Night sweats affect men, women, and children of all ages.
There are a variety of causes of this often bothersome condition, and in some cases it may take several tests to determine what exactly is causing the issue.
Night sweats, also known as sleep hyperhidrosis, can cause a person to have fitful or uncomfortable sleep.
Generally sleep hyperhidrosis occurs even in cool or cold environments, not just in patients sleeping in overheated rooms.
What Are Common Causes of Night Sweats in Women? One of the most common causes of night sweating is hot flashes related to menopause.
Many women suffer from hot flashes well before starting menopause, in the period known as perimenopause.
These hot flashes can be intense and cause heavy sweating, including while the patient is sleeping.
Some women also are genetically disposed to sweating while sleeping.
Pregnancy is another common cause of this symptom in women.
Fluctuating or changing hormones are the real root of the cause for both pregnancy and menopause sweats.
What Causes Night Sweats in Men and Children? Idiopathic hyperhidrosis is a condition where, for no apparent reason, the body produces too much sweat.
This condition usually affects patients during all times of the day.
Also, infections such as an abscessed tooth or a boil are another common and normally benign cause of sweating at night.
Low blood sugar often triggers sweating, so diabetic patients may experiencing sweating during the night as they have episodes of hypoglycemia.
There are a few serious problems that may be indicated by this symptom.
Hormone disorders, such as hyperthyroidism, some forms of cancer, and neurological disorders can all cause sweating during sleep.
Tuberculosis is a serious infection of the lungs that also causes sweating.
If other less worrisome causes have been ruled out, it may be necessary to visit a doctor and undergo testing for these serious conditions.
When to Consult Your Physician While sleep hyperhidrosis may or may not be a serious issue on their own, only a doctor can determine if there is a more serious condition causing it.
Even if caused by menopause or a harmless hormonal fluctuation, sweating while sleeping can soak the bed and nightclothes of a patient suffering from it.
If sweating while sleeping is keeping you from getting a full night's rest, you may want to consider trying some of the many home night sweats treatments.
If these do not work, your doctor may be able to provide you with medical night sweats treatment to offer your relief.