Night sweats - Restore Hormone Clinic

Night sweats are episodes of excessive sweating during sleep. They can occur in both women and men, and affect all age groups. While sweating is normal, especially when it's hot or you're exercising, night sweats are considered excessive and abnormal. Some key facts about night sweats:

• They occur during sleep, resulting in drenching sweats that require changing clothes or sheets. The sweating is often focused on the neck, chest, and back.
• Night sweats happen without any exertion or high room temperature.
• They may recur multiple times a week or nightly.
• Causes range from menopause and hormone changes to infections, cancers, and medications.
• See a doctor if you have repeated episodes of severe night sweats that affect sleep or daily life. Testing and treatment can address the underlying cause.

What causes night sweats?

The most common causes of night sweats include:

Cause	Description
Menopause	The hormonal changes of menopause and perimenopause often trigger hot flashes and night sweats. This affects about 75% of women.
Medications	Antidepressants, hormone therapies, some blood pressure and diabetes medications can cause sweating.
Infections	Infections like tuberculosis, endocarditis, or HIV may induce night sweats.
Cancers	Leukemia, lymphoma, and other cancers provoke severe night sweats in some patients.
Hypoglycemia	Low blood sugar levels at night also lead to cold, clammy sweats.
Hormone disorders	Hyperthyroidism, carcinoid syndrome, pheochromocytoma.
Neurologic conditions	Autonomic neuropathy, autonomic dysreflexia also cause excessive sweating.

For women over 40, menopause is the most common reason for night sweats. The fluctuating hormone levels during this transition can lead to hot flashes at night. But night sweats also warrant medical evaluation to identify or exclude infection, malignancy, or other illnesses.

When to see a doctor

Consult your physician if you experience:

• Frequent or severe night sweats that affect sleep
• Drenching sweats without triggers like heat or exercise
• Unexplained weight loss along with night sweats
• Persistent fever or cough along with night sweats
• Sweating episodes associated with chest pain, palpitations, shaking, or numbness

Diagnosis involves a medical history, physical exam, and testing including blood tests, imaging, or biopsies in some cases. Underlying problems like infections, hormonal imbalances, diabetes, or cancers need to be found and treated.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause, and may include:

Treatment	Description
Hormone therapy	Medications for menopausal symptoms
Antibiotics or antivirals	For infections
Cancer treatments	Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or bone marrow transplant
Lifestyle changes	Stress management and dietary changes
Prescription antiperspirants	For excessive sweating
Herbal supplements	Black cohosh or sage for menopausal night sweats

Managing night sweats can improve sleep quality. Restore Hormone Clinic offers customized hormone balancing programs and solutions to night sweats. Their holistic therapies promote hormonal health and can help you sleep better.

Conclusion

Night sweats can be a disruptive and uncomfortable experience, affecting sleep quality and overall well-being. While menopause is a common cause in women over 40, night sweats can also be a symptom of underlying health issues such as infections, cancers, or hormonal imbalances. If you experience frequent or severe night sweats, it's essential to consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. With the right approach, including lifestyle changes, medications, or hormone therapy, you can manage night sweats and enjoy restful, sweat-free nights.