Excessive sweating, called hyperhidrosis, can be uncomfortable, embarrassing, cause social withdrawal and negatively effect work, school and other daily activities, according to the International Hyperhidrosis Society. Possible causes of excessive sweating include infections, diseases, menopause, emotions and certain medications. A physician should be consulted for excessive sweating that causes concern.
Primary Hyperhidrosis
Primary hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating due to the hyperfunction of the sweat glands, explains the International Hyperhidrosis Society. Although the sweat glands are normal in size and number, there is a higher amount of sweat than is required to control body temperature, and an increased response to emotional and physical stressors. It is considered a physical disorder, not a psychological one. Primary hyperhidrosis often begins in childhood and tends to run in families. Treatments include agents applied to the skin such as aluminum, astringents and anesthetics; Botox injections in the palms, axilla and face; anticholinergic medications; and surgery that severs nerves that cause sweating or that removes sweat glands.
Infection
Certain infections cause excessive sweating while asleep. Night sweats can be severe enough to soak the bedclothes in some cases. According to an article published in "American Family Physician," night sweats are a dominant symptom of tuberculosis and can occur several nights each week. HIV and AIDS often causes night sweats due to related infections, including cytomegalovirus and mycobacterium avium complex. Night sweats are common in the acute phase of mononucleosis and in some infections contracted during travel.
Lymphoma
Soaking night sweats are one of the main symptoms of lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, according to the National Institutes of Health website Medline Plus. Other symptoms include painlessly swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits and groin, weakness, tiredness, coughing, difficulty breathing, feelings of abdominal fullness or swelling, abdominal or chest pain, fever and unexpected weight loss.
Diabetes
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can result in excessive sweating. People with diabetes can experience excessive sweating caused by hypoglycemia while asleep. Sweating may be the only symptom, warns the article in "American Family Physician." Hypoglycemia during the night can result from missing a meal, excessive exercise and large doses of insulin in the evening. Hypoglycemia can be life threatening and should be reported to a physician.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland overproduces the hormone thyroxine, increasing metabolism. Increased sweating is a symptom, according to MayoClinic.com. Other symptoms include nervousness, excitability, rapid heartbeat, increased appetite, sudden weight loss, swelling at the base of the neck, difficulty sleeping and shaking. Hyperthyroidism can cause complications such as heart problems, brittle bones, eye problems and thryotoxic crisis, a medical emergency.
