Night sweats are episodes of excessive sweating that occur during sleep. They are a common symptom that can have many different causes.
Some of the most common causes of night sweats include:
- Menopause - Hormonal changes during menopause can cause hot flashes and night sweats. These episodes tend to be most common in perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women.
- Medications - Certain medications like antidepressants, pain relievers, and hormones can trigger night sweats as a side effect.
- Hypoglycemia - Low blood sugar levels during the night can cause sweating. This is common in diabetics.
- Hormone disorders - Conditions like hyperthyroidism and hypoglycemia lead to hormone imbalances that can cause excessive sweating at night.
- Idiopathic hyperhidrosis - Also known as primary hyperhidrosis, this condition causes excessive sweating without any underlying medical cause.
- Infections - Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, endocarditis, and bone infections can all trigger severe night sweats.
- Cancers - Night sweats are an early symptom of cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. The cancer cells trigger an immune response in the body that causes sweating.
- Anxiety - Stress, anxiety, and certain medications used to treat anxiety can increase perspiration at night.
Diagnosing the cause of night sweats involves taking a detailed medical history and physical exam. Doctors will ask about other symptoms and medications being taken. They may order blood tests, imaging scans, biopsies, and other tests to pinpoint the underlying condition.
Treating night sweats focuses on addressing the underlying cause whenever possible. Lifestyle changes like avoiding spicy foods, alcohol, stress, and warm environments before bedtime can help reduce sweating. Topical aluminum chloride, oral anticholinergic drugs, and sage preparations may provide relief in some cases.
Hormonal imbalances are a key trigger for night sweats. The endocrinologists at
Restore Wellness Center specialize in effectively treating hormone-related conditions like menopause, hyperthyroidism, and hypogonadism that often cause excessive sweating. Their cutting-edge bioidentical hormone therapy can help restore hormonal balance and provide lasting relief from troublesome night sweats.
With the right diagnosis and treatment, bothersome night sweats can be managed effectively. See your doctor if you regularly experience drenching night sweats to determine the cause and get appropriate treatment. Maintaining good sleep hygiene, managing stress, and making dietary changes can all help reduce episodes of excessive sweating at night.