Night Sweats: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

We chatted with Dr. Kiran Dintyala about night sweats, and he stated that the cause of excessive sweating at night can range from benign conditions to serious diseases to sleeping in a room that is too warm. menopause, obesity, 

Given that many factors can cause night sweats, we’ll do a deeper dive into some of the more common ones because identifying the root issue could be half the battle in getting better sleep.

Conditions

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.² 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

Obesity is commonly associated with night sweats.¹ If you have concerns that weight gain is a reason behind your night sweats, we recommend talking with your healthcare provider about a safe weight loss program that may help relieve your symptoms.

Learn more: 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 hyperhidrosis.³

Idiopathic (or primary) hyperhidrosis is when the sympathetic nerves are overactive, and this condition is usually localized, meaning it is more concentrated in certain areas like the hands, feet, or armpits. The secondary version of hyperhidrosis often results from a separate medical condition or certain medications. It differs from the primary form, typically occurring throughout the body.³The number of cases of hyperhidrosis in the United States is greater than that in other countries, and this condition affects 4.8 percent of the population — or approximately 15.3 million people.³

Antidepressants

Some antidepressants or SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are known to induce night sweats. About 22 percent of people who take antidepressants report excessive sweating, particularly those on venlafaxine and sertraline, and this occurs because SSRIs can change how your body regulates its internal core temperature.⁴

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 sweating as a result.⁵

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.⁵

Hypoglycemia

Insulin and glipizide are common medications used to alter blood glucose levels, and sweating is a known side effect.⁶ 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 people go through menopause, they typically experience a significant shift in their hormone levels, which can cause various symptoms, including hot flashes and excessive sweating.⁷ Since hot flashes can occur at any time of day, including night, they may lead to uncomfortable night sweats. 

Dr. Dintyala adds that night sweats tend to get better once menopause is over, which is usually by the age of 55. Here, you can read more about 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 sweating.⁸

Hormone Disorders

Hormone disorders, which are correlated with the body’s endocrine system, could result in excess sweat. Hyperthyroidism, 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.⁹

People taking hormone replacement therapy medications (HRT) could also experience night sweats due to hormone alterations.¹⁰

Infection or Virus

According to the American Osteopathic Association, one of the most common reasons behind night sweats is infections.¹¹ 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 possible reason behind night sweats is if you just had an illness, like a virus. Even if it was a minor respiratory virus, for example, your body’s temperature might still be slightly elevated with a fever, and a fever coming on or breaking during the night can cause you to sweat more than usual.¹²

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 medical journal BMJ Open, night sweats are three times more likely to occur in people with untreated sleep apnea.¹³ 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 a possible symptom.¹⁴

Unfortunately, diagnosing an autoimmune disorder can be difficult as the signs overlap with various other health problems, which is why we encourage you to talk to your healthcare provider if you think you could be dealing with an autoimmune disease.

Cancer

In some cases, night sweats can be early precursors to certain cancers.⁷ Additionally, people receiving cancer treatment can experience night sweats, as well as those who’ve previously been treated for cancer.¹⁵

Learn more about sleep and cancer here.

Heart Disease

According to research done by the University of Queensland in Australia, heart disease may 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.¹⁶ They also noted that the risk of these events was correlated to the severity of the hot flashes and sweating rather than the frequency.

Night Sweats in Men vs. Women

According to Dr. Dintyala, women are more likely to have night sweats than men. He said that this is mainly because the hormonal changes women experience during menopause, pregnancy, and pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) lower the threshold values of the thermoneutral zone, resulting in more frequent sweating. The thermoneutral zone is the range of temperatures surrounding you where your body can internally maintain its core temperature by regulating skin/blood flow.¹⁷

Although less common, men also experience night sweats. Males who frequently sweat throughout the night may be experiencing low testosterone levels, also known as male hypogonadism. Approximately 38 percent of men aged 45 or older have low testosterone levels.¹⁸

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

Bedding

Linen sheets are well known for their temperature-regulating abilities. They are great for keeping warm in winter and cool in summer, and their sweat-wicking capabilities are convenient for those who experience night sweats. Personally, I struggle with night sweats, and linen sheets have been a game-changer for sleeping comfortably.

For More Info: Best Cooling Sheets

Cooling Remedies

Locking your doors and shutting your windows at night is a standard safety precaution. However, if you feel comfortable leaving your bedroom window open at night, it could help circulate air and keep you cool. Additionally, installing a bedroom fan could alleviate discomfort as well.

Keeping ice water, an ice pack, or a cool washcloth nearby could help lower your body temperature during uncomfortable nights as well.

View Our Guide: Best Cooling Mattresses

Breathable Clothing

Going to bed in stifling clothing could exacerbate night sweats. Make sure you’re wearing lightweight, breathable material to help keep you comfortable. Garments that are 100 percent cotton, linen, silk, or rayon could be better suited to sweaty nights.

Adjust Exercise Timing

Late-night exercise could be contributing to your discomfort. Night sweats can happen when your temperature rises above a certain thermo-neutral level, which adjusts with your circadian rhythm. Exercise raises your body temperature, which can set off a hypothalamic response, causing sweat.¹⁹

Learn More: Exercise and Sleep

Avoid Triggering Substances

Spicy Foods

According to a research study reported by the Journal of Nutrition & Intermediary Medicine, higher consumption of sugar and spices is associated with night sweats, so cutting back on these two may alleviate the issue.²⁰

Cigarettes

Smoking has been famous for being harmful to our health for decades, and it could exacerbate night sweats as well. According to research on cigarette smokers versus “never smokers,” cigarette smoking is connected to hot flashes and nighttime sweating, which means cutting back on cigarettes or quitting them altogether could help with night sweats.²¹

Alcohol

Alcohol is associated with various symptoms, including night sweats.²² If you are looking to get rid of night sweats, avoiding alcohol may help. For anyone struggling with alcohol addiction, you can contact the American Addiction Centers at 866-669-1367.

Learn More: Alcohol and Sleep

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 psychological technique that may help treat physical ailments like hot flashes and night sweats. According to a research study completed over six weeks, CBT could be effective at reducing night sweats.²⁴ 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, such as medications or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). If you think you could benefit from either of these, we recommend discussing your options with your healthcare provider.

If you experience night sweats frequently and persistently, speak to your doctor. Night sweats do not always indicate a more serious issue, but they could be symptomatic of an underlying condition requiring medical attention.

Sleep is critical to living a healthy life. If you’re experiencing poor rest or little sleep due to night sweats, consult a professional to discuss treatment options.

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 serious problem. If this is the case, keep track of your symptoms 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. Consult your healthcare provider if you’ve recently experienced unexplained weight loss accompanied by night sweats.

Night sweats are when you experience excessive sweating while trying to sleep.²⁵

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.⁷

Night sweats and hot flashes can be connected, but they can occur separately from one another as well. Hot flashes can happen because of menopause or other conditions that alter hormone production, and these hot flashes can lead to nighttime sweating. On the flip side, night sweats can occur from other conditions not linked at all to menopause, such as an infection or idiopathic (primary) hyperhidrosis.³