The physiological functions of the skin include the work of the sweat glands, namely: the release of sweat followed by evaporation from the surface of the skin. This achieves a decrease in the temperature of the internal environment of the body.
In addition, sweating performs an excretory function: toxic metabolic products and some harmful substances dissolved in it are released with sweat. Night sweats are not uncommon. Excessive sweating is medically called hyperhidrosis.
So much sweat can be released that it soaks the sheets, duvet covers, and pillows. To get rid of this phenomenon, you need to identify the reasons - and their range is quite wide - underlying night sweats in a particular person.
Common reasons
Sweating during sleep can be caused by
- external reasons,
- physiological (normal) conditions,
- pathology of internal and endocrine organs.
When sweating is not associated with illness
External causes of sweating at night are the most commonplace: too warm a blanket, a feather bed, bed linen made of synthetic fabrics, night clothes that tightly fit the body of a sleeping person, as well as synthetic ones. Synthetic fibers are impermeable to air and moisture, the surface of the body overheats, and in response, sweating increases.
Hyperhidrosis can also be caused by an unventilated room that is too hot or too humid. A suitable temperature for night sleep would be 18–20°C. It is this cool atmosphere in the bedroom that promotes sound, healthy sleep. Air humidity should not exceed 70–75%, otherwise sweating will naturally increase.
Discomfort due to elevated temperature can occur not only due to external overheating, but also internal: the habit of eating too much at night, especially smoked, fatty foods, in combination with alcoholic drinks, as well as “night gluttons” give rise to overheating of the body from the inside due to increased digestion of eaten food.
Side effects of certain medications
Nocturnal hyperhidrosis is often a side effect of certain medications. Thus, medications prescribed to patients with depression and increased anxiety can cause increased sweating at night.
Like all side effects, hyperhidrosis does not occur in 100% of cases, but in approximately 14–21% of patients. The sweating caused by these medications is very profuse: the bed linen gets wet through. Of course, this situation causes inconvenience to patients and causes drug withdrawal.
Anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics (painkillers) also have nocturnal hyperhidrosis in their list of side effects. It occurs more often when these medications are taken in high doses.
The presence of hyperhidrosis while taking the listed medications is a reason to seek medical advice.
Pathologies that cause night sweats
Increased sweating at night in the neck, back, or chest may be a sign of a health problem. A person sweats during the acute period of infectious diseases, when the temperature is high, there is a cough and the body becomes intoxicated.
Why do my hands go numb while sleeping?
The positive role of sweating is to eliminate toxins of viral and bacterial origin. Fever is accompanied not only by acute respiratory infections and sore throats, but also by so-called specific diseases (caused by one specific pathogen): HIV, tuberculosis infection.
These diseases last a long time and are accompanied by periodic increases in body temperature, chills, and weakness. They cause sweating and exacerbations of chronic pathologies of internal organs: bronchitis, pneumonia, rhinosinusitis, nephritis, pancreatitis, etc.
Severe pulmonary and heart failure also causes nocturnal hyperhidrosis. The same applies to pathologies of endocrine organs (diabetes, thyroid dysfunction), metabolic abnormalities (Cushing's disease), and allergic pathologies.
A group of systemic autoimmune connective tissue diseases, which include systemic lupus erythematosus, polyarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatism; cancer, blood and lymph diseases are all causes of profuse night sweats. It happens if a person receives cytostatic drugs that are prescribed for tumors.
Deviations in the nervous (neuropathy) and mental sphere (acute stage of schizophrenia, psychosis, stress), toxic and drug addiction, alcoholism, obesity or exhaustion are also accompanied by night sweats. In principle, almost every disease can cause nocturnal hyperhidrosis.
The most dangerous diseases with increased sweating
Sometimes profuse sweating at night is a sign of serious illness.
Hyperthyroidism
An overactive thyroid gland is the most common cause of hyperhidrosis. In addition to night sweats, a hyperthyroid state is manifested by weight loss, increased body temperature, a person constantly feels tired, capillary vessels become brittle - bruises easily appear.
An overactive thyroid gland involves excessive production of thyroxine, the thyroid hormone. Thyroxine regulates metabolic processes - when there is a lot of this hormone, metabolism accelerates. All nutrients are burned as if in a furnace. Patients lose weight and sweat. They are also in a state of some excitement, suffer from insomnia, increased heart rate and ringing in the ears.
Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas
Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are a serious pathology from the section of oncological diseases. The body's lymphatic system is affected, primarily the lymph nodes and lymphocytes. The latter are the most important part of the specific immune system.
One of the signs of lymphoma is nocturnal hyperhidrosis. And also inflamed and enlarged lymph nodes are observed in the armpits, in the groin area, and on the neck. It should be noted that this pathology of the lymphatic system is promising in terms of treatment, depending on the stage and type of the disease.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a low level of glucose (sugar) in the blood, typical for patients with diabetes, especially at night. At very low glucose levels, diabetics can fall into a hypoglycemic coma. Changes in blood sugar levels are accompanied by profuse sweating.
The body responds to a drop in blood glucose levels by increasing the production of the stress hormone adrenaline. Under its influence, glucose begins to leave the depot into the blood and the condition returns to normal. Depots (reserves) of glucose are located in the liver in the form of a complex carbohydrate - glycogen. The second effect of adrenaline is anxiety, fear and profuse sweating.
Gastric reflux or indigestion
Indigestion is well known to people who love to eat heavily at night. After a hearty dinner at midnight, the process of digestion is intensified. And it is accompanied by the formation of excess heat and sweating.
Reflux esophagitis may be accompanied by increased sweating
Gastroesophageal, or gastroesophageal, reflux is the reflux of gastric contents back into the esophagus. There is a burning sensation in the esophagus, sometimes pain, difficulty breathing, plus night sweats. If reflux occurs frequently, you should consult a gastroenterologist: there is a possibility of serious pathology.
General recommendations
Regardless of the reasons for excessive sweating, you will get some relief during sleep:
The air temperature in the bedroom is from 16 to 18 degrees Celsius
To sleep soundly and soundly, your bedroom should be a little cool.
When the temperature is comfortable and cool and there is no light, the sleep hormone melatonin is produced in greater quantities, which promotes harmonious and restful sleep.
Cross-ventilate the room several hours before bedtime
During the cold season, it is enough to ventilate the room for just 5 minutes before going to bed. And in warm weather - about half an hour.
In the hot season, there is no need to ventilate at all. It's better to use air conditioning.
Wearing clothes and linen that are comfortable for sleeping
For sleep, the best option would be pajamas, nightgown and bed linen made of pure cotton without synthetic impurities. T
This fabric absorbs excess moisture, allows the body to breathe and feel comfortable.
No hypothermia
Despite the cool air, you shouldn't feel cold. Just like it shouldn't be hot.
For the night, provide an additional light blanket that you can cover yourself with if you suddenly have to sweat a lot.
Increasing stress resistance
Unstable emotional background and severe stress have a negative effect on our physical condition.
Increasing stress resistance is a measure that will not bring instant results. However, by working at it, you will receive many additional bonuses.
This will increase mental stability and performance, reduce susceptibility to negative events, and improve well-being.
Positive mood background
Sometimes conscious concentration on the positive aspects of life brings significant changes for the better not only in the psychological state, but also in the physical one.
Proper nutrition
A balanced diet, a sufficient amount of vitamins and microelements - this in itself will not eliminate the problem of “sweating a lot.” But it will serve as a good basis for reducing sweating.
Sufficient drinking regime
When you sweat profusely, the body loses a large amount of moisture.
To prevent dehydration, this loss must be replenished.
However, remember that the liquid should not be “harmful”. Avoid carbonated sweet drinks, alcohol, and energy drinks. Give preference to plain water, compotes, fruit drinks, and still mineral water.
Remember the rule: if you sweat, replenish all the fluid you lose.
Complete rest
Lack of rest creates conditions for excessive stress in the body. Multitasking, inherent in most modern people, does not allow you to relax for a second. There should be days, or at least hours, in your life when you can devote time exclusively to yourself.
Time for yourself is not a whim, not a whim, it is an obligatory part of restoring wasted resources.
Even if you are a man who is the only breadwinner in the family, still do not forget about rest.
It’s better that you earn a little less, but you won’t acquire a bouquet of chronic diseases due to constant workload.
Night sweats in men
Nocturnal hyperhidrosis can be caused by specific, “male” reasons. For example, an imbalance of sex hormones. When the production of the hormone testosterone decreases with age, the effects of estrogens (female hormones) begin to manifest themselves in the male body.
In principle, they are always present in the male body, but their content is small compared to testosterone. But when its production is suppressed, estrogens begin to predominate and have their effect. Fever occurs in fits and starts, blood rushes to different parts of the body, and profuse sweating appears at night.
As a result of hormonal changes, external changes occur in the male body - hair turns gray and falls out, muscle mass is lost and fat accumulates, and one or another chronic pathology develops. All this is a transition period from mature age to old age (approximately 46–50 years).
Most men are very worried about this, to the point of developing fears, depression, and sleep disorders. The latter can be expressed in the form of painful nightmares, accompanied by heavy sweating.
Andropause – male menopause
Signs of andropause in men 45-55 years old.
In fact, the concept of menopause is more suitable for women. But men experience something similar at the age of about 50, sometimes at 45. During this period, the body quickly and intensively rebuilds the body's reproductive system, somewhat changing their reproductive function. Because of this, the production of testosterone is significantly reduced, which leads to a transformation of the hormonal system. The result is sweating, which is more related to the secretion of fluid in the armpits and on the face.
Should you fight night sweats caused by andropause? From a physiological and health point of view, this phenomenon does not pose a danger. But certain inconveniences are still present:
- unpleasant odor, especially in the morning;
- insomnia caused by the inability to sleep peacefully in comfort;
- irritation and itching caused by constant dampness;
- the need for frequent showers.
Also, people with hyperhidrosis are at risk for colds. Sweat on the body at night can contribute to hypothermia. Taking into account the fact that andropause already reduces immunity, the likelihood of catching ARVI increases significantly.
Causes of night sweats in women
Women suffer from night sweats even more often than men. In the fairer sex, nocturnal hyperhidrosis occurs during pregnancy, PMS, and menopause.
Pregnancy
The hormonal system begins to undergo restructuring from the first months of gestation. The restructuring leads to a temporary imbalance in the functioning of the nervous system, which is also responsible for the secretion of sweat. For this reason, a pregnant woman experiences increased sweating of the palms and feet.
From the second trimester, the load on the cardiovascular system of the expectant mother increases. More blood now passes through the vessels, metabolism increases. As a result, more sweat is produced. Sweating is observed over the entire surface of the body. This may bother a pregnant woman at night.
As the due date approaches, a woman’s body weight increases sharply, a lot of fluid accumulates in the body, and edema may appear. Excess fluid is eliminated not only through the kidneys, but also through increased work of the sweat glands, including at night.
Premenstrual syndrome
This is the name given to the state of the female body approximately a week before the onset of the next menstruation. At this time, hormonal imbalance may occur, externally expressed as emotional instability, pain, and night sweats.
Climax
The transition period between fertility and menopause. The onset of menopause is accompanied by a restructuring of the entire female endocrine system. The production of female sex hormones is greatly reduced. The result is “hot flashes”, a feeling of heat, in a woman:
- my head is spinning
- a lot of sweat is produced
- painful sensations appear.
Female sweating is especially painful at night, even causing sleep disturbance.
Characteristic diseases
Excessive sweating of the scalp may be a symptom of the disease. This condition is typical for:
- obesity;
- rickets in children and hypovitaminosis D in adults;
- diabetes mellitus;
- hypothyroidism;
- hypertension;
- ARVI;
- menopause;
- heart failure;
- snoring (obstructive sleep apnea syndrome).
Therapy for hyperhidrosis in the presence of a serious disease is prescribed by the doctor who treats the underlying pathology. But it’s better to start by contacting a therapist. He will refer you to a specialist of the appropriate profile. This could be a cardiologist, neurologist, gynecologist, endocrinologist, nutritionist, otorhinolaryngologist.
Night sweats during sleep in children
Until a child reaches the age of 6–7 years, thermoregulatory processes in his body are not yet fully formed. This causes significant fluctuations in body temperature and, consequently, sweat production during periods of predominance of the function of any part of the nervous system. Thus, at night the autonomic nervous system dominates - young children may sweat profusely.
The younger the child, the more he sweats at night
Prematurity
When a baby is born ahead of schedule (40 weeks), a huge load falls on his body, since he is not ready to be in the external environment. The efforts of the child’s body to survive are accompanied by very large expenditures of energy and fluid, and as a result, profuse sweating.
Teething
At this moment, the child’s body undergoes a test of strength through inflammation and pain. As teething occurs, the temperature rises, especially towards night. When the fever begins to subside, the child sweats profusely.
Hypovitaminosis D
Combined with the development of rickets. The first sign of rickets is night sweating on the child’s head and neck. Sweat has an unpleasant and characteristic smell.
Hyperactivity syndrome
This is a state of some excitement of the nervous system, its being in constant tone. Hyperactive children are overly active, emotional, and cannot concentrate or engage in quiet games. Often diagnosed with brain function disorders.
Infectious and cold pathology
Typically, any infectious disease attacks the body at night, and it often begins with the patient starting to sweat.
Why do you break into a cold sweat at night?
I broke out in a cold sweat - the reasons for this can be serious, and someone sweats in their sleep after stress received the day before. Pathology that can leave you in a cold sweat: pressure surges, ARVI, HIV/AIDS, lymphomas, tuberculosis infection, anemia.
Sweating itself is caused by an increase in the level of adrenaline in the blood. Sweat evaporates on the surface of the skin, the limbs cool, blood vessels constrict, and the person suddenly wakes up with a feeling of anxiety. The causes of cold sweats at night in men and women are discussed below. Nocturnal hyperhidrosis in men is caused by the following conditions: low blood pressure, significant bleeding, vascular and cardiac dysfunction.
Excessive alcohol consumption
Alcoholic drinks cause severe sweating in men at night, and especially during a hangover. Even in the absence of malicious use, ethanol causes an imbalance in heat production in the body - a person feels either feverish with profuse sweating or chills.
Headache
The body of men who periodically suffer from migraine attacks is prone to frequent release of significant amounts of the stress hormone adrenaline into the bloodstream. Adrenaline is the reason why increased sweating occurs. The causes of migraines lie in a wide variety of pathologies - from a common cold to systemic severe diseases.
Idiopathic hyperhidrosis
The word "idiopathic" means "uncaused", "with an unknown cause." Sweat production is increased, but the reasons for this have not been found. Idiopathic sweating usually occurs after stress, conflicts at work and in family life.
Hyperhidrosis itself can become a cause for concern: cold and unpleasantly damp palms can create problems for a person in social life.
Hormonal imbalances
Accompanied by profuse sweating, characteristic of adolescence and sexual dysfunction in men. The problem of male sweating, no matter what causes it, should not remain unresolved. If this phenomenon persists for a long time, you should consult a doctor.
What to do?
First of all, it is necessary to find out the cause of this phenomenon. If sweating is a one-time occurrence, you can ignore it. If hyperhidrosis has become permanent, you should immediately consult a dermatologist or therapist.
Doctors almost never prescribe medications to relieve night sweats. It is recommended to normalize your sleep schedule, change your diet, exercise and give up bad habits. Sleep hygiene is important: the bedroom must be ventilated, the air temperature should not exceed 18°C.
Warm baths with infusion of chamomile flowers or eucalyptus, with the addition of essential oils, help well. Nightwear should not be too tight or uncomfortable. Natural fabrics - linen or cotton - are best suited. You should not have a heavy dinner or drink alcohol at night. It is useful to drink one glass of natural juice.
