Night sweats are episodes of excessive sweating that occur during sleep. They are a common symptom that can have many different causes, ranging from minor to potentially serious medical conditions.
Some key facts about night sweats:
- They can occur in both women and men, but are more common in women, especially perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
- Night sweats are considered excessive when you sweat so much that your sleep clothes and bedding become damp.
- The sweating episodes can lead to interrupted sleep patterns and may make you feel cold, clammy, sticky and uncomfortable throughout the night.
- Possible causes include menopause, infections, cancers, medications, hormone disorders, low blood sugar, anxiety, neurological conditions and more. It's important to consult a doctor.
How do you know if you have night sweats? Here are some key signs and symptoms:
- You wake up drenched in sweat, especially your torso, neck and head area.
- Your sleep clothes and sheets are soaked with sweat.
- You sweat to the point of having to change clothes during the night.
- The sweating happens while you sleep and improves afterward.
- You do not have a fever or feel overly hot before the sweating starts.
What causes night sweats? Some potential causes include:
- Menopause - Declining estrogen levels often lead to hot flashes and night sweats. This is a very common cause in middle-aged women.
- Infections - Sweating is a natural bodily response to infections like the flu, TB, endocarditis, appendicitis.
- Cancers - Lymphoma, leukemia, carcinoid tumors can cause excessive sweating.
- Medications - Antidepressants, hormone treatments, diabetes medications, medications that affect hormone levels.
- Anxiety, stress - Nervous system disorders, like PTSD, often lead to increased perspiration.
- Neurological conditions - Head injuries, stroke, neuropathy can affect sweat glands and temperature regulation.
- Hypoglycemia - Low blood sugar levels can trigger sweating.
- Hormone imbalances - Thyroid, pituitary and adrenal disorders can lead to excess sweating.
When should you see a doctor? Consult your physician if you have frequent night sweats with no obvious cause, along with other symptoms like unexplained weight loss, fever, or persistent fatigue. Rarely, night sweats can signal an underlying medical condition that needs prompt evaluation.
The doctors at
Balance Hormone Specialist have extensive experience diagnosing and treating night sweats. We offer advanced testing to check hormone, thyroid, and adrenal function. Based on your test results, we create fully customized treatment plans involving bioidentical hormones, nutrition plans and lifestyle changes to help resolve night sweats and improve sleep. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!