Health

Why you might be getting night sweats

Dec 12, 2016

It’s pretty common for your doctor to hear complaints about night sweats. It’s a condition that can make you uncomfortable, waking up with your clothes or your sheets drenched in sweat and feeling like you’re overheating.

It affects roughly 2 per cent of both men and women in Australia. Your night sweats could be the result of medication you are taking or it could be a sign of a more serious health issue, so it’s a good idea to see your health care professional if you find yourself excessively sweating on a regular basis.

Health issues causing night sweats

Anxiety, menopause, sleep disorders, infection, cancer, stroke and even a condition called ‘idopathic hyperhidrosis‘ can all cause your night sweats.

When it comes to medication if you are taking antidepressants, diabetes medication, pain relievers or steroids you might have noticed an increase in the amount of sweating you’re doing. If you are concerned it is always a good idea to talk to your health care provider or a pharmacist about the sorts of side effects you could encounter as a result of your particular medication.

Treating your night sweats

Largely how you treat your night sweats depends on its cause. For example, it could involve balancing your hormone levels, adjusting your medication or addressing an underlying issue.

Simple remedies might involve:

sleeping in a cool environment with light, breathable, non-synthetic clothing and bedding

use a fan or sleep in an air-conditioned room

using a clinical strength antiperspirant to the sweatiest parts of your body (hands, feet, underarms, groin etc.)

reduce the amount of alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods you are consuming

be sure you have finished eating at least two hours before you crawl into bed

drink plenty of water throughout the day

try and maintain a regular exercise routine.

Your doctor could also recommend further treatment based on the underlying cause of your night sweats. If they are as a result of your medication there might be an alternative that you could be prescribed.