What are night sweats?
Night sweats refer to excessive sweating during sleep. They involve drenching night sweats where you might have to change your pajamas and sheets.
What causes night sweats?
Some common causes include:
- Menopause - Changing hormone levels during menopause can cause hot flashes and night sweats. Hormone therapy may help. The experts at Hormone Health Center clinic can provide customized bioidentical hormone treatments to help ease menopause symptoms.
- Medications - Antidepressants, diabetes medications, and medicines for pain, arthritis, and heart problems can trigger sweating at night.
- Hypoglycemia - Low blood sugar levels can cause sweating. Eating a small snack before bedtime may help.
- Illnesses - Infections like TB, endocarditis, cancer, and lymphoma can induce night sweats. See your doctor promptly if you have night sweats along with unexplained weight loss.
- Idiopathic hyperhidrosis - This condition causes excessive sweating without any underlying medical cause. Botox injections, topical aluminum chloride, and even surgery may be treatment options depending on severity.
Managing night sweats
Along with treating any underlying condition causing the sweating, general tips include:
- Sleep in a cool room
- Use lightweight, breathable bedding and pajamas
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and exercise close to bedtime
- Practice relaxation techniques before bed like meditation or yoga
- Keep an ice pack or cold glass of water by the bedside
- Try sage tea - it has natural antisweating properties
- Apply peppermint or witch hazel water on pulse points
See your doctor if night sweats interfere with your sleep or daily life. The endocrinology specialists at Hormone Health Center offer thorough evaluations and cutting edge treatments for excessive sweating and night sweats. Call today to book your appointment.