6 Medical Causes Of Night Sweats
Sweating is a process that helps regulate your body temperature. It also helps to regulate the amount of urea, essential amino acids and other substances left over from various processes. Most people sweat when they exercise or do something else that requires a lot of physical exertion. However, some people also suffer from excessive night sweats. In this case, it can be useful to know what the causes of night sweats can be.
Sweating is a normal physical reaction. But night sweats can in many cases interrupt a person’s sleep and cause sleeping problems.
Initially, it may be easy to ignore it. However, if it becomes more frequent, then it is time to consider other medical conditions.
Many people tend to overlook the underlying causes of night sweats. That is why we have listed the six most important ones for you in this article .
Medical Causes of Night Sweats
1. Menopause
Menopause is one of the most common medical causes of night sweats in women. Abrupt hormonal changes, especially a drop in estrogen levels, are the main cause of this.
Women who suffer from this problem may feel as if they are choking. This hinders their sleep and can even cause changes in heart rate.
- To these symptoms to go, it may be necessary for a take in to supplement. This can ensure that hormonal activity is properly regulated.
- In general, it is a good idea to sleep in a cool room. Use sheets made from natural materials. Also make sure to wear comfortable clothes.
2. Certain drugs
Unfortunately, certain medicines can also have this annoying symptom as a side effect.
For example, some studies show that drugs for anxiety and depression can trigger periods of night sweats.
Some other treatments that use drugs that can cause night sweats include:
- Hormone therapy
- Medications that lower blood sugar levels
- Cortisone, a steroid hormone used to treat inflammation and reduce pain
3. Tuberculosis
Most of the factors that can be associated with night sweats are not serious or difficult problems to treat. Sometimes, however, they can be caused by chronic diseases, such as tuberculosis.
This disease drastically affects the health of the lungs. It is almost always accompanied by heavy sweats during the night.
In addition, dey symptoms can be accompanied by:
- High fever
- Chest pain
- Cough, with blood
- Problems with breathing
4. Neurological Problems
Anxiety and nerves can cause your body temperature to rise. This forces your body to sweat to restore body temperature. However, this is a completely natural reaction and does not only occur during the night.
However, when this problem occurs repeatedly at night, it may be related to medical conditions. For example, with diseases associated with the neurological system, such as Parkinson’s disease and others.
- The damage these diseases can do to your nervous system can interrupt the signals sent to your sweat glands. This then results in this symptom.
5. Chronic Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is the medical term used to describe excessive sweating. It is a common condition that can only be caused by a person’s genes. However, it is considered a chronic condition.
For obvious reasons, patients who suffer from hyperhidrosis often also suffer from night sweats. As a result, they feel as if they are choking.
- So these people need a cooler bedroom. What most people would call a ‘normal temperature’ is often too warm for them.
- Hyperhidrosis is not a serious health problem. However, sometimes it can be very unpleasant and difficult to deal with.
6. Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland produces more hormones than normal. Of course, this also affects the metabolism and can cause discomfort and other changes in the body.
- Are you very tired during the day? Do you regularly sweat a lot during the night? This could indicate that you have hyperthyroidism.
- This condition is associated with an intolerance to heat. If it bothers you, it is therefore important to lower the temperature in your bedroom. Only then will you be able to rest well.
- Other symptoms include changes in body weight, tremors in the hands, and excessive hair loss.
Is your sleep regularly interrupted because you sweat so much during the night? Night sweats are a very annoying symptom. For example, it can cause insomnia if left untreated. It does not always indicate a health problem. But it is still wise to consult your doctor if the symptoms are very severe and persist for a long time.