Are you experiencing excessive or abnormal sweating while sleeping? Does excessive sweating disrupt your normal sleep cycle, leaving you feeling tired and restless in the morning upon awakening? Excessive sweating while sleeping, also known as night sweats, is a very common problem which affects people of all cultures from around the world.
In this article we will explore some of the more common causes of sweating while sleeping, including some biological, physiological and environmental causes.
Excessive sweating can be a very annoying problem causing damp or moist sheets, damp nightclothes and interrupting the normal and much needed sleep cycle, leading many people to research how to stop sweating.
While there are many potential causes for sweating during sleep, in most cases the problem is either the result of environmental causes (the room or air temperature is too hot) or a condition called hyperhidrosis (explained below).
Some of the more common causes of sweating while sleeping are outlined below: Hyperhidrosis: Hyperhidrosis is a condition affecting approximately 2%-3% of the population.
This condition is characterized by sweat glands that are overactive in one or several parts of the body, producing more sweat than is necessary to cool the body.
People suffering from hyperhidrosis will usually experience excessive sweating in places like the underarms, feet and palms and the condition, while persistent, will usually become worse in the presence of stress or anxiety.
Certain Medications: There can be no debate that certain drugs and pharmaceuticals interfere with the body's natural chemistry and can lead to excessive sweating during sleep.
Drugs that have been known to cause sweating include many antidepressant medications and other psychiatric drugs, acetaminophen, birth control pills, niacin and nitroglycerin.
Cancer: There are certain times when sweating while sleeping may be an indication of a more serious health problem such as cancer.
Certain cancers such as lymphoma can be accompanied by night sweats as well as fever and weight loss.
If you experience these symptoms it is recommended that you see your doctor immediately.
Menopause or other Hormonal Changes: Menopause and other hormonal changes can produce hot flashes which can lead to excessive sweating while sleeping.
This is also true of conditions such as hyperthyroidism.
Anxiety and Stress: Anxiety and stress can cause abnormal sweating at all times of the day, including excessive sweating at night.
Certain Neurological Disorders: There are some neurological disorders, particularly some which may develop after a person experiences a stroke, which can also cause excessive sweating while sleeping.
Other potential causes of night sweats include epilepsy and diabetes and can usually be treated with medication or by changing the environmental conditions, such as using a fan or air conditioner while sleeping.
If you feel that sweating while sleeping is more than just an occasional annoyance, or if you feel that it is an indication of a more serious health problem, make an appointment to see your doctor right away.
In most cases excessive sweating while sleeping can be managed with oral medications or other non-invasive treatments.