Night sweats may occur for a variety of reasons, some of which can be caused by an overheated environment, while others indicate that you have a health problem. Occasionally, sweating can be so pronounced that your clothing and sheets become drenched.
Such an unpleasant experience often renders staying and falling back asleep challenging. Herere some of the most common conditions that can be causing your night sweats.
Hyperhidrosis
Sweating typically results from exercise, tension, and warm temperatures. The process by which you sweat is activated by nerves in your sweat glands, which send messages instructing said physical components to release sweating when need be.
However, in some people, these nerves submit such signals more frequently than normal, especially during the evening hours. When such conditions occur, you experience a medical condition called hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating.
If you have this condition, you may sweat throughout your body, particularly the arms, feet, palms, face, and underarms, perspire on both sides of the body, and often be awoken by heavy sweating episodes.
Hormonal Imbalance
Men experiencing diminishing systemic concentrations of testosterone might experience night sweats. Decreasing testosterone gradually occurs as a man ages.
However, occasionally, the condition can be significant, result from some underlying medical condition. Also, low T can lead to chronic fatigue, decreased libido, sexual performance issues, tiredness, diminished bone mass, and muscle wasting. You might also encounter mood swings and a decline in cognitive functions like memory and concentration. Trying men’s probiotics can improve testosterone, so this may be something you wish to explore if you haven’t already done so.
Aside from testosterone deficiencies, other hormonal imbalances could heighten one’s chances of experiencing evening perspiration. Hormones are important bodily chemicals produced by organs and glands comprising the endocrine system., so this may be something you wish to explore if you haven’t already done so.
Damage or disease to any of these components could produce under or overproduction of hormones leading to night sweats and other associated symptoms, including tremors or shaking, an elevated pulse, insomnia, nervousness, agitation, and digestive problems.
Medications
Medications have been known to cause sweating as a side effect. Specific examples include anti-depressants, preparations used for hormone therapy, diabetes drugs, pain-relieving substances, anti-psychotic drugs, and steroids.
If night sweats begin after beginning treatment with any of the preceding medications, you are urged to consult with your doctor. Said medical professional might alter dosage or place you on a different preparation.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is capable of producing nighttime sweating. This is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition causing you to stop breathing for varying intervals while slumbering. Unfortunately, the condition is far more common in men, and 24% of them will experience symptoms at some point during their lifetimes.
The malady often results from tissues in your throat obstructing breathing passages. Sleep apnea can also be precipitated by the central nervous system’s diminished capacity to appropriately function.
In addition to night sweats, you might also snore, wake up several times during the night, awaken feeling like you cannot breathe or are gasping for air, arise with a sore throat, or get up feeling extremely tired. Moreover, sleep apnea may heighten your risk of developing other more significant medical concerns. Therefore, a swift and accurate diagnosis bears a major importance.
Infections
Systemic infections often produce nighttime sweating. In many instances, said pathogenic ailments are mild to moderate. However, some may be serious and life-inhibiting. More concerning infections include a serious lung infection medically titled tuberculosis, a heart infection known as endocarditis, and bone infections called osteomyelitis.
Generally speaking, however, night sweats are accompanied by occurrences, including chills, an elevated body temperature, fatigue, body aches, in addition to weight and appetite losses. Should any of these symptoms linger for more than a few days, you may possess a significant infection requiring aggressive treatment.
Anxiety
One of the most common nighttime perspiration-inducing issues is stress. Emotional upset, professional tension, financial worries, family issues, and relationship problems are all capable of elevating your tension level. Increased anxiety and sweating often occur together.
However, in addition to excessive evening sweating, you may also encounter events, such as insomnia, vivid dreams, appetite changes, weight loss, increased breathing and pulse rates, decreased cognitive functions, a weakened immune system, body aches, mood swings, and digestive disturbances.
Fortunately, stress can be managed using various calming and breathing techniques, obtaining restful sleep, anti-anxiety medications, and engaging in relaxing hobbies.
GERD
GERD is an acronym for gastroesophageal reflux disease and occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. This condition often worsens during the evening because you are lying down. Accompanying night sweats may include symptoms, like heartburn, burping, coughing, clearing your throat often, swallowing difficulties, chest pains, and the regurgitation of foods.
You might find relief through the ingestion of over-the-counter or prescription antacids, consuming a diet not consisting of excessive quantities of fried, fat, or spiced foods, and limiting or avoiding alcohol and tobacco products.
Cancer
Though less common, nighttime sweating might be a warning sign of various malignancies. Two cancers notorious for producing night sweats are leukemia and lymphoma.
That said, you must bear in mind that cancer often causes a number of other alarming and severe manifestations, such as persistent fevers, pronounced weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, and crippling pain.
In many cases, the preceding symptoms are attributed to less serious ailments. However, should any of the aforementioned problems last for two weeks or more, a trip to your doctor is warranted.
