What Causes Night Sweats?

Night sweats are common amongst about 3% of Americans. Unless you live in a really hot environment or wear too many clothes for bed, night sweats are not normal. Essentially, night sweats, as the name suggests, are hot flashes that happen when you are asleep. If you have ever woken up either drenched in sweat, under circumstances where you normally wouldn’t sweat, is signs of night sweat. While there are many causes for night sweats, we aim to list the top causes of night sweat among men and women. Nevertheless, it is important to seek a doctor’s opinion to identify the underlying cause.

Medication

Certain medicines, especially antidepressants or psychiatric drugs, can cause night sweats. It is estimated that at least 22% of people who take antidepressants regularly have sweats. According to Mayo Clinic, a number of medications can cause night sweats as a side effect. Check with your doctor about all side effects, every time you get prescribed medication. Fever medications can also cause night sweats, and is often a symptom of the fever leaving your body.

Hormonal Imbalance

People suffering from thyroid, diabetes, menopause, puberty or pregnancy frequently have night sweats. This is mainly due to an imbalance in hormones that causes night sweats. People with diabetes regularly have night sweats due to regular intake of insulin. With women on periods or menopause, the body generally goes through fluctuating hormones that cause night sweats and moodiness. Hypothyroidism, in many, can cause your body to go on overdrive that can also come out in the form of night sweats.

Hyperhidrosis

This is a condition that causes people to sweat for no apparent reason. Hyperhidrosis comes in two forms: primary and secondary. Primary hyperhidrosis happens when your doctors usually find it hard to point a reason for your night sweats. Secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by medication or symptoms of health ailment. If you are wondering how to identify the type of hyperhidrosis, then check for the area of sweating. Primary hyperhidrosis causes sweat on the forehead, palms of your hands and feet, and armpits. Secondary hyperhidrosis, on the other hand, causes sweat on the large body surface or sometimes even throughout the body.

Sleep Apnea

If you are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, one of the main symptoms is night sweats. Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes irregular breathing while sleeping. Paired with other symptoms like snoring and excessive day fatigue, night sweat is a classic indication of sleep apnea. Unfortunately, night sweats caused by sleep apnea is a serious issue that requires immediate medical attention.

Mental and Neurological Conditions

As opposed to common perception, anxiety is not just about worry and fear. The body goes through a host of reactions and one such is night sweats. Many a time, nightmares triggered by the anxiety can also cause night sweats arising from fear or worry. It is definitely recommended to get a doctor’s opinion if you face chronic night sweats. Other neurological conditions can also cause night sweats, like PTSD, stroke, etc.

Bonus: Switch to Bamboo Sheets

If your night sweats are not caused by any of the above reasons and your doctor clears your off any health issues, night sweats could be due to hot environment. To address your cause, bamboo bed sheets are here to help!

Bamboo sheets are known for its lightweight and superior comfort. Most importantly, the bamboo fibers are natural sweat absorbent and three times more breathable than cotton. This typically means bamboo sheets won’t easily get wet with night sweats and disturb your sleep. Its hypoallergenic components are an added benefit if you are suitable to allergies. Check out our premium range of bamboo sheets today to enjoy uninterrupted sleep.