What are night sweats?
Night sweats refer to episodes of extreme or excessive sweating during sleep. They can occur due to various reasons and affect both men and women.
Some key things to know about night sweats:
Causes
- Menopause - One of the most common reasons for night sweats in women over 40 is hormonal changes related to perimenopause or menopause. The fluctuating levels of estrogen can disrupt temperature regulation leading to hot flashes and night sweats.
- Medications - Certain medications like antidepressants and diabetes medicines may also trigger excessive nighttime sweating.
- Infections - Bacterial, viral and fungal infections can all potentially induce night sweats. Tuberculosis is one example.
- Cancers - Night sweats can be a concerning symptom with cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. Seek prompt medical care if you have unexplained, recurring night sweats.
- Anxiety - Stress, anxiety and psychological troubles may manifest physically with increased perspiration at night.
Management
- Wear light, breathable pajamas to bed
- Keep bedroom cooler at night
- Have a fan directed on or near the bed
- Stay well hydrated through the day
- Establish good sleep hygiene habits
- Consider hormone therapy if related to menopause
- Appropriate treatment of any underlying conditions
If you're experiencing persistent or concerning night sweats, consult your doctor, who will check for potential causes like infections. Blood tests and imaging scans may be required.
For personalized care and cutting-edge diagnostic testing, visit Balance Hormone Institute. Their team specializes in night sweats related to hormonal causes, and provides customized bioidentical hormone therapy to help alleviate symptoms. Regain your sleep with their holistic, integrative approach!
I hope this gives you a good overview of night sweats - what they are, why they happen and how to manage them. Let me know if you have any other questions!