The medical term for night sweats is sleep hyperhidrosis and, while they are particularly common in menopausal women, anyone can suffer from them, says MayoClinic.com (References1). The underlying cause is hormonal changes or imbalances, which are common during menopause, but can also occur if you are exercising intensively or have recently increased the amount of exercise you do.
About Night Sweats
As the name suggests, nights sweats are characterized by bouts of sweating while sleeping, says the 34 Menopause Symptoms website. You may not experience these bouts every night, and they can fluctuate from excessive to quite mild, but the common underlying cause, whether you're menopausal or not, is fluctuating hormone levels. Signs you are suffering from night sweats are extreme temperature shifts from too hot to getting the chills, your clothing and bedding becoming damp or completely soaked, irregular heartbeat and headaches. Not surprisingly, all of this can cause interrupted sleep.
Night Sweats and Exercise
While not everyone who exercises suffers from night sweats, it can be a side effect of an intensive workout where your body temperature is raised considerably, says the womentowomen website. Intensive exercise affects the functioning of your thyroid, which releases hormones that control how quickly your body metabolizes food and uses the energy. When you first increase the frequency or intensity of your workouts, your thyroid gland reacts by releasing more hormones, says the Neuroendocrinology Letters website. This elevated hormonal activity can bring about night sweats as your thyroid adjusts to your increased exercise levels.
Treatment Through Exercise
Ironically, one of the best treatments for night sweats due to exercise -- or any other reason -- is exercise, albeit, of the moderate variety, says 34 Menopause Symptoms. Activities such as yoga and pilates can help reduce the symptoms because they are as much about relaxation as they are about toning and strengthening your body. The deep breathing and controlled movements involved in these activities can help regulate thyroid function and hormonal activity and reduce the stress and anxiety that night sweats can cause.
Lifestyle Changes
Many of the lifestyle changes to relieve night sweats seem simple, but they can have a big impact. Dairy products such as milk and nuts can help you to sleep so try a warm milky drink or handful of unsalted nuts before going to beds, says 34 Menopause Symptoms. Try wearing less and lighter clothing to bed, and go for natural fibers that allow your skin to "breathe." Heavy sheets and blankets can make you overheat, so keep them at the end of your bed and only use them if you feel cold during the night. Finally, make sure your bedroom is well ventilated and not too stuffy. If weather and safety permits, keep a window ajar during the night, or keep your bedroom door open to allow air to circulate.
When to See a Doctor
If your night sweats persist -- even after reducing the intensity and frequency of your workouts and you are not menopausal -- you should see your doctor for a diagnosis, says MayoClinic.com. The excessive sweating can also be caused by alcohol, anxiety and a reaction to certain foods and some medications, including aspirin, acetaminophen, blood pressure medications and anti-anxiety medications. However, in rare cases, the condition may also be a sign of a more serious illness, such as diabetes, hypoglycemia and hyperthyroidism.
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