Night sweats, also known as sleep hyperhidrosis, refer to excessive sweating during sleep. They can disrupt your sleep and lead to feelings of discomfort and dampness. Here’s some information about the symptoms and common causes of night sweats:
Symptoms:
- Excessive sweating: Night sweats involve sweating that is profuse enough to soak through your sleepwear and bed sheets.
- Dampness: You may wake up feeling damp or wet due to the sweat.
- Disrupted sleep: Night sweats can cause sleep disturbances, leading to poor quality sleep and daytime fatigue.
- Other symptoms: In some cases, night sweats may be accompanied by fever, chills, palpitations, or other symptoms associated with an underlying medical condition.
Causes:
- Menopause: Night sweats are commonly associated with menopause in women. Hormonal fluctuations during menopause can lead to hot flashes and night sweats.
- Infections: Certain infections, such as tuberculosis, endocarditis (heart infection), and HIV/AIDS, can cause night sweats as a symptom.
- Medications: Certain medications, such as antidepressants, hormone therapies, and some diabetes medications, have night sweats listed as a potential side effect.
- Hormonal disorders: Conditions like hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumor) can cause excessive sweating, including night sweats.
- Idiopathic hyperhidrosis: Sometimes, night sweats occur without any identifiable cause and are classified as idiopathic hyperhidrosis.
- Anxiety and stress: Emotional factors like anxiety, stress, and nightmares can trigger night sweats in some individuals.
- Certain cancers: Night sweats can be a symptom of certain cancers, such as lymphoma, leukemia, or carcinoid tumors.
If you’re experiencing persistent or severe night sweats, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis. They can evaluate your symptoms, medical history, and perform any necessary tests to determine the underlying cause. Treatment options will depend on the specific cause but may include hormone therapy, medication adjustments, lifestyle modifications, or treatment of the underlying medical condition.
Additionally, practicing good sleep hygiene, such as maintaining a cool sleep environment, using breathable bedding, and managing stress, can help alleviate discomfort associated with night sweats.
