- Sweating at night is normal if the room is hot or you are using a heavy blanket.
- Night sweats (sleep hyperhidrosis) are episodes of excessive perspiration that occur when you are sleeping, despite the room being cool enough and the bedding being light enough. Night sweats can range from moderate perspiration to drenching sweats that soak through clothing and sheets.
- When hot flashes, which are sudden feelings of warmth, occur at night, they are considered night sweats.
46 Causes of Night Sweats
Sweating at night can be a sign of many different conditions, such as:
- Menopause/perimenopause
- Hot flashes/night sweats are considered a hallmark symptom of perimenopause and menopause
- Certain medications
- Albuterol and other sympathomimetics
- Alcohol and drug use
- Caffeine
- Cholinergic agonists (such as pilocarpine and bethanechol)
- Cyclosporine
- Diabetes medications
- Estrogen/androgen modulating agents
- Fever reducers, such as aspirin or acetaminophen
- Methadone
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants
- Steroids
- Withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, and cocaine
- Infections
- Bacterial infections
- Fungal infections
- Viral infections
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Malaria
- Tuberculosis
- Hormone Problems
- Abnormal levels of sex hormones
- Acromegaly
- Adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma)
- Carcinoid syndrome (slow-growing tumors that produce hormones)
- Diabetes and high blood sugar
- Hypothalamic dysfunction
- Insulinoma
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- Other Causes of Night Sweats
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Certain types of cancer
- Advanced medullary carcinoma of the thyroid
- Germ cell tumors
- Lymphoma (Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin)
- Prostate cancer
- Renal cell cancer
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) can affect people during both day and night
- Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome
- Neurologic causes
- Autonomic dysreflexia
- Posttraumatic or idiopathic syringomyelia
- Pregnancy and the post-partum period
- Sarcoidosis
- Side effect of cancer treatments
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy for women with breast cancer and men with prostate cancer
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
- Sleep disorders
- Temporal arteritis
What Is the Treatment for Night Sweats?
Treatment for night sweats varies depending on the cause. Treatments may include:
- Environment and lifestyle changes
- Maintaining the thermostat at a lower temperature at night
- Use lighter or less bedding
- Sleep on a more breathable mattress and sheets
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting bedclothes
- Drink cold water before going to bed
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods, especially in the evening
- Lose weight if overweight
- Practice relaxation techniques
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Talk therapy that trains people to reframe negative thoughts so they promote healthier actions
- Modifying medications
- If certain medications cause night sweats talk to your doctor about whether you can change the prescription, dosage, or regimen
- Never stop taking a prescribed medication or change the dose or regimen without first talking to your doctor
- If sweating at night is caused by an underlying infection or hormone problem, medication may help
- If certain medications cause night sweats talk to your doctor about whether you can change the prescription, dosage, or regimen
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Reviewed on 6/20/2022
References
REFERENCES:
Image Source: iStock Images
United States. Sleep Foundation. "Common Causes of Night Sweats and How to Fix Them." March 11, 2022. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/night-sweats
United States. Wolters Kluwer. UptoDate.com. Sep 22, 2021. "Evaluation of the patient with night sweats or generalized hyperhidrosis." https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-of-the-patient-with-night-sweats-or-generalized-hyperhidrosis?search=night%20sweats&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1#H3494740894
Image Source: iStock Images
United States. Sleep Foundation. "Common Causes of Night Sweats and How to Fix Them." March 11, 2022. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/night-sweats
United States. Wolters Kluwer. UptoDate.com. Sep 22, 2021. "Evaluation of the patient with night sweats or generalized hyperhidrosis." https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-of-the-patient-with-night-sweats-or-generalized-hyperhidrosis?search=night%20sweats&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1#H3494740894