What Causes Night Sweats

What Causes Night Sweats?

Night sweats (or nocturnal hyperhidrosis) is a fairly common and unpleasant occurrence that often leads to waking up during the night with night clothes and bedclothes soaking wet. The consequent lack of sleep can have spill over effects in daily life.

As there are a number of causes, some trivial, some serious, it’s important to get a health check if you are a sufferer.

Causes of Night Sweats
Menopause. Night sweats and hot flushes are due to the hormonal changes taking place during middle age. Although not life threatening they can have a marked effect on the quality of life, not least because of the loss of sleep affecting mood and performance. Interestingly some men appear to go though changes that are similar to the menopause – again due to hormonal changes and sometimes causing night sweats.
Idiopathic. Not a cause of night sweats this, it just means the doctor has looked for a cause and can’t find one and so has no idea. Some people just happen to sweat a lot and sometimes this occurs at night.
Infection. Any infection can produce night sweats but some are more likely to than others. Tuberculosis, osteomyelitis (infection of the bone), endocarditis (infection of the heart valves), AIDS and abcesses are the usual candidates. Very often there will be other symptoms such as weight loss, fevers and generally feeling unwell.
Cancer. Most cancers can give rise to night sweats but the lymphomas are more likely to do so. As with infections there will usually be other symptoms such as tiredness and weight loss.
Medication. Aspirin and paracetamol (acetaminophen) can bring on night sweats in some people. Unsurprisingly so can drugs that produce flushing; sildenafil (Viagra) niacin and tamoxifen for example. Some antidepressants will do so as well.
Food and alcohol. Very much varies from person to person but spicy foods and garlic can affect some considerably. So can alcohol; red wine is mentioned in this context more than other drinks.
Hormonal disorders. This refers to disease affecting the endocrine glands rather than the normal changes that take place in the menopause. An overactive thyroid gland is a frequent cause of night sweats. Phaeochromocytoma – a tumour (usually benign) of the adrenal gland causes hot flushes and sometimes night sweats.
Neurological illnesses. Any number of these can cause night sweats if they interfere with the control of the nerves supplying the sweat glands.
Anxiety. Given that anxiety is so common it’s likely that this is one of the major causes of night sweats.
Sleep apnoea. Another common disorder that can produce night sweats. Associated with snoring, the sufferer unknowingly experiences very short periods of apnoea (cessation of breathing) and almost wakes up. Needless to say this process is quite traumatic for the body and part of its reaction to this repeated trauma can be night sweats.
How You Can Help Yourself
Clearly, if you are suffering from night sweats it’s a good idea to get checked out by a doctor. This is particularly so it you have any other symptoms. Assuming all is well, a few simple common sense strategies may help.

Leave at least 3 hours between eating and drinking alcohol, tea or coffee and going to bed.
Cut down on alcohol and spicy food.
Ensure adequate ventilation in the bedroom. Keep the room cool.
Be sure to rehydrate during the night when the sweats wake you up. Water or dilute fruit juice is best.
If anxious, try some method to help you relax such as meditation, yoga or deep breathing.