As integral and usual as sweating is for the human body to regulate its temperature, excess sweating from heat or exhaustion and night sweating are two completely different things. While the purpose of both is to cool down the body temperature reading, night sweat can be defined as episodes of excessive sweating or perspiration, mainly occurring while you sleep at night. However, do not be mistaken, as night sweats can occur without physical exertion, high surrounding temperatures, or heavy blankets. The episodes can even leave one drenched in sweat, requiring a change of clothes and sheets. And as an apparent consequence can reduce one’s sleep quality, trigger discomfort, concern partners, etc.
Though night sweats are pretty standard, often with no severe implication or reasons, knowing the cause and treating it, besides consulting a doctor, is the only right way to be sure. Let us have a look –
Common Causes Of Night Sweats And Their Treatment
Before we dig into causes of night sweat, know that hot flashes and night sweats are not the same. While the sudden feeling of excessive warmth, known as hot flashes, can occur at any time of the day, true night sweats are a form of hot flash that occurs at night while provoking heavy perspiration.
Menopause
The permanent discontinuation of the menstrual cycle in women, known as menopause, significantly impacts their body and the production of hormones such as progesterone and estrogen. These hormones are believed to be a crucial trigger for hot flashes in women during menopause, affecting up to 85% of them.
These hot flashes, in most cases, begin at premenopause and can continue up to post-menopause, lasting a few minutes, multiple times a day and also night, often leading to night sweats.
However, the sleeping difficulties and insomnia in most women around menopause are not entirely because of night sweat, though it is most definitely a contributor.
Treatment – Lifestyle changes to adjust to the symptoms around menopause are an excellent way to reduce their effects. To reduce experiences of night sweats and hot flashes includes sleeping in an air-conditioned or cool room and avoiding alcohol consumption.
Nevertheless, if these do not work or symptoms continue, hormone therapy may also alleviate the symptoms. Consult your doctor as they may help prescribe medication for the purpose.
Infections
Several infections are also a common cause of night sweats. It is due to fever or overheating caused due to the infection. A few significant infections that night sweats happen to be an important symptom that includes – HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), Tuberculosis Bacteria, Fungal Infection, etc.
Treatment – Different types of drugs and medications, from antibiotics to antiviral, depending on the type of infection, can be used to lift off the symptoms successfully. But, again, consult your doctor for a prescription.
