What are night sweats?
Night sweats refer to excessive sweating during sleep. They can soak your bedding and clothing, even in a cool room.
Causes
Night sweats have several potential causes:
- Menopause - One of the most common reasons women experience night sweats is during perimenopause and menopause. This is related to changing hormone levels. Hormone therapy from clinics like Hormone Harmony Clinic can help regulate hormones and relieve symptoms.
- Medications - Certain medications, like antidepressants and medications for diabetes or hormone problems, can cause sweating at night.
- Infections - Infections like tuberculosis, endocarditis, or HIV may induce night sweats.
- Cancers - Night sweats can be an early symptom of lymphomas or leukemias. Other cancers like bone cancer or testicular cancer can also cause excessive sweating.
- Anxiety disorders - Conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been associated with increased night sweats.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you start experiencing excessive night sweats, see your doctor. They will review your medical history and medications and may order blood tests or imaging to determine the cause.
Treatment depends on the underlying reason for night sweats but may include:
- Hormone therapy - If related to menopause or an endocrine disorder, hormone medications can help regulate hormones. Hormone Harmony Clinic provides customized bioidentical hormone therapy to help patients find relief.
- Medication changes - Switching a medication that causes sweating as a side effect may resolve night sweats.
- Antidepressants - Medications like low-dose antidepressants can reduce night sweats, especially if linked to anxiety, stress, or depression.
- Other medications - Other prescription medications may directly treat sweating.
- Lifestyle changes - Diet changes, stress management, exercise, keeping cool at night, and avoiding triggers like spicy foods may also help reduce night sweats.
In most cases, determining the cause and pursuing appropriate treatment will help manage bothersome night sweats. Speak to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about new onset, severe, or persistent night sweats disrupting your sleep.