Verified By Apollo Doctors September 16, 2023
4337Excessive sweating at night is referred to as night sweats which can drench your clothes and bedsheets too. However, these are not exactly related to an overheated environment. Many people complaining of night sweats usually have different causes for it. Night sweats rarely cause anything serious but if it becomes a regular thing, it may indicate a potential medical ailment. The condition is known to be more common in females during menopause or related hormonal issues.
Sweating is a natural way of cooling down the body temperature. Sweat glands release water, which evaporates and releases heat, thus lowering the temperature. This is a regular process that happens at all times of the day if you are in a hot environment. However, sometimes this may even happen in a perfectly cool environment. A doctor may also refer to this as ‘sleep hyperhidrosis’.
Depending on the cause for night sweats, you may also experience various associated symptoms, such as the follows:
Various reasons that can cause night sweats. Some of them are listed below:
Night sweats are more common in females than in males. The causes behind night sweats in both genders are also different. In females, night sweats are related to hormonal changes like menopause, pregnancy, or postpartum sweats.
Night sweats do not always affect the quality of sleep. However, if it is affecting your sleep or you have the aforementioned symptoms, you must consult a doctor.
Night sweating is usually related to any underlying medical condition that requires treatment. If it is followed by fever, cold and cough, or unexplained weight loss, you should contact your healthcare provider. They will come up with a treatment plan once the cause underlying the night sweats is revealed.
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Night sweats that aren’t related to any medical condition can be prevented by taking certain precautions, such as follows:
The treatment plan for night sweats primarily varies depending on the cause, for example:
Considering the exhaustive and stressful lives we live, night sweats are common. While it may happen without any reason, they still disturb the quality of sleep. If you are experiencing night sweats regularly, it may be a sign of an underlying health issue that requires medical attention.
Anxiety and stress may cause you to sweat. Recurring bad dreams may affect your sleep cycle, thus increasing stress and leading to more sweating. Take a cool shower before you sleep and try sleep meditation to avoid bad dreams.
Sometimes, cancers may cause you to sweat more. Although generally, chemotherapy and high doses of anticancer drugs can cause you to sweat more. If it is affecting you a lot, talk to a doctor to reduce the dose.
People suffering from heart diseases sometimes sweat more. It is because their heart has to make a lot of effort to pump blood throughout the body. If a person with cardiac issues sweats profusely and has pain in their chest, it is wise to seek immediate medical attention as they might be suffering from a heart attack.
At Apollo, we believe that easily accessible, reliable health information can make managing health conditions an empowering experience. Apollo Hospitals Online Health Library team consists of medical experts who create curated peer-reviewed medical content that is regularly updated and is easy-to-understand.
October 25, 2024