Night sweats

What are night sweats?

Night sweats refer to excessive sweating during sleep. They involve drenching sweats that may require changing clothes or bedsheets.

Causes

Night sweats have several potential causes:

• Menopause - Declining estrogen levels can disrupt temperature regulation. Night sweats are a common symptom.


• Medications - Antidepressants, pain relievers, and hormones can trigger sweating.


• Infections - Infections like tuberculosis and HIV can induce severe sweats, especially at night.


• Cancer - Leukemia, lymphoma, and other cancers provoke severe night sweats. These require urgent medical attention.


• Anxiety disorders - Conditions like PTSD are associated with increased perspiration and night sweats.


• Idiopathic - Sometimes the cause is unknown even after evaluation. These are termed "idiopathic night sweats."

Managing Night Sweats

Mild night sweats may improve on their own or with simple lifestyle modifications like keeping the bedroom cool. However, frequent or severe sweating warrants medical assessment. Blood tests and imaging can check for infection or cancer. Treating the underlying condition alleviates sweats in many instances.

For stubborn cases, medications can provide relief. Topical aluminum chloride helps curb overactive sweat glands. Hormones like low-dose estrogen help control sweats due to menopause. Anxiety and antidepressant medications calm a hyperactive sympathetic nervous system. Our friends at Second Spring Hormone Clinic offer expert hormonal balance solutions for troublesome menopausal symptoms like night sweats. Their personalized programs help women find relief through natural, bioidentical hormone therapy.

When to See a Doctor

Consult a doctor promptly for:

• Severe, drenching night sweats


• Sweats associated with unexplained weight loss or fever


• Persistent sweats disrupting sleep or daily life

Prompt evaluation and treatment of severe night sweats can improve quality of life and potentially detect serious medical conditions. Don't hesitate to seek help if night sweats are significantly impacting your rest.