Overview:
Doctors frequently hear their patients complain of night sweats (nocturnal hyperhidrosis). Night sweats refer to excessive sweating through the evening time.
However, if your bedroom is unusually hot or you’re wearing a lot of bedclothes, you might sweat during sleep, which is normal.
Authentic night sweats are severe hot flashes occurring during the night that may drench your clothes and sheets and that are not associated with an overheated environment.
It is very important to remember that flushing (a heat and redness of the face or body) may be tough to differentiate from authentic night sweats.
There are lots of distinct causes of night sweats. To locate the reason, a doctor must find a comprehensive medical history and order tests to decide what medical condition is accountable for the night sweats.
Cause of Night Sweats:
Menopause
The hot flashes that accompany menopause can occur at night and lead to sweating. This is a very frequent cause of night sweats in women.
Idiopathic hyperhidrosis
Idiopathic hyperhidrosis is a condition in which the body chronically produces an excessive amount of perspiration with no identifiable medical cause.
Infections
Tuberculosis is the infection most frequently associated with night sweats.
But bacterial infections, such as endocarditis (inflammation of the heart valves), osteomyelitis (inflammation in the bones), and abscesses may cause nocturnal hyperhidrosis.
Night sweats are an early symptom of several cancers.
Cancers
The most frequent type of cancer associated with night sweats is lymphoma.
But, those who have undiagnosed cancer frequently have other symptoms as well, such as unexplained weight loss and fevers.
Medications
Taking certain drugs may result in night sweats. Antidepressant drugs are a common type of drug that can result in nocturnal hyperhidrosis.
From 8% to 22% of people taking antidepressant drugs have night sweats. Other psychiatric drugs have also been associated with night sweats.
Medicines taken to lower fever, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can sometimes lead to sweating. Many different drugs can cause nocturnal hyperhidrosis or flushing.
Hypoglycemia
Low blood glucose may cause sweating. People that are taking insulin or oral diabetes drugs may have hypoglycemia at night which’s accompanied by perspiration.
Hormone disorders
Sweating or flushing can be observed with several hormone ailments, including pheochromocytoma, carcinoid syndrome, and hyperthyroidism.
Neurologic Problems
Uncommonly, neurologic conditions including autonomic dysreflexia, posttraumatic syringomyelia, stroke, and autonomic neuropathy may cause increased sweating and might lead to night sweat.
Treatments for night sweat:
To take care of nocturnal hyperhidrosis, your doctor will take steps to address their underlying cause. Your preferred treatment plan will depend on your particular diagnosis.
Should you experience nocturnal hyperhidrosis as a consequence of menopause, your physician may recommend hormone therapy.
This therapy may reduce the number of hot flashes you encounter and relieve other symptoms. Your physician may also prescribe other medications, including gabapentin, clonidine, or venlafaxine, which can be utilized off-label for night sweats.
If an underlying illness is a reason for your nocturnal hyperhidrosis, your physician may prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, or other drugs to help treat it.
If your nocturnal hyperhidrosis is caused by cancer, your physician may recommend a combination of chemotherapy medications, surgery, or other remedies.
In case your nocturnal hyperhidrosis is linked to medications that you’re taking, your physician may adjust your dose or recommend an alternative drug.
If alcohol consumption, caffeine intake, or drug use is at the origin of your nocturnal hyperhidrosis, your physician may recommend that you restrict or avoid these chemicals.
In some cases, they can prescribe drugs or recommend therapy that will assist you to quit.
Your physician can also suggest that you correct your sleeping habits.
Eliminating blankets from your bed, wearing lighter pajamas, or opening a window in your bedroom might help alleviate and prevent nocturnal hyperhidrosis.
It could also help use air conditioning or even a fan, or locate a cooler spot to sleep.
Can I stop night sweats?
Some causes can be avoided. To reduce your risk:
- Restrict your intake of caffeine and alcohol
- Avoid using tobacco and illegal drugs
- Keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature, cooler at night than during the day
- Don’t exercise, eat spicy foods, or eat warm beverages too close to bedtime
- Get immediate medical care if you suspect you have an infection or other sickness
Ask your doctor to learn more about your specific condition, treatment options, and strategies to avoid night sweats.
Ask your friends and loved ones for support.
If you’re feeling anxious or depressed, consider joining a support group or seeking counseling. Believe in your ability to take control of the pain…
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