What Are Night Sweats a Sign Of?

Perspiration is your body's normal response to an increase in body temperature. However, nocturnal hyperhidrosis, commonly known as night sweats, is defined as drenching perspiration that occurs at night, soaking your pajamas or bedding. Typically, room temperature is not a factor. According to the Mayo Clinic, the causes often stem from medications or hormonal changes, but can also be caused by infections, nervous-system issues and endocrine-system disorders.

Hyperhidrosis

• Hyperhidrosis causes excessive perspiration to be produced by the sweat glands, which are most prevalent in the armpits, genital region, hands and feet. According to the Columbia University Medical Center, approximately 1 percent of the population suffers from hyperhidrosis, and symptoms can be mild to socially disabling, including sweaty palms and excessive perspiration around the head and face. Nocturnal sweats that cause damp or wet bedding and clothing can also be a symptom.

Menopause

• Physical symptoms experienced during menopause, such as night sweats, are caused by hormonal changes. Menopause is a normal biological process; as a female ages, her ovaries, which produce estrogen and progesterone, have a reduced function, lowering the production of these hormones. With the lower level of these hormones in the body, fertility comes to an end and the body goes through physical changes. In addition to night sweats, symptoms can include mood changes, decreased libido and hot flashes.

Autonomic Neuropathy

• Autonomic nerve damage affects the nerves that regulate involuntary functions of the body. Signals from the brain to the autonomic system are interrupted, and the body's role in heart-rate regulation, bladder control, digestion and sweat-gland production rates are affected. In addition to hypotension (low blood pressure), incontinence and other symptoms, you may experience night sweats.

Tuberculosis

• Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is the bacterial infection most frequently associated with night sweats. Symptoms may also include fever, chest pain, weakness, coughing and shortness of breath.

Lymphoma

• Night sweats are often an early indicator of cancer---in particular, lymphoma. Lymphoma begins in the lymphatic system, which transports white blood cells that help to fight infections. The white blood cells are stored in lymph nodes that are located in the groin area, neck, abdomen, chest and underarms. Lymphoma begins with an abnormal cell replicating itself and reproducing until it becomes a mass. The mass interferes with the production and distribution of healthy white blood cells in the body.

Medications

• Night sweats are commonly associated with such medications as antidepressants and psychiatric drugs, antipyrectics that lower your body temperature, hypoglycemic agents, aspirin, acetaminophen and medications that change the levels of blood sugar and hormones in the body. If you experience night sweats, consult your doctor to help determine if medications are the cause.