Night sweats refer to excessive sweating during sleep. They can soak your nightclothes and bedding and may make you feel cold or chilled.
Some key facts about night sweats:
- They can happen to anyone, but are more common in women going through menopause and people with certain medical conditions. Some other causes include:
- Hormone changes
- Infections like tuberculosis or endocarditis
- Cancers like leukemia or lymphoma
- Medications and drug withdrawals
- Stress, anxiety, depression
- Night sweats can occur nightly or off and on. The excessive sweating is usually more than would be expected from the temperature of your bedroom.
- Along with drenching sweats, you may also experience chills, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss. Tell your doctor if these last longer than 2 weeks.
- To diagnose night sweats, your doctor will ask about your medical history and symptoms. You may get blood tests or other exams to look for infections or medical conditions causing sweating. Tests can help rule out cancers too.
- Treatment aims to address any underlying cause. Things that may help include:
- Estrogen or other hormones to reduce hot flashes
- Medications to break a fever
- Antidepressants for sweating from stress or mental health issues
- Lifestyle changes like avoiding spicy foods, caffeine, stress, hot rooms
- If no cause is found, having a consistent bedtime routine, keeping your bedroom cool and well-ventilated, wearing breathable pajamas, using moisture-wicking sheets and pillowcases, avoiding exercise before bed, and taking cool showers can provide some relief.
In summary, night sweats involve drenching sweating during sleep that soaks your clothes and bedding. They have several potential causes ranging from menopause and infections to cancers and medication side effects. See your doctor to determine if there is a treatable medical condition behind your night sweats. Making certain lifestyle adjustments can also help ease your symptoms.
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact Vitality Health Center.