Sweating at night (night sweats)
Many people complain about sweating at night (night sweats) from time to time, but it is often an exceptional phenomenon that occurs only rarely. However, if excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) becomes the norm, caution is advised. In addition to sleep disorders, serious illnesses can also be the result.
Night sweats: description
Sweating at night (night sweats) refers to excessive sweating during nighttime sleep. While light sweating while sleeping is normal, the body gives off so much fluid during night sweats that those affected soak their nightclothes and bedclothes, the released fluid makes their hair wet and a change of pajamas or even a shower is necessary.
Sweating must also be independent of external factors such as room temperature or overly spicy food and must occur over a longer period of time in order to have a medical background. Night sweats are also known as hyperhidrosis.
causes
The causes and triggers for night sweats are very diverse and can be harmless, but also indicate serious illnesses. The most important thing is whether there are any other symptoms in addition to the night sweats. Without other symptoms, night sweats are usually caused by relatively harmless causes such as stress or irregular sleeping times. Phases of hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause often trigger night sweats.However, if symptoms such as fever , weight loss or pain occur in addition to the sweating , this can indicate various serious illnesses or disorders. In addition to viral diseases such as flu or endocarditis, these also include AIDS, certain types of cancer such as leukemia, or alcoholism.
Diseases that affect metabolism and hormone production can also cause night sweats. These include, for example, diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2 or an overactive thyroid gland. Diseases of the central nervous system such as Parkinson’s can also trigger night sweats.
Diseases
When to the doctor?
Normally, sweating at night is not a worrying condition. It is described as a natural process that in most cases does not require a doctor’s visit. It is often sufficient if the sleeping conditions are controlled and changed. Bedding that is too warm, a room temperature that is too high and a lack of oxygen can trigger sweating. If the symptoms disappear after a change in sleeping conditions, there is no need to consult a doctor. If they persist for several weeks, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
If other symptoms such as dry mouth , sore throat, coughing or frequent urination occur, a doctor should be consulted. If you have breathing problems, persistent tiredness or a general feeling of being unwell, you should also see a doctor. There are other diseases that need to be clarified and treated. If sweating at night is associated with an intense dream experience, emotional stress may be present. If you experience sleep disorders , increased anxiety or a stressful experience, you should see a doctor.
People who consume alcohol excessively often suffer from night sweats. A doctor should be consulted to diagnose the presence of other organ damage or addiction. If hormonal problems also occur, there may be disorders of the thyroid gland. See a doctor as medical attention is needed to prevent further symptoms.
Diagnose
When diagnosing night sweats, the key is to identify the triggers. First of all, it should be ruled out that the night sweats are not caused by external influences such as a room temperature that is too high in the bedroom or blankets or pajamas that are too warm.
Once this has happened, discussions with the patient and the determination of further, additional symptoms can be used to make initial assumptions about possible diseases that cause sweating and to rule out others. If the person concerned ignores the night sweats and does not consult a doctor, this can have serious consequences, since the triggering factors are not treated in good time and can therefore become worse.
In the case of diseases for which there is only a good chance of recovery if they are detected early, such as leukemia, this can even make the difference between life and death. If you sweat regularly at night, you should always seek medical advice.
complications
Of course, sweating at night is not an independent clinical picture, but rather a symptom. For this reason, there can also be various complications in this context. In most cases, an infection is responsible for sweating at night. At the same time, there is often an elevated temperature or fever, so that drug treatment is recommended.
If there is no medical or drug treatment at all, there is a risk that the fever will rise to over 40 degrees. At this point at the latest, a doctor should definitely be consulted in order to avoid more serious complications.
Under certain circumstances, excessive nervousness can also be responsible for sweating at night. In such a case, the body does not really rest and can relax at night. This can lead to various complications the following day. The affected person can show severe signs of tiredness, lack of concentration and severe headaches can also occur. In such a case, a doctor should be consulted immediately. It is important to tackle the cause of why the affected person cannot get a proper rest at night. This is the only way to permanently eliminate the above-mentioned complications.
treatment and therapy
The actual triggers are also important in the treatment of intense night sweats. For example, if the sweating is caused by an infection , it must be treated so that the sweating also disappears. Overactive thyroid glands can now be well controlled with medicines. Even those cancers that lead to night sweats can be treated with good chances of recovery if diagnosed in good time.
Stress can be reduced, for example, with various relaxation techniques or psychotherapy. It is often enough to change certain evening habits, because even doing without a glass of beer or wine or coffee after dinner can prevent night sweats. Avoiding greasy and spicy food in the evening can also prevent sweating at night.
prevention
In order to prevent night sweats, a healthy lifestyle is recommended. In addition to a healthy and balanced diet , alcohol should only be consumed in moderation and smoking should be avoided entirely. In addition, sufficient exercise, such as sport or walks, contributes to a restful and sweat-free night’s sleep.Being overweight should also be avoided. In order to fall asleep stress-free, it is advisable to switch off and relax before going to bed, for example by reading a book, listening to music or doing relaxation exercises. Sage tea is also considered a natural remedy for relieving night sweats .
Night sweating is an elusive symptom as it can be a sign of a staggering number of diseases and disorders. If intense night sweats occur regularly and are not caused by external factors, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.