Night sweating, also known as night sweating, can have several causes and although it is not always a concern, in some cases it may indicate the presence of a disease. Thus, it is important to note in what situations it occurs and whether it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, chills or weight loss, for example, as this may indicate a simple increase in the temperature of the environment or body at night. , as well as hormonal or metabolic changes, infections, neurological diseases or cancer.
Likewise, we should not forget hyperhidrosis, which is the excessive production of sweating by sweat glands, which is widespread in the body or located in the hands, armpits, neck or legs, but that occurs at any time of the day. Know what to do if you have hyperhidrosis.
- Thus.
- Since there are several causes for this type of symptom.
- Whenever it occurs persistently or intensely.
- It is important to speak with your family doctor or family doctor.
- To look for possible causes.
- Some of the main causes of night sweating include:.
When body temperature rises, whether by physical activity, high ambient temperature, consumption of thermogenic foods such as pepper, ginger, alcohol and caffeine, anxiety or the presence of an infectious fever, such as flu, sweating appears as a way for the body to try to cool the body and prevent it from overheating.
However, if an obvious cause is not found and night sweating is exaggerated, it is important to remember that there are diseases that speed up metabolism, such as hyperthyroidism, for example, and the possibilities should be discussed with your doctor.
The oscillations of the hormones estrogen and progesterone that occur during menopause or during premenstrual periods, for example, are also able to increase basal body temperature and can cause episodes of hot flashes and sweating, which can be nocturnal. These types of alterations are benign and usually pass over time, however, if they are repetitive or very intense, it is advisable to speak with a gynecologist or endocrinologist to better investigate the symptom and seek treatment, such as hormone replacement therapy.
Men are not free of these symptoms, as about 20% of people over the age of 50 can suffer from andropause, also known as male menopause, which consists of a decrease in testosterone levels and is associated with night sweating, in addition to heat, irritability, insomnia and decreased libido. Those who undergo a testosterone reduction treatment, due to a prostate tumor, may also have these symptoms.
Some infections, which can be acute or chronic, can cause sweating, preferably at night, and some of the most common include:
Generally, in addition to night sweats, these infections can be accompanied by fever, chills, weight loss, weakness, or lymph nodes throughout the body. In the face of these symptoms, it is very important to perform a medical assessment as soon as possible, and the treatment is oriented according to the type of microorganism involved, it may be necessary to use antibiotics, antifungals or antiretrovirals.
Some medications may have night sweating as a side effect, and some examples are antipyretics, such as acetaminophen, certain antihypertensives, and some antipsychotics.
If people who use these medications experience episodes of night sweating, their use should not be discontinued, but should be discussed with the doctor so that other more common situations can be evaluated before considering withdrawing or changing the drug.
It is not uncommon for people with diabetes on insulin treatment to experience episodes of hypoglycemia at night or early in the morning, and do not sit because they are sleeping, with only sweat.
To avoid these types of episodes, which are dangerous to your health, it’s important to talk to your doctor to evaluate the possibility of adjusting dosages or types of medications, and follow some tips such as:
Hypoglycemia causes sweating because it activates the mechanisms of the body with the release of hormones to compensate for the lack of glucose, causing sweating, paleness, dizziness, palpitations and nausea.
People with sleep apnea suffer from decreased blood oxygenation at night, leading to nervous system activation and can cause night sweats, as well as increased chances of developing high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias and cardiovascular disease.
This disease is a condition that causes a momentary pause in breathing or a very shallow breath during sleep, resulting in snoring and some relaxing rest, which causes symptoms of daytime drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, headaches and irritability, for example. . Learn how to identify and treat sleep apnea.
Some people may have an autonomic nervous system disorder, which is responsible for controlling functions that do not depend on our will, such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, digestion or body temperature, for example.
This type of alteration leads to what is called dysautonomy and causes symptoms such as sweating, fainting, sudden drop in pressure, palpitations, blurred vision, dry mouth and intolerance to activities such as standing, standing or walking for a long time.
Changes in this autonomic nervous system can result from several causes, mainly in neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis, Alzheimer’s disease, a tumor or brain trauma, for example, in addition to other genetic, cardiovascular or endocrine diseases.
Some cancers, such as lymphoma and leukemia, may have night sweat as a common symptom, in addition to weight loss, enlarged lymph nodes in the body, risk of bleeding and decreased immunity. Sweating can also occur in neuroendocrine tumors, such as pheochromocytoma, or carcinoid tumors, which stimulate the release of hormones that trigger neurological response, such as palpitations, sweating, redness of the face, and high blood pressure.
Treatment should be guided by the oncologist and, in some cases, followed by the endocrinologist, with treatments that may include surgery and chemotherapy, for example, depending on the type of tumor and the severity of the condition.