Night sweating is a condition where you sweat in your sleep to the point that your body, nightclothes and bed linens are drenched, even when the temperature of the room is normal. This condition affects both men and women of all ages and is not associated with age or body size. People who get night sweats may have trouble sleeping and wake up during the night feeling achy. They often feel tired and report feeling depressed and anxious. There are many possible causes of night sweats, some worrisome and some benign, but for most people, they are not indicative of a serious health problem.
Menopause
The most common causes of night sweats in women are perimenopause (a period of years leading up to menopause) and menopause itself. This is due to a drop in the production of estrogen, which causes blood vessels in the skin to dilate and cause hot flashes. When night sweats are associated with menopause, hormone replacement therapy can help.
Low Testosterone in Men
Night sweats may be a result of very low testosterone levels in men. In general, testosterone levels gradually decrease with age until some men experience andropause, or male menopause. Night sweats are one of several symptoms associated with andropause. Some men elect hormone therapy to treat andropause and reduce the symptoms. Night sweats are also a side effect of hormonal therapy for prostate cancer that reduces testosterone levels.
Other Medical Conditions
Night sweats can also be a symptom of hyperthyroidism, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), chronic fatigue syndrome, infectious mononucleosis, fungal infections, alcohol or drug abuse, and, less commonly, tuberculosis, Hodgkin's disease (lymphoma) or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Medication Side Effects
Night sweats are a side effect of certain medications, including antidepressants, antihistamines, antihypertensives, leuprolide (Lupron), fever reducers such as aspirin and acetaminophen, and certain drugs used to treat osteoporosis and breast cancer.
Blankets
In some cases, there is no cause for night sweats other than overheating from covering up with too many blankets. Regardless of the source of your sweats, there are several things you can do to find relief. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, use light bed linens, keep your bedroom cool and keep a glass of water near your bed.
Member Comments