- Anxiety or Stress- Both anxiety and stress can lead to night sweats, due to changes in body temperature, heart rate, and metabolism.
- Idiopathic Hyperhidrosis- Not connected to an identifiable medical cause, the body chronically produces too much sweat with the idiopathic hyperhidrosis condition.
- Medications- Some medications can lead to night sweats such as acetaminophen, aspirin, antidepressants, or psychiatric drugs.
- Sleep Apnea- Night sweats are very common in those with obstructive sleep apnea.
- Infections- Such infections associated with night sweats include bacterial infections, HIV, osteomyelitis, and tuberculosis.
- Cancers- An early symptom of cancer is night sweats, with lymphoma being the most common cancer connected with night sweats.
- Hypoglycemia- Also known as low blood glucose or sugar, hypoglycemia can cause sweating, especially if using insulin or oral diabetic medication.
- Hormone Disorders- Flushing or sweating can come into play with these disorders: carcinoid syndrome, hyperthyroidism, and pheochromocytoma.
- Neurologic Conditions- Not as common but neurologic conditions can cause more sweating leading to night sweats; these include autonomic dysreflexia, autonomic neuropathy, posttraumatic syringomyelia stroke, and stroke.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)- Night sweats may occur in those with GERD, a condition in which the contents of the stomach leak backward into the esophagus or food pipe.
RELATED: Night Sweats: Remedies That Work
How To Stop Night Sweats
There are a few ways to help control your night sweats, including:
- Avoid common night sweat triggers, particularly before bedtime, such as alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, and spicy foods
- Keep a cool pack under your pillow, turning the pillow over so you can rest your head on the cooler side
- Sip cool water throughout the night
- Try destressing with deep breathing, light exercise, and relaxation
When To See Your Doctor
If you continue to have regular occurrences of night sweats, this would be the time for you to seek medical attention.
Other reasons to see your doctor would be for interrupted sleep due to the night sweats, as well as coughing, diarrhea, fever, and pain in specific areas that accompany the night sweats.
Schedule An Appointment Today: Find A Doctor
If you are noticing weight loss or other changes of concern, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with your doctor.