Do you often wake up during the night with damp bedding, your pajamas drenched with sweat, and feeling uncomfortable and disturbed? If yes, you are experiencing excessive night sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis.

Excessive sweating at night is not only uncomfortable and irritating, but also a sign of an underlying health issue. In this piece, we will discuss the various causes of excessive sweating at night and offer some solutions.

Causes of Excessive Sweating at Night

Medical Conditions

Excessive sweating at night can be a symptom of various medical conditions such as thyroid problems, menopause, and diabetes. The body’s hormonal fluctuation during menopause causes hot flashes, which can result in excessive sweating at night.

On the other hand, overactive thyroid glands can cause the body to release too much hormone, leading to sweating. Diabetic patients might experience night sweats as a result of a low blood sugar count.

Medications

Certain medications like antidepressants, antipyretic, and viral medications can result in excessive sweating at night. The autonomic nervous system, which regulates body temperature and sweating, might be affected by these medicines.

Anxiety and Stress

If you are experiencing excessive worrying and stress, you might develop night sweating. Anxiety triggers the sympathetic nervous system, leading to an increase in adrenaline, which in turn signals the sweat glands to perspire more.

This reaction can further trigger more anxiety, which can be a vicious cycle.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea leads to frequent starts and stops in breathing during sleep, which can cause excessive sweating at night. This happens because the sudden increase in heart rate and blood pressure stimulates sweating.

Cancer

While sweating is often a side effect of cancer treatments like radiation, excessive sweating can be an early sign of certain types of cancer. Excessive night sweating can be a sign of blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.

Solutions for Excessive Sweating at Night

Lifestyle Changes

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy and nutritious foods, regular exercise, taking vitamins and minerals helps to lower the risk of excessive sweating at night, especially if it is caused by stress.

Practicing stress-relieving techniques such as yoga and meditation can also be helpful. Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and consuming excess sugar can also help to keep excessive sweating under control.

Medical Treatment

Medical treatment can effectively reduce night sweating caused by certain medical conditions like menopause and hyperthyroidism by hormone therapy and medications. Cancer treatment might also require medications to reduce excessive sweating.

If medication is the culprit, your doctor can change your prescription and offer alternatives that do not have night sweating as a side effect.

Cooling Techniques

The use of cooling techniques such as air-conditioning, fans, and breathable bedding materials like cotton can relieve sweating. Sleeping with fewer clothes or using lighter bed linen can also help.

In Conclusion

Excessive night sweating can make sleeping uncomfortable and lead to daytime fatigue and irritability. If you experience it often, it is essential to seek medical attention.

Making lifestyle changes and taking prescribed medications can help reduce night sweating and improve your overall quality of life.