Sweating at night - what is the cause and how to get rid of it

The reasons for night sweats may be the natural age-related changes in the body, and serious illness. Often, the person begins to sweat during sleep due to the fact that his bedroom is very hot, or too he sleeps under a thick blanket. In order to differentiate night sweats, associated with exposure to the environment and caused by any processes in the human body, in the second case, doctors use the term hot flushes, or just hot flashes. Independently distinguish normal sweating on hot flushes is impossible; even experienced doctors often have to hold a series of diagnostic procedures to determine the reason for the patient sweats heavily the night.

Causes

Here are the most well-known and common known causes of night sweats:

• Menopause. The concept of "flushing" is often associated with menopause, although this symptom does not occur only in women during hormonal changes the body another. Whatever it was, hot flushes at night, and sometimes any other time of the day - a common complaint of women who have menopause;
• Andropause. Lowering the level of testosterone in men of mature age and can lead to night sweats. It is believed that this also contributes to stress, which occurs in many people with the appearance of visible signs of aging;
• Idiopathic hyperhidrosis - a condition in which a person sweats often, including at night, but the reasons for this can not be identified. One of the most likely causes of this disorder is the emotional stress;
• Infections. Among infectious diseases night sweats often causes tuberculosis Tuberculosis - a full recovery is not guaranteed . Much less to the appearance of symptoms may result in bacterial infections such as endocarditis (inflammation of the endocardium - the inner shell wall of the heart), osteomyelitis (bone inflammation), and some kinds of abscesses. Sometimes the night sweating is a symptom of AIDS;
• Cancer. Some types of cancer can cause severe night sweats. The most common occurrence of this symptom is associated with lymphoma. In patients with cancer, along with sweating may occur, and other symptoms such as weight loss and wanton heat;
• Medications. Taking certain medications can lead to night sweats. Most often it is caused by antidepressants; generally, night sweats is listed side-effects of virtually all drugs of this class. Sometimes this side effect and cause such medications as aspirin, paracetamol, niacin, tamoxifen, hydralazine, sildenafil (Viagra), prednisone and other corticosteroids;
• Hypoglycemia. Lowered blood sugar Blood sugar - one of the main indicators of human health   It can also lead to night sweats. Sometimes, this sign appears in people taking drugs to reduce blood sugar levels;
• Hormonal disorders. Night sweats can be a sign of hormonal disorders such as pheochromocytoma, carcinoid syndrome, and hyperthyroidism.

Neurological disorders. In a rather rare disorder such as autonomic dysreflexia, post-traumatic syringomyelia, stroke, and autonomic neuropathy can lead to excessive sweating at night.

Symptoms

Some patients wake up during the night from the fact that sweat a lot, while others only notice this morning that they have wet pajamas and sheets. Besides, often accompanied by night sweats feeling of intense heat in the body, due to which the patient may have problems with sleep.

Depending on what was the cause of this symptom can be observed, and other symptoms, such as menopausal - irritability Irritability - you try to control my temper , Vaginal dryness Vaginal dryness: Causes and Symptoms , Increased anxiety, and in some infectious and oncological diseases - fever or chills.

When to call a doctor?

To many people, night sweats seems too minor problem that because it should seek advice from a specialist. However, if they are not held within a few weeks, and / or accompanied by any other symptoms, it is necessary to be surveyed by a doctor.

Diagnostics

To determine the cause of night sweats, the doctor should first of all study carefully the anamnesis of the patient. During his first visit to the doctor usually ask the patient a series of questions relating to his lifestyle and past illnesses, and so on. Besides, for the diagnosis may require a blood test, X-ray, computed tomography, and sometimes other procedures, such as biopsies.

Treatment

A method for treating patients suffering from sweating at night, depending on what was the cause of this problem. For example, if sweating is caused by bacterial infections, can be assigned to treatment with antibiotics, but if the cause was a cancer, the doctor selects the type of treatment, based on a variety of factors, among them - the stage of the disease, the overall health of the patient, his age, and so on .

It gives good results, but is typically used only in those cases where the night sweats, extreme irritation and other symptoms of menopause greatly diminish the quality of life of the patient.

In cases where the cause of night sweats are medications your doctor may adjust the dose, or assign another drug.

How to cope with night sweats - general advice

The following tips can help people who have night sweats is not associated with any health problems.

• Sleep in a cool room, or cover with a thin blanket. Obviously, if you at night too hot, you will sweat profusely, and will affect the quality of sleep is not the best way. Ventilate the bedroom before going to bed, turn on the air conditioner or leave the window open all night. If the home and on the street is very hot and no air conditioning, you can sleep without any blankets or cover sheet only.
• Sleep in clothes made of natural fabrics. If you sleep in pajamas or T-shirts made of synthetic material, which is hard to miss the air, sweating and hot flashes can cause particularly severe discomfort. Best sleeping in clothing of the lungs, natural fibers such as cotton. In addition, people suffering from severe sweating, it is recommended to opt for sleep free T-shirts and shorts instead of long-sleeved T-shirt and pajama pants. You can also sleep and completely without clothes.
• Choose the right bedding. Usually, people while selecting bedding pay attention to its color, pattern, size, but the density of the tissue. Meanwhile, it is important for those who regularly occur at night hot flashes. The plotneet fabric, the worse it is breathable and moisture; because of this heat is removed from the body very slowly, sweating and fever, meanwhile, are enhanced. Choose bedding fabric medium or low density. Weaving density of such fabrics is less than 65 yarns per square centimeter.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages before going to bed - they can enhance the hot flashes at night. If you have the habit of drinking a late night glass of wine or bottle of beer, it is necessary to abandon it, and replace the drink a cup of tea or a glass of cold water. In addition, for three to four hours before bedtime should not eat spicy food - it increases the body temperature and can stimulate sweating.
• Breathe deeply. Deep breathing helps to relieve stress, relax, and get ready for a good night's rest. Within a few minutes before going to bed Sit in a comfortable position, breathe deeply and slowly, counting to eight in the inhalation and exhalation.