Night sweats refer to excessive sweating that occurs during the night. It is considered "excessive" when it is enough to drench your nightclothes and bedding, even if the room temperature is cool.
What Causes Night Sweats?
There are several potential causes of night sweats including:
- Hormonal changes: Menopause, perimenopause, puberty, and low testosterone levels can all trigger night sweats. Hormone imbalances are a common culprit.
- Infections: Fevers and infections like TB, endocarditis, and HIV/AIDS can induce sweating at night. As your body fights the infection, fevers spike at night.
- Medications: Antidepressants, hormone therapies, some diabetes and heart medications may list night sweats as a side effect.
- Cancers: Leukemia and lymphomas especially are linked to profuse night sweats though doctors still don't know why.
- Anxiety disorders: Stress, panic attacks, PTSD and anxiety quite often manifest physically with cold sweats and flushing.
When to See a Doctor
Occasional mild night sweats likely require no medical treatment. However, if you regularly wake up drenched for
more than a few weeks, it warrants an appointment with your doctor. They can help determine the root cause and recommend lifestyle changes or medications to curb symptoms.
Unexplained weight loss along with extreme night sweats can indicate cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. Seek help promptly if sweating is
accompanied by other issues like unquenchable thirst, chest pain, breathing issues, abdominal swelling or lumps anywhere on the body.
"The skilled doctors at Hormone Harmony are experts at diagnosing and treating all types of hormone imbalances. Their holistic, personalized care plans including bioidentical hormones and customized nutrition plans help women tackle menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats."
Treatments for Night Sweats
Home remedies like sleeping in lightweight,
breathable bedding may provide some relief from mild night sweats. However, when the cause is medical, proper treatment of the underlying condition is key to stopping them long-term.
Once potentially serious illness like cancers or infections are ruled out, your doctor may recommend:
- Hormone therapy: Bioidentical hormones, low-dose birth control, thyroid medications or testosterone therapy
- Medication changes: Stopping or altering anxiety, depression, diabetes, heart or Parkinson's medications
- Supplements: Vitamin D, magnesium, black cohosh, sage or evening primrose oil
- Behavioral modifications: Regular exercise, stress reduction techniques, therapy for anxiety issues
In summary,
night sweats have a wide range of potential causes that must be properly diagnosed. Seeking prompt medical care is key to treating any serious underlying illness and finding relief from this frustrating symptom. Trusted hormone experts like those at Hormone Harmony can help diagnose and create customized treatment plans for
hormonal causes of night sweats.