Hot flashes are most commonly associated with women going through menopause; however, men frequently get hot flashes as well. The reasons for this unwanted condition are varied and require research to eliminate natural causes and then isolate and treat medical reasons, if necessary. Night sweats can be either a symptom or a side effect, but regardless of which they are, a medical opinion should confirm the source.
Idiopathic Hyperhydrosis
Idiopathic hyperhydrosis is a medical condition which involves the patient producing an overabundance of sweat without any medical reason. "Idiopathic" in Latin means unknown disease and hyperhidrosis breaks down into the Latin word "hydrosis," meaning sweat and "hyper," meaning too much. This is a clinical condition and the result of having it is quite real, but the origin is unknown. Homeopathic treatment includes avoiding triggers, such as spicy foods, alcohol, smoking and caffeine. Common-sense solutions include cooling the bedroom at night with a fan or an air conditioner and wearing light, cotton bed clothing. Stress management is important in combating this condition, since stress can either bring about an immediate reaction or have a cumulative effect that may show itself at the end of a stressful day, resulting in night sweats. Drinking six to eight glasses of ice water throughout the day is necessary to help regulate internal temperature and may assist in reducing either the severity or frequency of the hot flashes.
Infections and Diseases
Infections such as brucellosis, which is a bacterial infection, endocarditis, an infection in the heart lining, osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone or a pyogenic abscess, caused by an infection, can all produce night sweats. Diseases that produce night sweats are; HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis,leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, hyperthyroidism, stroke, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, carcinoid syndrome and autonomic neuropathy. Because some of these diseases are serious, it's important to have your doctor rule them out as a cause of night sweats.
Medications
Side effects from medications can produce night sweats. Unfortunately, sometimes the medication is necessary and the night sweat side effect is an unavoidable part of the treatment. Anti-depressants and psychiatric drugs can both produce night sweats. Even simple medicines such as aspirin or acetaminophen used for headaches or to reduce fevers can have this sweaty side effect. Drugs that include high doses of niacin or that contain hydralazine, sildenafil, cortisone and prednisone can be contributors to night sweating.
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