|  | Conditions Treatments | Medical Conditions

Treatments for Night Sweats

Night sweats refer to any profuse sweating that occurs while sleeping. Night sweats are not to be confused with hot flashes, which are usually associated with menopause. Both men and women can have night sweats. The sweating results in drenched clothing and bedding with the sweating episode halting once the person is awake. The condition can be an indication of an underlying condition.

  1. Identification

    • Night sweats are identified by extreme sweating during sleep. The sweating stops when the person wakes up. The sweating can vary from being mild with just certain parts of the body getting moist while sleeping to a severe case where the sheets and the clothing have to be changed because they are soaked.

    Causes

    • Underlying conditions that can cause night sweats can include reactions to medication. Antidepressants and hormone therapy can also cause night sweats. Underlying medical conditions, including HIV/AIDS, menopause and tuberculous, as they become more acute, can cause night sweats.

    Considerations

    • Consider getting a proper diagnosis from a physician if the condition of night sweating persists for more than a few days. Only a doctor can take a look at a patient's medical history and run the proper tests to solve the problem. An adjustment to medication may be all that is needed.

    Treatments

    • Besides investigating if there is an underlying condition, you can take other measures to reduce or stop night sweats. Make where you sleep comfortable. Turn up air conditioning at night and remove extra bedding before you go to sleep. Drink cool water before bed and limit the intake of caffeine and alcohol before bedtime. Consider taking a cold shower before bed and wear cooler clothing to prevent night sweats.

    Expert Insight

    • While women go into menopause, men go into andropause, the body's declining production of testosterone. It is a diagnosis that often goes untreated in men, so ask the doctor to test testosterone levels if you are a man with night sweats and over the age of 40. Testosterone gels can be prescribed for treatment.

Medical Conditions - Related Articles