5 common causes of night sweats

A prevalent condition, night sweat is excessive perspiration occurring while one is asleep. Night sweats are not directly associated with external factors such as high room temperatures or use of extra blankets. It is rather an internal reaction which is influenced by single or multiple medical factors. To manage this problem, one should thoroughly know the primary reasons behind it. This will help you target the crux of your issue, and you can put effective solutions to use.

To help you understand your body better, here are the most common night sweat causes you must be aware of.

  • Menopause
    For several women, menopause can be quite a challenge as their body is processing significant hormonal changes. Such chemical fluctuations in the body can trigger excessive sweating during sleeping. Waking up with a sweaty body can also be accompanied with palpitations, anxiety, and trouble in falling back to sleep. Since menopause is a natural phase of woman’s life, there is no need to fret as it can be effectively managed. Meanwhile, for quick relief, you can tackle the distress by turning down the room temperature, using airy sheets and by learning some calming techniques.
  • Medications 
    Particular kind of drugs such as antidepressants can be one of the leading causes of night sweat. Apart from these, many prescription drugs associated with psychiatric treatments can lead to unusual perspiration while you are asleep. If this keeps bothering you on an everyday basis, then it is advised that you seek your doctor’s counsel for altering your medicines or dosages.
  • Cancer
    Nocturnal sweating can often be an early symptom of lymphoma, a type of cancer. It usually occurs with a combination of issues such as sudden weight loss or fever. However, night sweats can be caused due cancer treatments involving medication and chemotherapy. If you happen to suffer from such side effects, then you must inform your healthcare provider immediately.
  • Infections
    Medical conditions such as tuberculosis, bacterial infections like endocarditis, osteomyelitis, abscesses or HIV can often trigger night sweats. This means that more than a condition in itself, it can be a sign of some major health scare. Therefore, it is always smart to get routine checkups done to ensure necessary precautions in time.
  • Idiopathic hyperhidrosis
    A chronic condition, idiopathic hyperhidrosis is nothing but excessive sweating. The concrete reason behind this problem is not known, but the good news is that it isn’t damaging to your life. However, it can cause someone to be a little self-conscious due to constant sweating, but with proper hygiene measures and medical intervention, it can be handled well.
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