Night Sweats: What Are the Possible Causes and Treatment?

Night sweats refer to excessive sweating in your sleep. It is not a serious symptom, but it can be caused by a multitude of factors. Learn more about night sweats, their causes, and treatment options.

Why Do I Often Wake Up Soaked in Sweat During the Night?

If your bedroom is hot or you are overdressed, you may sweat during your sleep, which is quite normal. However, you should think about getting proper treatment if your night sweats occur in the form of severe hot flashes that drench your clothes and bedsheets and are not caused by a hot environment. Night sweats are a common symptom of menopause, but they can be caused by other medical conditions that require treatment to reduce further complications.

Possible Causes of Night Sweats

Some common night sweat causes include:

• Menopause: Women may experience hot flashes and night sweats during menopause, which is very common.
• Infections: Tuberculosis, HIV infection, and other bacterial infections such as an abscess, osteomyelitis (inflammation in the bones), and endocarditis (inflammation of the heart valves) can cause night sweats.
• Medications: Taking medications like antidepressants, fever medicines, and psychiatric drugs can cause night sweats.
• Idiopathic Hyperhidrosis: This condition causes the body to chronically produce excessive sweat without any identifiable medical cause.
• Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar): People who are taking oral diabetes medications or insulin may experience hypoglycemia that leads to night sweats.
• Neurologic Conditions: Neurologic conditions such as posttraumatic syringomyelia, autonomic neuropathy, autonomic dysreflexia, and stroke may cause night sweats.
• Cancers: Some cancers, including lymphoma, may cause night sweats.
• Stress and anxiety: Despite these being mental health issues, stress and anxiety often cause physical symptoms. Increased sweating and night sweats are common physical signs associated with anxiety and stress. Talk to your therapist in such cases to get relief from these symptoms.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): You can face GERD anytime during the day, and it can occasionally cause night sweats. GERD can cause symptoms like night sweats, sleep issues, heartburn after meals, chest pain, esophageal spasms, swallowing problems, etc.
• Hormone Disorders: Hormone disorders such as carcinoid syndrome, hyperthyroidism, and pheochromocytoma can cause night sweats and flushing.
• Some Habits: Consuming too much alcohol, caffeine, illicit drugs, or tobacco can cause night sweats.

What Can You Do for Night Sweats?

You can get rid of night sweats by taking proper treatment. Treatments for night sweats vary depending on their underlying cause:

• Medications: If night sweats result from an underlying infection, your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter medications or antibiotics and antiviral medications to treat your condition.
• Hormone Therapy: If night sweats are caused by menopause, your doctor may recommend hormone therapy to reduce hot flashes and other associated symptoms.
• Alternative Medication: If your medications are causing night sweats, your doctor may adjust your dosage or recommend alternative drugs.
• Limit Alcohol and Caffeine: If night sweats are caused by alcohol and caffeine consumption, your doctor may advise you to limit these, recommend medications or therapy to quit drinking these beverages.
• Good Sleeping Environment: Your doctor may advise you to adjust your sleeping habits or recommend removing blankets from your bed, opening a window in your bedroom, wearing lighter clothes, and using the air conditioner in your room to prevent and reduce night sweats.

Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider if you experience night sweats:

• Frequently
• That disturbs your sleep.
• Along with other symptoms such as a cough, high fever, or unexplained weight loss.

If you are looking for night sweat treatment or have any questions concerning women’s health, contact North Atlanta Women’s Care today.