Night Sweats: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

What are the Symptoms of Night Sweats?

• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Cough or respiratory symptoms
• Pain
• Changes in appetite

Other symptoms specific to underlying conditions:

• Night sweats can be a symptom of various medical conditions, such as hormone imbalances, menopause, certain cancers (like lymphoma ), HIV/AIDS, or certain medications. In these cases, additional symptoms related to the underlying condition may be present.

What are the Causes of Night Sweats?

Palpitations can be caused by heart conditions, including:

• Certain substances, such as alcohol consumption or certain medications or drugs, can cause night sweats.
• Infections such as tuberculosis , influenza, and other illnesses that involve fever can cause night sweats.
• Hypoglycemia is another name for low blood sugar.
• Hormonal imbalances can occur due to menopause, diabetes, thyroid problems, puberty, and pregnancy.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease usually causes heartburn and night sweats are a common feature.
• Anxiety and Stress can be a reason for additional sweating during the day and at night, especially in people who experience night terrors or panic disorder.
• Autoimmune disease is one example that includes rheumatoid arthritis and giant cell arteritis.
• Surgery that affects the hormonal levels and commonly causes nighttime sweats is the removal of the female reproductive organs.
• Cardiovascular diseases are examples that include aortic dissection and nocturnal angina.
• Neurological disorders, for example, strokes and autonomic neuropathy, can cause nighttime sweats.
• Night sweats can also be an early indication of cancer, especially lymphoma or leukemia, although other early symptoms may be more prominent.
• Certain medications can cause night sweats as a side effect. If you've recently started a new medicine and have night sweats, talk to the healthcare provider who prescribed the medicine.

Palpitations can be caused by heart conditions, including:

• Steroids, including prednisone and cortisone
• Both tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Pain relievers such as aspirin and acetaminophen
• Diabetes medications that help lower blood sugar
• Hormone therapy drugs
• Phenothiazine antipsychotics

Many people with hyperhidrosis avoid talking to doctors out of embarrassment, but treatments and management strategies can help.

Causes of Night Sweats in Women

All of the causes listed in the previous section can lead to night sweats in women. The problem usually occurs during times when hormones are changing, such as:

• menopause, which often causes night sweats and hot flashes
• pregnancy
• right after delivery, in which case the doctor may refer to postpartum night sweats

Causes of Night Sweats in Men

The causes are common and can also affect men.

• Excessive sweating is a feature of low testosterone or hypogonadism. About 39% of men 45 years and older can experience this drop in testosterone.
• They might also experience nighttime sweats as a result. However, there is little evidence to support this idea.
• A doctor may suggest hormonal treatment or perform tests to identify the cause of the sweating.

When to Visit a Doctor for Night Sweats?

If you only have night sweats occasionally and they don't significantly affect the quality of your sleep because night sweats are usually not a cause for concern. But in some cases, they can be a sign of an underlying medical condition that requires treatment. But if you have trouble sleeping, wake up regularly drenched in sweat, or have other symptoms that worry you, it's best to see your healthcare provider.

Some potentially serious symptoms to look out for include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Body aches and pains
• High fever and chills
• Chronic or bloody cough
• Diarrhea or stomach pain

How is the Diagnosis of Night Sweats Conducted?

• Night sweats are a symptom, not a clinical condition. Your healthcare professional will determine if you have night sweats by taking a complete medical history.
• The patient will be asked to describe the situation, including how often and when they occur and if there are other associated symptoms.
• A physical exam, along with a medical history, can help determine the cause of the night sweats and direct further tests.
• If the diagnosis is unclear, blood tests may be done to measure hormone levels or to look for signs of other conditions (such as an infection) that could be responsible for night sweats.

What are the Treatment Options for Night Sweats?

To treat night sweats, your doctor will take steps to address the underlying cause. The treatment will depend on your specific diagnosis.

• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): It helps restore the balance of estrogen and progesterone levels in the case of women suffering from night sweats in menopause.
• Medications : Antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can reduce the incidence of night sweats, particularly in patients with depression or anxiety.
• Anticholinergic Medications : These work by preventing a chemical messenger that causes sweating from doing its job.
• Gabapentin : Originally designed to treat seizures, gabapentin may also help ease night sweats, especially for people with nerve pain or some types of cancer.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps you to deal with stresses and anxieties causative of or related to night sweats.
• Acupuncture : Acupuncture may provide relief from night sweats by balancing the body's energy.

Prevention of Night Sweats

• Keeping the sleeping environment cool, either with fans, air conditioning, or open windows, helps with temperature control.
• Choose breathable, lightweight fabrics such as cotton for your bed linens and sleepwear to minimize moisture buildup.
• Drink water throughout the day, as dehydration may worsen night sweats.
• Make sure to sleep in loose-fitting clothes for air circulation and to avoid overheating.
• Follow your circadian rhythm to increase sleep quality and avoid night sweats.

Lifestyle Changes for Night Sweats

• Exercise regularly to help maintain body weight and body hormone levels, both of which may help reduce the risk of night sweats.
• Stress management through your routine meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to reduce anxiety, which can lead to or exacerbate night sweats.
• Refrain from consuming heavy or rich meals close to bedtime since these foods can raise body temperature and induce night sweats.
• Reduce alcohol intake and quit smoking, because these behaviors can affect how often and how intensely night sweats occur.
• If night sweats continue or impact daily activities, consult a healthcare provider, as they may be a sign of underlying health issues.

Home Remedies for Night Sweats

• Apply a cool, damp cloth to your forehead or neck before bed to help regulate body temperature.
• Drink calming teas like chamomile, valerian root, or sage tea before bed to reduce night sweats.
• Use lavender essential oil in a diffuser or apply it to your pillow to promote relaxation.
• Drink a small amount of diluted apple cider vinegar before bedtime to balance body temperature.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration, which can worsen night sweats.
• Take vitamin E supplements, as they may help balance hormones and reduce night sweats.
• Use cooling pillows and mattress pads designed to regulate temperature during sleep.