Waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat can be a little scary.
You may be experiencing night sweats, which are usually associated with menopause.
But medical experts say the condition can also be caused by other problems or situations.
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To learn more, doctors participated in an interview with Fox News Digital to share their insights on the hot topic of night sweats and how to deal with them.
What are night sweats?
Excessive sweating during sleep, or night sweats, is caused by a dysregulation of the body's natural response to excess heat, says Jesús Lizarzable, MD, a family physician at TPMG Grafton Family Medicine in Yorktown, Virginia.
Night sweats are caused by a variety of factors. See if any of these look familiar. (St. Petersburg)
“Symptoms include sweating to the point that the bedding or nightwear is soaked, regardless of the overheated environment,” Lizalzable told FOX News Digital.
What are the causes of night sweats?
Night sweats can be caused by a variety of factors.
Hormonal changes. The most common cause of night sweats is hormonal changes such as menopause in women, Dr. Lizalzable said.
But this is not limited to women, he said.
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To a lesser extent, low testosterone in men can also cause night sweats.
medicine. Certain drugs can cause night sweats, such as antidepressants, drugs used to treat diabetes (hyperglycemic drugs), hormone blockers used to treat certain cancers, and certain psychiatric drugs. Lizalzable pointed out that there is a possibility.
Some doctors may be linked to night sweats, including antidepressants, drugs used to treat diabetes, hormone blockers used to treat certain cancers, and certain psychiatric medications. He pointed out that there is. (St. Petersburg)
Hormonal disorders. He explained that conditions such as hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid can cause night sweats.
Infection. Infections such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, endocarditis (inflammation of the heart valves), osteomyelitis (inflammation within the bones), and even abscesses can also cause night sweats, Lizalzabre says.
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“However, we would like to point out that in case of infection, other symptoms may appear, such as fever and local swelling,” he clarified.
How can I get rid of night sweats?
Dr. Mike Seville, a family physician at Salem Family Practice Center in Salem, Ohio, points out that treatment for night sweats actually depends on the cause.
He said treatment includes lifestyle modifications such as avoiding the causes of night sweats, sleeping in a cooler room and wearing more breathable clothing.
“I usually start with the first steps like this,” Sevilla said.
Experts say a variety of lifestyle modifications and non-drug options can help treat night sweats. (St. Petersburg)
“Medication options are possible,” he said. “However, we recommend speaking to your GP, as medical tests may be needed to rule out medical causes of night sweats.”
He also pointed out that there are many options other than lifestyle modifications and drugs to treat night sweats.
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clock Eating and drinking trigger. “Before bed, avoid things that can trigger night sweats, such as alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and spicy foods,” Sevilla said.
Time your training. Try increasing your exercise during your waking hours, rather than right before bed, he suggests.
Please stay hydrated. He recommends drinking cold water before bed.
Relax before bed. “Consider relaxation techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises,” he says.
Doctors say taking steps to relax before bed, like meditation and controlling your breathing, can help improve your sleep experience. (St. Petersburg)
Create a comfortable sleeping environment. Sleep in a cool room and consider using a fan in your bedroom, Sevilla says.
Upgrade your bed dressing. Consider investing in cooling pillows, cooling sheets, and cooling mattresses.
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Wear breathable clothing. It's a good idea to wear loose, lightweight pajamas and dress in layers to help you adjust during your sleep hours, he said.
Monitor your medications. Sevilla warned that some over-the-counter vitamins and over-the-counter supplements can cause night sweats or interfere with the effects of prescription medications.
“If night sweats keep you up all night, it can ultimately impact your quality of life.”
Maintain a healthy weight. Staying active and watching your diet may help reduce symptoms.
When should I see a doctor?
Seek medical attention any time your quality of life is affected, says Lizalzable of TPMG Grafton Family Medicine.
“If night sweats keep you up all night, it can ultimately affect your quality of life,” he says.
Aside from the impact on quality of life and sleep, patients should be most seriously concerned if they experience swollen lymph nodes, fever, or unexplained weight loss, as these may be symptoms of lymphoma. , Lizalzable told FOX News Digital.
A doctor or health care professional can help diagnose the cause of night sweats. (St. Petersburg)
A doctor or health care professional can help diagnose the cause of night sweats.
“For example, if menopause is the culprit, you can start with supplements and progress to hormone replacement,” says Lizalzable.
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“if [it’s about] If a man has low testosterone, testosterone supplementation can help. ”
He added: “If hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism) is the cause, we can prescribe medication to combat it.”
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And if a drug is causing night sweats, prescribers can “re-evaluate the condition and look for alternatives or adjust the dose,” he said.
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