What is Night Sweats?
Night sweats refer to excessive sweating during sleep. They involve sweating to the point that sleep is interrupted or bedsheets and sleepwear become damp.
Night sweats have several potential causes:
- Menopause is a common cause in middle-aged women as shifting hormone levels can trigger hot flashes and sweating at night.
- Infections like tuberculosis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, or HIV can cause fever and chills leading to severe sweating.
- Cancers, especially lymphoma, can also cause severe night sweats when cancerous cells trigger a fever reaction.
- Medications: Antidepressants, diabetes medications, hormone therapy drugs, NSAIDs, tamoxifen, and others may list excessive sweating or night sweats as a side effect.
- Hypoglycemia can trigger nighttime cold sweats. Low blood sugar levels can strike during sleep.
- Neurologic conditions like Parkinson's disease can impair temperature regulation and lead to increased night sweats in some patients.
- Hormone disorders: Hyperthyroidism, carcinoid syndrome, pheochromocytoma, and sources of excess growth hormone or vasopressin production can prompt night sweats.
- Idiopathic hyperhidrosis refers to unexplained excessive sweating without a known trigger. This can occur at night.
For mild night sweats, lifestyle adjustments may help:
- Sleep in a cool, well-ventilated room
- Use breathable bedding and sleepwear
- Exercise earlier and not before bed
- Avoid spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol before bed
If lifestyle measures fail to relieve disruptive or severe night sweats, see your doctor. They'll evaluate for underlying causes like infection or cancer. Prescription-strength antiperspirants or medications to treat hot flashes may be recommended. Prompt evaluation for recurrent, severe night sweats provides the best chance for identifying and managing underlying health conditions.
Getting to the bottom of excessive sweating can improve sleep quality and uncover potential health issues. If you have any other questions, consider consulting with the experts at Invigorate Medical.