There is a common type of excessive sweating that affects people while they sleep! Sleep Hyperhidrosis, also known as Night Sweats, can have a debilitating effect on how rested you feel in the morning and throughout the day! Read on if you find yourself waking in the middle of the night with soggy PJ’s!
What are Night Sweats?
Sleep Hyperhidrosis, or Night Sweats, is excessive sweating that occurs during the sleeping hours. To be considered Sleep Hyperhidrosis, the perspiration must be unrelated to the factors such as room temperature, clothing, bedding, etc. This distinction is important since Sleep Hyperhidrosis can be related to other serious medical conditions that may require a doctor’s attention.
Regardless of environment, sufferers of night sweating have hot flashes that can be severe enough to awaken them in the middle of the night. Pajamas and bedding may have to be changed due to dampness, and can cause skin issues because of the moisture and rubbing of the skin. Night Sweats are similar to Secondary Hyperhidrosis in most ways, but specifically occurs during sleep.The onset of Sleep Hyperhidrosis can occur anytime in life, but is most often seen in early adulthood. Night sweating can continue over the span of one’s life, or may have a limited lifespan itself. This form of Hyperhidrosis affects men and women alike and can occur alongside Primary or Secondary Hyperhidrosis.What causes Sleep Hyperhidrosis?
Night Sweats are often related to an underlying cause. While it seems obvious that the perspiration is connected to other sleep disorders, there are a variety of conditions that can cause night sweating in a variety of people.
While this list is not exclusive, it gives the most common causes of night sweats.
- Sleep Restlessness and Restless Leg Syndrome – can often cause a rise in body temperature during the night resulting in excessive sweating.
- Sleep Apnea – It is common for sleep apnea patients to also experience night sweating. The disturbance of the bodies regular sleep patterns are to blame.
- Infections – While many bacterial infections can cause Sleep Hyperhidrosis, Tuberculosis is most often associated with the night sweats. Infections ranging from Influenza to HIV infection are also known causes.
- Medications – Certain medications are known to be causes of excessive sweating. For more info, please follow the links in the Navigation Menu to the right.
- Menopause – Women over 40 often experience night sweating due to the menopausal hormonal changes going on in the body during this time period.
- Cancers – Night sweats are an early symptom of many forms of cancer. They are often associated with Lymphoma, a swelling of the lymph nodes due to a compromised immune system.
- Hyperthyroidism – is a condition in which the thyroid gland becomes overactive in its functions and can result in night sweats.
As stated above, this list is not exclusive, but gives many common causes of night sweats. For more causes of excessive sweating, follow the Navigation Menu links to the right.
Consult your Physician!
Sleep Hyperhidrosis is often not dangerous and is not always a sign of something more serious. As we have just seen though, Night Sweats can be an early symptom of many medical conditions, so if you experience them, please consult your doctor to make sure your excessive sweating isn’t throwing a red flag!