Night sweats - Balance Health Clinic

Night Sweats: Causes and When to See a Doctor

Night sweats refer to excessive sweating that occurs during sleep. They are a common symptom of various medical conditions and illnesses.

Some key points about night sweats:

• They involve excessive sweating even when it's cool, unlike sweating from heat or a fever.
• The sweating is often heavy and drenches sleepwear or sheets.
• Night sweats can occur every night or intermittently.

What Causes Night Sweats?

Night sweats have many potential causes including:

• Menopause - Hormone changes often trigger hot flashes and night sweats in women going through menopause.
• Infections - Infections that cause fever or flu-like illness can lead to sweating at night.
• Cancers - Night sweats are a common symptom with cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.
• Medications - Certain medications list night sweats as a side effect.
• Hypoglycemia - Low blood sugar levels can trigger sweating during the night.
• Hormone disorders - Problems with the thyroid, pituitary gland, or hormones like low testosterone may play a role.
• Idiopathic hyperhidrosis - A small number of people have this condition involving excessive sweating without a clear trigger.

When to See a Doctor About Night Sweats

Make an appointment with your doctor if:

• Night sweats begin suddenly and persist every night.
• You have drenching sweats without an explainable cause like a hot room temperature or infection.
• You also have unexplained weight loss, fever, or other troubling symptoms.

Diagnosing the underlying cause is key. Your doctor will ask about your medical history and symptoms and may run tests to help determine the source, which guides appropriate treatment.

Visit Balance Health Clinic for expert diagnosis and treatment of night sweats and other hormone-related issues.