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.
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.
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:
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.