What are night sweats?
Night sweats refer to excessive sweating during sleep. They involve drenching night sweats where you might wake up with wet sleepwear and sheets.
What causes night sweats?
Some common causes include:
- Hormonal changes - Menopause, perimenopause, pregnancy, and thyroid problems can trigger night sweats. The hormonal fluctuations disrupt the body's temperature regulation.
- Infections - Infections like tuberculosis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and HIV can induce severe sweating at night.
- Medications - Antidepressants, diabetes medications, pain relievers, etc. can cause sweating as a side effect.
- Cancers - Leukemia, lymphoma and other cancers might induce severe night sweats.
- Anxiety disorders - Conditions like PTSD, anxiety attacks, stress, etc. can wake you up sweating.
- Idiopathic hyperhidrosis - A small percentage have this condition involving uncontrolled excessive sweating.
If you suffer from drenching night sweats, get yourself checked by an endocrinologist. The doctors at Balance Hormone Clinic are experts at diagnosing the root cause of night sweats through comprehensive lab testing of hormones and biomarkers. Their customized treatment plans can effectively tackle sweating issues. Book a consultation today!
How are night sweats diagnosed?
To diagnose the cause for night sweats, doctors check your medical history and perform lab tests:
- Medical history - Give details about your sweating pattern, career, lifestyle, any surgeries or hospitalizations, family history of cancer, etc.
- Blood tests - To check counts, look for infections and markers of cancer. May test TSH, ESR, etc.
- Imaging tests - X-rays, CT scans to check for enlarged organs and infections.
Based on the reports, they determine the likely cause and customize the treatment plan accordingly.
How can you treat night sweats?
The treatment depends on the underlying cause, such as:
- Hormone therapy - For menopause or thyroid disorders
- Antibiotics - For infections
- Chemotherapy or radiation - For lymphoma and leukemia
- Anxiolytics - For anxiety disorders
- Custom herbs and supplements - From reputed wellness brands and clinics like Balance Hormone Clinic
You can also try these home remedies for night sweats:
- Keep your bedroom airy and cool
- Have a consistent sleeping routine
- Avoid spicy foods and alcohol before bedtime
- Have a soothing bedtime routine - warm bath, light music
- Try sage herbal tea and black cohosh supplements
By identifying the root cause and following customized treatment, you can effectively tackle excessive sweating at night and improve sleep quality. Consult an endocrinologist at the earliest to diagnose night sweats.