Occasional Sweating At Night
- Sweating At Night Causes
- Night Sweating In Women
- Occasional Excessive Sweating At Night
- Diabetes Sweating At Night
- Excessive Sweating At Night While Sleeping
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Night sweats are episodes of excessive perspiration that occur during sleep. This symptom is distinct from sweating due to overheating, which normally can be attributed to the characteristics of a person’s environment (i.e. high room temperature or the use of heavy blankets). People who experience this symptom often describe it as a drenching sweat that requires a change of clothes and/or bed sheets. In general, there are multiple causes of night sweats and most of them can be found in both men and women. However, a cause of night sweats in women might also include menopause (hot flashes). Conversely, some treatments for prostate cancer may also trigger the symptom in men.
Night sweats refer to excess sweating during the night. But if your bedroom is unusually hot or you are wearing too many bedclothes, you may sweat during sleep, and this is normal.
Given that the brain’s system for temperature regulation is influenced by many factors, it can be hard to determine exactly why a person develops night sweats. Thus, if you experience this symptom often and it is accompanied by weight loss, pain, and/or fever, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. If warranted, a professional will run different tests to establish a diagnosis and rule out possible serious causes.
- Night sweats and flushing can be a part of the flare-ups. Sleep disorders: Conditions that disrupt sleep, such as restless leg syndrome, nightmares, and sleep apnea, can cause night sweating, often due to tossing and turning. Anxiety: Severe agitation and insomnia at night can cause sweating, sometimes triggered by excessive tossing.
- Additionally, sweating is a known symptom of alcohol withdrawal. Anxiety: Research suggests that panic attacks may be associated with night sweats. Other causes of night sweats include cancer, acid reflux, hyperthyroidism obesity, low blood sugar, and other infections, such as tuberculosis and HIV.
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Diabetes Mellitus encompasses a group of chronic metabolic diseases characterized by an increase in blood sugar (glucose) levels above the established normal thresholds. This usually results from issues with insulin secretion and/ or action. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that, among other functions, promotes the absorption of glucose from the blood into the tissues so it can be transformed into energy.
People with diabetes that require insulin as a form of treatment, are especially prone to developing night sweats as a consequence of nocturnal hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels in the evening. This condition involves a drop in blood sugar levels below 70mg/dl (approximately) and, although it is more common in people with diabetes, it can also occur in other circumstances (i.e. alcohol consumption before bedtime and infections). In diabetes, nocturnal hypoglycemia usually occurs as a consequence of skipping meals or ingesting small amounts of food after the usual nighttime dose of insulin. However, it can also occur if an excessive dose of insulin is administered (i.e. the dose of insulin has been recently adjusted by the doctor), if the person is sick, or if the insulin is defective (i.e. expired or not stored adequately). Signs and symptoms of this condition include night sweats, restlessness during sleep, nightmares, clammy or sweaty skin, morning headaches, and tiredness.
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- Night sweats can be caused by hormonal fluctuations or disorders, infection and fever, and side effects from medication.
- For example, many women will experience night sweats during menopause or perimenopause.
- Occasional night sweats aren't cause for concern — but if they happen frequently or are accompanied by other unusual symptoms, you should seek medical attention.
- This article was medically reviewed by Jason R. McKnight, MD, MS, a family medicine physician and clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M College of Medicine.
Ever wake up in the middle of the night dripping in sweat, like you just ran a marathon? Then you're one of many people who have experienced night sweats, or sleep hyperhidrosis.
Night sweats aren't related to your environment, like if your room is too hot. Rather, they're usually caused by hormonal fluctuations in the body or are a side effect of medication.
Either way, they can have a big impact on your sleep. Night sweats often wake you up, and you may have to change your clothes or sheets in order to comfortably fall back asleep.
Here's what you need to know about the common causes of night sweats and when to see a doctor.
Menopause
Night sweats are often linked to the hormonal fluctuations during menopause and perimenopause.
More than 80% of women in perimenopause and menopause experience hot flashes — or sudden, intense feelings of warmth. When these happen at night, they can cause night sweats.
Menopause occurs 12 months after a woman has her last menstrual period, usually between the ages of 45 and 55. Perimenopause occurs in the 7 to 14 years before menopause.
Specifically, the drop in the hormone estrogen, which occurs during perimenopause, is linked to night sweats because it affects the body's temperature regulation.
'Women experience more night sweats related to hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause,' says Soma Mandal, MD, board-certified internist at Summit Medical Group, in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey.
Night sweats during menopause aren't cause for concern, but they can be uncomfortable.
If you're experiencing night sweats during menopause, talk to your doctors about treating the symptoms with medications that help replace estrogen.
Hormonal disorders
Hormonal disorders can make it difficult for your body to regulate its normal temperature, which can cause night sweats.
Body temperature is regulated by the hypothalamus, an area in the brain that produces hormones. When your hormones are out of balance, it sometimes means that the hypothalamus isn't able to regulate temperature correctly.
Hormonal disorders that can affect body temperature and cause night sweats include:
- Hyperthyroidism. This condition leads to overproduction of the thyroid hormone, which causes increased sweating, including night sweats.
- Pheochromocytoma. This is a tumor on the adrenal gland which makes it produce too many hormones. Symptoms can include night sweats and elevated heart rate.
- Carcinoid syndrome. This is a rare disease linked to tumors in the endocrine system. In some cases, it can lead to excess production of the neurotransmitter serotonin. One of the symptoms is excess sweating.
If you experience other symptoms of a hormonal imbalance, such as weight changes or headaches, talk with your doctor about these symptoms.
Infection
If you're sick with a viral or bacterial infection, your body raises its internal temperature to fight off the infection, which is what causes fever.
This increase in body temperature can lead to sweating — and night sweats are a common symptom associated with fevers.
'Various infections such as HIV, tuberculosis, and infectious mononucleosis can cause night sweats,' Mandal says. 'These conditions can produce chemicals called cytokines which combat infection. Cytokines can induce fever and night sweats.'
If you experience a fever in addition to night sweats, you may want to check in with your doctor about what type of infection you have.
Medications
Certain medications can cause night sweats, including antidepressants for depression or anxiety.
Sweating At Night Causes
A 2018 study found that up to 14% of people on Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) — the most common form of antidepressants — experience excessive sweating and night sweats.
The study authors concluded that these medications likely affect the areas of the brain that produce hormones, which help control temperature and sweating.
Other medications that may cause night sweats include:
Night Sweating In Women
- Triptan migraine medications, like Relpax or Frova
- Hormone-blocking medications, like Arimidex or Femara
- Diabetes medications, like Metformin or insulin (if you're taking these, check your blood sugar to ensure that it isn't too low and causing the night sweats)
If your medications are causing night sweats, you can try sleeping in lighter clothes or keeping the room cooler. If night sweats continue to interrupt your sleep, you should talk to your doctor about your concerns.
When to be concerned about night sweats
According to Mandal, night sweats by themselves aren't always a cause for concern.
Occasional Excessive Sweating At Night
That's especially true if they're happening for a common reason — like if you're going through menopause or taking SSRIs. However, if you're experiencing other symptoms as well, your night sweats could indicate a bigger problem.
Diabetes Sweating At Night
'If they are accompanied by fever, weight loss, general malaise, or change in appetite, then it's time to get checked out by your primary care physician,' Mandal says.
Excessive Sweating At Night While Sleeping
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