Night Sweats: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Many factors can cause night sweats, and identifying the root issue could be half the battle in getting better sleep.

Stress & Anxiety

Anxiety can present itself in many ways, and night sweats can be one symptom of your body expressing stress due to chronic anxiety or panic attacks. The issue of night sweating could even spark further anxiety, creating a cycle. Stress is known to cause multiple physical responses, including higher blood pressure, depression, and acne^[1]. When we feel as though we’re under pressure, it’s not uncommon for our body to exert energy— like sweating— however it can to find relief. Learn more about how anxiety can affect your sleep here.

Obesity

Individuals who are overweight may experience night sweats due to their bodies working overtime to regulate temperature and blood pressure. People come in all shapes and sizes and we’re behind the body positivity movement, however, excess weight can still cause serious health concerns and may require adjustment to protect our health.

Learn more: The Link between Obesity and Sleep

Idiopathic Hyperhidrosis

We need to sweat; it’s a normal and healthy part of our body’s way of keeping us cool when we are hot. When a person sweats in amounts greater than physiologically needed for thermoregulation, though, that is called Idiopathic Hyperhidrosis. “Hyperhidrosis” means excessive sweating, and “idiopathic” means “of unknown cause.”  Usually, hyperhidrosis is localized, meaning it is more concentrated in certain areas like the hands, feet, armpits, or groin (as that’s where we have the most sweat glands), but it can also be generalized.  Most cases appear during a person’s teenage years, but they can develop earlier or later in life as well. Some cases are caused by an underlying issue, like obesity, gout, menopause, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism. Some cases, though, are not related to a known cause.  According to the Archives of Dermatological Research², the number of cases of hyperhidrosis in the United States is greater than that in other countries. This condition affects 4.8 percent of the population or approximately 15.3 million people. That makes it a more common diagnosis than autism, melanoma, psoriasis, or peanut allergies.  There are some at-home remedies you can try if you think you might be experiencing hyperhidrosis, like antiperspirant, armpit shields, light and airy clothing, wearing more breathable shoes, and not wearing socks or warm clothes to bed at night.  Some people, though, might want to look into treatment options³, which can include iontophoresis, Botox injections; nerve-blocking medications, microwave therapy, sweat gland removal, and nerve surgery.

Antidepressants

Some antidepressants or SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are known to induce night sweats. About 22 percent of individuals who take antidepressants report excessive sweating^[4], particularly those on venlafaxine and sertraline; this occurs because SSRIs can change how your body regulates its internal core temperature.

However, some SSRI medications show decreased susceptibility to sweating, so discussing alternatives with your doctor could be an option.

Migraine Medication & Pain Relievers (Opioids)

Triptan medications are used to treat migraines and cluster headaches, but they can also induce sweating. Like SSRIs, these medications boost serotonin levels which change the way our bodies maintain temperature, and increase^[5] sweating as a result.

Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can also heighten perspiration. These medications function by dilating blood vessels to lower fevers, and as blood vessels dilate, they release heat from the skin, and, in turn, raise sweat levels.

 Opioids like morphine can also cause excessive sweating because they stimulate mast cells which release histamine, the chemical involved in inflammation, leading to sweat.

Hypoglycemia

Insulin and glipizide are common medications used to alter blood glucose levels, and sweating is a known side effect. Diabetes can go undetected, so if you’re experiencing chills, sweating, drowsiness, or dizziness, be sure to check that your blood sugar is within a healthy range, as sweating could be a sign of low blood sugar.

Menopause

When individuals go through menopause, they typically experience a significant shift in their hormone levels. This can cause various symptoms like hot flashes, mood changes, bodily shifts, and excessive sweating. Sweating can occur when hormonal changes happen, which is a central component of menopause. Here, you can read more on the connection between menopause and insomnia. 

 Explore our top picks for the best mattresses for menopause. 

Low Testosterone

Testosterone is the primary hormone responsible for sperm production and muscle mass accumulation in males. As testosterone declines with age, the body reacts in various ways, including increased sweating⁶.

Hormone Disorders

Hormone disorders, which are correlated with the body’s endocrine system, could result in excess sweat. Hyperthyroidism⁷, for example, is a type of hormone disorder that occurs when the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormones than necessary, making your body temperature rise, which can increase sweating. Individuals on hormone replacement therapy medications (HRT) could also experience^[8] night sweats due to hormone alterations. Estrogen and testosterone can both contribute to changes in our body, and affect the way we perspire. Hormones regulate crucial functions in our bodies, and shifts in hormone levels could be to blame for night sweats.

Infection

According to the American Osteopathic Association⁹, one of the most common reasons behind night sweats is infections. This can include bacterial infections like endocarditis (inflammation of the heart valves), or osteomyelitis (inflammation within the bones.) The most common infection associated with night sweats, though, is tuberculosis. 

 Another common reason behind night sweats is if you have just recently had an illness, like a virus or infection. Even if you have just had a minor respiratory infection, for example, your body’s temperature might still be slightly elevated with fever, and a fever coming on or breaking during the night will cause you to sweat more than usual¹⁰.

In this case, night sweats are not a concern and are a normal part of getting over an infection or illness. 

Sleep Apnea

Sleep disorders could be the root cause of night sweats. According to a study in the BMJ Open, night sweats are three times^[11] more likely to occur in individuals with untreated sleep apnea. Sleep apnea momentarily halts your breathing as your air passageways become blocked, typically waking you up. These moments could cause panic and raise your heart rate, leading to more sweat.

Autoimmune Disorders

Night sweats are symptomatic of a myriad of autoimmune disorders. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and Sjogren’s syndrome all have night sweats as symptoms^[12].

 Unfortunately, diagnosing an autoimmune disorder can be difficult as the signs overlap with various other health problems. Consulting a physician is paramount if you think you could be dealing with an autoimmune disease.

Cancer

In some cases, night sweats can be early precursors to cancers, including lymphoma, bone cancer, liver cancer, mesothelioma, and leukemia. Experts aren’t clear on why this is, but some believe it’s because the body is busy fighting off the foreign invaders.

Cancer is known to cause fever in some instances, which can instigate more sweating^[13]. Further, treatments like chemotherapy and hormone-altering drugs are known to cause sweating as well.

Heart Disease

According to research^[14] done by the University of Queensland in Australia, heart disease appears to be linked to night sweats. The study found that women are 70 percent more likely to have heart attacks, angina, or strokes if they experience hot flashes and night sweats after menopause.

 Experts also noted that the risk of these events was correlated to the severity of the hot flashes and sweating rather than the frequency.

Neurological Disorders

Night sweats could occur as a symptom of particular neurological conditions like stroke, autonomic neuropathy, syringomyelia, or autonomic dysreflexia. Neurological issues are associated with many symptoms, but some early potential precursors include appetite loss, loss of consciousness, urinary symptoms, trembling, dizziness, weakness, numbness, and more. If you’re concerned about your health, it’s critical to see a professional as soon as possible.

Night sweats can keep you up at night, but there are solutions to mitigate discomfort.

Enduring night sweats can affect your quality of sleep, and in turn, your daily life, so professional treatment may be required to treat the issue.

CBT

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a common technique in the psychological sphere, and it may help treat physical ailments like hot flashes and night sweats. According to a research study completed over six weeks, CBT²⁰ could be effective at reducing night sweats. The technique worked primarily by altering the cognitive appraisal of night sweats and hot flashes, showing promise for CBT as a treatment for this issue.

Medications & Hormone Therapies

In some instances, lifestyle changes may not help night sweats, in which case there are alternatives. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is when an individual takes medication to replace the estrogen the body is lacking. HRT can help with numerous issues but could improve the occurrence of night sweating as well. 

 Additionally, paroxetine, a low-dose SSRI, is used to treat night sweating and hot flashes. If you think you could benefit from medication, we recommend discussing your options with a qualified professional.

Those who experience night sweats frequently and persistently should speak to a doctor about their condition. Night sweats are not always indicative of a more significant issue, but they could be symptomatic of an underlying condition that requires medical attention.

Sleep is a critical component in living a healthy life, without which we could suffer just as we would if we were deprived of food or water. Consult a professional to discuss treatment options if you’re experiencing inadequate rest or little sleep due to night sweats.

Noticing your night sweats have begun to appear alongside other issues like dizziness, fever, coughing, loss of appetite, or other unusual occurrences, could indicate a more extensive condition. If this is the case, it’s essential to keep track of your experiences and seek medical attention.

In some instances, night sweats appear alongside other symptoms like weight loss. Some autoimmune disorders cause night sweating and other issues like unexplained weight loss or dizzy spells. Identifying the problem can be half the battle, so seeing a doctor is critical for help.

Night sweats occur when we get too hot, and the blood vessels in our skin expand to increase blood flow to release heat. The body then transfers this energy from our bodies to the environment^[21] through sweat, which is then released and evaporated.

Hot flashes are periods of sudden, intense warmth that typically affect your face, neck, and chest area. Your skin may become sweaty and red, or appear as if you’re blushing.

Night sweats and hot flashes can be related, but they can occur separately from one another as well. Hot flashes often arise due to menopause or other conditions that alter hormone production, and the hormonal shift can cause both of these issues. However, night sweats can happen due to various other conditions, too; so, while menopause and hot flashes are mutually exclusive, menopause and night sweats are not.