can Lead to Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

Jan. 2, 2013 - PRLog -- A hot flash, also called hot flush, is a sudden feeling of warmth and often a breakout of sweating in the upper half of the body. When these occur at night, they are called night sweats. Hot flashes are normally brought on by a reduced function in the body’s temperature regulation, which is caused by changing hormone levels.

Another source of hot flashes can come about from medications. According to WebMD, "Taking certain medications can lead to night sweats. Antidepressant medications are a common type of drug that can lead to night sweats. From 8% to 22% of people taking antidepressant drugs have night sweats. Other psychiatric drugs have also been associated with night sweats." Night sweats can contribute to frequent awakenings in the night, and is a common form of insomnia.

The “Sleep in America” poll results that were recently released from the National Sleep Foundation found that more than half of all Americans (60%) said they experienced a sleep problem every night or almost every night. Some of the other types of insomnia include restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, which involves interrupted breathing and snoring during the night; insomnia from hormone fluctuations such as with menstruation or menopause; and insomnia from the use of caffeine or alcohol.

Interestingly enough, a ten-year study to discover which drugs are used to treat insomnia was published in the journal “Sleep”. It found that from 1987 to 1996, prescriptions for sleeping drugs had decreased by 53.7%, but that antidepressant drugs prescribed for insomnia increased by a surprising 146%. Examples of antidepressants that might be prescribed for insomnia are trazodone and amitriptyline.

According to Health.com, the side effects of antidepressants may include sexual dysfunction, weight gain, dry mouth and throat, racing pulse, confusion, disturbed dreams, and an increased risk of suicide. And with hot flashes listed as additional side effects, women or men experiencing interrupted sleep from night sweats may have another possible source to look into.

Night sweats and hot flashes can become a form of insomnia in which a person wakes up drenched in sweat and unable to sleep. Regarding mineral deficiency at the time of menopause, the pioneering nutritionist Adelle Davis says, “The amount of calcium in a woman’s blood parallels the activity of the ovaries. During the menopause, the lack of ovarian hormones (estrogen and progesterone) can cause severe calcium deficiency symptoms to occur, including irritability, hot flashes, night sweats, leg cramps, and insomnia. These problems can be easily overcome if the intakes of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D are all generously increased and are well absorbed.”

One sleep remedy increasing in popularity is Sleep Minerals II from www.NutritionBreakthroughs.com. This natural sleep aid contains highly absorbable forms of calcium and magnesium, the best minerals for sleeplessness and insomnia, as well as for heart health, restless legs syndrome, bone strength, and menopause insomnia. The formula also includes vitamin D and zinc and is delivered in a softgel form with healthy carrier oils, making it more quickly assimilated than tablets or capsules and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.

Anita L. of New Caney, Texas says: "I was having hot flashes every 30 minutes to an hour through the night and was so miserable. After about two weeks of taking the Sleep Minerals, I noticed an incredible difference with my sleep. I have much less interruption from flashes, I'm much more comfortable and I'm sleeping much better."

For more information on Sleep Minerals II visit http://www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com/html/sleep_remedy_f...