Night sweats, medically known as nocturnal hyperhidrosis, describe episodes of excessive sweating during sleep that can drench your bedding and disrupt rest. While occasional night sweats are common and often harmless, persistent or severe episodes can indicate underlying health issues. These episodes can occur due to a range of factors, including hormonal changes such as menopause in women, infections, medications, and hormonal disorders.
Depending on the underlying condition, interventions may include hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms, antibiotics for infections, medication adjustments for drug-induced night sweats, or specific treatments for hormonal disorders or cancers. Seeking medical advice is essential to diagnose the cause accurately and develop a personalised approach to alleviate night sweats and improve sleep quality.
Here are ten potential causes of night sweat listed by Manisha Kadam, senior gynaecologist associated with Mother Pride hospital.
Menopause: During menopause, declining estrogen levels disrupt the body's temperature regulation, leading to hot flashes and night sweats that disturb sleep and comfort.
Infections: Bacterial infections such as tuberculosis and viral illnesses like HIV/AIDS trigger night sweats as the body mounts an immune response, causing increased sweating during sleep.
Medications: Drugs like antidepressants and hormone therapies alter hormone levels, commonly causing night sweats as a side effect, impacting sleep quality and comfort.
Hormonal disorders: Conditions such as hyperthyroidism and adrenal gland tumors disrupt hormone balance, resulting in night sweats that disturb sleep patterns.
Cancer: Early stages of cancers like lymphoma or leukemia can produce night sweats as a symptom, necessitating medical evaluation for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Idiopathic hyperhidrosis: This condition manifests as excessive sweating without a clear cause, including during sleep, affecting comfort and sleep quality.
Anxiety and stress: Emotional stress triggers the body's stress response, leading to heightened sweating, even at night, which can disrupt sleep and exacerbate anxiety symptoms.
Neurological conditions: Disorders such as autonomic dysreflexia and stroke impair the body's temperature regulation mechanisms, resulting in night sweats and discomfort during sleep.
Sleep disorders: Conditions like obstructive sleep apnea disrupt normal breathing patterns during sleep, contributing to night sweats and fragmented sleep.
Medication withdrawal: Withdrawal from substances like alcohol or narcotics induces physiological changes, including night sweats, as the body adjusts to reduced or absent substances.
If you experience frequent or severe night sweats, it's important to consult with your doctor to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.
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