What Causes Night Sweats?
Night sweats refer to excessive sweating during the night, and they can transpire regardless of the temperature. Another term commonly used for night sweats is hot flashes.
Night sweats are caused by a number of medical conditions, including:
- Menopause – One side effect of menopause is hot flashes. Women who are experiencing menopause will most likely experience constant hot flashes and night sweats.
- Certain medications – Medications, like antidepressants, are known to cause night sweats. Many other types of psychiatric drugs can cause an individual to sweat during the night. Moreover, it is common for an individual to experience night sweats if he or she takes drugs, such as aspirin and acetaminophen, to lower his or her.
- Changes in hormone levels – Disorders in which hormonal levels are affected, like hyperthyroidism and carcinoid syndrome, result in excessive sweating. Hormone therapy, which regulates the amount of hormones in the body, has several side effects, including sweats.
- Idiopathic hyperhidrosis – It is normal for certain individuals to sweat excessively without reason. If an individual experiences this, he or she most likely has idiopathic hyperhidrosis.
- Low blood sugar levels – Hypogycemia can cause an individual to sweat. Low blood sugar levels occur in people who regularly take insulin or other diabetic medications.
- Infections – Many infections are associated with night sweats, such as tuberculosis. Other bacterial infections, can also cause an individual to sweat profusely.
- Certain health conditions – Autonomic neuropathy, stroke, and autonomic dysreflexia are all associated with night sweats.
- Cancer – Different types of cancer, like lymphoma, cause night sweats during the early stages of this condition.
One should consult with a doctor if night sweats:
- Persist for an extended period of time.
- Affect sleep considerably.
- Are followed by other symptoms, like unexplained weight loss.
If you experience night sweats, do not be alarmed. Night sweats are generally not very serious, and are normally manifestations of underlying health conditions.
