There are different causes of night sweats, which doctors call "sleep hyperhidrosis". The problem is often not serious, but sometimes it indicates that the person needs medical attention. Sweating is the body's natural cooling system, a way to prevent overheating, and these are the most common causes of night sweats and how to treat them.
Body cooling system
A region in the brain called the hypothalamus regulates body temperature. It works with more than 2 million sweat glands to keep the body at the right temperature. Sweat glands release water and other substances through the skin. As water evaporates, it releases heat energy. Sweating like this cools the body.
Hyperactive thyroid gland
Increased sweating and sensitivity to heat are significant symptoms of hyperthyroidism. The thyroid gland controls our metabolism, so when it produces too many hormones, our body goes into "fifth" gear. The body temperature rises, and people may become hungry or thirsty, have a fast heart rate, feel tired and nervous, get diarrhea or lose weight.
Low blood sugar
Do you have diabetes? While blood glucose levels may be fine during the day, it happens to drop while we sleep. Maybe you had a very active day, or you exercised in the evening, or you had a late dinner. If you use insulin or take sulfonylurea-type medications to treat diabetes, this can be a reason for excessive night sweats. When the glucose is lower than 140 mg/dl before going to sleep, or it could drop in a few hours, endocrinologists advise to eat a light snack, writes the clinic.
Apnea during sleep
When you have a snoring problem, you stop breathing briefly, repeatedly, during the night. Because our body is deprived of oxygen, it can slip into fight-or-flight mode, which causes sweating. Every time you have to start breathing, it also means starting muscles. People who use a CPAP machine to help them breathe have night sweats at about the same rate as those who do not have sleep apnea.
Stomach acid
It's not just heartburn and chest pain that's responsible for waking up at night. GERD (backup of stomach acid into the esophagus) has not been studied much as a cause of night sweats, but doctors say there is a possible connection. And its treatment can often relieve night sweats. Experts advise smaller meals, but never before bedtime. Avoid fatty, fried or tomato-based foods. See a doctor if symptoms are severe or occur more than a few times a week.
Lymphoma
Many tumors can cause night sweats, but the most common is lymphoma, which starts in parts of our body's immune system, such as the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and thymus. About a quarter of people with Hodgkin's lymphoma experience night sweats and a low-grade fever. They may also be tired and itchy. People with aggressive or advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may have increased night sweats.
Medicines
Many medications can cause night sweats, including over-the-counter fever reducers such as acetaminophen and NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Common culprits include antidepressants, called tricyclics or TCAs, as well as bupropion and venlafaxine, hormone therapy, and steroids like cortisone and prednisone. Some medications for glaucoma and dry mouth also stimulate our sweat glands. Report any observed problem, which you suspect is related to taking a certain medicine, to your doctor.
Tuberculosis
About half of all people who get this disease have night sweats. The bacteria usually grow in the lungs, and sufferers have a severe, painful cough with blood. They may also experience fever, fatigue, exhaustion and loss of appetite.
Anxiety
Stress, worry and panic can make us sweat during the day, so it's no surprise that anxiety can have the same effect at night. Nightmares and nightmarish sleep are less common in adults than in children, but they can certainly be the cause of increased sweating and rapid heartbeat. Seek help from a counselor, therapist, or doctor if these disorders are ongoing or causing problems in your life.
Tumors
Prostate cancer, kidney cancer, and some ovarian and testicular tumors (cancerous or not) are common examples of what doctors call "solid tumors" that can cause night sweats. A type of advanced thyroid cancer and pancreatic cancer can also cause night sweats. Also, night sweats are a classic symptom of carcinoid syndrome, an effect of a rare cancer usually found in the digestive system or lungs.
Menopause
Hot flashes or "hot flashes" before and after your last period can be difficult to distinguish from night sweats. They can also be given to younger women who have had both ovaries removed or who have stopped menstruating due to chemotherapy. This is more likely to happen when you are anxious, depressed or drink some alcohol every day. But just because you're a woman of the right age (usually in your late 40s or 50s), don't immediately assume that the reason for your night sweats is menopause-related.
Infections
Infections can also cause night sweats. Some infections, such as bacterial endocarditis (infection of the lining of the heart and heart valves) and osteomyelitis (bone infection), can cause sweating. There are other rare infections that can also cause night sweats, and your doctor will screen you based on your risk factors, exposures, and history of health problems.
How to help yourself
A lower temperature in the bedroom and fans to circulate the air can help a person with night sweats feel more comfortable. Only cotton bedding is recommended for sleeping, and synthetic fabrics that "do not breathe" should be avoided. If you can't figure out what's causing your night sweats, keep a diary of information to share with your doctor. Ideally, you'll be able to treat the cause, not just the symptom.
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