For some time now, have you been waking up sweating and it doesn’t go away? Various causes can explain these night sweats.
We speak of “night sweats” or “nocturnal hyperidrosis” when we sweat significantly during sleep. These hot flashes sometimes go so far as to wet night clothes and bed sheets. Very often, they wake up the person who is the victim. It is then difficult to go back to sleep, which has repercussions on the quality of rest. If this happens too often, these night sweats can lead to daytime sleepiness, mood disorders and cognitive functions (difficulty remembering, concentrating, paying attention, etc.).
An excessive temperature in the bedroom and/or an accumulation of blankets or duvets inevitably promotes heatstroke at night in the same way as drinking alcohol and/or a too spicy meal the night before. In this case, the sweating will be temporary. Conversely, when it becomes chronic, there are medical causes to look for, starting with a hormonal problem. “In women, night sweats can be caused by hormonal imbalance caused by premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopause or pregnancy.argues Dr Monique Quillard, general practitioner. In men, excess testosterone can be the cause of these sweats. Finally, for both, overweight and obesity can also be responsible“.
Sweating excessively at night can also be due to sleep apnea syndrome. These breathing pauses “lead to abnormal activation of the nervous system due to the drop in oxygen during apnea, and generates these sweats”, continues Dr. Quillard. The phenomenon is also favored by taking certain medications such as antidepressants or antidiabetics; by a dysregulation of the thyroid (hyperthyroidism), the presence of gastroesophageal reflux or more serious illnesses such as a cardiovascular disorder, tuberculosis, HIV and certain types of cancers such as lymphoma or leukemia, lists Dr. Keelboat.
The sudden and especially repeated nature of night sweats should prompt you to make an appointment with your doctor. He will carry out a careful investigation to determine when these sweats appeared and the circumstances. A clinical examination may be completed by a blood test to find the cause(s) of the disorder. “If sleep apnea is suspected, a complete sleep recording may be carried out, specifies Dr. Quillard. If night sweats are due to hormonal imbalance, such as menopause, hormone replacement therapy may be recommended. If it is a dysregulation of the thyroid, the healthcare professional may prescribe medications that block the production of thyroid hormones. In short, there are solutions so talk about them.