Bee pollen helps reader with night sweats

October 12, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your column. Two years ago, I had been suffering from night sweats owing to perimenopause, and your column advised taking bee pollen. I tried it, and within just a few days, my night sweats all but disappeared. I kept taking the bee pollen (1,000 milligrams daily) for a few months and then stopped, thinking I didn’t need it anymore. Several months passed with no sweats, but recently they began again, as well as periodic daytime hot flashes. I went back on the bee pollen and, again, after just a few days, I don’t have any more sweating, day or night! I just wanted to pass this on to you and your readers, and to thank you, again, for your wonderful advice.

DEAR READER: Thank you for your kind comments. I am happy to have helped.
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Farmer’s night sweats a mystery

March 10, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am an 80-year-old retired farmer. I have night sweats that begin at 10 p.m. and last until 10 a.m. I have to change my pajamas three times a night. This has been going on for three months now. I have been tested by infection, kidney, heart, lung and urology specialists, but everything checks out. I have no fever, diarrhea, vomiting or weight loss, and I continue to have a good appetite. Every blood test that has been taken (for which it seems I have given several pints of blood) is normal.

I did have a malignant tumor on my prostate in 1996. After both were removed and the tissue was tested, I did not have to undergo chemotherapy or radiation. My PSA was 0 for nine years, but it is now reading 1.08. I also had a slight stroke six months before I started having the night sweats. The part of the brain affected was two small spots above the forehead. There were no visible signs of even having a stroke when the event occurred. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

June 11, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have read several articles in recent columns of yours regarding hot flashes of unknown cause. Several years ago I had a surgical operation and took Tylenol for pain for about ten days. I experienced severe night sweats at the time. My wife happened to read an article in a magazine that stated taking acetaminophen can cause night sweats in some people.

I had undergone many expensive laboratory tests to try to determine the cause of my night sweats. When I stopped taking the acetaminophen, the sweats stopped. It might be a good idea for you to mention that Tylenol (acetaminophen) is sometimes the cause.

DEAR READER:
Sadly, even over-the-counters cannot be taken by some individuals without unwanted side effects. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

March 20, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have been taking Premarin for years and have had terrible night sweats. I stopped the medication and not only did my sweats stop, but my legs feel better and I can walk with ease.

DEAR READER:
I cannot speculate on why your sweating occurred, since one of Premarin’s purposes is to reduce the incidence of hot flashes. On the down side, leg cramps have been reported with its use. Perhaps your hormonal changes and long-term use of the product have played a role in your recent unpleasant symptoms. Listening to your own body is always important, as Nature tells you things if you just pay attention. The elimination of your night sweats and leg pain, signifies to me that you did the right thing in stopping the hormone replacement.

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Daily Column

March 14, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 79-year-old male who has frequent hot flashes with sweating. I have had them happen day and night for several years. I have asked several doctors about this and none had any answers. I have also tried various medications unsuccessfully.

I am wondering if you could give me a reason why this is happening and what I can do for it.

DEAR READER:
I believe you are experiencing a lowering of testosterone. As we age, the hormone levels in our bodies can drop significantly. This can lead to annoying reactions such as hot flashes, sweating and other symptoms. These reactions, which accompany menopause in women, can also affect men on occasion. Women lose estrogen which causes the testosterone in their bodies to become more dominant. Men however, lose testosterone which causes the estrogen to become more dominant. I recommend that you have a blood test to measure the testosterone in your system. If, as I suspect, your testosterone is low you may wish to consider hormone replacement.

You should also be tested for other disorders. Perhaps you have a hidden infection or are simply anemic. If your hormones are normal, your doctor can then look at these other tests to determine if there is something else amiss.

You do not say whether you are taking any medications. Some drugs can cause flushing, sweating and more. The leading culprit is niacin used for lowering cholesterol. If you are taking medicine, be sure to check the possible side effects. Work with your primary care physician to find a solution.

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Hot flashes in the elderly unusual

February 27, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a lady who has been living in a rest home. I am 95 years old.

I am very confused about why I am having hot flashes at my age. I have told my primary doctor and he gave me some medication. It does not work. I am still having hot flashes which are very disgusting at my age.

Is this common for us elderly women?

I wake up in bed at night with my gown and hair all wet. I am very frustrated about why this is happening to me.
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Don’t sweat it out

February 26, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am writing to you about a problem my husband has been experiencing for several months. He wakes up in the middle of the night covered in sweat. It is similar to night sweats experienced by many menopausal women.

He is 41, in great physical shape, has high triglycerides and takes several medications (Niaspan, half an 81 mg aspirin, and Pravachol). He also has borderline hypertension that he is trying to control with diet.

The sweats happen whether he takes his medication or not. They seem to appear more on days when he has exercised very hard. Is this a sign of some type of health problem? What can he do about it?
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