7 Reasons for Night Sweat
Sweating is usually a natural necessary way
for the body to cool itself when overheated. But excessive sweating at
the wrong time can be pestering or even a cause for concern. Have you
ever woken up in the middle of the night, or in the early morning,
dripping in sweat as if you’ve just run a marathon?
If so, you’re not alone. Night sweats, or
sleep hyperhidrosis, is quite common and usually doesn’t have to do with
the temperature in the room. There is a variety of factors that might
prompt night sweating, some more concerning than others. This is what
you need to know about night sweats, the common causes, and when you
need to consult a doctor.
1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
GERD is a digestive disorder that makes
patients experience recurring acid reflux - acidic stomach juices or
food and fluids that travel back up from the stomach into the esophagus.
If GERD is the reason you wake up sweaty, it will usually be
accompanied by more classic symptoms of GERD, primarily heartburn. If
you suspect that you suffer from this condition it is strongly
recommended to see a doctor. Early treatment will minimize the risk of
complications.
Your physician may prescribe antacids or histamine H2 blockers. The
latter also referred to simply as H2 blockers, work by decreasing your
stomach acid production. Other recommended steps are to eat smaller
meals, have dinner at least 2 hours before bedtime, and avoid trigger
foods like those that are fatty, fried, or tomato-based.
2. Hormonal Disorders
The body’s temperature is controlled by an
area of the brain called the hypothalamus which is also responsible for
the production of certain hormones. When your hormones are out of
balance, it may prevent the hypothalamus from regulating your body
temperature properly. Two conditions that are caused by hormonal
imbalances and are often the reason for night sweats are hyperthyroidism
and menopause.
Hyperthyroidism - the thyroid gland controls the metabolism, so when
it produces too much thyroid hormones, your body goes into overdrive,
and its temperature rises. You may feel hungrier or thirstier than
usual, experience racing pulse or shaking hands, feel tired, and suffer
night sweats.
Menopause - This might be the most common hormonal fluctuation to
cause night sweats. Perimenopause, also called menopause transition,
occurs 7 to 14 years before menopause itself. It’s the time when the
ovaries gradually start to produce less estrogen, and it usually lasts
up until menopause itself, the point when the ovaries stop releasing
eggs.
More than 80% of women in perimenopause and menopause experience hot
flashes — sudden, intense feelings of warmth. The sharp drop in the
estrogen affects the body’s temperature regulation and often leads to
night sweats. Menopausal night sweats are very common and not a cause
for concern, although they can be uncomfortable. You may talk to your
doctor about treating this symptom with medications that help replace
estrogen.
3. Anxiety and Stress
Anxiety, worry, depression, or feeling
overwhelmed do not magically disappear when you go to sleep. When you
are not conscious you can’t actively think about the things that bother
you during the day, but when you experience stress your brain produces
an excess of the hormone cortisol. High levels of this hormone can cause
disruptions in your sleep, including night sweats.
Managing mental health is crucial for your physical wellbeing. Seek help
from a counselor, therapist, or doctor if you feel that stress is
causing ongoing disturbances in your daily life.
Related Article: 10 Ways to Drastically Reduce Excessive Sweating
4. Certain Medications
7 Causes of Night Sweat and When to be Concerned medicaation
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Night sweats can be a side effect of certain medications. For example,
it's very common among people who regularly take antidepressants. A
study conducted in 2018 found that up to 14% of people on Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) — the most common form of
antidepressants — experience excessive sweating and night sweats.
According to the study’s authors, the reason for that is that this kind
of medication affects the areas of the brain which produce hormones and
help control temperature and sweating.
Other medications that might cause night sweats include triptan migraine
medication, diabetes medication like Metformin or insulin,
hormone-blocking medication, and even aspirin. If simple solutions like
sleeping in lighter clothes or keeping the room cooler are insufficient,
talk to your doctor about your concern.
4. Certain Medications
Night sweats can be a side effect of
certain medications. For example, it's very common among people who
regularly take antidepressants. A study conducted in 2018 found that up
to 14% of people on Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) —
the most common form of antidepressants — experience excessive sweating
and night sweats. According to the study’s authors, the reason for that
is that this kind of medication affects the areas of the brain which
produce hormones and help control temperature and sweating.
Other medications that might cause night sweats include triptan migraine
medication, diabetes medication like Metformin or insulin,
hormone-blocking medication, and even aspirin. If simple solutions like
sleeping in lighter clothes or keeping the room cooler are insufficient,
talk to your doctor about your concern.
5. Infection
When you get sick with a viral or bacterial infection, the level of
inflammation in your body will increase in order to fight off the
intruder, and one of the ways it does that is by raising the body
temperature. This can cause fever and night sweats. If you experience a
combination of both of these symptoms, you may want to check with your
doctor about the type of infection you have.
Tuberculosis is one of the most common infections to cause night sweat,
but there are also more serious conditions that are common culprits -
like HIV and bacterial endocarditis (an infection of the inner lining of
your heart and heart valves). “These conditions can produce chemicals
called cytokines which combat infection. Cytokines can induce fever and
night sweats,” explains Soma Mandal, MD, board-certified internist at
Summit Medical Group, in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. Your doctor will
check for them based on your risk factors, additional symptoms,
exposure, and travel history.
6. Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea is a condition that causes you to briefly stop breathing
during sleep, usually several times at night. Obstructive sleep apnea
can generally occur when something, like a throat tissue, is blocking
your airway, while central sleep apnea can develop as a result of other
health conditions affecting the function in your central nervous system.
Because your body isn’t getting enough oxygen it may slip into ‘fight or
flight’ mode, which triggers sweating. Moreover, each time your muscles
need to kick-start breathing again, it requires a burst of work from
them. This effort causes sweating. A 2013 study found that excessive
sweating at night happens three times as often in people with untreated
sleep apnea. If you suspect you’re suffering from this condition it is
extremely important to seek medical help!
7. Cancer
The types of cancer most associated with night sweat are lymphoma and
leukemia. These can start in different areas of the immune system like
the spleen, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and the thymus. About a quarter of
people with Hodgkin's lymphoma report getting night sweats. Other
symptoms may include feeling tired, itchy, and experiencing pain where
the tumor is after drinking alcohol. People with aggressive or advanced
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can get drenching night sweats, too.
According to Healthline, most types of cancer will have other noticeable
symptoms too, so there is probably no need to panic at the first sight
of night sweat. It’s recommended to seek medical help if you experience
night sweats, fatigue, and generally feel unwell for more than 2 weeks.
Other signs to look out for are a persistent fever and unexplained
weight loss.
When Do Night Sweats Become a Cause for Concern?
Generally speaking, experts claim that night sweats by themselves are
not always a cause for worry. That's especially true if they're
happening for a common reason — like if you're going through menopause
or taking SSRIs. Take note of any additional symptoms you experience,
alongside night sweats, like fever, weight loss, general malaise, or
change in appetite. This is usually an indication of a bigger underlying
problem.