Night sweats causing sleep disruptions: When to seek medical attention?

Waking up in the middle of the night soaked in sweat can be unsettling.

You could be experiencing night sweats, which are usually associated with menopause.

Other factors or circumstances may also contribute to the development of the condition, according to medical experts.

Doctors discussed the topic of night sweats during interviews with Planet Chronicle Digital and provided insights on how to manage them.

What are night sweats?

Night sweats occur when the body's natural response to excess heat is dysregulated, according to Jesus Lizarzaburu, M.D., a family physician at TPMG Grafton Family Medicine in Yorktown, Virginia.

Lizarzaburu informed Planet Chronicle Digital that symptoms include drenching sweats that may soak your bedding and sleepwear, regardless of an overheated environment.

What issues can cause night sweats?

Night sweats may be triggered by a number of factors.

Night sweats are most commonly caused by hormonal changes, including menopause in women, according to Dr. Lizarzaburu.

He said this is not limited to females, however.

Men with low testosterone may experience night sweats to a lesser extent.

Lizarzaburu pointed out that certain medications, including antidepressants, hypoglycemics, hormone-blocking drugs used to treat cancer, and psychiatric drugs, may be the cause of night sweats.

Night sweats can be a symptom of hormone disorders, specifically hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid gland, as he explained.

Lizarzaburu stated that infections like tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and abscesses can lead to night sweats.

He clarified that with infections, other symptoms such as fever or localized swelling would be present.

How can night sweats be treated?

The treatment for night sweats depends on the cause, according to Mike Sevilla, M.D., a family physician at Family Practice Center of Salem in Salem, Ohio.

He stated that treatment may involve making lifestyle changes, such as avoiding triggers for night sweats, sleeping in a cooler environment, and wearing more breathable clothing.

"I generally start with these initial steps," Sevilla said.

"He suggested that there may be medication options for night sweats, but advised individuals to consult with their family physician before proceeding, as there could be medical testing necessary to rule out underlying medical causes."

He also mentioned that there are a variety of lifestyle changes and non-medication alternatives for treating night sweats.

Here are some examples.

"Avoid triggers like alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, spicy foods and others before bedtime to prevent night sweats," Sevilla advised.

He advised against exercising right before bedtime and instead recommended increasing physical activity during waking hours.

Stay hydrated. He suggests sipping cool water before bedtime.

He suggested considering relaxation techniques such as meditation or controlled breathing exercises to wind down before bed.

To create a conducive sleeping environment, Sevilla recommended sleeping in a cooler room and using a bedroom fan.

Invest in cooling bed accessories for a comfortable night's sleep.

He advised wearing breathable clothing, such as loose-fitting, lightweight pajamas and dressing in layers to make adjustments during sleeping hours easy.

Be mindful of OTC vitamins and supplements as they may lead to night sweats and interfere with prescription medications, advised Sevilla.

"If you are unable to have a full night of sleep because of night sweats, eventually this disruption will affect your quality of life."

Reducing the condition may require staying active and being mindful of your diet.

When is seeing a doctor warranted?

Lizarzaburu of TPMG Grafton Family Medicine advised seeking medical care whenever one's quality of life is impacted.

Eventually, the disruption caused by night sweats will affect your quality of life if you are unable to have a full night of sleep.

Lymphoma can be indicated by lymph node swelling, fever, and unexplained weight loss, which patients should take seriously, advised Lizarzaburu to Planet Chronicle Digital.

A medical professional can assist you in identifying the underlying cause of your night sweats.

Lizarzaburu stated that if menopause is the cause, one can begin with supplements and progress to hormone replacement.

"If the topic is low testosterone in men, testosterone replacement therapy can be beneficial."

He stated that if hyperthyroidism is the root cause, medication can be prescribed to manage it.

If medication is causing night sweats, a prescriber can reassess the condition to explore alternative medication or adjust doses, he stated.