All you Need to Know About Night Sweats

Night sweats also known as sleep hyperhidrosis is not really a disease but it can be a symptom of a medical condition. It is characterized as excessive sweating while a person is sleeping. It is normal to have sweating once in a while especially in humid weather but night sweats that develop even if the person is sleeping in a room with cold temperature can be a cause of alarm. Likewise, it is surprising to see someone or yourself soaking with night sweats that even soak clothes and beddings that you slept.

Though it is not a medical condition, it still needs medical attention to determine the root cause of night sweat since it can be a symptom of underlying health condition. Excessive perspiration can also be bothersome, since it can disrupt your sleep.

Night sweats affects men and women, though the causes of the night sweats may be different between the two.

The treatment of night sweats may differ from one person to another. Your doctor will run series of tests to know the cause of your excessive sweating.

What are the Symptoms of Night Sweats?

Symptoms of night sweats may include:

• ·        Excessive night sweats that drench pillows and bed sheets
• ·        Clothes are totally soaked as if the person took a bath
• ·        Face or trunk is reddish in color
• ·        Individuals may have a hard time falling back to sleep

These symptoms may be related to night sweats. However, if the episodes of night sweats becomes regular and affects the sleep pattern, it is important that the person see a doctor.

Seek medical attention immediately if the person having night sweats also experience the following:

• ·        If excessive sweating becomes regular occurrence
• ·        If individual have disrupted sleep pattern and may feel lethargic the next day
• ·        Experience chills
• ·        If sweating comes with fever

What are the Causes of Night Sweats?

Causes of night sweats may differ from each person. Simple reason of sweating can be unnecessary blankets in your bed or some type of medications. Some medications that you take can give you excessive sweating as part of its side effects. In women, night sweats can be a symptom of menopause or hormonal problem.

Your doctor may ask you about the severity of your night sweating and how many times at night, it occurs. Your doctor will try to distinguish if your sweating is the result of poor ventilation in your room or if the sweating is unusually excessive.

Your physician will determine your condition based on the following possible causes:

• ·        Menopause is the most common reason of night sweats. It also refers to as hot flashes. Those women who are at menopause or near their menopause will likely to experience excessive sweating anytime of the day or even at sleep.

• ·        Idiopathic hyperhidrosis is physical condition where in the body actively produce excessive sweat. This condition may occur without any specific medical reason but this can be bothersome.

• ·        People with hypoglycemia or low blood sugar can result to night sweats. Those who regularly receive insulin or those who take diabetic medication may have episodes of hypoglycemia that may be accompanied with night sweats.

• ·        Hormone disorders like hyperthyroidism, pheochromocytoma and carcinoid syndrome is also linked to night sweating.

• ·        Neurological conditions that are rare conditions like autonomic neuropathy and dysreflexia may also increase the risk of sweating.

• ·        Excessive sweat at night can also be an early sign of cancer. Lymphoma is the most common type of cancer associated with night sweats.

·        Sweating can also be a side effect of certain medications. Some medications that may cause night sweats are antidepressants and antipyretics. Stopping the medications may lessen or stop the sweating, however, talk to your doctor before discontinuing any medications.

What is the Night Sweats Treatment?

Some cases of night sweats do not really require treatments as it may only require some lifestyle change. However, some cases may require treatments though not directed to night sweating itself but rather to the underlying cause of the problem.

  1. Estrogen therapy

If the cause of night sweats is the onset of menopause, your doctor may recommend estrogen therapy. It may help to minimize the hot flashes as well as other symptoms related to menopausal stage.

  2.  Medications

If the cause of night sweats, is some form of cancer or neurological conditions. Your physician will start immediately the course of treatment to these health problems

  3. Do not eat spicy foods

Spicy foods at dinnertime can increase your body temperature thus resulting to night sweats. It is recommended that you do not eat spicy foods at least three hours before retiring at night.

  4. Polyester material

Beddings made of polyester material takes away the extra moisture away from the body thus lessening the soaking. Do not use flannel beddings as it is too heavy and can add heat as you sleep.

5. Avoid alcohol

Alcohol can generally increase your body temperature. It is important that you do not drink alcohol two hours before going to bed.

Night sweats treatment may vary according to severity of the condition. You may visit your physician to rule out other underlying problems.

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