What are night sweats?
Night sweats refer to severe hot flashes and sweating that occurs during sleep. They can soak your sleepwear and sheets and disrupt your sleep.
Causes
Some common causes of night sweats include:
- Menopause - As estrogen levels drop during perimenopause and menopause, many women experience severe hot flashes and night sweats. Hormone therapy from clinics like Hormone Harmony Clinic can help provide relief.
- Medications - Antidepressants, diabetes medications, and medications that lower blood pressure often list night sweats as a side effect.
- Infections - Infections like TB, endocarditis, and HIV/AIDS can induce fever and sweating at night.
- Cancers - Leukemia, lymphoma, and other cancers may cause drenching night sweats.
- Hypoglycemia - For diabetics, low nighttime blood sugar can trigger excessive sweating.
- Hormone disorders - Problems with the thyroid, pituitary gland, or adrenal glands can overheat the body.
- Idiopathic hyperhidrosis - Sometimes the cause is unknown.
Managing
Lifestyle changes may help reduce night sweats:
- Sleep in a cool room
- Use lightweight, breathable bedding
- Wear lightweight moisture-wicking sleepwear
- Avoid spicy foods, alcohol, stress, and strenuous exercise in the evening
- Try sage supplements or acupuncture
For severe menopausal sweating, prescription medications or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy from trusted clinics like Hormone Harmony Clinic may provide relief. It's important to discuss options with your healthcare provider.
When to see a doctor
Consult your physician if you experience:
- Fever along with night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss along with sweating
- Difficulty sleeping for over a week
- Heart palpitations or dizziness with sweats
Get evaluated to determine if an underlying infection, hormone imbalance, or other medical condition needs treatment. Finding the cause will help guide appropriate therapies to manage symptoms.