Night sweats are an uncomfortable and often embarrassing experience that can affect men and women of all ages.
Night sweats refer to excessive sweating during sleep. It mainly occurs in the lower extremities, particularly the feet, hands, and legs.
While they can be a symptom of a serious illness, night sweats are often relatively harmless and manageable.
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In this article, we’ll explore some common causes of night sweats and how to manage them. With the right knowledge, you can get back to sleeping soundly and waking up feeling refreshed. Keep reading to learn more.
5 Common Causes of Night Sweats
There are several potential causes of night sweats, but these are five of the most common causes:
- Your Medications
Your prescribed medications might cause night sweats as a side effect, including the following:
- Antidepressants
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Antipsychotics
- Benzodiazepines
- Corticosteroids
- Hormonal treatments
- Immunosuppressants
- Pain medications
Talk to your doctor if you think your medication could be causing night sweats.
- Your Alcohol Intake
Certain lifestyle factors can cause night sweats. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause your core body temperature to increase, triggering night sweats.
- Your Bedroom Temperature
Is your bedroom causing night sweats? Excessive heat in your bedroom or living environment can increase your core body temperature. Sleep experts suggest keeping bedrooms between 60 to 65 degrees for optimal comfort.
- Your Stress Level
Do you lead a stressful life? Stress can raise your body temperature and trigger night sweats. You can reduce nighttime anxiety by creating a bedtime routine and sticking with it.
The routine should include no screen time in the bedroom and going to bed at the same time every night.
- Your Health
The night sweats may be related to an underlying medical issue. Many medical conditions can cause night sweats.
Endocrine disorders affect the hormones responsible for regulating our body’s functions, such as thyroid disease and diabetes.
Hormonal imbalances that cause changes in the production of estrogen and progesterone can be behind night sweats. Certain types of cancers and certain autoimmune disorders are also possible causes.
The body’s hormone levels change during pregnancy and menopause, as well as some other medical conditions.
How to Manage Them
No matter the cause, you can do some simple things to manage night sweats:
Turn down the thermostat: Hot flashes and night sweats are often triggered by an increase in your core body temperature.
Wear loose-fitting clothes: Loose clothes help reduce your core temperature.
Stick to a nightly routine: This will help regulate your sleep cycle, enabling you to fall asleep earlier and stay asleep longer.
If you experience night sweats, the first step toward managing them is to see a doctor. Your doctor will be able to determine the cause.
Treatment for night sweats depends on the cause but may include lifestyle changes, medication, or hormone therapy. By understanding the common causes, you can take steps to reduce the severity of your night sweats and improve your quality of sleep.
