Night sweats

What are night sweats?

Night sweats refer to excessive sweating during sleep, even if the room temperature is cool. They can leave your bedding or pajamas soaked with sweat.

Some key things to know about night sweats:

• Causes
  
  
  • Night sweats can be caused by medical conditions like menopause, anxiety disorders, cancer, and infections
  
  
  • Certain medications can also cause excessive sweating at night
  
  


• Symptoms
  
  
  • Waking up drenched in sweat even though it's cool in your bedroom
  
  
  • Need to change clothes or bedding due to wetness
  
  
  • Sweat that smells salty or sour
  
  


• Diagnosis
  
  
  • See your doctor if you have frequent or severe night sweats
  
  
  • They'll try to determine the underlying cause based on your medical history, medications, and other symptoms
  
  


• Treatment
  
  
  • Treating night sweats focuses on managing the underlying condition
  
  
  • Lifestyle changes like keeping your bedroom cool and wearing breathable pajamas can help
  
  
  • Prescription medications may be an option depending on the cause
  
  

Below are some common questions and answers about night sweats:

What are some of the most common causes of night sweats?

The most frequent causes are menopause and perimenopause in women, anxiety disorders, infections like TB, endocarditis or HIV, and cancers like leukemia or lymphoma. Certain medications can also cause night sweats.

I sweat a lot at night but I don't have a fever. Should I be concerned?

Yes, frequent night sweats without fever can still indicate an underlying medical issue. Make an appointment with your doctor, especially if they soak your pajamas or bedding. Getting checked out can help diagnose conditions like menopause, hyperhidrosis, infections, cancers or medication side effects.

What can I do to reduce night sweats?

Making your bedroom cooler, using breathable bedding, wearing moisture-wicking pajamas, avoiding spicy foods at dinner, and cutting back on alcohol close to bedtime can all help reduce sweating. Identifying and treating underlying causes is also important. Your doctor may suggest prescription medications as well.