Are you concerned about your night sweats? You may be merely blaming the hot weather or your faulty air conditioner for this, but there are other reasons for it. It has been observed that night sweats are caused due to various other reasons, including some health conditions.
So let’s discuss several reasons that are the reason for your night sweats.
What Are Night Sweats?
Well, the answer is in the name! Night sweats are referred to as excessive perspiration or sweating at night, which results in drenching your pyjamas and sheets.
According to Mayo Clinic, these are caused by some medical conditions and certain medications and not just a sleeping environment that’s too warm.
Causes Of Night Sweat
We will tell you the underlying issue that might be contributing to your night sweats. Here are 12 possible common and rare causes of night sweats.
1. Menopause
If you visit any doctor, the first and foremost question they might ask you is if you are menopausal. You may be wondering, but why? The answer is because menopause causes a slew of symptoms such as hot flashes that lead to chills, night sweats, irregular or absent periods, mood changes, a slower metabolism, vaginal dryness, and thinning hair, among others.
Don’t worry about it because menopause is a completely normal condition that doesn’t automatically require treatment. But as the night sweats are interfering with your life, discuss with your doctor regarding hormone therapy.
2. Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety triggers a whole host of physical symptoms such as excessive worry, fear, and sweating. If you worry too much, then this can cause excessive sweating. If you experience night time sweating, it means that your anxiety might not be as under control as it could be. See a mental health professional treat your anxiety.
3. Hyperhidrosis
Secondary hyperhidrosis is a type of hyperhidrosis that causes excessive sweating without the typical triggers like heat or exercise and can flood your body with night sweats. Secondary hyperhidrosis occurs because of a specific medical issue, whether that’s a health issue or a drug you’re taking to treat one. Talk to your doctor to underpin any medical condition to address the underlying medical problem.
4. Medications
Various medications, including some antidepressants, drugs to treat diabetes, and cancer drugs, can cause night sweats. Consult your doctor if there are other treatment options available if you’re concerned about night sweats.
5. Fever
Who hasn’t sweat through a night of fever? Under normal circumstances, our body temperature is around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, but during a fever, you can experience chills, headaches, and yes, night sweats. Bur relax, fevers are not a cause of concern. Chat with your doctor to treat any infection which may be causing fever.
6. Hyperthyroidism
When your thyroid lets loose too much of the hormone thyroxine into your system, it results in hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism can put your body’s processes on overdrive, leading to symptoms like unintended weight loss, and increased appetite, a racing heart, anxiety, night sweats, and more.
7. Obstructive sleep apnea
Ever felt that someone is throttling you in your sleep? Sleep apnea is the most common disorder, but you guessed it right, which is also the reason for night sweats. You should consult a doctor for various treatment options available such as, using a nasal decongestant, avoiding sleeping on your back, sleeping with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, and more intensive options, like surgery to eliminate the tissue that’s blocking your airways
8. Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium, which causes symptoms such as a fever that leads to night sweats and chills, loss of appetite, weight loss, and a cough. But there is no reason to get scared that you might have been infected with TB. Talk to your doctor for diagnosis and treatment options.
9. Brucellosis
Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that is transferred from animals to humans. It can result in symptoms such as fever, chills, weakness, sweating, fatigue, a loss of appetite, headache, and finally, joint, muscle, and back pain. If you were ever infected with this disease, doctors would treat it with at least six weeks of antibiotics to clear the bacteria from your system.
10. HIV/AIDS
If you contract the human immunodeficiency virus, you may experience flu-like symptoms for a few weeks, like a fever, rash, muscle and joint aches, and headaches. Night sweats are caused due to fever, so consult your doctor regarding any medication for this.
11. Certain Autoimmune Conditions Like Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis results in joint-related symptoms such as achy, swollen joints that are stiff, especially in the mornings. But they can also cause fever and night sweats. Talk to your doctor to help soothe pain and inflammation.
12. Pheochromocytoma
We bet you may never have heard about this condition. It’s because it’s super rare. It is usually a benign tumor on one or both of your two adrenal glands. Pheochromocytoma releases hormones that can cause periodic or persistent high blood pressure, excessive sweating, headache, tremors, rapid heartbeat, unusual paleness, and shortness of breath. Your doctor may probably prescribe you drugs to lower your blood pressure or even ask you to go for surgery.
Signs And Symptoms Of Night Sweats
If you are wondering what exactly the signs of night sweats are, then we provide you a list of all the symptoms:
- Intensive sweating that may soak your bedding or pyjamas
- Recurrent extreme sweating
Other additional symptoms based on the cause are:
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Localized pain
- Cough
- Diarrhea
How To Get Relief
The doctor will determine the treatment options based on the various causes. The doctor will diagnose you and will provide the best treatment plan to make your night sweats stop. So, visit a doctor immediately if you are suffering from night a sweat, which hinders your quality of sleep.
When To Call A Doctor
Night sweats are a common occurrence. If it’s bothering you, then visit a doctor. Because apart from night sweats, you may also be suffering from fever, unintended weight loss, pain, diarrhea, or coughing.
After our detailed discussion, we hope you know the various causes of night sweats by now. And how you can get relief from it.
