What Night Sweats Are And Why They Occur?

Answer 1

Night sweats are clinically referred to as sleep hyperhidrosis. They are characterized by excessive sweating while a person is asleep. People often wake to find their pajamas and bed linens soaked with perspiration and this problem can recur for many nights on end. Night sweats are essentially hot flashes that occur while the body is at a state of rest and which are not reflective of environmental temperatures or clothing choices. This type of sweating is markedly different from the natural perspiration that occurs when a person is wearing too many layers or sleeping in an overheated room. Common Causes For Night Sweats Many women experience night sweats throughout menopause, however, these unpleasant spells of excessive sweating are not solely reserved to menopausal women. People of both genders and of all ages can also experience sleep hyperhidrosis as the result of a systemic or severe infection or due to a chronic imbalance or illness. There are a number of bacterial and viral infections that can result in profuse sweating while sleeping, however, some of the most common include tuberculosis, HIV, inflammation of the heart valves or endocarditis, pneumonia and inflammation within the bones or osteomyelitis. Profuse sweating at night can also be an early symptom of cancer, particularly lymphoma. By addressing the underlying infection or illness, it is often possible to reduce the frequency of night sweats or to eliminate them entirely. For aging women, there are even options in hormone therapy that can help to alleviate excessive nighttime sweating. Night Sweats As A Side Effect Night sweats are also a common side effect of certain prescription medications. This is particularly true of anti-depressant medications, given their impact on neurological functioning as it relates to body temperature controls. There are also a number of over-the-counter products that are used to reduce fevers that can result in night sweats in both children and adults. Diagnosing And Treating Night Sweats Diagnostic processes can vary with each patient given the numerous, possible causes for sleep hyperhidrosis. Most doctors will begin a thorough review of the patient's medical history, medication use, sleep habits and any current, chronic ailments. The most effective remedy for this problem is to simply identify and resolve the underlying cause. In addition to bacterial and viral infections, cancer and hormonal changes, it will be necessary for providers to search for neurological issues that could be contributing to the patient's nighttime sweating.