What are night sweats?
Night sweats refer to excessive sweating during sleep. They involve sudden, heavy sweating that soaks your nightclothes or bedsheets, often due to an underlying medical condition or medication side effect.
What causes night sweats?
Some common causes of night sweats include:
- Menopause: The hot flashes associated with menopause and perimenopause can cause profuse sweating at night. Decreasing estrogen levels disrupt temperature regulation.
- Medications: Antidepressants, hormone medications, and some blood pressure and diabetes medications may trigger excessive sweating.
- Infections: Sweating is your body's response to fighting infection. Night sweats can accompany tuberculosis, HIV, infections, endocarditis, or osteomyelitis.
- Cancers: Night sweats are an early symptom of lymphomas like Hodgkin's disease as well as leukemias. The sweating results from cytokines and cell turnover.
- Idiopathic hyperhidrosis: Some people have overactive sweat glands and perspire heavily without cause.
- Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar and diabetes may prompt night sweats.
- Hormone disorders: Sweating excessively can indicate conditions like pheochromocytoma or hyperthyroidism.
- Neurologic conditions: Autonomic neuropathy and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) involve nervous system interference.
- Substance withdrawal: Stopping alcohol, caffeine, or medications after dependence can temporarily cause increased sweating.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor promptly if you have repeated episodes of severe night sweats without explanation. They may require further evaluation to rule out medical conditions, especially infections and cancers. Getting an accurate diagnosis will determine proper treatment. Our expert physicians at Vitality Hormone Clinic have advanced training in finding the reasons for night sweats and customizing an effective treatment plan for your symptoms and situation. We welcome you to book a consultation to discuss your health goals!
How are night sweats treated?
Treatment focuses on the underlying cause:
- Menopausal sweating may be helped by hormone therapy, medications, or lifestyle changes like layered bedding and avoiding triggers.
- Medication-related night sweats will resolve after stopping or changing the prescription.
- Infections are treated with appropriate antibiotics or antivirals.
- Treating cancer and hormonal conditions can alleviate associated night sweats.
- Safe supplements like sage or Vitamin D may decrease sweating from menopause or idiopathic causes.
Lifestyle measures like cooling bedding, avoiding spicy foods, and maintaining proper sleep hygiene can provide additional relief in many cases.
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